Beliefs are not the same as theology. I should not claim that Protestants believe Jesus was a liar when he called Simon "Rock" and upon this Rock, etc. Maybe you believe he lied, maybe you believe he referenced Peter's declaration of faith, maybe you believe the same as Catholics. I have no idea. You were describing Catholic belief, and were incorrect, so I corrected you.
Now, if you said Catholic theology relies too heavily on the Greeks, or is too convoluted for God, you'd be describing my theology, and I would argue with you, and we might actually get somewhere. Argue with me, tell me why the Rick Warren theology isn't shallow - I never once commented on your belief.
Generally speaking, we shallow Protestants do not take our theology from the NYT bestsellers list. Its just a book, slick.
You'll notice my post said some branches of Protestantism. And clearly, if it is on the NYT bestsellers list, and the people reading it are not Catholic or Orthodox, then it is Protestant theology. No need to call me slick.
>> Beliefs are not the same as theology.
Princeton’s University’s Wordnet defines “Theology”, in this particular context, as “a particular system or school of religious beliefs and teachings.”
So — you’re not criticizing the beliefs, because you don’t know the beliefs. You’re just criticizing the “system of beliefs.” Still semantics.
>> Argue with me, tell me why the Rick Warren theology isn’t shallow - I never once commented on your belief.
I haven’t read Rick Warren. And, generally speaking, I do not debate theology. There are far more qualified people than I to take up the Protestant cause.
I do, however, dispute the fact that Rick Warren’s book is a representative sample of the complexity within Protestant theology. Rick Warren delivered ONE of THOUSANDS of possible messages which define Protestant theology. Some of those messages are lighthearted and hopeful, some are fire and brimstone. Some are simplistic and general, some are very complex and very specific. Some are for new believers just coming to Christ, some are for seasoned veterans of the faith.
Ultimately, Rick Warren wrote a self-help book from a Christian perspective. How to better your life through a relationship with Christ. I don’t begrudge him, or his fans, that message — it is a good message, a Biblically sound message, and a message that many probably need to hear. That Warren didn’t take on the tough issues in that particular book doesn’t mean the theology avoids those issues — it means only that believers will have to consult a different book for the fire and brimstone. Whether Rick Warren is simplistic or not (again, I haven’t read him), a single book — no matter how popular — is not a reasonable measure of the complexity of an entire faith system.
>> And clearly, if it is on the NYT bestsellers list, and the people reading it are not Catholic or Orthodox, then it is Protestant theology.
Lots of Christians read Tom Clancy, too. That doesn’t make his books defining of their theology. Lots of Protestants LOVE Dr. Laura Schlessinger — a Jewish woman with many useful things to say about improving your life through good choices and living morally. Lots like Dr. Phil. Lots love Ann Coulter. I’m sure one or two have read Andrea Dworkin.
You’ve chosen one book out of thousands, and declared it the defining book of Protestant theology. It simply isn’t your place to decide what books do and do not define a theology that isn’t your own.
H