SUMMARY:
MUCH can, and has, been written about Rick Warren, his books The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life and the whole Market Driven/Seeker Sensitive paradigm (pattern) of church growth. Apart from dissertations and critiques, such as this one, many have reproduced (or more correctly, regurgitated) the Purpose Driven Lies of Rick Warren
A simple search on the internet for “forty days of purpose” (Rick Warren’s course for churches to get into the Purpose Driven groove of studying his book) will return a results list of thousands; including churches from Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations to name a few. But, where is this leading?
Gimmicky article titles, such as, “Forty Days of Purpose Driven Lent” *1, are supposedly tempered with comments such as, “Forty Days of Purpose has a very solid Biblical foundation …
People really want to take the Bible and make it applicable to their daily lives, so this was just a beginning. It’s taking another church’s DNA and injecting it into your own.” *2
After all, The Purpose Driven Life, as Zondervan—the book’s publishers— advertise, is filled and referenced with “over 1,000 Scriptures” *3
. In such ways they defend Rick Warren’s teachings.
But, as has previously been discussed (in parts three and four of this series), the Gospel of Jesus Christ is missing.
This is reinforced by many who have investigated such things for themselves, “I’ve talked with a number of churches who have gone through ‘Forty Days of Purpose’.
The problem is that there is no Gospel in those forty days of purpose. It’s used as a technique to get to (sic) non-believers to the church but they hear a message of good news without any bad news.” *4
But again, the question is where is this leading the church?
Azusa’s Poison Stew
At one point in time doctrine is what separated denominations — some points of difference good, some bad.
Nevertheless the doctrinal differences which separated, also kept peoples’ minds active, alert and cautious.
Today, however, anyone who stands up and says I’m a “Christian” is taken — at their word — as being a true believer. For this reason all reason is lost.
This year’s, Azusa Street Centennial *5 (or Centennial of the Azusa Street Revival), included Rick Warren as one of its speakers.
Other speakers included Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Jerry Savelle, Crefl o Dollar, Bill Hamon, Fred Price, Jack Hayford, Benny Hinn, T.D.Jakes, David Yonggi Cho and Reinhard Bonnke: a veritable who’s who of heretics, blasphemers, false teachers and false prophets. Included on the Centennial website’s Purposes page (yes, even the Centennial is purpose infl uenced) is the statement: “The Azusa Street Centennial exists … to evaluate the movement’s response to the divine mandates given at Azusa Street” *6. Divine mandates!
The “Worship” track of proceedings included Hillsong’s Darlene Zschech whose synopsis reads like an advertisement and publicity stunt for her CD and book, Extravagant Worship.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006: 10.15–11.15
Workshop Title: “Worshippers Take Your Place!” — Darlene Zschech
Synopsis: Make Your Life an Offering of Praise — Extravagant worship is being offered to our King across the planet, increasing in intensity and intimacy…cutting across all denominational barriers and religious preferences.
Enter into God’s presence with new understanding and excitement when you discover what it means to be an Extravagant Worshiper. *7
And not to be left out, Hillsong’s Brian Houston also made an appearance speaking on Calling and Purpose *8
. But why mention all these people?
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you.
And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Hillsong’s United (United We Stand “worship” CD) is the equivalent of Purpose Driven but in socalled praise and worship. *9
The worship, not of God, but of feelings, emotions, satisfaction and of worship itself.
Elevated above God is the god made in the image of man.
All this comes from cultic infl uences on Azusa street.
The true Christians of the day separated themselves and formed Penetcostal organizations such as the Assemblies of God (USA) in 1914; they added meal (grain — the Word of God) to the poisoned stew and ridded themselves of the poison of the cultists.
When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” Then one went out into the fi eld to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know what they were. So they poured it out for the men to eat. And as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.” And they were unable to eat. But he said, “Now bring meal.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.” Then there was no harm in the pot.
(2 Kings 4:38-41)
However, the ecumenical push of the Centennial and AoG’s sharing of the pulpit with Word-Faith cultists (masquerading as ministers) means that the poisoned stew of Azusa is killing even today, for the sons of the false prophets discern nothing.
Their ecumenical stew is poured out for all to eat; and rather than adding meal (grain), that is to say, the Word of God and the Bread of Life, they gobble down the fi lth of their own making and drink from their own cisterns.
And where Kenneth Copeland was to conduct his Australia convention at Hillsong in 200410, this years Hillsong Conference (3-7 July 2006) includes Rick Warren, Reinhard Bonnke and Bill Hybels. United! Yes, united is the word for it.
United against God, united against His Christ (Messiah), united against the integrity and authority of the Word of God (in-context)!
And adding to Rick Warren’s endorsement of the Azusa Street Centennial is the Assemblies of God (USA)11.
Thomas E. Trask, General Superintendent and current board member of their Theological Seminary, Central Bible College and Evangel University12 says, “I urge Pentecostal believers around the world to hold this event up in prayer
… This event will not only impact those attending and the city of Los Angeles, but I believe has the potential to literally change the world.” *13 Amazing! And yet the Assemblies of God (USA), or at least their General Secretary, George Wood, openly condemns Word of Faith doctrines and its teachers as heretics.14 And yet, the Assemblies of God (USA) is not only endorsing *15, but participating in this gathering of the heretics .*16
Resources
This article is a brief look at what is happening in the United, ecumenical Purpose Driven world. A more complete and thorough review (in book format) of Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life (Lie) is being prepared to discuss its pitfalls and defi ciencies.
Books already available, and recommended, which document the fallacies of Rick Warren’s theology include: Who’s Driving the Purpose Driven Church? (James Sundquist), Deceived on Purpose (Warren Smith) and This Little Church Went to Market (Gary Gilley).
Also, “The Spiritual Counterfeits Project” (http://www.scp-inc.org) is compiling a resource listing concerning information on Rick Warren and Purpose Driven.
Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life contains forty chapters, designed to be read over forty days. In his book (p.79, 108), and on his website, Rick Warren, from time to time, drops the name A.W. Tozer *17
. One is forced to question whether the purpose of such name dropping might be to give credibility to Warren’s book, study and ministry via supposed infl uences upon his “spiritual life”. Interestingly A.W. Tozer’s, God Tells the Man Who Cares *18, is a thirty-nine chapter book which reads as though it was written specifi cally to correct the errors of Rick Warren.
It is a book worth purchasing for a truly biblical, godly and spiritual perspective on man and his purpose, role and responsibility before the living God.
Conclusion
Summarised and articulated well, the crux of the matter is that growing Purpose Driven churches are,
…creating an atmosphere, an environment of fun.
So fun has replaced holiness as the church’s goal.
Having a good time has become the criterion of an excellent, growing church, since fun and entertainment is what consumers want.
Yet Bible references encouraging churches to become havens of fun are, as one may suspect, lacking. John MacArthur observes, ‘Many Christians have the misconception that to win the world to Christ we must fi rst win the world’s favor.
If we can get the world to like us, they will embrace our Savior.
That is the philosophy behind the user-friendly church movement.’
Let’s play ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’. For $500,000: which of these churches was a growing church in the book of Revelation; the church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22), which saw itself as rich and wealthy and in need of nothing or the church at Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11, which was described as poor, in tribulation and facing great persecution? Need a ‘lifeline’ you say?
Here you go:
God said of the Laodicean church that he would spit them out of his mouth, but of the Smyrna church that they would receive the crown of life. Confusing, isn’t it? The growing church did not please God, while the struggling one did. Apparently, the Sunday morning worship attendance is not the criteria God uses to judge the true effectiveness of a local church. *19
Finally, we must ask ourselves, should we be driven or led? It is worth noting that Jesus Christ will one day drive some from His presence whilst leading others into His rest,
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fi re which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’
Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’
Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (Matthew 25:31-46 NAU)
Which do we want to be?
The Purpose Driven Goats or the Spirit Led Sheep?
Footnotes:
1 Rev. Lynne Baab, 40 Days of purpose-driven Lent (March 19, 2004), www page < http://www.presbytery.org/news. asp?fi le=040319.htm>), cited 17 May 2006.
2 Melania Zaharopoulos, It’s ‘40 Days of Purpose’ for churchgoers (October 25, 2004), www page < http://www.gilroydispatch.com/lifestyles/contentview. asp?c=128964>, cited 17 May 2006.
3 Zondervan, Daily Inspiration for the Purpose Driven® Life (nd), www page < http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan .9780310802013&QueryStringSite=Zondervan>, cited 17May 2006.
4 Gregory Koukl, What’s Wrong with Being Seeker- Centered? (2004), www page < http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5564>, cited 17 May 2006.
5 April 25-19,2006, Los Angeles. See < http://www.azusastreet100.net/home.cfm>.
6 Azusa Street Centennial, Purposes and Concepts (nd), www page < http://www.azusastreet100.net/purposes.htm>, cited 17 May 2006.
7 http://www.azusastreet100.net/worship_in_spirit_and_ truth.cfm cited 17 May 2006.
8 http://www.azusastreet100.net/wednesday426.htm cited 17 May 2006.
9 It is not the songs, lyrics or production that I am specifi cally discussing, but the ecumenical, all embracing, united worship concept that Hillsong produces and encourages – irrespective of doctrine – that is in question. Yes we are to worship God in Spirit – but also in Truth (John 4:23,24), which Jesus said is God’s Word (John 17:17).
10 Cancelled due to Copeland hurting his back!
In responding to an email, discussing this cancellation, Jacob Prasch satirically quipped, “Copeland with back trouble?
No ... I just don’t believe it.
Ailments are only for people who lack faith.
If Kenneth Copeland had a back ache he would exercise his faith.
Men of faith rebuke that stuff.
Their bodies only lie to them when they [have] back pain or whatever.
Just ask Copeland’s mentor Kenneth Hagen.
Can you believe it?
The devil actually tried to tell him that he was dead!” (email from Jacob Prasch to Philip Powell, 15 May 2006).
11 Gary B. McGee, Countdown to Azusa Street: Pentecost before 1906, www page, < http://www.ag.org/top/ events/General_Council_2005/News/2005080228_ Azusa.cfm>
12 Assemblies of God (USA), Our Executive Leadership, www Page, < http://ag.org/top/about/leadership.cfm> cited 17 May 2006.
13 Dan Van Veen, Centennial Celebration for Azusa Street Revival, www page, < http://www.ag.org/top/events/ general_council_2005/News/2005080409_Azusa.cfm>, cited 17 May 2006.
14 “We must be alert to and warn our people about the dangers of “positive confession” teaching. The doctrine brings disrepute to the cause of Christ and demoralizes people who rely on the teaching and then discover that it doesn’t work. It brings a negative and harmful witness to unsaved family members and friends who watch when a “positive confessor” dies in spite of his confession.” George Wood, What Is “Positive Confession”?, July 1988, www page http://www.streamload.com/johnhuntley/ Articles/292.pdf>, cited 17 May 2006.
15 Articles and statements on the Assemblies of God (USA) website, by George Wood, pre-emptively praise the Centennial. See also George Wood’s article The Pentecostal River: Azusa the Originating Effl uence < http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200602/200602_128_PenteRiver.cfm>, Enrichment Journal, Feb 2006. Note “effl uence” here meaning “something that fl ows out” and is not intended to be understood in a necessarily toxic context.
16 Video invitation and interview, Charles Crabtree, Assistant General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (USA) < http://www.azusastreet100.net/videos.htm>.
17 Pastor of Southside Alliance Church, Chicago, for 31 years and editor of Alliance Life until his death in 1963. He stressed the holiness of God and the inerrancy and authority of Scripture. He was called a prophet by many – and this is true – for he never shied from speaking the full counsel of God.
18 “The chapters of this book were originally published as editorials in Alliance Life magazine. These incisive columns now make provocative reading.” A.W. Tozer, God Tells the Man Who Cares: God Speaks to those Who Take the Time to Listen (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 1992), back cover. Compiled by Anita M. Bailey.
19 Gary Gilley, This Little Church went to Market (Webster, NY: Evangelical Press, Revised Ed. 2005), 19, 20.
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Appeared in Issue 36 CETF 12.2 NR June 2006
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Monday, October 09, 2006
