Two Witnesses Appear at Saddleback

Pastor Bob DeWaay, author of Redefining Christianity, shares his recent visit with Rick Warren at Christian Woldview Network

Pastor Warren responded neither positively or negatively to that but specifically asked us why we were opposing him. Our answer was that we did not hear him publicly preach Christ in a forthright manner. Chris shared his experience of listening to the Purpose Driven message Warren himself taught and hearing lots of material that challenged him to do more and do better—but not hearing about the forgiveness of sins. In that regard Chris specifically mentioned the lectures at the Saddleback summit he had just attended. I thought he made a very good point that also pointed to the need for gospel preaching.

The second point I made was the need to adhere to sola scriptura (Scripture alone). I specifically told him that his Purpose Driven Life was an amalgam of scripture and human wisdom gleaned from general revelation and that the body of work is presented as a seamless whole to his readers regarding what God expects of them. I gave as an illustration his exposition of Romans 8:28, one passage he correctly interprets and applies. I said, therefore, what he said about Romans 8:28 is binding because it came from what God said in the Bible. But the problem is that everything else is presented in the same manner, like “keeping a journal.” I told him that God has not commanded us to keep a journal, so we can safely ignore that. But his readers are given the impression that everything he says in the book is what God wants them to do.

I also pointed out the serious problem with “confused universal application.” I explained to Warren that he takes Bible passages that apply only to Christians and applies them to everyone in general. That creates confusion and possible false assurance. His reply was that the book was originally intended only for the congregation at Saddleback so it was written to Christians. We did not take up a debate on that point, wanting to stay on the issues of preaching Christ and sola scriptura, but I think that claim is questionable in light of other things I have heard him say about how the book came to be. Besides, there are statements in the book early on addressed to non-Christians.

Read the rest of Pastor DeWaays' experience here. Chris Rosebrough also attended the invitation only meeting at Saddleback. See his account at Extreme Theology, along with his critique of the Purpose Driven Community conference.

Listen to Pastor DeWaay discuss the meeting with his congregation here. Read Pastor DeWaay's appeal to Rick Warren to return to Biblical Christianity, from Redefining Christianity, 2006, page, 209-201.

Visit the No Goofy Zone for Watcher's Lamp observations concerning this meeting. See the responses of others there as well.

Editor's note: Pastor Bob DeWaay also shared the comment below with Watcher's Lamp regarding WL's "Two Witnesses" reference:

"According to the Bible two is enough to establish a fact. The fact that was established is that we appealed to him ( Warren) to preach Christ and adhere to Scripture alone. If he does not, his guilt will be that much greater." - Pastor Bob DeWaay, Twin City Fellowship

See related articles: PEACE Coalition: Harlotry Rising , Give the Glory to God! , Why Criticize Saddleback? , Time Magazine on Rick Warren's New Global Reformation and His PEACE Coalition