Rick Warren founded the 26,000 strong Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. He wrote the best-seller The Purpose Driven Life and is affectionately known as “America’s Pastor”.
Like Jesus
Thousands of people, including Michael Phelps attribute their faith in Jesus to Warren’s ministry.
Warren is controversial.
Ironically, many non-Christians think he’s “just like Jesus” while Christian influencers say not at all like Jesus.
Here’s why.
RICK WARREN is yoked with unbelievers in helping the poor, needy and sick.
This of course, in the estimation of some Christians, is not Biblical. Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. plan advocates giving out condoms in Africa to fight AIDS, not just preaching the gospel.
He and his wife, Kaye, hosted a conference on mental health after their son committed suicide in 2013. Presenters advocated to treat depression and other forms of mental illness with medication, not just prayer.
There is absolutely NO biblical support for Christians to offer any sort of practical help to those in need. *Cough* Galatians 2:10 *Cough.* Excuse me…
RICK WARREN is too respectful of people from other religions, especially Muslims.
Warren told CBS This Morning “I can work with an atheist, I can work with a Mormon, Muslim or Buddhist.” The book, “Chrislam” shows Warren’s respect for those who follow Islam or other religions. He unashamedly met with Muslim leaders and broke a Ramadan fast at a mosque.
And anyone who says “You can never win your enemies to Christ, only your friends” is clearly a sell out.
While affirming salvation by Jesus alone he works with other religions on humanitarian projects and is respectful towards them. Aren’t Christians called to argue how right they are and how wrong others are? There is clearly NO biblical basis for being respectful toward people of other faiths. Acts 17:22-34
RICK WARREN accepted the LGBTQ at Saddleback.
Warren’s careless, thoughtless and clueless behavior in not being offensive to the LGBTQ community is a clear giveaway of his betrayal.
“I have many, many gay friends, and have worked around the world with them in gay organizations to try to stop AIDS. My wife and I have given millions of dollars to help people with HIV/AIDS and have worked with gay organizations on that.”
While technically his theology is orthodox that doesn’t mean his words aren’t watered-down, right? The religious establishment took exception with Jesus suggesting they were “children of hell” for making it hard for seekers to experience the grace of God. Matthew 23:15
RICK WARREN is too chummy with celebrities like Larry King, Elton John and Piers Morgan.
Non-Christians, instead of hating him, respect him. This is a clear indication that something is wrong.
The Christianity of Christians can be measured directly by how many non-Christians oppose them. Right? There is no biblical context for Christians being respected by non-Christians. Acts 2:46-47, 5:13
Consequently there is no other verdict than to find Rick Warren guilty of being clearly unlike the prejudiced, bigoted, self-righteous and hateful segments of Christendom.
Jesus used hyperbole and sarcasm to make a point (camels, needles eyes and wooden beams). This is my attempt to be like Jesus.
If you missed it, please read this post again.
I highly respect Rick Warren and his devotion to Jesus, the Bible and the Church. People in the congregation I pastored boycotted our small groups and some left our church when we used Rick’s curriculum in Bible studies. They were certain he was a false teacher. Sigh.
Rick graciously endured years of false accusations and attack from graceless Christians. May his tribe increase.
What do you think? Please leave a comment below. Thank you (sincerely).
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In reading this presentation, has brought my remembrance to the first encounter I had with Rick Warren and his book The Purpose Driven Life.
We study this as a bible lesson. I really dont have the words to express my feelings and understanding, except that I was angry. I knew my heart belonged to Jesus, my Saviour. I didnt agree with Rick Warren’s instructions on who, where, why and how to live my life for God. (I will refrain from expressing my annoyances and disagreements. I ask the question “cough” Acts 17: 28 “cough” – to borrow a sort of quote from the writer. But when the Warren”s lost their son to suicide, I followed their lives with sympathy in my heart for them.
His ministry as a pastor expounded to Teacher, Minister, Shepherd, Missionary. ?.. Hey did I say “missionary”.!
I thought “isn’t that what God wants us to be?”
Another cough coming “cough” Matt. 5:14 “cough”.
Am I a light for Jesus?
Thank you for this, Bob. I have been defending Rick Warren online for years, and now this gives me some ammunition to continue. I think some Christians today believe they are like Christ, but rather than being like the humble Jesus of 2000 years ago, some are more like the Christ on the judgment seat. Jesus did not judge anyone other than hypocritical religious men. He met the needs of all who were in need and gave up on no-one because of their past sins. That is Love manifest, and Rick Warren is one of the best examples of that in the world today.
Well said, Gary. Please feel free to share this as much as you want. Hope it helps. I tried a different style to communicate better. I appreciate everytime you comment.
Love your comment! Glad you’ve eventually found Pastor Rick to be a blessing and a help. All of our hearts broke when the Warren’s son died. We still ache for them.
I had to do a double-take while first reading this post, but soon understood the satirical tone as I went on. Good thing you cleared it up near the end, just in case not everyone got it right away.
As a modern evangelical, I appreciate that we are seeing leaders in the evangelical movement like Warren or Campolo embrace progressive values while maintaining that these are perfectly in line with scripture. It is people like these who will rescue the church from going extinct under its own irrelevance. However, it must be recognized that change is difficult, most especially for conservatives and we all need to allow our fellow believers the time to process how the world is changing.
But being a person of faith should never be about politics. It really is about being members of the body of Christ, reaching out to a suffering world and to be a healing force. We are called to be among all people in every corner of the world, no matter their situation, and not simply to remain cloistered among our own.
And when we reach out to others, that’s when their hearts can be fully open to the good news of God’s grace through his son Jesus and accept the gift of eternal salvation.
I am glad you made it to the end. You did EXACTLY what I hoped readers would do. Be taken back but continue reading. Great to hear from you Gary. Love your heart.
I like it! Very effective! It only had me worried for a minute.
Can’t find the “Like” button for this comment, but I like it a lot. One area I’m not sure about is whether time will improve the attitudes of our Christian brothers and sisters. I suspect it may just continue to deteriorate as that seems to be the current direction.
Rick Warren has proven his walk with the Lord through love, teaching, counseling and grief which he has shared and helped many many people.
May the Lord continue to use Rick to the glory of his Lord and Saviour.
when people criticize with pointing a figure at others there is always three fingers pointing back at them.
I have used Rick Warren’s Daily Hope Devo in my OCCF Time with God Resource Group on Facebook. (Ovarian Cancer Christian Fellowship Time with God Resource) for many years now. As I told my husband the other day that “I use his writings in my group everyday”….he said, “Be careful.” There is controversy out there. I was in disbelief, thus I researched, and find your article. I would highly doubt our Father would argue that His beloved servant Rick Warren is being “anti-Christlike” in helping others as he does in where “they currently are at.” In showing love and acceptance to others that don’t “fit the Bible”, Pastor Rick will develop their trust, to eventually show them the light to our Jesus. I fully support Rick Warren….glean much wisdom and soul searching personally for myself and I know for others. If we are to “love like Jesus” as commanded, Rick Warren does!
Hello Linda. Thank you for your comments about Pastor Rick. He is a trusted pastor. I met with him in California and found him to be a humble, and gracious leader. We live in an era of misinformation. Lies travel at the speed of light. Rick and Kay have endured family heartache that has been amplified by untrue and cruel accusations. I am happy to know you have benefited from Rick’s writings.
My post was written with sarcasm. Jesus loved sarcasm and used it often to make a point.