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Can Rick Warren Change the World?  A FOX News Special

Orginally published on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 7:56 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Fox News is doing a special one hour program on Rick Warren this Sunday night. Here's the information from the press release...

Sun., August 20 at 8 p.m. ET
Hosted by David Asman

He’s an evangelical superstar. His runaway best seller has transformed lives. But can Rick Warren’s message change hell-on-Earth or has he bitten off more than he can chew?

This weekend, join host David Asman for a FOX News exclusive: “Purpose Driven Life: Can Rick Warren Change the World?”

We’ll show you how Pastor Warren became one of the most influential religious leaders in America and built one of the largest evangelical churches in the nation.

We’ll explore how he’s transformed the lives of his readers by telling them to follow the plan God had for them.

And, we’ll examine how Warren’s wife convinced him to acknowledge that God had an even bigger plan for him: Can “A Purpose Driven Life” turn a battered people into a purpose driven nation?

FOX News had exclusive access as Warren set out to slay what he calls the global giants of disease, poverty, illiteracy and spiritual emptiness in a place where he’d easily find them: Rwanda.

I know I’ll be watching!  How about you?


This post has been viewed 3798 times so far.


 TRACKBACKS: (2) There are 70 Comments:

  • Posted by

    Here’s a positive thought.

    What if people like Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and Bono all start to make news because they are taking the lead in great things like the PEACE plan and the ONE campaign, trying to eradicate extreme poverty and “stupid” poverty. What if people start to think highly of these individuals. What if they find out that they love Jesus. Maybe they’ll think there’s something to following this Jesus fellow. I wonder if maybe then they went to a church where the Gospel is preached (like mine) and find out that these people care, not only about the community they live in, but also about the millions who are dying in extreme poverty half a world away. What if these same people, when confronted with the two prongs of great deeds and the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ… and what if they see that these same people don’t spend an inordinate amount of time debating what seems like finer points of doctrine and criticizing the church down the street… what if they see the love of God in action in many ways… and then… (I’m shuddering with anticipation here...) what if they repent of whatever it is and believe!

    Let’s make it happen! That’s what I wanna be in the middle of!

    And, Jack, I hope the question comes up, too. However, I’m sure Rick won’t use the exact wordings that different ones of us are used to in our particular and peculiar cultures, so I hope that we will give him the grace to answer the question in a way that he believes makes sense to the viewer even if it’s not the same verbage we would use. I hope we don’t jump up and condemn him for it, especially in an interview piece that will be edited by those outside his influence and beyond his control. I doubt it, but hope for it nonetheless…

  • Posted by

    “And, Jack, I hope the question comes up, too. However, I’m sure Rick won’t use the exact wordings that different ones of us are used to in our particular and peculiar cultures, so I hope that we will give him the grace to answer the question in a way that he believes makes sense to the viewer even if it’s not the same verbage we would use.”

    Peter, When the question is asked if “Jesus is the only way to heaven”, anyone can understand yes or no, regardless of culture.  This is exactly what the “critics” as you say have a problem with, the whole slippery sliding away from truth in order to gain popularity.

  • Posted by

    But do you think that question will be asked in that wording? or anything close? It’s a secular news show, I think they’ll be focusing more on the issue. Their issues are not issues (theologically speaking).

    anyway, let’s be done commenting till there’s something to comment about.

  • Posted by

    Amen to Peter’s ‘positive thought’.  That’s what I want to be in the middle of, too.

  • Posted by kent

    This may be a little late in the conversation, but I don’t get why Rick Warren generates so much controversy. Okay he has a big church and he has written two influential books. He isn’t the only one, others have done this for years. Why is he the polarizing persona? You don’t like him, fine, do your thing and work for the Kingdom. He is not answerable to us anyway. If he is way off base he will answer to Jesus for that. Pat Robertson drives me nuts, so I just ignore him. I have too much to do to keep fussing over him. So change the channel and have a nice day.

  • Posted by

    “I don’t get why Rick Warren generates so much controversy. Okay he has a big church and he has written two influential books. He isn’t the only one, others have done this for years. Why is he the polarizing persona? You don’t like him, fine, do your thing and work for the Kingdom”

    We will also anwer to God for what we keep silent about.  Everyone does not see the PD danger, I’m well aware of that.  If you hold to a reliable version of the Bible though, it does not take much investigation to compare to what PD books say. 

    And from my perspective anyway, if I see a danger, and destrutive activity sweeping the church that is contrary to the Word of God and I don’t say a word, I am accountable for that.  I’m thankful Martin Luther didn’t take the position “to just do his own thing” and ignore the practices that were destroying the church.

  • Posted by kent

    Jack,
    Okay, I get your point, a little over the top, but that is fine. I really don’t see Rick Warren as big a threat as what Martin Luther faced. And what is so destructive about the Purpose Driven material? I have read both books, memory is not so good, but there was nothing that made me gasp and drop the thing. He does not deny the need for Jesus, he does not say that Jesus is not fully God and fully man. He does not deny the reality of sin or the power of the Holy Spirit. He does not deny the Bible. So what gives?

    Add to this I read the booka but I do not take them as scripture,. There are princples I like, such having a balance in the priorities of my church. As with everything, I take what I think is going to be helpful and leave the rest. How is this destroying the church?

  • Posted by

    [I’m thankful Martin Luther didn’t take the position “to just do his own thing” and ignore the practices that were destroying the church.]

    And yet, he wanted to eliminate the book of James from the NT, and his anti-semitism is legendary… So… none of us are perfect I guess…

    Kent asks [And what is so destructive about… ]

    Kent, I’m more and more convinced it is coming down to people looking to hear theology in the manner in which and with the words that they are comfortable with.

    So… let’s leave it alone till Sunday night, shall we? Give the man a chance to speak at least before we villify him.

  • Posted by

    “And what is so destructive about the Purpose Driven material? I have read both books, memory is not so good, but there was nothing that made me gasp and drop the thing”.

    kent, you sound like you may be a little more open minded to at least examine things a little more closely.  I would ask you to get a reliable Bible, sit down with PDL and compare what the Bible actually says to what PDL claims it says. 

    My wife took the time and came up with a verse list that has the entire verses written out at your fingertips to compare to PDL.  Everytime you read in it, “the bible says”, he puts a little number by it, to which you can then go to the back of the book to cross reference his number to a scripture.  This is a laborious task that most will not attempt, therefore never comparing.  If you indeed do take the time to compare, you will see the error.  If you would like the verse list with the verses written out in word document, then please email me.

    Thanks

  • Posted by

    “And yet, he wanted to eliminate the book of James from the NT, and his anti-semitism is legendary… So… none of us are perfect I guess"…

    And thank God, people spoke up before James was removed.  I wonder if those that had the guts to speak up for Truth about not removing James were also told not to be so “critical”

  • Posted by

    Jack, may God protect us from false doctrine.  But, is it that you think Rick Warren’s doctrine doesn’t agree with the Bible, or that his doctrine doesn’t agree with your doctrine?

    I, for one, admit that I don’t have all the answers and therefore I am willing to listen to what he has to say, read his books, and give it some thought.  And since I try to be open-minded, I will e-mail you for the verse list so I may check his scriptural references.  I have seen errors in the scriptures he points to, but it seemed more like a clerical error where he pointed to the wrong verse, rather than interpreting the correct verse incorrectly.  More of an administrative error that a doctrinal one.

    If you see PD books and Rick Warren as “a danger, and destructive activity sweeping the church”, you need to look for bigger threats.  Because there are bigger threats out there.

    Rick Warren brings people to Christ, where if his doctrine is not 100% correct, the Holy Spirit can set them on the right path to understanding.  Perhaps we should all focus more on Kingdom work like getting people to church, into a relationship with Jesus Christ, where they are more open to the Holy Spirit, and less on criticizing those who are bring more people to Christ than we are.

    I love my little church and can’t envision the day we’ll baptize 25,000 people, but I praise God that there are churches and church leaders bringing that many people to a closer relationship with Jesus.

  • Posted by

    I regret the damage done and mourn the lives wounded by the self-appointed wielders of the Biblical hammer as a means to judge everyone who does not look at scripture through exactly the same eyes that they do.  Where in the world do people get the idea that it is their job to judge every prominent person in the Church?  Gratefully I have a God whose job that is.

  • Posted by

    Gerry you may want to take a step down from your self-righteous podium for a moment and recognize these critical facts:
    1) Rick Warren is a public figure with books written that need to be judge on their worthiness by comparison to what the Bible states.
    2) Rick Warren is has not shied away from often criticizing the church in general to preface his “purposes” - in doing so he has shown himself to be not only self-righteous, but in very clear examples has shown himself to be less than friendly to the brethren. Of course nobody wants to discuss this detail about the public persona of RW.
    3) Where do people get the idea it is our job to judge? When Jesus said in Matthew 7 “Beware of false prophets (teachers)… it warns that we should be discerning. When a leader is ass pursuant of influence as is RW - one must be discerning. what other pastor can you name who claims to had “trained” tens of thousands of pastors? And we are not to examine him to see if he is worthy of respect or admonition? Come now Gerry, how then would anyone have any ability to discern the narrow way from the broad way? The road which leads to life eternal or the one which leads to destruction, destruction being eternal torment in hell?
    And let me just add this Gerry, when you make a God that does not reflecty what scripture clearly reveals about His nature and His very character, you are partaking in idolatry, creating a god in your own image and fashioning a more tolerable god.

  • Posted by kent

    i am guessing Todd is gone today.

  • Posted by

    At what point does criticism of the church and church leaders go too far?  Are you protecting the Body of Christ or are you just trying to tear it down?  When you call someone a false teacher, is it because his doctrine does not follow the Bible or because his doctrine is differs with your doctrine?

    I refer back to what James says about works:

    James 2:17-18 So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all--it is dead and useless.  Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.”
    James 2:24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
    James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

    The upcoming interview would seem to be more about Rick Warren’s works than his theology.  Is works without faith enough?  Of course not.  But by the same token, is faith without works enough?  Not according to James.  Some may differ with Rick Warren’s theology or doctrine, but I don’t think that is an excuse to denounce the good work that he is undertaking. 

    Can Rick Warren change the world?  Probably not, but praise God that he’s trying.

  • Posted by kent

    Since we are all rocking and rolling today and way off topic what exactly is a “reliable Bible”? Which version? Who says it is reliable? inquiring minds and all.

  • Posted by

    [Rick Warren brings people to Christ, where if his doctrine is not 100% correct, the Holy Spirit can set them on the right path to understanding.]

    That’s the same as saying:

    Let’s just sin all the more so grace may abound.

    God FORBID!

    [Perhaps we should all focus more on Kingdom work]

    In what way is calling to Sound scriptural Doctinre not focusing on the Kingdom?

    Also, I would suggest we should all focus more on Knowing Him as Mary did all the while Martha was complaining to Jesus that Mary wasn’t about the “busy work”.

    [like getting people to church, into a relationship with Jesus Christ]

    Does getting people to church bring people into a relationship with Jesus?

    Can’t say the gospel does because according to you, the teaching can be completely wrong and the Holy Spirit will get them on the right path.

    Couldn’t the HS do that outside of church too??? Couldn’t a lesbian hooker spaced on drugs deliver a false gospel and the HS be able to set that person onthe right path?

    [where they are more open to the Holy Spirit]

    Is the HS only found in churches on Sundays?

    [and less on criticizing those who are bring more people to Christ than we are.]

    You mean like how you’re criticizing now?

    [But, is it that you think Rick Warren’s doctrine doesn’t agree with the Bible, or that his doctrine doesn’t agree with your doctrine?]

    Is Jack’s doctrine wrong?  Is RW’s doctrine wrong?

    How do you know for sure?

    Simply dismissing testing RW’s doctrine as being wrong because you assume Jack’s is wrong is… well.... WRONG.

    Doesn’t anyone seek Truth, Knowledge, Wisdom???

    Where will these type of assumptions end up?.... Relativism!  Every man has the right to have his own doctrine.

    That’s where the assumption ends.

    If that’s what you truly believe then you believe every man can do that which is right in HIS OWN EYES (according to how he/she sees how god sees it).  Which isn’t really a very good place to be - Judges 17.

    Simply put, it’s a relativistic worldview the world and lucifer uses to deceive the multitudes.

    [Since we are all rocking and rolling today and way off topic what exactly is a “reliable Bible”? Which version? Who says it is reliable? inquiring minds and all.]

    What exactly is a reliable text book or teaching by any teacher?  After all if we can’t trust anybody about anything then how can we really know anything at all???

    Hmmm.  There must be something outside the subjective view of mankind to be able to Absolutely say what is Reliable, True, Right and Just.

    I wonder if now you’ll suggest it might be allah or buddha… lol? wink

  • Posted by Daniel

    Why, the only true Word of God!!!  The KJV of course!!!  All those crappy greek translations of the KJV are satanic.
    ...
    ...
    On a serious note, what 3:36 is saying is true.  Speaking against those who claim Christ’s name but preach a false gospel goes part and parcel with being a Christian.  The unfortunate truth however, is that the reformed conservatives will have a different ‘gospel’ than the non-reformed liberals or the somewhere-in-the-middle emergents.  Whose gospel is the right gospel (other than mine, obviously)?  Well, Jesus said we would know his followers by their fruit.  And for you hard-headed folks out there, that means deeds, works, things that are done and visible.  If they preach a resurrected Christ as Lord and help the poor, needy and destitute, then they’re “in” by my book.  And by The Book (hohoho, I’m so witty).
    But if anyone claims to follow Christ, and they’re legalistic, judgmental, and advocate violence (or war, or assassination, or… take your pick, you get the picture), then Christians have the duty to distance themselves from that person.
    My two cents.

  • Posted by

    Prepare for sarcasm . . .

    Daniel, in reference to fruit, you said . . .

    [And for you hard-headed folks out there, that [fruit] means deeds, works, things that are done and visible.]

    That’s not fruit silly, fruit is the absence of all sinful behavior and theology that is exactly the same as mine.  I just learned that on another MMI thread.  We’ve got to quit thinking about fruit as good deeds that help the poor, needy and oppressed in the world.  Ridiculous!!!  That’s why knowing RW by his “good deeds” fruit instead of his “theology fruit” is so ludicrous.  Come on now . . .

    Wendi

  • Posted by

    Daniel says: “Well, Jesus said we would know his followers by their fruit.  And for you hard-headed folks out there, that means deeds, works, things that are done and visible. “
    Daniel, check scripture and see what Jesus said about those who do their deeds that others might see them. Matthew 6:1-4 is very clear about this, doing them in private, not doing press conferences every time you do something. Here’s what Jesus said:
    “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

  • Posted by

    As to fruit, that would be evidenced by faithful followers of the Lord Jesus Christ who follow His commandments as He asked in the Great Commission, faithful teachers of others to obey all that He had commanded to the apostles/disciples as written in Matthew 28.Works are just that, works. But God says that all our righteous deeds are as filthy rags to Him - lest we are faithful to Him nd abide in His ways.BTW - Humility is one thing we are called to, that He may lift us up. Humility does not keep count of good deeds and accomplishments and roll them out at all opportunities, nor does is belittle another by doing comparison, rather humility merely continues in doing good without complaint or praise or recognition. Doers of the word and not hearers only.

  • Posted by

    John 3:36 -

    When Jesus was talking about doing good deeds in private, I believe He intended us to check our motives.  After all, He did quite a few of His good deeds in very public settings.

    If you are suggesting we apply this to RW’s willingness to discuss his good deeds on CNN, then two motives come to mind.

    1. Drawing attention to himself and so thousands of people will know how wonderful he is, or
    2. Leveraging his celebrity status to encourage Americans (Christians and non) to do something about a terrible global crisis.

    Since only God knows his heart . . . I’ll assume #2 (which, in a way, is what Jesus did)

    Wendi

  • Posted by

    “And for you hard-headed folks out there, that [fruit] means deeds, works, things that are done and visible”.

    That kind of fruit is great, we should as believers have that kind of fruit.  But, what is it when a Mormon does the same thing, and claims Christ as Savior?

  • Posted by

    “Couldn’t a lesbian hooker spaced on drugs deliver a false gospel and the HS be able to set that person onthe right path?” BeHim, this statement made me laugh out loud!  What’s so funny is that to you this is the worst “messenger example” you can come up with.  As if a straight hooker’s gospel might be a little bit more, well, straight.  But I digress.  Seriously though, don’t underestimate the power of the HS, BeHim!  I know my theology has changed over the years; I’m sure yours has too.  By the way, I do think RW can change the world.  Lesser men and women than he have certainly done so.

  • Posted by

    “That kind of fruit is great, we should as believers have that kind of fruit.  But, what is it when a Mormon does the same thing, and claims Christ as Savior”?

    And please before any pragmatic thinker beats me to it, I’m not saying Rick Warren is a Mormon or unbeliever.

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