Roman Emergent Matrix

Folks who experienced the 40 Days of Purpose in their churches or who have read the book, may not have noticed the embedded references to Catholicism such as:

Catholic mystic Brother Lawrence p. 88;

Doctor of Catholic mystic theology, St. John of the Cross p. 188;

Catholic priest, Henri Nouwen who wrestled with his own homosexual tendencies and sympathized with homosexuality and advocated spiritual directors. p188; Perhaps folks received an email from their pastor during the campaign quoting Henri Nouwen.

Mother Theresa, p. 125, 231,who did an incredibly noble work. However in her book, Life In The Spirit: Reflections, Meditations, and Prayers, says on pages 81 and 82: "We never try to convert those who receive (aid) to Christianity but in our work we bear witness to the love of God's presence and if Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics become for this better men—simply better—we will be satisfied. It matters to the individual what church he belongs to. If that individual thinks and believes that this is the only way to God for her or him, this is the way God comes into their life—his life. If he does not know any other way and if he has no doubt so that he does not need to search then this is his way to salvation."

The ecumenical aspect of The Purpose Driven Life is subtle. Combined with a man-centered philosophy and religious language, the book has demonstrated an omni-denominational appeal, including Catholicism.

Reporting on another front of today's "liberal theology", Roger Oakland of Understand The Times International shares evidence of the Emerging Church Movement as another road to the Roman Catholic Church .

Oakland states,"Roman Catholic mystics who embraced eastern mysticism in the past are being reintroduced, and are taking precedence over the Word of God. The onslaught of ideas promoted by these Roman Catholic mystics, such as Roman Catholic mystic and priest, Henri Nouwen is staggering."

One does not have to go far to see another link to Catholicism in Leonard Sweet's quote"...the church’s liturgy and Eucharist are being rediscovered in creative and compelling ways. A lot of emerging churches are very “smells and bells” in their worship. Whatever the diversity of spiritual practices, the key words for emerging churches are incarnational, missional, and relational."

Sweet participated in the Voice Project a collaborative work to paraphrase books of the New Testament for use by the Emergent Church. Sweet has strong ties to Rick Warren, and to New Age thinking.

Now that this Roman, Emergent matrix has circled back to Rick Warren, who sponsors Purpose Driven Catholics, it should come as no surprise that Emergent Church Leader (SBC )Erwin McManus will join Rick Warren for a Saddleback Worship Conference.

Erwin McManus has operated with impunity in the Southern Baptist Convention. McManus has shared the stage at Ed Young,Jr's C3 conferences , along with Bill Hybels and T.D. Jakes.

The ecumenical vortex continues it's destructive path. Only he whose house is built on The Rock will be shielded and saved .