1 Timothy 4:1
[ The Great Apostasy ] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.


2 Timothy 4:3
For 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;
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.


2 Peter 2:1
[ Destructive Doctrines ] But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
2 Peter 2:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:4
[ Doom of False Teachers ] For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;
2 Peter 2:3-5 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:12
[ Depravity of False Teachers ] But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,
2 Peter 2:11-13 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
2 Peter 2:18
[ Deceptions of False Teachers ] For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
2 Peter 2:17-19 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

I am lucky to be in SoCal. I got to visit Saddleback Church regularly for awhile. I have not read and has no interest in Purpose Driven Life book. But I have to say Rick Warren has the heart of Jesus. I believe this is a rare quality in these troubled time for so-called Christians. Come, see and listen. It is a open church and I was welcomed as a church should to all. That is a rare quality too. Church being most segregated organization. I believe Jesus would have talked and dined with Jews.. hehe.. meant to be a joke. I have no doubt he will talk to Muslims and help them as much as he can as he would to Jews. He asks what can he do for them instead of pointing finger and judge them. Most of so-called Christian leaders got enormous index finger. So they can point and judge others. They should cut them off because it will be in the way to heaven's door. I am not a member of Saddleback church. It is too far for me.

Hi jesus4me,

I do not believe that Mary is nor should be considered a Mediatrix or a co-Redemptress. What Leo XIII said is contrary to the Word of God. It is false. In posting what Leo said, I should have been more clear and showed my disagreement with what he said. I apologize if you thought I was disagreeing with you.

wilderness:

I am asking these questions as lovingly as I can, but nevertheless trying to bring outr the Biblical truth in the questions. Please answer these questions: Where in Scripture does Mary exhort followers of Jesus to make her Co-Redemptrix, or Co-mediatrix? Where does the Scripture condone the worship or deification of any of the Apostles, or Mary? Where in the Scriptures does it tell you it is ok to elevate anyone other than the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) to deification status? If the answer to any of these previous questions is "nowhere", then the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican are preaching false doctrine and endorsing idolatry all around the world.

A challenge I pose to the Roman Catholic Hierarchy: Does not the Scripture teach that Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and man? Do the Scriptures not also quote Jesus Christ the Messiah (Savior of the world) as also teaching with authority saying He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes to the Father (God) except thru Him?

jesus4me said: "On another note, I'm not sure if any of you have seen how the Roman Catholic Church is trying to deify Mary worship, and trying to make her "co-redemptrix" to Christ."

Iucunda Semper Expectatione
On the Rosary
His Holiness Pope Leo XIII
September 8, 1894

2. The recourse we have to Mary in prayer follows upon the office she continuously fills by the side of the throne of God as Mediatrix of Divine grace; being by worthiness and by merit most acceptable to Him, and, therefore, surpassing in power all the angels and saints in Heaven. Now, this merciful office of hers, perhaps, appears in no other form of prayer so manifestly as it does in the Rosary. For in the Rosary all the part that Mary took as our co-Redemptress comes to us, as it were, set forth, and in such wise as though the facts were even then taking place; and this with much profit to our piety, whether in the contemplation of the succeeding sacred mysteries, or in the prayers which we speak and repeat with the lips.

http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_le13is.htm

On Page 13 of "The Purpose Driven Life", the reader is led into making a covenant in finding God's purpose for his/her life in 40 days of reading the book. Then in chapter one, the readers finds out that it is not about them, but yet they were just led to make a covenant in finding God's purpose for their lives in 40 days. This set the precedent for double-mindedness that follow many famous "leaders" in Christianity as they give religious guantlets for believers to respond to: even Mr. Graham, in flip-flopping on the Gospel message by giving the altar call to make a commitment to follow Christ to save themselves. If believers doubt their salvation, reading the scriptures regarding His promises to rest in Him shall do a far better job than taking up the religious challenge in making a commitment to follow Jesus.

God has made the Covenant saying He will do it. Even after having saved us, and He will help us to live as His, and all He asks from us is to believe in the One Whom He has sent. We should not be looking for assurances from man in following Jesus for we know that no matter how much the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. There is no power in the decision, but in believing in God and His Word to us in living the christian life as well as resting in Him that we are saved as His by faith.

John 6:28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 1: 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Philippians 3: 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Psalm 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

I used to attend a church several years ago that had replaced Bible Studies with "purpose driven" studies and small groups, and something about the book at the time really disturbed me, but I couldn't quite get my finger on it, until I became familiar with the emerging church heresy and it's false social gospel. Upon studying up on their subtle reinterpretations of the Word, and the heresy of trying to usher in peace in the world by worldwide ecumenicalism, i started making connections in my mind and heart with what the Apostles warned concerning the end times, in the Epistles, and in the Book of Revelation with regard to false teachers and false doctrines. I firmly believe that this emerging church doctrine is a bridge that the enemy is using to unite Protestant churches with the Apostate church of Rome in order to create a world stage for the antichrist. Ancient Babylonianism is coming back into the culture with it's neo-pagan influences. The "madonna and child" pictured in many catholic books and pictures is not Mary and Jesus, but rather Ishtar and Tamuz.

On another note, I'm not sure if any of you have seen how the Roman Catholic Church is trying to deify Mary worship, and trying to make her "co-redemptrix" to Christ. I'm not making this up, there are many in the hierarchy of the church that are doing this, and promoting this deification of Mary. There have been "aparitions" around the world where "mary" or "the queen of heaven" as they call her is saying that she needs a place of worship everywhere in the world in order for peace to come. Sounds pretty heretical to me with the Bible speaking of false signs and wonders. I saw a very good Bible based DVD exposing this heresy up front. It was promoted by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa where Pastor Chuck Smith and another narrator were showing a documentary with people around the world hailing mary as co-redemptrix with Christ. Testimonies of healing from mary were shown with people being drawn to the deception wide open. They were worshipping her as the"queen of heaven". If y'all would like more info on that specific DVD and learn more about how many protestants are falling away into icon worship, and maryanity together with the emerging church which promote "vintage worship", and catholic mysticism practices such as contemplative prayer, etc..... go to www.twft.com, or (1-800-272-WORD) or www.understandthetimes.org.

I too stopped reading his book; it is a "man centered" gospel. It has since been tossed from my library.

In his book Purpose Driven Life I got as far as chapter 11 and stopped to learn what he meant by "breath prayers". After learning the potential of what he was advocating the book was placed into the round file.

It's amazing what Mr. Warren has accomplished without the Spirit of God!

Decisional Regeneration
http://polemos.net/Articles/Decisional%20Regeneration.html

Regeneration or The New Birth
http://polemos.net/Articles/Regeneration%20or%20The%20New%20Birth.html

Speaking of Mr. Warren, here is an excerpt from an article in January 06. The article can be accessed at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060126/news_1c26warren.html.

"The New Testament says the church is the body of Christ, but for the last 100 years, the hands and feet have been amputated, and the church has just been a mouth. And mostly, it's been known for what it's against," Warren said during a break between services at his church campus.

"I'm so tired of Christians being known for what they're against." Warren is looking to the future by invoking the past. "One of my goals is to take evangelicals back a century, to the 19th century," said Warren, 51. "That was a time of muscular Christianity that cared about every aspect of life."

So no one in the body of Christ has been doing anything for the past 100 years?

I have no vested interest in defending Warren.
This piece is written in such a strikingly attacking way, it is difficult to get to wade through the original story posted by the San Diego newspaper to cull out the original story before commentary was added by the writer.
Rick Warren, pro or con, it is this kind of 'journalism' that causes the watching world to read articles such as this, shake their heads and wonder, "What the heck...?" Or if you are Yiddish, "Vat the heck...?"

Also, read Israels history in the Old Testament and learn why God so many times had them go into bondage. It was due many times to adopting and following other nations idols and traditions. If there is scripture directing us to go to other religions to convert them, maybe...so if Mr. Warren can produce any scripture supporting this, then he should do so. However most "exalted" pastors today are too pious to consider any of their flock of having the boldness to question them relating to teaching or actions. What I see in scripture is God using pagan nations to carry out judgement on Israel time after time for setting up idol worship of other nations. Mr. Warren had an opportunity to share the gospel of Yeshua but chose to share a "smile."

pavilion, I choose also to not beat him up, but he should in ernest study the words of Yeshua in this passage. Matthew 15:1-20 and repent.
Matthew 15:1-20
“Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:
‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

pavillion,

. . . . . . where it is asked. . . .

We have been asked to preach the gospel to those who are without Jesus Christ; this should have been Warren's message.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God - Acts 9:20.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels - Mark 8:38.

I commend Warren for reaching out and giving help where it is asked and I choose not to beat him up.GOOD JOB WARREN!

Maranatha, Konewone, and Online 4 Him: You all got it right. If we don't hold true to the Scriptures, then where do we draw the line as to what is what? When we don't hold true to the Bible in context, then we have a wishy washy relativistic, decontructionism that reminds me of what liberal secular progressives are doing right about now in every segment of society INCLUDING some liberal, emergent churches that preach this "social gospel" that only tells a half truth to draw you in, but denies the full essence and heart of the Scriptures, as well as pick and choose what Jesus really meant wen he said this or that. It is the Gospel of Christ that saves men and women from eternal seperation from God, and restores a right relationship with God and our fellow man here on earth. Rick Warren is blinded by the numbers, but we need to remember that Christ was more interested in the quality of one growing in the faith; not quantity in numbers.

Hmmm .. so it's all about "growing", regardless of the message, right?

Methinks Warren needs to go back to the Bible without any preconceived ideas and actually READ the words of Jesus again. Jesus was not the least concerned about "quantity" of believers, only quality.

KoneWone2,

Well said brother; well said.

Rick Warren is ashamed of the true biblical Gospel so instead of preaching the full-orbed Gospel to the Jews he teaches them how to build and enlarge and grow their anti-Christ temples. Rick Warren is the one who should be utterly ashamed, of HIMSELF. He is a false teacher with a warm fuzzy smile. A wolf in sheep's clothing? How does one tell? Rick Warren looks like a sheep, doesn't he.

This is the Gospel that Rick Warren will not proclaim, boldly and fearlessly, see and hear video message here:

Here Is Christ-exalting; Spirit-empowered; Biblically-rich; Uncontextualized; Impassioned Reformed Gospel Preaching!

This a brief, yet powerful, uncompromised call to follow Jesus Christ as Lord by a friend of mine named David King. I have been honored to share the platform with him at conferences along with friend James White. In fact, I was there when he preached this about a year ago. It was powerful then as it is today.

IMHO, David is the best kept secret in evangelicalism today. He is an accomplished author, faithful pastor, solid expositor, a true man of God, and a dynamic preacher of the gospel. May your hearts be encouraged by this message today.

The cross is a radical thing,
Steve
1 Cor. 2:2

http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/2007/12/here-is-christ-exalting-spirit.html

If Rick Warren preached like that those Jews would throw Warren out on the street and crucify him. Same as if he preached like that to Muslims. But he wont preach like that until he truly and fully repents. Rick Warren is a traitor to the cause of our LORD Jesus Christ. He is a compromiser

Not Ashamed of the Gospel
John Piper

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByTopic/7/1042_Not_Ashamed_of_the_Gospel/