SUMMARY:
Below is a letter to Thomas Trask on the subject of Purpose Driven Teachings in the Assemblies of God. I hope you find it informative. - Sincerely in Christ,
Steve Svendsen
This letter is directed to Thomas E. Trask, General Superintendent of The Assemblies of God, in care of Charles Crabtree, Assistant General Superintendent asstsup@ag.org.
March 26, 07
Thomas E. Trask, General Superintendent of The Assemblies of God
gensup@ag.org
Dear Mr. Trask,
I am following up with this second request to have a study commissioned on the Purpose Driven Teachings which are being used in the Assemblies of God. I am also reporting on reactions to the request made in January.
There is interest in having information distributed on specific teachings found in Purpose Driven materials. There are also those that seem to oppose any examination being performed.
Read about it
Here...
The men that have defended the Purpose Driven Doctrine have so far shown a strategy that is three pronged.
- Attack critics personally. Read about it Here...
- Characterize the documented, detailed, and extensive criticism of Purpose Driven materials as being undocumented, non specific, out of context, guilt by association, innuendo ect (no matter what) Read about it Here...
- Do not address specific deficiencies and doctrinal error that are found in evidence as written materials. Read about it Here...
Some of which are;
Teaching
Dominionism. Teaching
Universalism. Teaching
P.E.A.C.E. instead of the great commission . Teaching
contemplative prayer, "breath prayers", vain repetitions, (transcendental meditation, and altered states of consciousness) is a way to a closer walk with the God of the Bible. Teaching the use of
oaths. Teaching
self esteem rather than man's depravity. Teaching the
inherent goodness of unregenerate, unrepentant man. Teaching "
evangelism" that does not declare the person and work of Jesus Christ or the unregenerate state of fallen man. Teaching the "
Church" is made up to include worldly Christians plus "world class Christians". Teachings that methodically
apply Scriptures to the unsaved that should only be applied to the Church of Jesus Christ.
The above teachings are found in written Purpose Driven materials and other documented sources. You may agree this is a problem notwithstanding being able to point to instances where sound doctrine has been stated. Seeker Sensitive concerns aside, one could still reach the conclusion that Purpose Driven Doctrine is indefensible on the merits when debating within a Fellowship that has stated beliefs such as the AG. It cannot withstand the light of day.
Some of the men who are involved with certain aspects of Purpose Driven teachings and defend it are not aware of other aspects of the doctrine. Significant aspects like the P.E.A.C.E. plan. This P.E.A.C.E. plan is truly men leading disciples after themselves and not after Jesus Christ. To the extent of a realistic projection of 1 billion Purpose Driven Disciples.
Read about it
Here...
Presumably adherents of the above teachings. You could remedy this aspect of the problem with a report.
Also, let us not forget the Christians who object when these teachings come into the Church. I think your office has received reports of "casualties" (Biblical Christians) in Churches that have gone into Purpose Driven systems. The Purpose Driven materials denigrate these people calling them Sanballats, and Leaders from hell.
These objectors are people that believe that men are abiding under the wrath of God and need to repent towards God and believe the gospel. That Jesus Christ existed eternally with and as God. That He was incarnated being born of a virgin. That He lived a sinless life. That He predicted his own resurrection. That He died on the cross shedding his atoning blood. That He was raised from the dead on the third day. That He was exalted to the right hand of God. That He will return in judgment!
You bear the grave responsibility of oversight in these days. Please commission a study to evaluate evidence and take other actions that are within your scope that could improve the situation. I pray that you will.
God bless you.
Steve Svendsen
srsvendsen@msn.com
Trask to Svendsen 070112
Svendsen to Trask 070111 =
http://www.contending.org/traskletter.htm
Books, Articles, Resources
Redefining Christianity, by Bob DeWaay, 06
A Time of Departing, Expanded, by Ray Yungen, 06
In The Name of Purpose, by Tamara Hartzell, 06
Rick Warren's PEACE Plan vs Scriptural Teachings on Peace by James Sunquist 06
Who's Driving The Purpose Driven Church, by James Sundquist, 04
Deceived on Purpose, by Warren Smith, 04
Transformation Thinking for Dummies, By Orrel Steinkamp, March/April 07
http://www.erwm.com/Orrel6.htm
Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism, By Sarah Leslie
http://www.discernment-ministries.org/ChristianImperialism.htm
Discernment in an Age of Deception, Bob DeWaay, 06
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue94.htm
Sapping the Saints of Spiritual Fortitude or Nourishing Spiritual Growth? 06
Martin and Deidre Bobgan, PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries
http://www.pamweb.org/sapping_saints.html
Book review, Prof. Johan Malan, October 06,
James Sundquist's Rick Warren's PEACE Plan versus Scriptural Teachings on Peace http://contending.org/james_sunquist_book_review.htm
Faulty Premises of the Church Growth Movement, Bob DeWaay, 05
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue89.htm
The Gospel: A Method or a Message? Bob DeWaay, 04
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue80.htm
Religious Relativism, Paul Proctor, 04
http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor50.htm
Creating Community - Part 1, By Berit Kjos - October 04
40 Days of Change Through Transformational Leadership
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/community-1.htm
Creating Community - Part 2, By Berit Kjos - November 04
40 Days of Change through a New Way of Thinking
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/community-2.htm
Small Groups and the Dialectic Process, By Berit Kjos - March 04
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/3-purpose.htm
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-Last revised-
Monday, October 09, 2006
