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We must not ignore the Warnings and instructions given to us by the Apostles:

Romans 16:17-18 17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Who’s he talking to here? The Believers. Who is it that’s causing these divisions? Those who teach Contrary to what Jesus and the Apostles have taught (Sound Doctrine). He says to Mark Them – make a note – let it be known…

1 Timothy 4: 16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul’s talking to Timothy here and throughout this letter Paul tells Timothy to continue in Sound Doctrine. The same message applies to us today.

Titus 1:8-10 9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Sounds to me like another admonition not to compromise one’s Doctrine. And here is an even stronger admonishment:

2 John 1:8-10 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

When a teacher/preacher starts saying that there are Other Ways of reaching God – Other then through Jesus, he has left the Doctrine of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-10 6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Man, that’s pretty strong language! Let him be accursed… I don’t know about you, but that’s enough to make me watch my P’s and Q’s

2 Peter 2:1-3 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

Hummm…. Anybody else here feel like ‘merchandise’ sometimes? With all the so-called ‘Christian’ reading materials, instructional books, and false translations of the Bible…. All the movies and CDs, etc. etc… A few names definitely come to mind when I read this passage…

So, even if Christ is preached regardless of who’s preaching or what their intentions are, we are Still admonished to keep our Doctrine Pure and Mark those who teach Contrary to the Faith Delivered to us by the Apostles:

Jude 1:2-4 2Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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It appears that Jesus healed AND preached the Gospel. Are you saying that Jesus SHOULDN'T have done that?

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23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. [Matthew 4:23]

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Originally posted by danny458:

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WOW talk about TWISTING words and judging intentions of the heart. Dude, did you even READ my replies?

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I read your replies. I know that you believe the full gospel should be presented where possible.

My only point... (and my words have been twisted beyond belief on this board, so I can relate to you!) is that Rick Warren's movement has some good in it! There are millions of starving people in Africa... there is enough food in America to feed them... I see nothing wrong with attempting to get as much food to starving people as possible. Obviously there are politcial, economic, and other factors prevent us from feeding everyone and treating all disease... but whether or not the gospel is attached shouldn't be a reason to not send food, stamp out disease, or prevent education. How do you intend on spreading the gospel to people in a non-English speaking remote area where the population is sick, starving, and uneducated? Before you judge Rick Warren on the good he's doing, take a look at your own solutions to these real problems and pray God doesn't judge you the same way you judge Rick Warren. (yes yes yes... I know... you're judging his theology etc... etc... I've read the replies)

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You still don't get it do you? This thread has NOTHING to do with feeding children in Africa. My goodness, stop hijacking threads.

The thread is about Rick Warren and his PDC programs which go against the Word of God. If you want to make a "Feed Africa" thread, go for it. If you are not going to read the posts or follow the links to do research, how can you comment on Rick Warren?!



P.S. God will make good things come out of bad. Just because someone has SOME truth and does SOME good, doesn't mean they are ALL good. Perhaps you should read your Bible more concerning end times. If you did, you would know this passage:

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13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. [2 Corinthians 11:13-15]

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WOW talk about TWISTING words and judging intentions of the heart. Dude, did you even READ my replies?

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Originally posted by danny458:
Jesus said the poor will always be with us.... THEREFORE we don't need to make a strong effort to solve problems of poverty and hunger? That's quite the leap there Ripp and SoftTouch... but I admit I've encountered the same attitude at many evangelical churches so its not surprising to hear it expressed here.

REAL people made in the image of God are suffering, and you seem to have no problem turning a blind eye if a gospel tract or some message isn't attached. So much for unconditional love with no strings attached....

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As I began reading this book, the problems were so numerous and obvious that I backed up and began marking these errors. I found 42 such Biblical inaccuracies, plus 18 out-of-context passages of Scripture, supposedly used to prove his point, and another nine distorted translations. (More on some of these later in this report). In general, there is much that is disturbing within the pages of The Purpose-Driven Life. Even though he denies it, Warren is obviously a disciple of pop-psychology, which is littered throughout. The wise reader is well aware that simply because someone denies they are teaching something does not mean they are not teaching it. (John MacArthur and Larry Crabb are good examples of teachers who utilize this technique.) The proof is not in the denial but in the substance.

In this case, Warren, on the one hand, repeatedly rejects psychobabble, but on the other hand, he immerses his readers in it. One example is his statement, “Most conflict is rooted in unmet needs” (p.154). You will find that idea in Rogers and Freud and Crabb, but try to find it in Scripture. He quotes favorably from a wide variety of dubious authors, from Aldous Huxley and Albert Schweitzer to George Bernard Shaw to St. John of the Cross (Catholic mystic). He apparently believes practicing Roman Catholics are true believers, several times mentioning monks and nuns as Christian examples, and of course the obligatory reference to Mother Teresa (twice). This unqualified acceptance and promotion of Catholics brings into question Warren’s understanding of the gospel message itself. If he believes that faithful Roman Catholics, who believe in a works-righteousness, are born-again Christians, what does he believe the gospel is? Do we receive the gift of salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus certain works and sacraments? This is no minor issue, especially in a book that never spells out the plan of salvation.

When every third page (on average) of a book presents either an unbiblical, or at least a Biblically unsupportable idea, there is not much sense bothering to read it. And that would be my suggestion-- don’t bother.

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Originally posted by danny458:
Jesus said the poor will always be with us.... THEREFORE we don't need to make a strong effort to solve problems of poverty and hunger? That's quite the leap there Ripp and SoftTouch... but I admit I've encountered the same attitude at many evangelical churches so its not surprising to hear it expressed here.

REAL people made in the image of God are suffering, and you seem to have no problem turning a blind eye if a gospel tract or some message isn't attached. So much for unconditional love with no strings attached....

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Why do you keep making something out of nothing? If you take the time to read what I post, you might have a clue as to what I'm saying.

I NEVER said that we shouldn't help the poor or the needy. But pastors should be preaching the Gospel ALONG SIDE of helping them.

If you're just going to use rhetoric with no facts, don't post.

God bless.

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Rick Warren's church (and others like it) have attracted thousands. His methods do work. He says that the reason for the spectacular growth has been his emphasis on creating a "purpose driven church." It could be argued with equal force, however, that the real reason for the spectacular growth is not at all related to his thesis. The real reason for the growth is because of the New Evangelical principle of pragmatism. He asked the people what they wanted, and he gave it to them. He provided the product the market demanded, and it sold like hot-cakes. If you please people, they will come and come again.

But what could be more contrary to the principles found in Scripture? Consider what God told the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:4-11). Ezekiel was told that the people would not like his ministry or message, and yet he was to preach it anyway, regardless of the response. Ezekiel was successful if he did what God said. His success in God's sight had nothing to do with the response of the people. It had to do with the faithfulness of the servant. They would know that a prophet was in their midst. He was not to ask the folks what kind of a prophetic ministry would most appeal to them. He was given a forehead harder than flint to stand for the truth against all opposition. "Whether they will hear or forbear" was not the prophet's responsibility. His goal was not to get as large a crowd as he could. His job was to preach the truth, and he did (vs. 11). That is success in God's eyes. That was a fruitful and faithful ministry.

Of course our churches will grow faster if we throw out Scriptural standards. Of course our churches will grow faster if we please men and give them what they want. Yet, the BIBLE says we are to aim to please God, not men. If we are really concerned about learning how to "build a church," does it not make more sense to study God's Word, rather than studying polls and surveys of popular opinion? Conspicuous by their absence in this book on church growth were any extended expositions from the pastoral epistles. Isn't God's opinion on the matter what we should really be seeking?

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Man-centered philosophy: Examples of this philosophy abound throughout the book. His aim is obviously to please men. Consider Rick Warren's own words:

Figure out what mood you want your service to project, and then create it. (p. 264); We start positive and end positive. (p. 271); We use humor in our services ... it is not a sin to help people feel good. (p. 272); Cultivate an informal, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere. (p. 272); We made a strategic decision to stop singing hymns in our seeker services. (p. 285); We have attracted thousands more because of our music. (p. 285); Saddleback now has a complete pop/rock orchestra. (p. 290); Use more performed music than congregational singing ... (p. 291) (emphasis on entertainment); The ground we have in common with unbelievers is not the Bible , but our common needs, hurts, and interests as human beings. You cannot start with a text ... (p. 295); Make your members feel special ... they need to feel special. (p. 320,323)

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Warren spent twelve weeks going door to door and surveying the "needs" of the people (p. 139). Therefore, he offers what he calls a "full menu" of support groups for empty nesters, divorced couples, grief recovery, etc. In other words, offer the community/consumer what they want, and they will come. Perhaps the title "Market Driven Church" would suffice as well as "Purpose Driven Church." While he SAYS he is not "pandering to consumerism" (p. 200), his own words seem to contradict that. He states that church, in order to be successful, must target its audience, and then appeal to that audience.

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1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us ; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."
2And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." 3So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.

Then they said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!"

5So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD." 6Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

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7And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves . 8They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!"' 9And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation."

11Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, "He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. 13Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever."'[a] 14So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.

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19So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. 21And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?"

22So Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23For they said to me, "Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 24And I said to them, "Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.' So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out."

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25Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), 26then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on the LORD's side--come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. 27And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor."' 28So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 29Then Moses said, "Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother."

30Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." 31Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

33And the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. 34Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin."

35So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.

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Well. Looks like things didn't turn out so well. What can we learn from this? What have YOU learned from this?

God bless.

The Purpose Driven Church

Scripture taken from Exodus 32 (New King James Version)

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Originally posted by danny458:
The gospel is not included in UN food programs, should those be cut?

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Originally posted by danny458:

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(Brother Ripp here) The primary message that Christians need to spread is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins, and was ressurected and is now in Heaven with our God. He is our Lord and Savior and we must all repent. PERIOD! If you DO NOT preach this message, everything else is useless. What difference does a bowl of soup make to someone that is going to spend eternity in hell? If you don't back up gererosity with the Word, it's tragic. Read your Bible, it's clear what is to be taught.

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Maybe we have a different Bible... Mine Says in Matthew 25:
[i]32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,

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If you don't back up gererosity with the Word, it's tragic.

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Originally posted by Gramajo320:
I do have one question though don't you think that when a person is so down and out and terribly hungry that they would be more likely to clearly hear the words of the gospel rather than focusing their very painful pangs of hunger and thirst? There is nothing wrong with feeding them and preaching the word of the gospel at the same time!

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You say people are dying... the Bible says People apart from Christ are already Dead.

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18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit , [1 Peter 3:18]

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3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [2 Timothy 4:3-5]

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Can it get ANY clearer than this?! WE HAVE BEEN WARNED! If you fail to heed this warning, there are no second chances. Get right now!

God bless.

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Originally posted by Gramajo320:
Yes Jesus did say that the poor will always be with us - that is true. Yes the word of the gospel needs to be preached. I do have one question though don't you think that when a person is so down and out and terribly hungry that they would be more likely to clearly hear the words of the gospel rather than focusing their very painful pangs of hunger and thirst? There is nothing wrong with feeding them and preaching the word of the gospel at the same time! Yes we are to help clothe them also and if they are thirsty we are to give them drinks of water. We are also to treat them with respect, compassion, and empathy in doing the Lord's work!


In Christ's love,
Gramajo320

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Excellent point. Why is it that when you want to mention Jesus Christ you are immediately labeled as intolerant and hateful?

Give someone a bowl of soup and you're a hero. Give someone a bowl of soup and talk to them about Jesus and all of a sudden the ACLU is knocking at your door. This is a sick, sick world. This kind of seeker-sensative junk is exactly what we are too look out for. God's said it would happen, and it has.

"Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."

That's no different!

"Give a man a bowl of soup, he eats for a day. Lead a man to Jesus and he eats for eternity!"

Cmon people, WAKE UP!

God bless.

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A band-aid can keep a person physically alive long enough to get them to the hospital to get their heart transplant.

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I've answered this before on other threads for you Ripp. Yes I have accepted Jesus. Over 10 years now... The gospel is not included in UN food programs, should those be cut?

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Maybe we have a different Bible...

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If you were PHYSICALLY hungry all the time, would you go to a church or a UN food distribution center. Try hard to understand what others are going through. Giving someone a gospel tract or saying "Jesus loves you" is rarely the most effective way to share the gospel. But its a simple method that makes many Christians feel good about themself. "I've been sharing the gospel! I've been handing out tracts!"

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The Bible is truth, but it isn't the only truth...

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But apparently if they're not going to be saved then who cares?

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Yes I have accepted Jesus.

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Even if the gospel isn't included.

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I think you would be wise to spend some time with suffering people. And I don't mean going to a soup kitchen and handing out tracts.... Really get involved in the lives of suffering people... maybe your heart could soften towards the physical realities people go through. Showing God's Love in practical ways can make a far bigger impression than a "God loves you." I will pray for you.

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This statement is useless to me. It just shows your ignorance.

I see suffering every day. People are running around lost with no hope. People are going to hell because they don't know Jesus as their Savior. I do as I am called to do. People must be healed by accepting Jesus Christ. The people that don't know Jesus Christ are already dead. Maybe one day you will understand that.

I have no problem with feeding the hungry. I do have a problem with 'preachers' NOT spreading the Gospel to the world. Got it?

God bless.

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I agree, but to give someone a Band-Aid when they need a heart transplant defeats God's purpose. If you are not leading people to Jesus, what difference does it make?

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This concerns me. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins? The Gospel MUST be included in EVERYTHING WE DO! PERIOD!

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The primary message that Christians need to spread is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins, and was ressurected and is now in Heaven with our God. He is our Lord and Savior and we must all repent. PERIOD! If you DO NOT preach this message, everything else is useless. What difference does a bowl of soup make to someone that is going to spend eternity in hell? If you don't back up gererosity with the Word, it's tragic. Read your Bible, it's clear what is to be taught.

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I don't think that easing the suffering of people is a bad thing.

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Even if the gospel isn't included.

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I don't think its bad that the UN, the EU, the Catholic Church, or even Islam gives food to the hungry.

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The fact that they are giving food to the poor and earning good will with the people should motivate evangelical churches to give more humanitaian aid I would think if they want the message accepted.

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If you were hungary literally all the time, where would you go?

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What was scary about my quote?

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Rick Warren has acknowledged some obvious needs in the world and challenged Christians to take action.

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Feeding the poor and helping the sick is now being twisted as an 'endtimes watchout here comes the antichrist' issue?

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That's just too absurd for me.

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People are starving!!!!!!

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Yes, knock his theology all you want, but come on people are dying preventable deaths everyday

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but like I said, its easier to turn your head the other way.

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For you maybe, I refuse to turn from God's Truth.

God bless.

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Well, that would be all fine and dandy if they weren't replacing the Gospel with it. This is being taught INSTEAD of the Word, salvation and repentance. Surely you don't agree with that...right?

God bless.

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Its easy to ignore these problems since 'they are not ours'... I commend Rick Warren for focusing on these issues.
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That's just plain scary. Do you truly mean this??

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Originally posted by danny458:

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Spiritual Lostness, Lack of Godly Leaders, Poverty, Disease, and Lack of Education

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Its pretty obvious most of you here don't like Rick Warren's solution to these 5 big problems... anyone know of any effective alternate plans to address these issues?

I've been in Africa since the beginning of the year and of course I can't judge the work missionaries have done in regards to the first two problems... but I can say that in regards to the last 3 issues (poverty, disease, education), the strong evangelical missionary presense here has done almost nothing to ease these problems in any wide scale way. Ironically, the most humanitarian work appears (just my observation) to be being accomplished by the UN, the Catholic Church, the EU, and Islam... in that order... 4 of the big 'End Times Enemies' according to many here. Its easy to ignore these problems since 'they are not ours'... I commend Rick Warren for focusing on these issues.

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Well, that would be all fine and dandy if they weren't replacing the Gospel with it. This is being taught INSTEAD of the Word, salvation and repentance. Surely you don't agree with that...right?

God bless.

P.S. It's not just Rick Warren. There are many other false teachings going on. Nobody is judging Rick Warren, but his teachings. His teachings are faulty and leave out the main points of the Word such as salvation and repentance.

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Its easy to ignore these problems since 'they are not ours'... I commend Rick Warren for focusing on these issues.

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That's just plain scary. Do you truly mean this??

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Spiritual Lostness, Lack of Godly Leaders, Poverty, Disease, and Lack of Education

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Originally posted by bygrace:
I am so glad to see that this is being brought to light by the discerned. I had a bad feeling about the book the moment our church announced they were going to do the Purpose Driven thing. I read only 1 page and put it away. So many are still deceived by the Purpose Driven Propaganda.

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PRAISE GOD for your open eyes!

Did you try to tell your pastor or elders of your concerns? I know I did... I even printed out several articles (I wish I'd have had some of the one's Ripps been posting - at that time!). Unfortunately, I never heard rather they understood the True Dangers in this or not. So far, they haven't done the 40 days thing (as far as I know), but they also did not tell the young adults they gave the PDL book to about the concerns I brought up

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Psalm 119:104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

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"Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die’; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity , but his blood I will require at your hand… Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he shall die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand". (Ezek 3:17-18, 20 NASV).


How this particular "user-friendly" model which deliberately focuses on the "relevant, practical" sermon, can lay claim to be obedient to this portion of the Scripture I must admit is beyond me. Its entire approach is built around the premise of avoiding offense to its hearers. What kind of watchmen can he then be who will not warn his charges of the grave danger they are in and instead tells them how to better deal with stress or as is the case with some of these churches who have gone even further down this slippery slope, how to have a better love life? Imagine this, lost and perishing sinners exposed to the wrath of God completely devoid of any righteousness of their own, dropping into a "Christian" worship service only to hear how to improve their conjugal relations with each other! Is this what the noble calling of the prophet of God has degenerated into? What could make the devil any happier than this? Oh, where has the discernment of those who would condone such soul-damning practices as this gone?


One thing is absolutely certain, these men who would employ such wicked practices have absolutely nothing in common with Paul when he could boldly assert before the elders of Ephesus on the day that he took his leave from them:


Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God." (Acts 20:26-27 NKJV).

It is obvious that the great apostle had the words of Ezekiel evermore before his eyes as he went about fulfilling his ministry and declaring his gospel to the world of that day. He understood that their blood would be required at his hand should he fail to warn them of their peril. The true servant of Christ, who genuinely has the welfare of his listeners at heart, will love them enough to tell them the painful truth even if it brings shame and reproach upon him in the process. This is one of the characteristics that marked him as a true servant of Christ. Those who fail to do this can in no manner whatsoever be regarded as true servants of Christ and therefore should be regarded as the servants of antichrist instead. Let those who would scoff at this then do so at their own risk. We will take our stand with the apostle let them carp all they please.

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Critique of the "Seeker-Sensitive, Purpose-Driven" Church Method

Well, that pretty much sums it up for me. Pretty clear...

God bless.

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Let this charge should cause some of the more simple minded and naïve to reel with astonishment, the writer begs leave for them to consider the following. The gospel is the word of life. It is the ONLY instrument that the church has with which to raise men from their graves of sin and transgression into newness of life. It is the ONLY means whereby guilty sinners exposed to the wrath of God can be reconciled and brought into the Divine favor. It is the ONLY means whereby the slaves of Satan can be set free into the liberty of the sons of God. It is the ONLY means whereby men can be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of light. It is the ONLY true light that shines in the midst of a world filled with darkness and ignorance of the true God. Therefore, it is essential that it be defended and protected against corruption by those entrusted with the solemn task of declaring it before the sons of men. This is precisely what Paul had in mind when he stated:


"…according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted" (1Tim 1:11 NASV)


And


"…knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel." (Phil 1:16 NASV).


The apostle knew that the gospel had been entrusted to him by his Master and that part of his stewardship included defending it from the assaults of unprincipled men who were doing the bidding of the devil. This often brought him into fierce conflict with those who sought to corrupt it either by adding to it or subtracting from it. This explains the harsh tone he so often seems to exhibit in many of his epistles towards those who sought to pervert it in any fashion. He knew behind it all, lay the work of the serpent of old, the ancient deceiver, the devil himself. As it was truly a matter of life and death, we see him passing on this sense of solemn earnestness to his young protégé in the faith, Timothy:


"O Timothy, guard that which has been entrusted to you (the gospel, note mine), avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’ – which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith" (1Tim 6:20-21 NASV)


And


(2Tim 1:14 NASV). "Guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you."


Not only do we see Paul exhorting Timothy in this regard but we also see Jude exhorting his readers to do the very same thing:


"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith (the system of doctrinal truth – note mine) which was once for all delivered to the saints."(Jude: 3 NASV).

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Notice that these early ministers of the gospel not only expected an assault to be made upon the truth of the gospel, but that they considered it as their God-given responsibility to defend it even if it meant risking their lives and reputations to do so. As vigilant soldiers of their King, they were constantly on guard for any sign of the enemy’s activities and met each incursion of his with a clear rebuttal and refutation of his lies so as to preserve pure their message.

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Now, the devil has many schemes or devices, chief of which is to corrupt the glorious gospel of Christ. He has never ceased to assault this eternal gospel in the attempt to pervert, distort, dilute, twist, and render it ineffectual and powerless. He must somehow rob it of its "power unto salvation", as it is its truth that threatens his kingdom. But he must do so in as subtle and sly a manner as possible. He must do it in such a way so as to avoid discovery of his machinations. Diabolically cunning as he is, he innately realizes that his nefarious schemes are far more likely to ensnare and deceive if he can wrap them in a facade of truth. An outright, bald-faced lie is far too easy to detect. Hence, enter the subtle, but deadly counterfeit. Error disguised as closely as possible to resemble the truth.

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Critique of the "Seeker-Sensitive, Purpose-Driven" Church Method

Thing sure have changed.

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The other things that may be said in rebuttal to the claims of the adherents to this method that the "practical" messages will lure in the "unchurched" and then they will eventually hear the gospel and get saved is, "What gospel", and "Just when or where are these people supposed to hear this gospel"? We have already seen that without "the word of the cross" there simply is no gospel being preached no matter what the proponents of this system may claim. As far as when or where they are supposed to encounter the gospel it certainly will not take place on a Sunday morning as long as the focus is on the "practical" or "relevant". According to Romans 10, one has to hear the gospel before he or she can become saved. No "word of the cross" - no "gospel", so just when do they supposedly "get saved"?


But perhaps you might be hesitant and say, "But my church has adopted this model and we haven’t gone so far as to introduce secular music and play videos of secular movies in our Sunday services". My response, "Just wait and see. They will be there before too long." Once pragmatism becomes the chief concern of the church instead of faithfully proclaiming the truth entrusted to it by the Lord, it will completely evolve into an organization which will grow increasingly tolerant of any deviant or novel practice as long as it serves to produce the desired ends. Once the floodgates are opened it is too late to hold back the tidal surge of the overwhelming flood. The only way such a church can be spared from completely apostatizing is to thoroughly purge itself of this approach altogether and return to the ancient paths (Jer 6:16), something easier said than done.

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Critique of the "Seeker-Sensitive, Purpose-Driven" Church Method

This is why it's SO dangerous. And this PDC stuff is spreading like a cancer guys. Is anyone getting this yet? Can you connect the dots yet?

God bless.

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