Why Criticize Saddleback?

In his article, Poster Couple for Global Change, at the Christianity Today Live Blog, Tim Morgan writes about Rick Warren's PEACE Coalition and asks the question:

Why are so many Christian leaders critical of Saddleback's strategies?

This blog left the following comment at the CT blog :

Anyone would applaud the fine humanitarian efforts at Saddleback. These efforts resemble similar noble efforts of Roman Catholism and other belief systems.

However, the Biblical foundation at Saddleback is far less than solid. Warren twists and distorts Scripture into a humanistic form. The repackaged product has been used as the delivery vehicle for church growth and now global relief efforts.

The plan may appear successful in both arenas. Pews may be filled, the hungry may be fed. But the true need that the true church is called to meet first and foremost is untouched by Warren's "cosmo-Christianity"...to expose the real spiritual condition of humanity: spiritual depravity, separation from God and His judgement for that condition. To declare God's salvation plan for that same condition as revealed by the whole of Scipture in it's unadulterated form. To properly instruct, in the pattern set forth by the Scriptures, those who repent that they may learn to walk in the newness of life in the Holy Spirit, and put off the old sin nature. Thus producing fruits of good works that will cause men to give glory to God...not to give glory to a coalition of well intentioned religious organizations, as Warren has recently expressed in the PEACE Coalition press release. Warren is leading so many to imitate these good works, but never will succeed in duplicating the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, the very necessary physical,emotional and economic needs of thousands may be met by these Saddleback's strategies, but if the "first work" that the church is called to do in the Name of God is neglected, what kind of Gospel is really being presented by this kind of church?

Those served by Warren's cosmo-Christianity are at great risk of their greatest need going unmet, by a group of people that represent, at least historically, the only way to meet that greatest need.

See PEACE Coalition: Harlotry Rising , Give the Glory to God! , Two Witnesses Appear at Saddleback , Time Magazine on Rick Warren's New Global Reformation and His PEACE Coalition and other relates articles on Warren's PEACE plan here.