Rick Warren's Law of Attraction: Vision or Vanity

...As your vision for your church becomes more specific, you’ll find that it is magnetic – it will pull you toward it and pull other people toward it too. - Rick Warren's Ministry Tool box, June 23. 2010.

Rick Warren's advice mirrors the new age gnosticism found within the pages of "The Secret". Warren instructs the reader to find a quiet place and talk to God about your ministry. Keep a journal of what He tells you.

Really? Awaiting extra-biblical revelation direct from God? Warren makes no mention of reading of the scriptures or testing of the spirits during this quiet time.

Warren encourages the use of a journal during the session, and so do the proponents of The Law of Attraction.

Warren ends his piece with purpose driven Scripture twisting of Proverbs:

“If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” (Proverbs 29:18 MSG)

Warren uses this verse to validate his quiet, direct and divine revelation session. Which implies that whatever spiritual thoughts come into my head during this time must be from God.

A scholarly translation of Proverbs 29:18 reads:

18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

A quick look at the verses that precede and proceed verse 18:

17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.18Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.

The vision of the prophet of God is the picture of the consequences of walking in The Way of God ( The Law ) or in the way of the wicked.

Rick Warren apparently believes the "vision" is that which manifests in one's imagination. Solomon called that Vanity .

Magnetism also repels. Pastors and church leaders who create their vision boards of bigger pulpits will repel those believers who resist the personal ambitions of a brick and mortar driven pastor.

See what's really behind Rick Warren's vision casting here.