Sunday, April 11, 2010

The Purpose Driven Life: Worship that pleases God by Rick Warren

Rick writes:
"My friend Gary Thomas noticed that many Christians seem stuck in a worship rut, an unsatisfying routine, instead of having a vibrant friendship with God. Part of the problem, he discovered, was that many people force themselves to use devotional methods or worship styles that don’t fit the way God uniquely shaped them...."
Purpose Driven Life: Worship That Pleases God, by Rick Warren, Issue 71 10-9-2002

Besides the sticky sweet salesmanship going on here, Rick is “name dropping;” something he does a lot, and something he has spoken out against other people doing.  It is kinda like he is even advertising for his friend, Gary Thomas.

He continues:

"...This leaves them frustrated and confused: Why, when I really love God, am I bored with worship?"

"Bored" with worshiping God?  Seriously?  Bored of a song maybe... familiar with the same song, perhaps; but worship is more than singing a few songs.

 "Gary wondered, "If God intentionally made us all different, why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way?” That began a search to identify different ways people develop a friendship with God. As he read Christian classics and interviewed others, he discovered many different paths that Christians have used for 2,000 years to enjoy intimacy with God: being outdoors, studying, singing, reading, dancing, creating art, serving others, solitude, fellowship, and dozens of other activities. "

Okay, wait just a minute. "why should everyone be expected to love God in the same way?” "  Did he really just say that?   And this too, hoe he began a search to discover the  "different ways people develop a friendship with God." WHAT is the point is of using expressions like this?  Have you any thoughts on that?

I see him trying to sell the church people the idea that there is not just one way to God... without really saying those words.  First, we hear about "people" and how they "develop friendship with God"  much as if everyone does this all on their own, and then we replace that notion comparatively to "Christians" and the many "paths" they use to enjoy "intimacy with God," as if the two would be the same.  We lso have Gary Thomas to thank, not Rick, for defining it.  Christians should ask, does God have any say in the matter about how we approach him, or worship him?  What does the Bible say? 

Lest we digress too much... Rick continues:  

"In his book, Sacred Pathways, Gary identified nine of the ways people draw near to God: Naturalists are most inspired to love God out-of-doors, in natural settings; Sensates love God with their senses, and appreciate beautiful worship services that involve their sight, taste, smell, and touch, not just their ears. Traditionalists draw closer to God through rituals, liturgies, symbols, and unchanging structure; Ascetics prefers to love God in solitude and simplicity; Activists love God through confronting evil, battling injustice and working to make the world a better place; Caregivers love God by loving others and meeting needs; Enthusiasts love God through celebration; Contemplatives love God through adoration; Intellectuals love God by studying with their minds.   There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to worship and friendship with God."

Really Rick?   Really Gary? No one size fit's all approach to "worship and friendship" with God?
Do you guys read John 14:6?

This is embarrassing to have to ask, but do you guys just make things up that you think sound good  to say, or what?

And not only that,  you didn't even mention Jesus.. or "worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth," as the Bible would lead us all to believe.  No, you just make things up and tell us things like, "working to make the world a better place," "celebration" and "solitude."

Nice, but not Nicean.  (as in the Nicean Creed)

Watch your life and doctrine  and remember,
true worshipers worship in Spirit and in truth...
...and that is the truth.


 

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