On the Selection of Rick Warren for Obama's Inauguration

GrafFred »

Sun Dec 28, 2008 10:44 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Daniel Paul: Rick Warren is very supportive of “the emerging church.” This is what he wrote in a foreword for Dan Kimball’s book, The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations --

This book is a wonderful, detailed example of what a purpose-driven church can look like in a postmodern world. My friend Dan Kimball writes passionately, with a deep desire to reach the emerging generation and culture. While my book The Purpose-Driven Church explained what the church is called to do, Dan’s book explains how to do it with the cultural creatives who think and feel in postmodern terms. You need to pay attention to him because times are changing.

It is true over the past decades many trends have come and gone. As Warren stated in the foreword of Kimball’s book:

As a pastor, I’ve watched churches adopt many contemporary styles in worship, programming, architecture, music, and other elements. That’s okay as long as the biblical message is unchanged. But whatever is in style now will inevitably be out of style soon, and the cycles of change are getting shorter and shorter, aided by technology and the media. New styles, like fashions, are always emerging.

Not all these trends have been based on sound biblical doctrine. In fact the reason many of these trends occurred was because Christians were vulnerable to “winds of doctrine” that had no biblical basis.

According to the Bible, in last days these winds of doctrine will be “doctrines of demons” that will influence Christians to fall away from the truth and accept ideas that “tickle their ears.”

Rick Warren is not only supportive of the “emerging church,” he believes that it is exactly what is required at this time. He believes this is what “the purpose-driven” church that he founded will become in the “postmodern world.” He notes:

In the past twenty years, spiritual seekers have changed a lot. In the first place, there are a whole lot more of them. There are seekers everywhere. I’ve never seen more people so hungry to discover and develop the spiritual dimension of their lives. That is why there is such a big interest in Eastern thought, New Age practices, mysticism and the transcendent.

Further, he explains what the “emerging church” must do in order to emerge:

Today seekers are hungry for symbols and metaphors and experiences and stories that reveal the greatness of God. Because seekers are constantly changing, we must be sensitive to them like Jesus was; we must be willing to meet them on their own turf and speak to them in ways they understand.



Now, let’s follow Rick Warren’s line of reasoning through to its logical conclusion based on the idea the world is hungry for an Eastern worldview, the New Age, mysticism and spiritual enlightenment. If it is necessary to meet these “spiritual seekers” on their turf, wouldn’t that require Christianity to become more New Age and mystical?

On the Selection of Rick Warren for Obama's Inauguration

GrafFred »

Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:23 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Would that the selection criteria would have included more Biblical tests. Hard to fathom how an emergent ch_rch leader would represent those that adhere to baselines pincipals. Easy to understand how Warren's "all roads lead to GOD" approach would be acceptable to a Wright disciple.

Crystal Cathedral Searching for New Senior Pastor

GrafFred »

Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:45 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

SAG has legion leading men available who will accomplish presenting the script (not scripture) IAW the prescribed guidelines.

Guest Check Launches New 'Mystery Worshipper' Service for Churches

GrafFred »

Wed Dec 24, 2008 1:30 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Marketing is now driving these mis-labeled ch_rches. I think that they can save some $$ by passing out survey cards, similar to the ones available at movie preview screenings. After all, entertainment is the promary mission, and based upon some of the things I have heard, the leading man & woman should be SAG members.