WHAT IS RICK WARREN’S PURPOSE DRIVEN PROSPERITY GOSPEL,ALL ABOUT?
A couple of years ago the latest religious fad was the “Purpose Driven Life.” The fad was welcomed by many churches including Woodland Park and our own LMPC. I participated in a number of weekly small group meetings and like everyone else I have spoken with, I was deceived, and got nothing out of it.
As I studied this book I found only one supposedly gospel presentation, and that was on Page 58. Here it is:
1.”First believe, believe that God loves you and made you for his purpose.” Page 58 – ” Believe that God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus who died on the cross for you.”3. “Believe that no matter what you have done, God wants to forgive you.” Page 58
2. “Receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior. Receive his forgiveness for your sins.” Page 58
Is there something missing here? What might be missing here?
Repentance
“So I invite you to bow your head and quietly whisper the prayer that will change your eternity. “Jesus I believe in you and I receive you.”
What Jesus? Who did what? Where is the resurrection?
It goes on…..
“If you sincerely meant that prayer, CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!!” Page 58/59
How does Rick Warren know who is in the family of God?
NO REPENTANCE, NO JUDGMENT, NO HELL, NO HEAVEN, NO SELF-DENIAL, NO DISCUSSION OF SIN, NO BROKENESS , NO SENSE OF GUILT, NO SENSE OF LOSTNESS OR CONDEMNATION, NO FEAR OF ETERNAL TORMENT.
That is an inadequate gospel. That is a gospel that will contribute to defection. Because people are going to come to that which they think is the saving message, and when it doesn’t do anything they’re gone.
A shallow gospel presentation that doesn’t present the reality of eternal judgment, the reality of the Law of God, the reality of condemnation, eternal hell, does not warn of God’s wrath. That is another gospel, and does not make the sinner stand guilty before God. If you are unaware of your lostness, what would you want to be saved from?
The gospel presentation that doesn’t do that is not a faithfull gospel presentation. And then to tell somebody, “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD,” as if you knew.
THAT IS A FANTASY!!!!
Recently while reading Acts 17 I marveled at the commendation that the Apostle Paul gave to the Bereans for comparing everything that he taught, with the scriptures. Rather than taking offense at what others might consider “criticism” Paul encouraged them to compare everything he was teaching to the Word of God. He did not regard those who sincerely measured what he said, and did by scripture, as being difficult, or divisive, or having a critical spirit. He understood that for truth to prevail in the church, everyone’s teaching – even his own – would have to be proven by the word of God. He echoed this in I Thessalonians 5: 21 “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.”
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