I believe I have about 43 posts on this blog that either are about Rick Warren or his name is mentioned in the article for some reason. I also wrote articles that reside on my website about Warren’s seeker sensitive church growth model and Rick Warren’s Global P.E.A.C.E plan. I have been disagreeing with Rick Warren’s agenda for a better part of a decade.
I have been writing about “America’s pastor”, since his Purpose Driven Life was thrust in my hands to read. I found problems with the book and had bigger problems with the churches that adopted his seeker sensitive methods and his gospel light sermons. Many pastors even stopped giving their own sermons and just used his purpose driven material.
At first I thought that Rick Warren was just a misguided Christian that lacked understanding and should really be following other teachers rather than leading others. However, lately what Rick Warren supports makes me doubt that he actually believes the teachings of the Bible. Acts 20: 29 was given to us to warn us about leaders that would come from within Christianity to draw disciples after themselves. Does Rick Warren qualify as one of those wolves?
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Read my many articles and my links in those articles to others in the apologetics and discernment ministry and form your own conclusion about that. It is my view that the seeker friendly, purpose driven, church growth movement has done great damage to once Bible centered evangelical churches in America. I do not believe people will be converted to Christ and true Christianity without giving them the gospel of Jesus Christ. All the national and world programs of Rick Warren seem to deal with the flesh. There is nothing that I see in his agenda that deals with the real heart of the matter, the total depravity of unregenerate man.
The question from the lost world seeking God should be what must I do to be saved? The answer from Christians should always be for them to place their trust in the risen Savior that God gave for their sins so they will be saved. I simply do not see any form of that good news coming from Rick Warren. It seems to me that Warren’s world and national programs just hand out crutches to the living dead. People Like Rick Warren seem to miss the whole point of the great commission. Mankind must first hear the truth, believe it and be born of the Spirit for them to be saved (Mr 16:16).
If Warren will not offer words of life to a dying lost world what makes anyone think he actually believes the lip service he gives to appease those in the Church? Rick Warren is trained in Christian theology, he knows the words to say to placate Christians that question him. I have observed that he has one message to Christians and another message to the world. When talking on world media platforms he is a religious pluralist. He never tells the world about salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
So what should one think about “America’s pastor” when he will not even preach a message of salvation when he is given a platform to reach the world? What would Paul do if he were given Warren’s platform? What would any great preacher of the Word do if given Warren’s platform?
Another problem that I have with Rick Warren is that he seeks out pagans and heretics in order to solve earthly fleshly problems and then gives them his platform to present their worldly or even occult doctrines to his followers. The latest example of this is Rick Warren’s recently announced health program called the “Daniel Plan” or “The Daniel Challenge”.
The point of the program is to become healthy over the next year. That sounds great, who does not want to be more healthy? Seventy percent of people in the United States are overweight so I am sure that Rick Warren will have a huge audience for his program. In fact, the plan will be going out to over 5000 small groups and from there I guess the world. So what’s wrong with that? Perhaps it is the Eastern pagan mysticism and/or universalism of the three pagan doctors that Warren chose for this health program. Anyone following what these three actually teach will be following doctrines of demons. I do not want to recreate the wheel here so read about these three pagan gurus at Lighthouse Trails.
As you see, Rick Warren is very good at finding popular people of the world to team up with him. The problem in this case is that they are Eastern and New Age spiritualists. Warren is opening the door that will lead millions of people to follow guys that teach dark pagan practices. Soon millions of gullible people will like their health ideas and read their other material and be led into the occult. The nose of the camel was just allowed in the tent. Are there no Christian health experts in the world? Why would Rick Warren choose three world renown pagan doctors to teach Christians? In ancient times these three might be referred to as high priests of Babylon. Today shamans might be an appropriate title. Read the article above at Lighthouse Trails and see what they teach.
I simply cannot believe that the head of a church with tens of thousands of members, that has millions of followers, that sits on the globalist Counsel of Foreign relations, that sits on the board of Tony Blair’s ecumenical Faith Foundation and that rubs elbows with the world elite could be going into this blindly. Therefore, Rick Warren’s yoking himself with unbelievers is a deliberate choice that he made. Those Christians following his “decade of Destiny” programs, will in my opinion, be led into deeper and deeper deceptions. Keep in mind that this “Daniel Plan” is only the first year of a ten year Saddleback Church program that Rick Warren announced and named, “a decade of destiny“. I am afraid this destiny may be found in the Bible in Revelation Chapter 17.
The fact that Rick Warren is promoted in the Southern Baptist Denomination greatly concerns me as well. I am also concerned with the more recent globalist and pluralist statements of Richard Land. He heads the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (Land like Warren is a CFR member). In addition, I am not happy that the Southern Baptists have let one publishing company print all the religious material for almost all the churches in the denomination. Biblical Christian training generally is no longer coming from each of the autonomous churches, it is coming from the views of a publishing company that is affiliated with the denomination.
If Southern Baptists what to call themselves autonomous churches, I think they just might have to start acting like autonomous churches. They need to stop the knee-jerk reaction to just follow some national figure, program or fad that is promoted to them by the Southern Baptist convention or its afflicted publishing house and book store. I have visited and have been a member of enough Southern Baptist churches to say the leaders almost all have rings in their noses in this area.
Therefore, if Rick Warrens “Daniel Plan” is pushed around the Southern Baptist denomination like His Purpose Driven Life was and his other purpose driven related material was, I do not see how I will be able to stay in the denomination. The same can be said for my own church.
We can either have biblical programs in our churches or you can choose to follow the latest gurus that are jockeying for position in the world harlot. I assure you if the leadership in Christianity chooses to be deceived on purpose because it is the new popular thing going around that I won’t be going down the road of deception with you.
If you think I am hard on Rick Warren about this Daniel Plan, read what Marsha West has to say about Rick Warren’s Devil plan
Also read an account of the Daniel Plan seminar from someone who actually attended.
Apostacy is on a fervent pace, Another site said [Billy and Franklyn Graham, Rick warren and Rob Bell are apostates]. If you are a born again, Asked Jesus Christ into your heart, Repent, Be obeidient to Christ, Feed your soul-Read Gods word, You could easally see darkness and light mixed together and know there is something wrong with this picture. If you do not you may as well say all churches are apostate. I put a letter to the Editor in our local paper of the largest most trusted protastant churches bible study was preaching-Rob Bell. It will be extreemly hard in these last days to trust [any]church. I am sad thatsatan is using somesites that exposes apostacy actually drawing apostates to destroy what little remains of the Lords church.
Don, i just would like to say, And thank you for allowing me. If Jesus does not live in you and for those who do have his Holy Spirit, Please let all of us not rely on any church as preaching the full Gospel according to Jesus Christ in these last days. My late Father was a Pastor. Let us not only ponder but meditate on that when God created adam, What was Gods greatist desire?, A relationship with him. Has God Changed…NO…It is excactly what he wants now and his Love remains the same. If you do not have Jesus in yor heart, Your head is in the sandbox. Now [if] Jesus is in your heart, not only do you see, you easily can see that Rick Warren could not even hide a grain of sand in that sandbox. When Jesus prior to death said “My God, My God Why hath thou forsaken thee “. Becuase God hates sin ie wrong doing. Do you think God might do that to all of you who choose not Jesus. Of course!! Like i always say its your choice. God bless all of you.
Hi, Thornsrichen,
I would not label Billy and Franklyn Graham as apostates. Some sites think everyone is an apostate. Billy and the BGEA have become a little to ecumenical for my tastes but the Grahams are obviously confessing Christians.
Franklin is very solid on Christian doctrine and doing good works if there is any flaw it is allowing Roman Catholic churches to have access to new coverts in his festivals where they might be led back into a religion where they probably never heard the true gospel of salvation at all. There are exceptions since even all the Catholic priests do not agree with some of the doctrines of Rome. Having said that, the board of directors of the BGEA really has the last word on these matters anyway.
There also is quite a difference between departing from the faith (apostates) and heretical teachers and erroneous practices. Christians can also be bound by sin. In Leaders lust and pride seems like a very effective temptation tool of Satan. I wish there was some way we could identify the real wolves in sheep’s clothing with all certainty but in most cases only the Lord knows the heart and what is being built on His house.
Now before someone tells me that Christians can be identified by their fruits. The passage where this comes from says nothing of the sort. In context the passage is talking about identifying false prophets. The fruits of Christians are subjective to fallible human fruit inspectors and Christians do not bear good fruit all the the time. So you cannot know who is not a Christian by their fruits. What you can know is what people confess with their mouth but since wolves in sheep clothing are liars even that is not a reliable indication of who is saved. Tares and wheat just often look the same until the harvest time reveals their true nature.
Don, the video on Reiki posted on the Lighthouse Trails site makes me wonder; “what is Rick Warren thinking??” That little 10 minute video should make every Christian run from Warren’s new program.I suggest you post the link on this blog. I believe it would be a great service to those who visit here.
I read Jan Markell’s article before I read your post Don. It is an excellent article. Very insightful, careful but confronting concerning Pastor Warren’s recent actions and views.
I found myself thinking the same thing as you concerning the 3 doctors he has as experts on good health. Are you telling me that there are no good christian doctors out there that could help implement his Daniel plan? I have to ask, where is this guy going with all of this? It seems he is trying to pull his view of Christianity into something larger and in my view sinister. He may have good intentions, but I am afraid he may wake up someday after this progresses and say “My God, what have I done?”
On another note about Franklin Graham, I have met the man when I was installing a security system at Samaritan’s Purse years ago. I found him to be a very humble man who took the time to greet and converse with some simple workers (myself and co-workers) who were on his site temporarily. He was sitting in a break room in a t-shirt getting shots for an upcoming overseas trip and treated us in a warm, casual manner like he knew us all of his life. In addition, I have heard him speak on what he believes and you are right in that he is solid in his christian faith.
Just my two cents.
Kev
Bob from Texas,
Your probably right but I cannot watch videos with my dial up connection so I really do not know the content. I think if anyone is interested they should just go to my link to the Lighthouse Trails article and they will find the videos links there. I am not sure I even want everyone coming here watching what these pagans teach about, but if you you know of a video where Rick Warren is accenting to their pagan teachings feel free to post it in a comment. However, people who watch it will do it at their own risk for reasons stated.
Kevneto, Thanks for your two cents. I hear the same things from anyone that has had encounters with Franklin.
Don, I really did not honestly look at the whole article, Frankly after so many articles on warren, well what can i say, Now this is not concerning salvation, or the passage on this article, but i can say there is a distinction of by there fruits you shall know them, and the vessel cannot bring forth bitter and sweet. And i mean if we are to exort one another as instructed, how is this done if we {cannot] identify a Gospel related problem within the body of Chirst?. I have personally known Christians that quote chapters of the bible, read it every day, play church and with a smile on there face, while trying to hide there drug, alcohol abuse, etc. You know the legalistic so called Christian. That does not mean they are not saved. Its not that you can meet someone and know there heart. But it does not take long to know if they are bearing false witness. And im talking about spiritual contact. Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice” but it is not audible. But this is spiritual contact, do you actually think we can be fooled, undiscerning, by most people that holds the opposite power of evil, yet proffesing Christ. You were right on about the Grahams, and maybe i am reading you wrong, but i have to stand by what i say, its maybe my interperation is different than yours. Thats ok, but i will stick to mine.
I was actually talking about judging the salvation of a person confessing to be a Christian. Of course astute Christians can determine when someone’s teachings are not grounded in the truth revealed and when confessing Christians are living like heathen. That is really the main point of this post on the teachings and agendas of Rick Warren.
I reread,………? No one can be certain of someones salvation. It is of course a free gift to all who believe, and man judges the outward apperance but God judges the Heart. But as in Mattew 6, There will be those you thought would be in Heavon they are not and those you thought would not be are.
Maybe we should pray for Rick Warren that God will show him the error of his ways?
Certainly. But also keep in mind that some have been praying and that he has been shown the error of his ways by some godly people. Nevertheless, since he persists in the errors of his ways maybe he really does not care to change the error of his ways.
You can add Billy Graham to the apostate list: http://apprising.org/2010/12/29/some-people-are-born-christians/
Even if Graham actually said and meant what Bush quoted him as saying that does that not mean he has departed from the faith (apostate). If he actually meant what you think he implied he is just wrong. That does not make him an apostate.
Actually there could be a very logical explanation for Graham’s statement within Christian orthodoxy.
The Issue in this conversation was did Bush’s grandmother have to have a born again “experience” to go to heaven? If you say yes you just eliminated 95 percent of historical Christianity from heaven. The real issue is did Bush’s grandmother believe that Jesus Christ was Lord and trust Him for His salvation. That was not addressed in the article at all. If she did believe, she was born again, even if she did not recall when her trust in the Lord occurred and her spiritual rebirth. Some people just believe from a very young age and they are saved. I think that is what Graham meant.
Would you say all the simple and untaught are going to hell because they are not aware of a born again experience but as long as they can remember they have trusted in the Lord Jesus?
The critique on what Graham said is probably reading more into what he implied then he actually implied. Perhaps Graham put it in those words to try to comfort George Bush about his grandmother’s destiny. He might have been assuming that she was the Godly woman that Bush observed.
How would you like to have everything you ever said to anyone in private over 60 years recorded for everyone to read and then have someone call you an apostate for something that does not line up with someones interpretation of theology?
Graham was always very clear how one is saved in his Crusades and that is why Bush probably asked the question.
Obviously Graham has said things in his life that he probably regrets because like all of us fallible beings he has said things that were not well thought out, especially in a off the cuff conversation with a President. That does not make him an apostate. Some Christians think everyone is an apostate because they themselves have become false accusers. Ask anyone in a cult who are the apostates.
Not a false accuser, just a quoter. You have to admit that someone with Mr. Graham’s biblical knowledge should know better than telling someone that “some people are born Christians.
Christian charity is having the audacity to tell them the truth, not to tell them what they want to hear.
First of all Frank, that is just what Bush Jr. said that Billy Graham said to a question from Bush Senior twenty-six years ago, you don’t even know that George Jr. remembered Graham’s exact words. In the next quote by Bush Jr. in that same article Graham correctly gives the gospel to Bush Senior, but Bush Jr. has recently said things that make him a religious pluralist, so who is the one that is really mixed up here?
Second, We know that Billy Graham has had the audacity to preach the gospel of salvation in Jesus to about a billion people in his lifetime and if I recall his words in his crusades and books correctly he always said that you must be born again. So you have the audacity to call such a man an apostate based on the hearsay of Bush twenty six years after the fact? It will not be admissible in any court.
I do not agree with Billy Graham on a few of his latter day comments but that does make him an apostate.
By the way, if your a five point Calvinist the elect are predetermined to be Christians from before they were born and you cannot even become a Christian unless the Spirit first gives you life so that you can have faith to believe. Yet, who is calling Calvinist’s apostate?
Don, the Lord KNOWS I’m not perfect and I KNOW a lot of people would condemn me as not being a true Christian if I. happen to partake in an alcoholic beverage at times of, God forbid, lose my temper, say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, etc., but INSIDE I know who my Savior is…Jesus. But so help me, EVERY time I have tried to listen or read anything Rick Warren or ANYONE of his ilk has to say, I completely hit a brick wall of no comprehension whatsoever. They throw in the name of Jesus every so often, but everything else might necessitate the use of some kind of drug or something ro understand what they say. ITS ALL DOUBLESPEAK! THEY ALL TALK IN ENDLESS CIRCLES. I don’t know who is more of a candidate for, if it happens sooner thab later, for the role of False Prophet….the Pope, Rick Warren, Glenn Beck, or Oprah.
So we should be careful about “religouse” wieght loss. And since in my family the men are built like Linemen and the women like Linebackers I should pass this along.
Michael Angelo,
People condemn because they think if you are really a Christian you would follow their own rules and be just perfect like them.
Doublespeak is a good way of putting it, doublespeak from the doubleminded.
I agree, if we were public figures, would we be able to defend every little assertion we’ve made? It’s not an easy job, and we make an error if we assume only the worldly and ambitious rise to those positions.
Also, Don, just wanted to add some words of encouragement. I enjoy visiting your blog and appreciate that you show common sense in addition to being grounded in the Word. Those do not have to be mutually exclusive, but it’s still unusual to find. Also, the comments also make for great reading and your participation is appreciated.
Don- included in the Rick Warren article that you refer to, there is a phrase included in the chant of “I am God”, “I am God”..Oh no we are not! Remember what Jesus said when the soldiers came to capture him before he was crucified? He said I AM! and the power of God hit the huge group of soldiers and they fell back on the ground. This all makes me remember being a baby Christian and reading God’s Word. The bible tells us that in the end times many would fall away from the truth and I would always wonder how that could happen. Its happening!!!!
If you saw any of the video recordings about Rick Warren on TV and his stand on homosexuals you would be amazed. Warren jumped around and evaded the gay lesbian marriage agenda. He danced around and said his church actually had a special program for gays and lesbians. He never mentioned the name of Jesus or the bible. It’s hard to quote scripture when you are not “in touch” like Charles Stanley. All across the country Southern Baptists are not getting the real message of the good news. As far as the Graham clan, they started fooling around with the catholics forty years ago. Come out from among them!
Has Rick Warren ever publically promoted The Gospel?
I am positive that i never read it in his “Purpose Driven Life”.
Please be alerted to:
Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Global Peace Plan vs. Scripture
New Website
http://www.theperfectpeaceplan.com
As though it is not enough that Rick Warren has a Muslim physician Dr. Oz speak from his pulpit who wants to hypnotize all of America, it is time for all Christians to sever their unholy alliance with Apostate Rick Warren and publicly renounce him, and come out from among them!
“Warren is expected to award Blair with the annual International Medal of PEACE. The award is given to individuals who exemplify outstanding contribution toward alleviating the five global giants.”
SOURCE: http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-to-interview-tony-blair-at-saddleback-church-48988/
You have to wonder after Rick Warren gives Tony Blair his Global Peace Plan Prize, who’s next? Gaddafi?
“Tony Blair believes Muslim cleric saved without Jesus”
SOURCE: http://ivarfjeld.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/tony-blair-quotes-koran-says-grand-mufti-gone-home-to-paradis/
Blair is a globalist and has converted to Roman Catholicism…totally apostate…Hybels has no business promoting him, but should be marking him.
“I also mentioned Pastor Rick Warren who sits on the advisory board of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation that seeks to bring the religions of the world together.”
SOURCE: Brannon Howse http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6684
Contrast this with WAYNE GRUDEM’S statement:
“Rick Warren’s is truly advancing the work of the Kingdom of God” Wayne Grudem
SOURCE: http://adrianwarnock.com/2010/05/wayne-grudem-on-the-atonement-unity-rick-warren-and-john-piper/
Recent update reports on Articles page:
World Vision Betrays Israel
NY Supreme Court Judgment against Top Assemblies of God Leaders
Sima Motivational Abilities Pattern vs. Scripture
Recent Videos:
Experiencing God through Deceitful Mysticism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vghLjyVUSA
Rick Warren Most Dangerous Pastor in the World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vghLjyVUSA
Rick Warren’s SHAPE Carl Jung Occult-based Personality Profiling
http://www.theperfectpeaceplan.com/wfalseteacher2.html
I hope and pray that you will sound the alarm on His Holy Hill!
Sincerely in Christ,
James Sundquist
Director
Good information James,
Rick Warren is highly qualified to give the International Medal of Peace Award to Tony’ Blair because Warren sits on Blair’s Interfaith Foundation board. Might as well keep all the rewards in the same Interfaith family 🙄
That is the same Tony Blair that released the killer that carried off the Lockerbie plane bombing as a token of appeasement for his “reformed” friend Gaddafi. By the way, Gaddafi’s.son is now asking Tony Blair for support in crushing the resistance.
Those still supporting Rick Warren are purpose driven to spin there own world agenda just like Warren is purpose driven to muddle Christianity with pagans and heretics.
Do you want to know where the spirit of Antichrist is, who is the enemy of Israel, and who are the people that will bring us to a world war? Just follow the civilian peace medals
The Seeker Friendly Church
Early Christians had a zeal for God with pure motives. They were willing to sacrifice their personal ambitions and even lay down their lives to save others from their sins. Sadly, the most zealous religious movement in the earth today is not Christianity but the Muslim faith. As misguided as that religion is; its adherents are more like the original Christian church in one aspect – zeal. True, it is a misguided cause where slaughter of others instead of saving others is advocated. However, they are willing to die to advance their religion, proving they believe what their religion teaches.
In America today, a popular movement among Christians is the “Seeker Friendly Church”. Why are seeker friendly churches so popular? Is the style of such churches much different than the early church?
The Bible teaches us to examine the fruit. Much of their success stems from wise organization skills. They encourage people to join in their vision. There is also a certain liberty in these churches that encourage participation, as long as the activity is not out of “their” control. Instead of one person having the preeminence over others, they have balanced leadership and encourage new people to learn as well as add their thoughts to the vision. These are fair-minded qualities and I am sure there are many more.
My concerns with these churches; as set forth in this article, is not to “nit pic” with their theology, but question their vision. I hope this message will come to open ears. I hope it will inspire them to better focus their vision on the highest calling of God. Since each church is different and will stand or fall on its own merits, we know only God is the ultimate judge. He will reward ones work with perfect understanding and justice. So I am not writing this to condemn these churches. Rather I suggest they have a good foundation to build on if they will grow to allow more spiritual depth.
There are several things a Christian should look for in a biblically based church. First, I would want to see if their vision includes a sincere desire for the Holy Spirit to have His liberty. I would look to see if they teach and understand the importance of the Holy Spirit manifesting His presence; with signs, wonders and miracles, as the Spirit did in its origin. This happens as a confirmation of the Word of God preached from the pulpit? The supernatural is an important aspect in Christianity.
I would also look to see if the reverential “fear of the Lord” is manifested in the assembly. Further, what is preached? Is the whole council of God presented, both the “goodness and severity of the Lord taught? Or does the church water down its message, diminishing from scripture and prefers to keep things on the social level. I have been in a few so called “Seeker Friendly Churches” where the scriptures are almost mocked. Such a church should be departed from at once.
Some churches are merely comfort ones that do not challenge the Christian. Paul warned that in the lasts days some will cling to “a form of godliness, deny (reject and contradict) the power” of godliness. (2 Tim 3:5) Christians are told in no uncertain terms to avoid them. There are many churches fulfilling Paul’s warning, for we are in those last days. There is no time to play church or try to change such churches. The best way to change them is leave them to themselves and start up doing a better work that they can see.
It is not hard to understand that most people think success is measured by the crowd that attends. They think that is the proof that God is at work. That is nonsense. With that mindset men like the apostle James and deacon Stephen, who were both martyred, were a failure in ministry. They were not!
Not all so called “seeker friendly churches” fail in these areas. However, examine the fruit; if they offer alternative goals inconsistent with Gods written will, don’t fight with them, just obey God and avoid them. Such places fill up and mass produce spoiled brats, not servants of the most High God. The Spirit is expressive, in the last days many will seek to satisfy their conscience for religion and want to appear religious, but not want to surrender themselves to God. They are self seekers not God seekers. To many churches today are trying to provide a home base for the self seekers rather than the God seekers.
Some churches succeed because the leaders have decided to give people what they want instead of what they need. We are warned that “in the last day some shall turn away from the truth having itching ears”, and turn unto fables. So it should be no surprise today, if the ticklers are enjoying a false success.
Christians should know the key to God’s will and Christian growth. The Chief goal is to understand scripture and cling to sound doctrine. The Bible says;
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2Ti 3:16)
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti 4:2-4)
It is the obligation of church leaders to do more than add to their numbers and make people feel good. They need to use the scriptures to help people understand God’s ways. That is the only true benefit for the people. Our preaching and teaching should include reproving, rebuking, correcting and instructing people to conform to God and not to self serving goals. Taking Paul’s charge into account let me point out three warnings signs to consider.
Man’s wisdom is contrary to God’s Wisdom
“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nothing: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” (1Co 2:7)
There is a great difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men. God’s wisdom accomplishes great feats. The wisdom of man, while it appears to be something great, and quickly becomes popular among ordinary people, Christians are not called to become ordinary.
Having visited many seeker friendly churches, it seems to me that many are weak in presenting the scriptures, and some are proud of it to boot. Somehow they have been deceived into suppressing the work and intention of the Holy Spirit. Some of these leaders have told me in private; “people don’t want to hear that dry old Bible stuff, so we have found a better way to reach them for Christ.” Better than the Bible? I ask; how is it possible to find a better way to lead people to God than the way God said it should be done? Give them what they want? Isn’t it God’s help that people need? Again, I ask a question; won’t that lead people to self-centered living instead of surrendering to Christ-centered goals?
Listen to some of these sermon topics. “How to be a millionaire through tithing”, “How to be happy by giving”, “Improving your self image with positive thoughts”. “Reaching your potential in life”, “Pursuing your desires” and “Dream Big, be a star”. I have no doubt a solid Christian teacher can work Christ’s truths into those sermon topics. But, aren’t these merely enticing words? I can not think of one lesson Jesus taught or any minister noted in the Book of Acts where one of those titles could fit. If the context of a sermon fulfills self seeking schemes, promoting goals that contradict Gods plan for union with His will, that sermon does great harm.
Listen, it is natural to think we need to “entice” people so they will come to church. But Christianity is not a natural business, it’s supernatural. Jesus didn’t try to entice people by setting forth carnal goals. If we do not present Christ in His true light, it is but a lie that we are passing down to people.
You shall not Add to or Diminishing from my Word
The Word of God is sufficient. It can capture the attention of a true seeker of God if we would faithfully adhere to it. Paul trusted it and called it the power that is “able to build you up”, and demonstrates the Spirit. Every good idea to entice and or appease men is a compromise of scripture and Gods power. There is a strong warning from God in both the Old and New Testament that many readily and fearlessly ignore.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deut 4:2)
“For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev 22:18-1)
There are some so called Christians who fearlessly disagree with God’s way. They claim we are living in modern times, and the Bible is out of date with our times. They think they are wiser than God; so they have determined to modify what God said. Compromise may not be flat out rejection of what God said but, if or when they mix the world with the Word of God it always leads to error. God’s command is clear and to the point. Do not add your own views to what He said. Neither should you dare diminish from what He said.
God does not need our help to reach people. He needs our compliance. If we will hold true to the Word, searching our heart to understand it and not compromise, He will confirm it by His manifested power and that will get the attention of a true seeker for God.
This idea of mixing modern day schemes with the Word of truth is what the scriptures call the leaven of sin. The mix creates a product that is not pure, but instead puffed up. It grieves God that we allow this, let alone do it. This wisdom will lead to bigger compromises. Instead of conforming to Christ, people continue to conform more and more to the world’s image of God. My friends, God sent His Word. He said man shall live “…by every Word of God”.
To think you can add something to God is not wise. If you think Gods Word does not deal with the real issues of our day; again you are not wise. If you think that diminishing from or taking away from anything God has said in scripture is ok and beneficial; I repeat you are not wise. (1 Cor 1:19-21) The idea of compromising some things about Jesus is not alright. If anyone adds to God’s Word, He forewarned He will add to them the plagues that are ordained to come one day soon. If anyone takes away from His words, He will take away their name from the Book of Life. You can be certain of it! God will not be mocked. It is a foundational truth established from heaven.
So whatever seemingly wise compromise man makes, whether it comes from their philosophies and opinions, or their traditions and cultures, their personal world views, or subtle tricks and gimmicks; it will fail. The clear goal is that we be “conformed to the image of Gods son”. (Rom 8:29) not promote self.
Parental Neglect
Now the general excuse that follows is; “we are not adding to or taking from Gods Word, we are simply using Gods wisdom in how to feed a child”. This sounds like Gods wisdom on the surface. It is true there are scriptures that speak of feeding “babes with milk and not meat”. But if you look at all of those references, you’ll see they are all in the negative. The Hebrew writer said it was well past time for themselves be teachers. Instead they still required milk. He was not pleased. (Heb 5:12)
Paul said to the Corinthians he had to feed them with milk and not meat because they were still not able to eat it. (1 Cor 3:1-3) He pointed out their problem, he said they were still behaving like carnal children. He was also annoyed.
During the last supper, Jesus said to the disciples, he had yet many things to tell them “but you cannot bear them now”. However, He followed that with a revelation that the Holy Spirit would soon come and guide them into all truth and show them things to come. (John 16:12-13) The Holy Spirit has come. Is He holding back? No, it is the pastors who are not feeding the sheep. It seems like they don’t want to feed them to much. Possibly it’s because they are not partakers themselves and therefore unprepared, content to live a smooth easy life instead of a life with passion for the things of God.
Listen, if God begins to hold some of these leaders in similar judgment as society hold parents, many of them will be put in jail for abuse. Judgment begins in the house of God. What parent would not be locked up if for years they had fed their children no more and a cup of milk twice a week? Our society would expect them to be taken into custody and the child put in a proper home where they would be fed a balanced diet that included solid food. What becomes of a child who is only fed pabulum, no meat, and no balanced diet? They would be wasting away, and the parents justly put up on charges. Consider as well what happens to a child who is nurtured on fats and sweats regularly eating fast food meals? They become obese, plagued with diseases and without energy to perform. Our government is beginning to see this is criminal too.
Apostle Paul said to his flock; “I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house…” (Acts 20:20). Paul told the leaders to “feed the Church of God” (Acts 20:28).
Apostle Paul said in another place, “I am not ashamed of the gospel…” In my mind there are many seeker friendly churches that are ashamed of some things about the gospel. Avoid them. I think too, it is obvious that that some of those leaders are holding back. Not as they claim, “that the people are not able.” Why are they not able? because, they are not being fed a proper, and balanced diet. That is not the neglect of the Holy Spirits. He has come to teach us all things. The Bible says to each believer, “Desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby”. (1 Pet 2:2) Christians that are not growing are not even being fed milk. There is no excuse for churches like that. Some of these churches are consist of leaders who themselves not willing to feed on the meat. How can they feed others the meat? If they are holding back things that are profitable to Christians they are doing Gods will. It is the leaders’ responsibility to feed the church of God.
In conclusion, yes, children need to be coddled. A proper measure of social activates are both appropriate and necessary in the local church. But feeding people spiritually, both children and adults should be the central purpose driving the church. Find a Pastor that will feed you after Gods own heart, and with knowledge and understanding of God. (Jer 3:15) Got milk? Then for Gods sake go and eat some meat too.
Pastor Bill,
It seems to me that you are posting articles of yours in my comments section. I expect comments to be somewhat brief and to stay on the post topic as much as possible. This comment section is not a bulletin board. If you have an article that you want to reference just provide the link.
I already wrote articles on the seeker friendly church on this website. Even I did not read half of what you said here and nobody else will either.
Sorry, I’m new to your site and didn’t realize the difference. I read your article and agreed with it. It prompted me to post mine.