[Dr. Thorne]

Frankly, evangelicals who take shots at Rick Warren ought to be ashamed. But their number increases with everything this man does on an expanding stage of public opinion. I have heard many of the attacks. Warren is too shallow and promotes pop-religion.

If one believes that Christianity's purpose should be to create a better world, then this man is correct.

If you think Christianity's purpose should be to preach this Gospel to all the world as Christ said, then this man is helping Warren to redirect the Gospel away from it's true aim.

There is nothing wrong in helping the needy. We are directed to do so by God's Word. But, the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. This MUST be first as no man is saved by his works lest he should boast that he has saved himself. Any diminishing of the ultimate necessity of accepting Christ's sacrifice on the Cross for salvation is clearly the way Satan works. He whispers into the hearts of men, "Be a good man and help others. That is all you need to do. God will not deny you salvation if you have done many good works. God is just, right?"

Warren does just this. His message is simple and direct: Do good works. Don't worry about spreading the Gospel. The Gospel will somehow be spread by your works as those receiving your charity will somehow understand your motivation. Sin is not a problem.

God says, "Faith without works is dead." But, He also says, "Without me you can do nothing."

Leaving the poor and destitute with goods and services without delivering everlasting life through Christ Jesus is not Christianity.

[auto power]

we didn't watch the FOX special on Mr. Warren because they bumped Oliver North's War Stories (which they often do)!!!

[norge]

Hoo, boy. Now you did it (again).

[scripter]

Frankly, evangelicals who take shots at Rick Warren ought to be ashamed.

I couldn't agree more. A letter from Screwtape may be fitting here:

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My dear Wormwood,

I was delighted to hear from TripTweeze that your work is finally paying off. Your patient is really getting libeled, and by their very own no doubt. I would never have imagined the saints would help our side to such an extent. The contemptuous way in which the saints eat their own is incredible.

While your patients ministry is busy pulling many from our grasp, with all the bad press he is getting, many pitiful little infidels are no longer thinking of checking out Saddleback, and that was their last chance for many will die in another disasater our loyal subjects are putting together in Iran.

This is the most entertaining war I've seen in centuries. You will be greatly rewarded for your success.

Your affectionate uncle,

Screwtape

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Please stick to direct, in context quotes from Warren. For what I've seen from the Body here today is quite disappointing.

[Terriergal]

You forgot the barf alert.