Rick Warren and Mother Teresa's Interfaith Intersection

Southern Baptist Rick Warren proudly announced in August that he has written the forward to the book released by TIME magazine about Mother Teresa's life:

In his forward, Warren talks about the handwritten note penned by Mother Teresa that is framed on his office wall. Warren praises Mother Teresa as one of the greatest evangelists of the 20th century.

Warren also referenced Mother Teresa in The Purpose Driven Life. Warren writes:

"How you treat other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. As Mother Teresa said, 'It's not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters."- page 125, The Purpose Driven Life.

Warren clearly aligns himself with Mother Teresa's concept of universalism in the name of good works and self sacrifice.

Here's an example of Mother Teresa's beliefs from the Roman Catholic news website, MinistryValues.com. Author Wayne Weible reflects upon the intensely noble work of Mother Teresa...

"In Yemen," recounted Mother Teresa, "which is entirely a Muslim country, I asked one of the rich people to build a Masjid [a mosque] there. People needed a place to pray, I said to him; they are all Muslim brothers and sisters. They need to have a place where they can meet God."

...It was such boundless charity that Mother Teresa emphasized as the hallmark of her faith. Love comes out of charity; charity comes out of love. Hers was a charity that knew no religious bounds. She was careful, yes, to adhere to the Catholic way; no one was more orthodox; no one had greater appreciation for the sacraments; but she was most careful above all to love."

Mother Teresa's interfaith universalism is well documented. Tim Challes examined Mother Teresa's Roman Catholic beliefs in his article, The Myth of Mother Teresa:

"...we get a glimpse of beliefs that contradict so many gospel truths. We see a belief in transubstantiation (that the bread of communion actually becomes the body of Christ) and her belief that Christ is present in this bread. We also see her belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a mediator between God and ourselves (see Catholic Catechism, paragraph #969, #1172 and #494) and as such, plays a role in our salvation."

Challes provides a direct quote for Mother Teresa's own book:

While she worked with the poor, Mother Teresa was adamant that any type of evangelism was unnecessary. In her book, Life in the Spirit: Reflections, Meditations and Prayers, she says:

“We never try to convert those who receive [aid from Missionaries of Charity] 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. (Pages 81-82)

...Through the entire book there is never a hint that she relies on Christ alone for her salvation. Rather we read things like, “I’ve always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic” (Page 31)."

Challes describes the effect that Mother Teresa's legacy has on Protestant pastors:

"Pastors of Protestant churches around the world continue to speak of Mother Teresa in saintly terms. They hold her up as the ultimate example of self-sacrifice for the sake of the gospel. From the pulpits they discuss how she responded to Christ’s Great Commission to spread the gospel to all lands. The reality, though, is that if she preached at all, she preached a false religion. In so doing she provides us with an example not of a Christian responding to God’s call, but an example of deeds of charity and compassion completely separated from the Truth."

The question that begs to be asked of Rick Warren is simple:

As a Southern Baptist / Evangelical pastor, who believes that Mother Teresa was one of the greatest evangelists of the 20th century, how do you reckon the aspects of false religion she professed during her incredible life?

See also:

SHANE CLAIBORNE AND MYSTICISM’S GOSPEL OF GOODNESS

DEEDS, CREEDS AND MOTHER TERESA'S DESPAIR

MOTHER TERESA - Example of Christian Love? Or Worldwide Hoax?

MOTHER TERESA’S FALSE HOPE