Rick Warren continues planting seeds of opposition with his criticisms of Christians. A trend is developing that could be described as a hybrid psychological dynamic which crosses the dialectic process with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
This dynamic is put into motion when a very public and influential person paints a select group of people in a negative light, (dialectic) giving the impression this group is the antagonist (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) and the potential cause for failure in achieving a desired outcome for the community.
When this theme is repeated and reinforced, the community at large will begin to sympathize, synthesize and support the very public and influential person's opinion. At this stage, the opinion evolves into motive and objective for the community. The target of the motive: the group that was painted as suffering Oppositional Defiant Disorder because they resisted, or even stood against the leader's private, desired, manipulated outcome for the group.
More examples of Rick Warren and this dynamic are illustrated below:
“We've got some people who only focus on moral purity and couldn’t care less about the poor, the sick, the uneducated. And they haven’t done zip for those people.”
Desired Outcome: Social works, liberation theology
"Christians these days are defined by their "big mouth" -- what they argue against, not what they embrace."
Desired Outcome: Ecumenism
“Any church that fails to fulfill the five purposes...is not really a church!”
Desired Outcome: Network Identification, Participation
"...churches will need to help people understand that being a fully devoted follower of Jesus means involvement in P.E.A.C.E."
Desired Outcome: Network Identification, Participation
"Warren predicts that fundamentalism, of all varieties, will be one of the big enemies of the 21st century.'"
Desired Outcome: Network Identification, Participation
Does Purpose Driven really mean the same as Spirit Led, or does Purpose Driven have a more earthly motivation?
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Dear Brother in Jesus,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your work in the LORD.
I can't help thinking of the pre-Holocaust preparation that Germany received from the mouth of Adolph Hitler, as I have read and listened to Rick Warren in the recent past. He is using the same techniques, scapegoating his opposition. Does he realize this? Some may scoff or be shocked. The comparison is true.
While Jesus didn't spare sinners in His messages to the Churches of Revelation, Warren's words are not from the LORD. There is no Grace, and he is no prophet of God.
Plus, when he says that the TRUE follower of Jesus must also do the PEACE plan, he is arrogantly adding to the Salvation of God.
He assaults my senses with his pride.
I pray that the Holy Spirit keeps your lamp lit with abundant oil and Holy Fire.
http://christianresearchnetwork.info/2007/05/15/give-it-up-already-or-now-were-scraping-the-bottom-of-the-barrel/
ReplyDeleteThe more I see a man and his program get so big and drawing the large group of followers as Rick Warren and Purpose Driven has, the faster I draw farther away from the crowd. I often ponder the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 7:14,15 "...for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." Don't these people who join these movements of today ever read their Bible and believe that God is talking to them personally as well as us collectively? Please keep up the good work and publish these warnings of the LORD while there is still time!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your link Nathan! I think that it eloquently represents exactly what Jim is trying to convey about the attitude that many Rick Warren cultists seem to possess. You are being defiant, unwilling to answer questions, and by the way, where is your scripture to back up your stand?? You folks always want to make people feel good -- as long as others don't get in your way! Your pastor brings to mind another reverend from a time gone by in Guiana(I think his name was Jim Jones --- he is dead now, though) that many thought would shake the world, too!
ReplyDeleteI thought Mr. Warren was quite astute on his ABC video clip. I was mesmerized by the way that he tried to disenfranchise people watching the video. I played it for some of my friends, and they felt exactly that. They were not sure what they were feeling --- until I explained it to them. Mr. Warren's antics are no more than beginner psychology, and my children can do better at manipulation than that!
I will leave you with a few practical beliefs that Mr. Warren and I differ on below:
1. If the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it. There is no room for deviation.
2. I believe that I don't have to bribe anyone to come to the Lord, as Mr. Warren asserts in his PDL Book. They will come freely, as their hearts are lead. The Word is sufficient. It is my job to share it with them. Not just the pieces and parts that they will like, but the Word. Nothing more, nothing less.
3. I believe that we check on the flock when they stray --- we don't wait for ours to leave or die off because it doesn't suit our present needs. True Christians never pray or hope for people to leave their Church --- neither frustrated nor dead.
4. I believe in congregating with a fellowship of true believers --- I do not believe the idea is to get the most people with the most money together, or compromise my beliefs with admitted outsiders. Yes, that includes Catholics, Buddhists, Islamics, Mormons, et al(Are you reading this, Rick? I would bet you are!) Do I love all people? Yes I do. I just cannot worship with all of them.
5. If you admit to sin in my presence, it is my obligation to make you aware of your iniquity, and cast you out if refuse to correct it --- in a loving way. I will tolerate your sin on the street, but stay out of my place of worship until you are ready to get with the program. No compromise.
6. I believe that we represent what we believe in --- we do not hide behind websites, or answering machines. We do not buy the media. We do not sneak in the Churches like wolves in sheeps' clothing, telling pastors how to trick the Church congregation into following heresy with hidden agendas. Jesus laid it out very simply, as I am doing for you. No frills, just the facts. Read His book. It is all in there.
7. I am not here to build God's kingdom. I have faith that He is perfectly capable of doing that all by Himself with both hands tied behind his back. The Bible says that it will be His job --- and once again, that settles it.(see number one above)
8. I believe in the logic that if Rick Warren/PDL were good for Christ's Church, then more people would be in my Church, instead of running away from it in utter disgust. Because of Mr. Warren and his misguided heresy, many pastors have walked away from their flocks, and many flocks have walked away from their Churches. I believe that Mr. Warren will be asked to account for those thousands --- possibly millions, on judgement day, and I pray for mercy for him when that day comes.
I will continue to pray for you and your fellowship, Nathan, but please stay out of my Church until YOU are ready to "get with the program"!