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Rick Warren’s Panacea -A peace Plan for the WHOLE WORLD that is waiting Being against non biblical things, teachings and ways is what salt and light is about. But it becomes a tightrope walk when one is trying to address what is coming inside the church, especially when one is Americas pastor. Warren has invented what he terms a Peace plan for the world- our mission is now to solve the five greatest problems we face on planet earth. He seems disconnected to Bible prophecy that warns about the world getting worse or when they say peace and safety, sudden destruction will come. Warren does not put much stock in prophecy, his reasoning is that no one knows, so let’s not bother. There is now over one quarter of the Bible null and void. “The first reformation of the church 500 years ago was about beliefs. This one is going to be about behavior. The first one was about creeds. This one is going to be about deeds. It is not going to be about what does the church believes, but about what is the church doing. The first Reformation actually split Christianity into dozens and then hundreds of different segments. I think this one is actually going to bring them together” (Rick Warren, Pew Forum on Religion) Together into what is the question, Warren has made this his life’s work, his churches activity and he wants everyone to join him “The first Reformation clarified what we believe. This reformation is all about how we act and operate in the world. It involves the key components of purpose, decentralization, lay mobilization, use of technology, and continuous learning. Churches that change are thriving and growing more effective. Churches that refuse to change will miss the reformation, and are dying." [ Ministry Toolbox Saddleback Sayings (2/12/2003) at http://www.pastors.com/RWMT/?ID=89]That is a bold ego statement, to make your reformation plan the way into the future. Martin Luther began an unplanned reformation to get back to the Bible by challenging a wayward church. Warren on the other hand is challenging churches that are not wayward to join with him in a works based reformation that widens the borders, as inclusive to everyone so we can all do the same works- together. The bottom line is that we intend to reinvent mission strategy in the 21st century. This will be a new Reformation.” (Peace Plan” by Rick Warren, http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/home/todaystory.asp?id=62130 To reinvent mission strategy, a new reformation sounds similar to statements of Peter Wagner’s new apostolic reformation. And why not? Warren sat under Peter Wagner at Fuller theological where he wrote his doctoral dissertation on his church growth ideas. Maybe this is where his plan was birthed."I have two goals in my life. One is a reformation of the church in America and the other is a return of civility to society when people who disagree can still get along and like each other even if they disagree" (Rick Warren on Larry King live,12/2/05) Warrens two goals in life a reformation of the church and civility. To Agree To Disagree is the genre of our day, its tolerance, & its the theme of his ministry. He says the first reformation divided the church; his reformation will unite the church. Warren thinks he is the great unifier. This reform will be about deeds, not biblical doctrine. This includes other religions and even atheists. What a wonderful plan for the church, (ahem). “I believe that this new Reformation will be the evangelization of the world.” (Rick Warren, speaker at the Baptist World Centenary Congress -- “Cleansing Water,” July 30, 2005) REALLY? That may be your opinion but can you start a reformation on works, uniting those who are not believers and neglect doctrine? Only if your works are not done in Christ. That means this is not God’s plan, but mans, a particular man. Let’s step back and look at the overall emphasis and the concept being presented. What happens when the church unites with other religions and humanists to do God’s work? The gospel diminishes; it is not the emphasis when you work with other religions. This is a subtle, yet effective campaign that eliminates evangelism. Can we agree on works, truthfully and honestly consider this? The Bible says whatever we do is to be done in Christ and by faith. This means our actions are directly linked, inseparable to what we believe (doctrine) and practice. Warren shows what he believes, not only by what he says (on fundamentals and other important matters concerning truth) but with his goals, operation and deeds. Since we can’t FULLY agree on what we believe in the Bible lets just work for a common goal and not exclude others. This is his new reformation, based on works as the common unifier. He is offering a humanitarian campaign that will have the other religions to work alongside the church (or us with them) to accomplish solving these (five) problems. Without doctrine how does one withstand other belief systems influences? Success by in numbers Warren believes the more people we have involved, the wider the sectors the greater the success. Even if we work with the world and secularists. Why not, he is willing to work with other religions to do his good works” Rick warren: “The future of the world lies in religious pluralism.” (Rick Warren, "Pastor Argues Faith is Missing Link," by Maria Kefala, 2/5/08) This one sentence is true, that is indeed the future of the world. However, the Bible says (Rev.17) it is not what God intends and wants people to have a choice other than the spirit of the age. “government and industry can't succeed in solving social problems unless they include faith groups, with their large volunteer forces and their worldwide networks” (ibid) Warren’s solution, he believes “the faith sector as the third leg of the stool of successful development”… “business and government alone cannot solve these problems. They haven’t, or they would’ve. The third leg of the stool is the churches. There’s a public sector role, there’s a private sector role and there’s a faith sector role. (Michael Ireland, “Rick Warren Talks about AIDS, Celebrity Status, Elections, January 9, 2007, http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1460297.html) Warren says “ Some people do what they do because of a personal motivation. I do it because I have a savior called Jesus Christ who said love your neighbor as yourself. Now, that doesn’t have to be your motivation for me to work with you. It’s just my motivation. I am told to love my neighbor as myself. And, so I have found that faith organizations are far more willing to partner with NGOs and governments than vice versa and I am say it is not going to get done unless you get all three legs of the stool” ( 2007 Rick Warren at the Clinton Global Initiative http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=1724&srcid=1612The three legged stool invented by Peter Drucker, his mentor. Warren brings in other religions under the heading of “faiths” because the governments and business failed, they cannot carry this on there own. Muslim Public Affairs Council: When I asked Warren to name something that he admired about Muslims, he answered without hesitation: “you people are not afraid to talk about God, he said with a smile. It’s always, ‘God willing’, or ‘God bless’, or ‘Thanks be to God.’ That’s something I admire, because I come from the same place.” (article posted by Eboo Patel “Rick Warren, Interfaith Activist” 9/29/08).I suggest people read this full article.How does any of this expand the kingdom of God when other religions are involved? “Now this is the strategy behind the P.E.A.C.E. plan. … to attack the 5 global giants with a 5 point strategy.… P-E-A-C-E is the P.E.A.C.E. plan. Now where does that come from? It comes from Luke 10.” (Rick Warren, Saddleback’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, April 17, 2005) http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/home/anniversary_celebration.asp in his Charlie Rose interview: “Now, you’re never going to get Christians, of all their stripes and varieties, to agree on all of the different doctrinal disputes and things like that, but what I am seeing them agree on are the purposes of the church.” He further explains his discovery in Luke 10 for his plan of peace. “When Jesus sent the disciples … into a village he said, ‘Find the man of peace.’ And he said, ‘When you find the man of peace you start working with that person, and if they respond to you, you work with them. If they don’t, you dust the dust off your shoes; you go to the next village.’ Who’s the man of peace in any village – or it might be a woman of peace – who has the most respect, they’re open and they’re influential? They don’t have to be a Christian. In fact, they could be a Muslim, but they’re open and they’re influential and you work with them to attack the five giants. And that’s going to bring the second Reformation.” (May 23, 2005, the Pew Forum’s biannual Faith Angle conference on religion, politics and public life) His plan is to make a union with Islam, secular humanists and anyone else for this plan to work. There are no boundaries, not in God’s word and not in common sense. Warren: “incorporates two ideas from Luke 10. Individuals would be sent out in teams, and on entering a village, they would seek "a man of peace.“ Find the man of peace. Bless him. He blesses you back. Who is the man of peace? He’s influential and he’s open. He doesn’t have to be a Christian. Find a non-Christian who’s influential and open— a Muslim or an atheist.” (Rick Warren Purpose Driven in Rwanda” by Timothy C. Morgan, 9/23/05, Christianity Today, Oct. 2005) If the man of peace can be an atheist than this plan of his is not about promoting the gospel! So working with other religions and even non believers in a God (actually hostile to God) is going to bring the new reformation. REALLY? Warren joins with Islam as a religion that Christians can work with to build interfaith projects. Avoiding speaking on the founder as a false prophet, Islam’s competing and hostile statements on Judaism/ Christianity. It is clear Warrens intentions are not about leading people towards Jesus, as the solution to the world’s problem. Luke 10:1-12: After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house." Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. "And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' "But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.‘ "But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.” If we look at it Luke 10 carefully, it is about sending laborers to harvest. v. 6"And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it. This is speaking of those who are open to the gospel message. Peace was what the disciples gave to a house if they received them and their gospel message. If a city refused the message they were to pronounce judgment, not just any judgment but the one that gave total annihilation. Jesus told his disciples to go out and call people to repentance. Warren lifts out a portion of the scripture adjusts it to his message of ignoring our differences so we can work together for peace; without Christ. To conclude Warren’s interpretation of Lk.10 is very different would be an understatement! Warren has fully invested himself in this because he believes, he wants it to bring a new reformation - His reformation. Warren explained to Charlie Rose his inclusive vision for his world peace plan. He told Rose that Jesus sent out his disciples to go find the man of peace in every village. He said Jesus sent them out to find people who would work with them on solving poverty, sickness and the other problems of the world. (He said that they did not have to agree with the disciples message or beliefs) only that they are willing to work on common issues. Warren insists that we don’t have to have the same religion or moral beliefs to work with people on poverty, disease, etc. This may be so in a general sense, but what is the churches priority given by God not modern man? To bring spiritual reconciliation, a word warren uses without the same meaning. At the Clinton Global Initiative, Warren was asked how “the church” could solve the problems in the world. His response was the numbering of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians in the world, that when we all become united we can solve far more than we are now. While this general appeal to compassion may seem noble, there is a much to contend with. This is what he says over and over ad nauseam… There is no such thing as Biblical separation in Warren’s plan, but there is separating from those who will not agree with his way. Warren: “It’s called the people of faiths, plural. There are 600 million Buddhists in the world. That’s a large number. There are 800 million Hindus in the world. There are a billion Muslims in the world. There are 2.3 billion Christian members of churches. … They all matter. When I think about 2.3 billion people who say they’re a member of a church somewhere, that makes the church bigger than China. That makes the church bigger than India. In fact, it makes the church bigger than China and India put together. Now, if you want to say, “Well, we can’t have anybody of any faith doing humanitarian effort,” you just ruled out most of the world, because really, outside of Manhattan and Europe, there aren’t really that many secularists. [Laughter] The fact is most people have some kind of faith. It doesn’t matter to me what it is at that point, but if they’re willing to work on the issues, that’s what matters.” (2007 Rick Warren speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=1724&srcid=1612) Lets go over what he said and pause and ponder the outcome -- He call them people of faiths, plural. Stating Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims (etc.) those of other religions all have faith. Warren’s answer “The fact is most people have some kind of faith. It doesn’t matter to me what it is at that point, but if they’re willing to work on the issues, that’s what matters.” What kind of faith would that be? In another God, millions of gods, or no god. Well it matters to God. Our example is the Israelites, who were warned not to enter into agreements, covenant or marriage with the surrounding people, or they would led away to worship other gods. Israel was led into Babylon, are we going to revisit the same mistake? Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” If you don’t go by the Bible anything can be moved into the imaginary circle you have made for faith[s]. All is permissible. Warren is willing to have “unity in the faiths” instead of unity in THE faith. This shows us where he is leading the church, off a cliff. Does the Bible have anything to say on this? Of course it does. 2 Cor. 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” If you do not consider them unbelievers (because they believe in a god) then you have abandoned evangelism, you cannot call yourself an evangelical. We are told in many examples 1 Cor. 15:33: “Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Let me address his belief system he is engaged with the Bible. Jude 3 “I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Look it up - you will not find the word “faiths” in the Bible, nor is the concept upheld. Why? Because there is only one faith, and this faith Warren is not earnestly contending for at all. Scripture exhorts us to contend for the faith that was given to us through the Hebrew prophets and the Bible, for faith comes from hearing the word of God. We are not to be contending for the unity of faiths. Paul wrote “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Galatians 2:20). This is the Faith the Bible teaches, the faith that Paul had. If you have this faith you are a Christian, not another religion. Yet Warren at his 25th anniversary said Warrens is a man who used human reasoning and not the Bible is a typical diaprax method. “Ephraim mixes himself with the nations; Ephriam has become a cake not turned. Strangers devour his strength, yet he does not know it” (Hosea 7:8, 9) We see a mixture being promoted which can affect everything in the church especially her mission, which is still Mt.28:19. If we stick with Gods plan we will find success. Acts 2:41-43: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. The Lord added to the church daily.”Pt.2. The Purpose of developing alliances in government, business and religions Much of this can be seen on our new Rick Warren’s Panacea DVD
PT.2 Developing alliances in government business and religions
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