The purpose-driven pastor (Rick Warren calls Christian fundamentalists an enemy)

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Jan. 08, 2006 | Paul Nussbaum

[Terriergal]

hmmmm.... I thought he was one of the 'good guys'?

[jjm2111]

bump for later.

[IronManBike]

ping

[Cecily]

Another point of view:

http://www.discernment-ministries.org/AfricaDreamShattered.htm

[wallcrawlr]

At the end of his second sermon last Sunday, he reminded his largely affluent Orange County audience: "Life is not about having more and getting more. It's about serving God and serving others."

That, simply put, is his message. Give your life to God, help others, spread the word.

Serving others is worthy whatever the motive. I sure hope that Pastor Warren leads people to Christ in such a way so people do not get confused that they think they are earning their way to heaven.

[ClearCase_guy]

Bad article.

It takes the time to define what is meant by "Evangelical".
It takes the time to say that "Evangelist" is not the same as "Fundamentalist".
It quotes Warren as saying that "fundamentalism" is an enemy.

But it never defines what he means by fundamentalism.

[My2Cents]

a time of muscular Christianity that cared about every aspect of life

This is true, but I'm not convinced that just because he's built for himself an impressive empire, that this qualifies Warren as the guy who can or should lead 21st Century Christianity into a new "muscular" era.

Thanks for the ping.

[My2Cents]

Warren disses Christian "fundamentalism," but in doing so, he shows ignorance of the history and origin of fundamentalism. Frankly, there are weaknesses and oddities about contemporary "evangelicalism," which Warren identifies with, that should be addressed, and which dictate that one shouldn't throw stones at another group of believers.

[steelcurtain]

Christian fundamentalism is much maligned because it's so frequently misdefined and misinterpreted.

[blue-duncan]

We have all taken shots at fundies over many threads on this forum. Just because it's Warren does not make him a bad guy. CC_g on post#6 makes a good observation. Before we jump to conclusions because it's Warren see how he defines fundamentalism. Remember, this is the MSM (Philadelphia Inquirer) that's reporting this and they are no friend of ours, fundie or evangelical.

[carsonfire]

In context, he seems to be talking about fundamentalists as a term for extremists. That is, not someone who has a fundamentalist view of the scriptures, but someone who takes the scriptures as justification to commit violence. Also, in context, he is not isolating Christians, but making a broad statement about extremists of all stripes, including secular extremists.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

Check out this lengthly interview with "Amercia's Pastor" - http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=80 About half way down, Warren is quoted saying "Now the word "fundamentalist" actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity, and when I say there are very few fundamentalists, I mean in the sense that they are all actually called fundamentalist churches, and those would be quite small. There are no large ones."

Now, from this site - http://www.eaec.org/bibleanswers/five_fundamentals_of_the_faith.htm are the 5 commonly adhered-to fundamentals:

FIVE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE FAITH



There are five fundamentals of the faith which are essential for Christianity, and upon which we agree:

1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8-9).

2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).

3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14).

4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).

5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20). [1]

Are these "legalistic and narrow" or are they Biblical? Methinks "pastor" Warren has departed "the narrow way" in his efforts to attract many lost folks to his version of "church".

[wallcrawlr]

The road is narrower than most Christians realize.

[ClearCase_guy]

Interesting.

But I can't square this with the language Warren uses in the posted article. He lists off Muslim, Jewish and Christian fundamentalism, calls them all an enemy, and says they are motivated by fear.

You have listed Five Fundamentals of the Faith -- and I cannot imagine a Christian minister saying that those Five Fundamentals are motivated by fear, or that these Five beliefs make one an enemy of the Christian Faith.

I think we have apples and oranges here.

[My2Cents]

Precisely. And one who aspires to be "America's Pastor" should be more careful with his characterizations.

[My2Cents]

Good post! "Narrow" indeed. Every Christian church should be so "narrow."

Warren: "I mean in the sense that they are all actually called fundamentalist churches, and those would be quite small. There are no large ones."

I wonder if this is his main point of contention with the "fundamentalists," that certain churches haven't bought into Warren's vision of large mega-variety congregations with insipid music and feel-good preaching.

[shekkian]

Serving others is worthy whatever the motive.

Not always the case. If you're expecting some sort of kickback I would call that somewhat less than sincere.

No, I'm not an anti-capitalist.

[wallcrawlr]

dont nitpick now :)

[RnMomof7]

I have no doubt of the mans salvation, but he compromises the gospel to build his church.

It has been noted he even misquoted scripture to make a point.

I have little respect for his methods and compromises