C.H.U.R.C.H.

Magazines tout him as "America's Pastor," but Rick doesn't speak very highly of any church not marked by Purpose Driven (TM) He likes those that are listening to him, doing things his way.   He tells his own congregation he loves them, and he would have you believe he loves "the church," but he sure talks bad about church pastors and Christians a lot of the time.

An overseer of God's flock, (see 1 Peter 5:2-4 ) should love the people of God and be an example to the flock, which would require mingling with them, but to do that, one must actually be involved with the people in their congregation.  Rick quit being a shepherd long ago.  In fact, Rick created his own idea of leadership in church.  Instead of a Shepherd, he's decidedly a "Rancher."

"As the church grows you must change roles from Shepherd to Rancher. The Rancher helps oversee the under-Shepherds. Practically everybody on my staff does more weddings and counseling than I do (in fact, I do very few now because I don’t want to show favoritism among our 17,000 members)."

Eight Steps to Grow Your church -by Rick Warren, posted by: T&W Church Solutions 

And while driving all those "unders-Shepherds (and subsequently their sheep) he's made a distinction as to which churches and pastors in the world are to be deened "healthy" and "unhealthy."  The "healthy" ones are those who subject themselves to his leadership as "Rancher."  the rest are "inhealthy."

(You do not want to be sick, do you?) 

"Every church is driven by something: tradition, programs, finances, events, seekers, and even buildings. But to be healthy, it must become purpose driven.”                       Rick Warren,  Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One  Rick Warren

(If you want to be"healthy" what must you do?)

And you know, to do what Rick suggests.... for YOU to take it upon yourself and grow your church bigger than it is, you first have to want to be bigger and then...you need to change.  Listen to Rick tell you what it takes to grow your church:

"It takes an incredible unselfishness.  They must be willing to die to some traditions, to some feelings, to some relationships in order for the kingdom of God to be advanced.  That takes a lot of maturity. "

Rick Warren, Eight Steps to Grow Your Church, T & W Church Solutions.com

You have to be unselfish, (unlike all those other churches who are "small" and insignificant.) You have to let those ancient church traditions "die." (In other words, disregard Proverbs 22:28;  Job 12:12; Jeremiah 18:15; and  2 Thessalonians 2:15) You have to have a lot of "maturity," (unlike all those other child-like, simple,  churches who are "small," (Rick says they are content with the "status quo,") and presumably the opposite of mature, which would be, "immature."

If you look at Rick and think, "Wow, I wish I were successful in ministry like he is," or if those dollars signs of having a larger, tithing congregation wave before your eyes, as he speak,  then you will probably want to learn from him, learn just how he does it.  Right?   Never mind that  he has just labeled everyone who does want to listen to him as selfish and immature   Is it possible that in your own desire to be great, like Rick, you might not have even noticed?

Rick, you see, inserts all sorts of innuendos when he talks that really is quite telling about his affections.  Without his direct influence over it, the church is all wrong, unhealthy and  just  plain, "baaa-a-a-ad."  If your church is one where the pastor just preaches and preaches.... warning people of hell, sin, and the judgement to come.... telling people about Jesus, persuading them to believe on him and be saved.... teaching Bible stories, holding bible studies and discussing doctrine in order to bring sheep ion and to keep sheep safe from harm and help them grow in the faith.... Rick just might take issue.  Besides, according to Rick, "most churches" are nothing but a "big mouth:"

"The Bible calls the Church the Body of Christ, yet most churches today have their hands and their feet amputated. Most of our churches are just one big mouth!   People know what we’re against, but they don’t know what we’re for. And we’re for helping the poor. When we do that, we’re investing in eternity."   

Rick Warren, A Purpose Driven Giving Plan by Rick Warren  10/15/2006

This really is quite rude.  It's a poor view of the church and of what God himself has established and loves.  People who hold the same negative view of church and it's work in the world are quick to agree.

Rick also often speaks against the "American" way of life.  According to him, the church... specifically the "American church"  is "self centered."  He's not though and superstar pastor that he is.... he is going to be the one to rescue it.

"My goal is to move the American church [away] from self-centered consumerism."                                                   Rick Warren, Interview with Charlie Rose 

Strangely, Rick sells books, sermons, CD's, DVDs, workbooks, study  guides, journals, bookmarks... all kinds of "consumer" materials and he targets the church with it.  In other words, he encourages people to be "consumers."  Apparently, to Rick " consumerism"  is fine, just not the "self-centered" kind that he claims is happening in the (bad behaving)  "American" church.

Speaking of churches, according to Rick, Saddleback is superior to most other churches.  In fact, most Christians in all those other "American" churches, could never measure up to Saddleback... in fact they are so deficit that they would not be allowed to join!  The membership requirements for Saddleback are too rigorous for most people...

"The membership requirements at Saddleback are so high most American church members could not join us, "    

                                                                    Rick Warren, Modern Reformation Magazine Interview, 2004 

This is intended, of course, to make you want to be one of the few, to prove you are better than "most," if Saddleback lets you in.  Christian, what is the requirement of God to be in His church?
Is it so high that most American church members could not join?

Another problem Rick sees in America's church is too much teaching.  Apparently, all that Bible teaching is keeping people from helping and caring about other people.

"Listen to this... The problem at a lot of churches today is that they are teaching people too much.  There's a wide gap between knowing and doing in American Christianity, and it's caused by too much teaching.  Before people actually apply what it is, they actually go on to the next thing and they can't handle it, they can't change that much."                                       

                                                                                          Rick Warren, Desiring God Conferences, 2010

And as for those "Christians?"  Rick hardly knows any good ones.

“Very few Christians I know live a truly God-centered life on a daily basis.”

Rick Warren, A Purpose Driven Phenomena An Interview With Rick Warren

Modern Reformation  Magazine

“Most Christians do not behave the way they claim to believe…The typical believer never shares his faith, never helps the poor, never visits those in prison, and never does many of the other things Jesus commanded us to do”         

Rick Warren, A Purpose Driven Phenomena An Interview With Rick Warren,;Modern Reformation  Magazine

But the church bashing doesn't stop there.  Pastors, well "most" of them, are all beneath the wisdom level of Rick.  Most pastors.... they just do not know as much as he does.

“I find most pastors do not understand the power of preaching. But even more important than that is they don't understand the purpose of preaching.”

Rick Warren, Purpose-Driven Preaching: Interview by Duduis  

So Pastor, if you know more than most pastor do... like Rick does.... you'll understand, and agree with Rick, that those other pastors just don't get it.  Right?   Or maybe by hearing him say such a thing,  you'll be intimidated into wanting to understand, and learn from all-knowing and highly successful Pastor Rick.  This way that Rick talks is degrading to other pastors and very manipulating.

Rick has no use for the church as it is.  He dislikes the "American" church.  He even thinks himself better than "most" other pastors.  Rick wants to re-form, re-incarnate, re-invent, re-imagine  and/or re-define anything and everything about "church."  His goal is to make the church something that the world can finally respect!   He wants the church to change.  In fact he even has a cleverly invented acronym for church:

C.H.U.R.C.H.!

C- Care
H- Handle
U- Unleash
R- Remove
C- Champion
H- Help

Wow.  Who knew?

 It was in a July 3, 2011, in a  CNN article, where Rick spelled out C.H.U.R.C.H. and gave us his idea of what the church was to be about.  The first letter, "C," according to Rick,  is "Care"  He says, "Care for and support the sick," and added, " Caring requires no money, just a willingness to offer compassion and kindness." Rick Warren

The assumption, of course, is that we 

need Rick's  redefinition, "acronymizatiom"  of the word

to understand  and to "care."

"H" is for "Handle"  (Note, it is not for HIV testing even though it does stand for "Handle HIV Testing." ) Rick says, "At the least, churches can encourage members to get tested, with the pastor leading the way. Everyone should know their HIV status." Rick Warren

And note, pastors" should be" leading the way" in making 
sure everyone gets tested for AIDS 
and knows their "HIV status."

Why is he not suggesting the doctors do this?
Why "pastors?"

 "U" is for "Unleash"....
–"Unleash volunteers. There will never be enough professionals to fix all that is wrong in our world. The Christian church claims 2.3 billion followers worldwide. If only half could be mobilized to care for those with HIV and AIDS, the fight would look very different."

Rick Warren  

Not so sure what it is that Rick is desiring to "unleash" upon the world, but  he insists that it is volunteers.

Apparently the church, (with all those millions of people)
 is going the wrong way, doing the wrong things. 
Rick wants to have them, at least half of them fall away.
After all they are teaching too much....
the pastors do not understanding the power of ,
 (or purpose of, ) preaching....
and all those Christians certainly are self centered people 
not having a "god centered"  life on a daily basis....
(things like that.)

 Imagine if only half of them would get on board with Rick's ideas!
Imagine, if instead of doing what they do,
if they would put themselves under his leadership,
 how different and better the world would be!  
  
Imagine, someone, someone like Rick, 
finally leading all those Christians

 along the right path and finally fixing 
all those terrible things that 
are so wrong in the world. ....
like AIDS.

The "R" for Rick's acronym, CHURCH, stands for "Remove the stigma..."Rick says, " Jesus never asked a sick person, “How did you get sick?” He asked, “How can I help you?”
                                                                                                                           Rick Warren

Remove what stigma?   His meaning is unclear. 

But, to further the unclarity of his murky words, Rick makes Jesus out to be a much like a store clerk who simply takes your order.  He is one who apparently responds appropriately to you, desiring to fulfill your request on demand.  This is a travesty.

Rick then makes the declaration, "it is not sin to be sick," this as  if "the church" (outside of his wise leadership and jurisdiction) believes that it is.  This is not what the church believes. 

Rick, while he speaks of Jesus,

is not pointing people to have faith in Jesus Christ,
but to see him as a vending machine to get what they want.

Is it salvation from sin they want or just more medical care?

Quite curiously, Rick has just made himself, a mere man,
 so much greater, so much more full of "compassion" 

than the entire (and quite mediocre) Christian "church." 

"The next letter, a second "C" (according to Rick,) is for "Champion"

  

Encouraging listeners to, "Champion healthy behavior,"  Rick reports, "HIV is almost completely preventable. While new reports suggest that accessing HIV treatment at an earlier stage of the illness is a vital way to prevent transmission, the cost may be an impediment. Behavior change will continue to be the most effective way to cut down on new infections."  Rick Warren

Don't you want to be a "champion" and champion "healthy" behavior?

How will you do that?

Rick here is quite honest as he informs us that AIDS is almost "completely" preventable, and he does mention something about behavior change... but he does not call homosexual behavior a problem or even a sin.  When he talks about it being "almost preventable," what, do you think, is he referring to?  

What that means, exactly, is really anybody's guess.

Behavior change to cut down on new infections in Rick dichotomy
 likely means being willing to educate people on the use of condoms for prevention 
and is likely involves doing HIV screening at the local health departments

 so that treatment for HIV and AIDS

 can happen at an earlier stage.

Then you are labeled a "Champion."

And finally, he tells us,  "H"... is for "Help--- help with antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients. The simplest way to cut down on new infections, to help infected individuals live longer, and to prevent children from becoming orphans, is to create accountability with medication compliance. Church volunteers can make daily visits or phone calls, reminding individuals to take their medication." Rick Warren

Rick says, 

"In America, we’d heard public leaders, including pastors, make pronouncements about AIDS that implied that those infected were enemies, or at least deserved their illness."

                                                                                                                                                                                   Rick Warren

Rick has just suggested that American leaders and pastors have done this.  Have they?  

Answer:  They may have or not. This is more America bashing by Rick.   You can assume rick is telling the truth, but it's just his own words.  You have no proof that what Rick just told you is true... or not and if you believe him without some evidence, then he has just turned YOU against America's "public leaders" and "pastors." You now believe they are rotten and he's the "good guy" amoungst them all.

Truth is... AIDS is a public health concern.  Truth is that many different people have many ideas about it and they have said and thought many different things, both true and untrue, right and wrong. Rick is making accusations, but he offers no proof of this accusation against America's public leaders and pastors.  He has not even provided one quote proving that this is what has been taught by American leaders and ministers of God.  He has done nothing but captured your attention and left you with the impression that they are somehow, all of them, involved in doing this "evil" thing.  He, Rick Warren, on the other hand, is not.

"Pastor" Rick, is here to change you and change your mind and give you a  new and improved kind if church.  In this "new thing" even the "hope of the world" is changed too.  It used to be Jesus, but things are different in light of Rick's teaching.  Rick says the hope of the world is... the church!

Which church does he mean?

 "Truly the church is the hope of the world!!" Rick Warren

Rick Warren, The Church the Hope of the World, The Peace Plan, kaywarren.com

The "ABRACADABRA" of Changing Your Thinking

Pastor Rick's spiritual newsflash for America on the Oprah Winfrey show is that your thinking is wrong and needs to change.  Throw out that old thinking and in with the new!  If you are wise, you will listen to Rick's wisdom and, just like magic, you will encounter ...."CHANGE!"

"We are all intentionally flawed to make us unique. You need to re-frame everything you think is a flaw in life as a mark of uniqueness."                                                        
                                                                                                                                        Rick Warren on Oprah Winfrey's Life Class January 2013

Who intentionally flawed you in order to make you unique?  

Mother Nature? 
God?
You?
Your parents?
Who, exactly, is responsible for the "flaws" in humans like me and you?

You just paint that anyway you like.... because Rick doesn't exactly say.

And... What defines a flaw?

A big nose?
Shortness?  Tallness?
Is our propensity to commit sin, lie, steal, etc,... a "flaw?" 

Paint that too... anyway you like.

 Whatever a "flaw" is, (to you)  Rick Warren says if you think it's a flaw, you need to re-frame your thinking.... you need to reframe your thinking about every flaw in "LIFE."  And remember, your flaws..... make you special.

".....You need to re-frame everything you think is a flaw in life as a mark of uniqueness."                                                        
                                                                                                                                        Rick Warren on Oprah Winfrey's Life Class January 2013

In other words, Rick is telling us not to think of ourselves as having any flaws or defects.  If you think you have a "flaw," the answer is simple: You must re-frame your thinking.

It's all up to you.

You are the one choosing what you think... you choose for yourself what you think about you.... in fact, the wild card you are dealt in life is "choice" and YOU hold the cards, so you always have the power to choose.  All you have to do is change..."re-frame" your thinking.....

The problem here, from a gospel perspective is that he makes a broad sweep with his words and this notion of "flaws"   Apparently, you can interpret his words anyway you like,  Your flaw could be a skin condition.  Your flaw could be a disease.  Your flaw could be anything..... even sin.

Truth is we all do have flaws and some of them are not so easily remedied and must be lived with or dealt with in some fashion.  Truth is there are some flaws in us that only God can heal or change.   Another truth is that we each need the righteousness of Jesus to save us from the flaw of  sin, but "superstar'pastor" Rick, omits telling people this.  His dispensing of feel good, do good, self-esteem is not the helpful gospel of truth that people really need.

Rather than help people come to realized their imperfections and subsequently recognize and deal appropriately with their need to receive forgiveness for sin and gift of eternal life with God, rather than help them to know more about Jesus Christ, or to understand the Bible they can read, Rick simply gives them the gift of believing in themselves, and their power to "choose".... flaws and all.

"ABRACADABRA"...and "POOF!" ....Metanoia, (a change of mind) happens! (Ricky's  style of course.)

Like magic, "Everything you think of in life as a flaw," disappears. In an instant, you see a whole new, remarkable and perfect.... albeit unique, you.   (And what incredible wizardry!)  Amazing! And, Rick didn't even need Jesus Christ to do it.

Wow!

And those "flaws".... that wart on your nose, making you cross-eyed... those splotches on your skin that you find embarrassing  that flaw in your spine that has been crippling your style... and your body.... "poof"  Not a flaw any longer.  Nope.  There's been a change of mind about all of that. 

And about those "flaws" in your character, those things that might be a flaw in you.  God,  (or whoever is responsible for making you,) just made you this way.... intentionally. It is what makes you uniquely you.  Got it?   Now, with the right frame of mind about flaws, (everything in life that you think is a flaw,) the next thing you have to do is learn to play your cards right.  In the game of life, you have been dealt a hand, now you just have to make the "right" choices.

Sadly, this is not the gospel. What you see here is nothing but "law." What happens if you make a wrong choice?

The positive thinking Rick offers might be helpful for a little while, but it is only serving as a small bandage for what can be in many instances, a large gaping and deadly wound.  In the long run, it is only a temporary fix.  In fact, calling negative things (flaws) positive, is not being truthful.  A flaw is a defect, and telling people they really have no problem is dishonest.  So is telling them that they just need to learn to deal with life.  Even telling people that they need to learn how to play the hand that they have been dealt, is nothing they do not already by nature know.   We have a problem, flaws... defects and sin and we need a doctor, a physician....to heal us....  a shepherd, to tend our condition, to lead and to guide.

That would be Jesus.

Scripture teaches that we are flawed.  We miss the mark of perfection.  (Romans 5:12)  The Bible tells us that God sees and knows this all and loves us anyway.  He loves us even with our flaws and  in our sin, (Psalm 139) but he hates sin.  It tells us too, that in order for our sin to be forgiven by this God who loves us, in order for us each to individually  be saved from the punishment for our sin, he sent Jesus Christ, (1 Timothy 1:15, and John 3:16.) and we are to repent of sin and believe on Jesus in order to be saved.  

Pastor Warren says, "a wise player can even play what seems to be a weak hand and win the game."  Rick Warren will rather teach you that you have the power to overcome challenges...  if you are wise enough that tell you to find the salvation from your flawed being in the person and work of Jesus Christ.  He says instead, "Only you have the power to change the direction of your life."

Yes, instead of openly revealing to the public the gospel of Jesus and the power of believing upon Jesus for salvation from sin, Rick suggested that those watching, (particularly those who "are prisoners of their past,") go get a Bible and read through the entire book of John. He called it, homework"

Rick then suggested that people pray to God. asking God to reveal himself to them, which is invariably some good, pastorly advice; but why didn't Rick reflect the good news of the Bible, and openly reveal God to them?  Instead he taught that it is up to us....we need to learn how to deal with the cards we are dealt in life, and we need to make the right choices.  Yes, Rick suggested that people pray and ask God,( ....not to save them or forgive them) but to help them.... "change."

The Purposes of Christmas 2012

December 23, 2012 Rick Warren appeared on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace.  Wallace announced Warren's appearance, stating that he would talk about the Sandy Hook Massacre and the meaning of Christmas.  Amazingly, there was also a lot of talk about the re-release of Warren's book, the Purpose Driven Life, and mention of Rick Warren's  "new campaign." (Watch the video interview and note the visual of his book as well as discussion.)    During that interview, the two men talked about how our whole nation mourned the event at Sandy Hook elementary, Rick gave a little talk about dealing with grief, talked about his book, talked about his PEACE plan project and gave the nation his "message" for the holiday season.

Noting how TIME Magazine called this shooting an "assault on innocence," Rick said it was, "...actually a phrase from the first Christmas where Herod killed baby boys under 2 at Christmas time."

"Actually" a phrase? 

From what source is the phrase taken?  
Rick makes you think it is from the Bible.  Is it?

Does he mean a phrase from a book by that title?  Does he mean a phrase from the Bible?
And when exact was the "first Christmas?  Was this murdering of children ordered by Herod "The "First Christmas?"

Moving into the topic of dealing with grief, Warren informed us that there were some long term things we needed to deal with...(regarding what had taken place) but he said that right now, we just needed to deal with the deep grief.  He sympathized and offered some wisdom, saying,

"As a pastor I deal with grief every day of my life, and I've discovered is that grief is actually a good thing.  It's the way we make transitions in the losses of  life.  Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn, they shall be comforted... "                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                   -Rick Warren  

Note... Jesus did not say grief, in itself is "good." (Rick said that.)

 Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

Jesus offers hope and comfort.  

These, comfort and hope) ( not the grief, not the morning,) 

 are the "good" things. 

Jesus has more to offer us than just this nice saying 

about people being comforted, by other people, when they mourn.

Jesus does comfort us because he understands our sorrow and 

because he was raised from death to life.  Through faith in him,

 with hope of eternal life...with him, and not just a hope

 for life in this world where people do evil things,

we find  comfort.

But Rick didn't touch on that.

But hooray for Rick.  He did mention "Jesus."

Next Chris specifically asked Pastor Rick Warren to look past the "long term solutions" he had alluded to preiviously... the issues of gun control, better mental health care and trying to deal with things like the cultural of violence we see in video games and film production,,,,, and to address what the spiritual solution was.  Chris said, "But, in a deeper, more spiritual sense, what's the problem and what's the solution?"

Rick responded to this by agreeing with Chris that this was indeed a spiritual issues and then went on to change the subject elaborating on all those things that Chris directly invited him to skip.  During this time Rick informed us on the importance of health care saying that  we in America, (you know, "that bad place, "America") are not taking care of those struggling with mental illness like we should be.  Then he told us about how we had a "civil safety issue, which is gun control and these assault weapons."  HE mentioned the culture of violence too...(with statistics,)  saying how by the time students are 18 they have killed 10-20 thousand people on video games..... "without any remorse for it."

Finally, he acknowledged the "spiritual issue," and the solution, saying,

"But, at the deepest level is the spiritual issue, which is the emptiness inside of people, that causes people to be enraged, like this. Um, when we -- when we don't have peace in our hearts, we're not going to have peace with each other. That's why Jesus, the prince of peace, came at Christmas.  So, It starts in the heart."                                                                  

                                                                                                                                - Rick Warren


So, you see, the spiritual issue is one of "not having peace" with others.  According to Rick, lack of peace is why Jesus came at Christmas.  

But just to be sure we understood Rick right, and since Saddleback sermons 
are notorious for fill in the blank notes during church.
Let's pretend we are at Saddleback Church, and answer these 
questions about what has been taught here.
Just fill in the blanks:

According to the teaching above on Fox News by Rick,

1. Man's deepest spiritual issue is __Emptiness that causes me to be enraged, no peace in my heart_

Correct BIBLICAL answer is:  Sin and separation from God because of that sin

2.  The deep spiritual issues inside of people cause them to _be enraged and shoot other people_

Correct answer is: SIN.  They display their desires, lusts, selfishness.. (James 4:1-2)

3.  When we do not have peace in our hearts _we won't have peace with other people_

Correct answer is: Without Jesus in our hearts, God's gift of Grace and peace,

we die in our sin and cannot escape the snare of Satan, 

and the place of punishment for all sin, hell. 

4.  The reason why Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came at Christmas is                           ?                         _

Correct answer is: God sent a promised Messiah and

 came to save His people from their sin.

Odd that Rick would not give biblical answers.

(He did talk about Jesus though.)

This moved the conversation into a discussion of Rick and his book, his latest campaign and his plan for P.E.A.C.E.  Rick's "public profile" was about to reemerge....

" I intentionally a- was absent from the scene... for the last ten years, I've been in a lot of small villages around the world, Africa...and places like that that most people never even heard of. "    - Rick Warren

This is not very specific.

Also, do you suppose most people never heard  of "Africa?"

"We started... a... with the proceeds of the book... we took that and put it into a thing called the Peace Plan, P.E.A.C.E. ....stands for Promote reconciliation, Equip leaders, ethical leaders....Assist the poor, Care for the sick and Educate the next generation..."                                                                                  - Rick Warren

Too bad that "P" is not for "Preach the Word"

Too bad that "reconciliation" is not  specifically mentioned as sinners reconciling 

And that part about "ethical" leaders....who's ethics?

What  does Rick really mean by this?

You might have to look back to the first time he announced it, because 

his words have been  repackaged since then.

He is not talking about "leaders," he is talking about pastors in churches.

He was very specific about who these ungodly, unethical  "leaders" 

he considered "evil giants" wer, church leaders.  Of them he said,    

"Not only have these leaders not gone to seminary or Bible school,

 they haven’t even gone to high school or primary school. They have no

 training whatsoever -- and yet they lead the church. This must be remedied."

What if your church is not  deemed "healthy",

What if you reject purpose driven or if you do not have the "purpose driven DNA"

Read, The Characteristics of a Purpose Driven Congregation by Rick Warren, 2006

Was this news program really about helping people through the Sandy Hook Massacre and talking genuinely about the meaning of Christmas?  Seemed more like it was about Rick....his rereleased book and new "campaign."  Chris' lead in was, "...your public profile has not been as high in the last few years, but you're just about to begin a new campaign...."

"The new campaign is.... I realize that when I wrote the book, The Purpose Driven Life, What on Earth Am I Here For, that a girl who was twelve years old when that book came out is now 22 and she needs to learn the purpose of life."                        

                                                                                                               - Rick Warren

At 22, "this woman" now needs to learn "the purpose of life" from Rick?
Apparently she needs Rick's book... not the  advice of her parents 
and teachers and friends, not even the bible... just his book....
 in order to learn the purpose of life.

Badmouthing "America" again, he said, 
       "People are pretty disillusioned with the American Dream...."  

                                                                                                                - Rick Warren

Chris Wallace gave Rick another opportunity to speak on spiritual issues.  He said, "You talk about a nation in decline, divided as it's been since the Civil War.... a need for a Spiritual reawakening....could you explain that?"

Rick replied in a typical Rick-like fashion.  Skirting any Bible references, he simply turned the subject at hand, "spiritual re-awakening," into a promotion for his book and world unification project.

"The answer to our unity, I believe, it's not going to be in politics. Uh, because we are going to have different degrees of... uh,uh, all over the spectrum on that ... but when we come together on the things that matter most...and there are three fundamental question...The question of significance, that is, "Does my life matter? The question of Intention...."What is my purpose" and the question of existence, "Why am I here?" These are spiritual issues They are not political issues, and they can provide a rallying cry,... a purpose....that can help us unify. We are not ever gonna agree on policies but we can agree on direction...."   - Rick Warren   

He suggested that we all look to the things we have in common to find unity.  He pointed out how "people want the same things".... safety, security... a job.....health.  The problem, according to Rick, is that we "disagree on how to get there."  The answer to Chris' question about "spiritual awakening" is "unity"... (or in other words, everyone getting what they "want.")  Rick then began dropping taglines attached to the promotion of his book and talking about his plan for world peace.  Of course we must make mention that Rick plan for world peace is everyone "of peace" under the banner of  "peace" (with the right "DNA") working together to rid the world of  those five "evil" giants.

  

Mark Ellis, reporting in March 2011,on the state of missiary work, 

summed the PEACE Plan up this way:  "Saddleback’s PEACE 

Plan seeks to make an impact door-to-door, church-to-church, village-to-village. 

His teams always look for a person of influence when they enter

 a new area. “It’s very important to find a ‘man of peace’ in each village,” 

Warren said. “I’ve found you can find a man of peace in every village,” he said.

“It could also be a woman,” he added. “The man of peace could also

 be a Muslim, a Hindu, or an atheist.” 

Even though the answer was not in politics, the two then embarked on a discussion of politics. They discussed the president and what "Warren thought" of the job that Barak Obama, was doing. Apparently. "it" is not about "politics" much the way "it " is not about you.

Chis Wallace, then ready to conclude the interview, said, "Pastor, ......we still look forward to Christmas,.. Do you have a message for all of us, myself, all of our viewers this year, sir "

Vague as ever about the gospel, neglecting to mention the name of Jesus, (by which men might be saved, ) Rick Warren. took us back to the "first Christmas," and  gave a message "for us all."   Ad wouldn't you know, he didn't talk about Jesus.  He didn't mention the gift of God, eternal life through simple faith in Jesus Christ,  He didn't even mention God's long time promise of sending a savior into the world, and how that had been fulfilled by a baby miraculously being born, in Bethlehem or of how God had come to dwell among men,   He did  not even quote the bible.  He did however bother to inform us all that Christmas has "purpose."

"Ya.... You know Chris, the purpose of Christmas is actually found in the three statements that the angels made at the very first Christmas.   Christmas is for Celebration, it's for Salvation and it's for Reconciliation." -Rick Warren 

Is It Influence? (...or is it "Influence-a")

People who are free have power and these people have the power to choose for themselves what they think, wear, eat, do with their time and who they pay tribute to.  People with power, also tend to have influence as their decision making affect others.  There is a strange phenomena however, that of gaining through your own influence the power of of others... when this takes place influence has gone awry.

Everybody has influence, but there is a problem when a person's thinking begins to focus primarily upon themselves.  They will then begin using their own natural influence to change and manipulate others for their own personal benefit.  Symptoms include the use of multiple logical fallacies in conversation, as well as ignoring facts in order to advance some kind of agenda.  Flattery, boasting, false humility and doublespeak, as well as partiality to people of influence, and name-dropping are all symptoms of it's infection.  An unbridled willingness to do and say "whatever it takes," to make a sale, make a friends, or get your way, often without thinking of long term consequences, is common.  For the sake of discussion, we will call this kind of influence-gone-awry, "influence-a."  Make no mistake, left unchecked and allowed to fester, "influence-a" soon becomes a highly contagious little bugger.

True "influence-a" has one primary purpose, and that is to alter the influence of other people to the  host's personal advantage and liking.  This is usually done via some stealth method of verbal manipulation that preys upon the naivety of others.   This strange mutant form of unhealthy influence, if not exposed to light, acts like a virus as it plagues the human psyche with a propensity for acquisition of friends, fame or finance.  In most cases, the organism subconsciously causes a person to  unduly justify the means with which it covertly operates, favorable results are all that matters.   "Influence-a" should be recognized for the problem that it is, exposed to the light and always handled with care, in truth and love... in hopes of arresting the lytic cycle of this hazardous threat.

Enter, Rick Warren:

                  "Listening is influencing with your ears. See James 1:19" -Rick Warren

Rick Warren, Tweet 1-2-13

He appears to be a bad case of "influence-a."  He is, were are told, quite influential, often  influencing others and now he advocated influence coming out of people's ears!  

This is serious.

The cure for those infected and affected by this terrible condition of "influence-a" is nothing short of a miracle.  In all actuality  the cure is pretty simple, but it requires a drop of pure, honest-to-goodness humility, obtained only when the affected recognizes something is terribly wrong and repents.  Once this happens, the inflated influence deflates to normal size and the infected individual can see their need for Jesus and appropriately apply the truth of God's holy and infallible Word to all their wound and wounding that they have caused to others by their sin.  This simple and cost effective treatment works wonders and when reapplied frequently "influence-a" remains dormant and unable to reproduce. 

There are many treatments, but this is the only known cure to actually quell the deficiencies in us that create that overwhelming desire to win friends and influence people in order to find our own purpose and significance in the world and to be thought of as great in the eyes of human beings.  Once cured by this amazing knowledge of God's love, and subsequently freed from the bondage and slavery of our own sin, the disease is arrested.  Living in the light of truth and genuinely learning to love one another as Jesus said, can and will prevent any further uncontrollable outbreaks of the disease.

Romans 12 : 2-3 tells the Christian,

"....be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

There is an influence craze. It is pretty much epidemic in the world. As Anne Lennox in her song says, "Everybody is looking for something." "Sweet Dreams are made of these...."

"Influence-a", considered by many to be the key to "change" and "transformation," (even though change from what to what often goes completely undefined.) Masters of influence know that if you learn to master others via "influence-a," it can grow to astronomical proportions affecting things you never thought possible and only dreamed of, but often they do not know, or they fail to tell you that it is intoxicating. In fact, "influence-a" is the kind of thing that can drive you as an individual to do things you may one day regret doing.

Take Rick Warren, he's a nice guy with a desire to do "good" things. He has a best selling book that made him a lot of money, and so because of this and the notoriety that comes from being a nice guy with a lot of money, he believes he now has a lot of influence, and he does.  As a person of influence, he has the capability if making impressions on people just by the use of his name, (like on the foreword of a book.)   Like E.F. Hutton, when Rick Warren speaks he hopes people are listening.  Fluent in the mechanics of influence, Rick himself, describes what influence is, this way:

"Influence isn't inborn. Influence can't be demanded.  You only have it if people think you deserve it and GIVE it to you."-Rick Warren

Rick Warren, Tweet 11-23-12

Influence itself is a good thing.  It is described as the power to affect a person, thing, or change a course of events, and it often operates without any direct or apparent force.  Problems with undue influence frequently arise when influence becomes an "art" or a "science" used to covertly deploy your natural influenceon other (unsuspecting) people.  Salesmen, marketing agents, business executives and all sorts of people managers quite frequently employ special techniques of  influence  in order to manage affairs and affect circumstances and the people around them in order to build a business or make a profit... sometimes this is done the right way.... other times it is not.  Many  will pay big bucks to go to lectures and conferences to listen to the masters of influence spout their wares and learn to follow in their footsteps of perceived success.  There are a lot of experts.... John Maxwell, Anthony Robbins, Ken Blanchard, and no doubt, Rick Warren, to name a few.

 Take Rick Warren for example.... he is so full of influence... that all he has to do is  listen, and he can influence other people?  That's right.... he knows all about it.  Remember, his "tweet?"

                               "Listening is influencing with your ears. See James 1:19" 

There is not anything in the Bible about influencing people with your ears..... even in James 1:19.

The part about influencing people with your ear... sounds "good" but who knows where it came from?  Maybe Rick made it up.  Maybe he got that idea from reading  Scientific American Magazine and thought it helpful so he is passing it on to you and me via tweet...  Whatever the case, ears take in information and do not influence much of anything, but you can bet Rick Warren is influencing people to repeat his tweet, as if it were gospel.  Rick Warren has influence over a lot of of people, like...  Mark Driscoll.

If you never heard of Rick Warren, but you know about Mark Driscoll, then Mark Driscoll might influence you to be influenced by Rick.  Amazing how it works in a kind of domino effect.  Not only that, but influence-a can set up a sort of invisible, obscure hierarchy under one leader.  The question is, "Who leads and mentors you?"  Once under the headship of your leader.... you will likely, because of the amount of influence they have over you,  do what your leader suggests you do..  In the case of Warren, you might have never even met the man or read his book, and you might not know Driscoll either, but if your friend endorses them and is influenced by them, you might also allow them to have a degree of influence, over you.

Mark Driscoll heartily endorsed Rick Warren for the 2012 Resurgence Conference telling you and me how much Rick deserves to influence us.  He elaborated on all the accomplishments of Rick and told us how he is even named by a leading and influential magazine publication as "one of the 100 most influential human beings on the earth."  And wouldn't you know.... Rick Warren's topic, at the R12 conference was.... drumroll please.... (have you guessed it?)..... "Influence."  And speaking of influence, Rick is so influential, according to Driscoll, that "If you "google" Rick Warren, your computer will explode!"

Interestingly, all that you have to do to learn from Rick is buy a ticket to this Resurgence Conference so that Rick's influence can affect you... or is it infect?  Anyhow, there you could learn from him how to use your influence too, or rather, "How to Maximize Your Influence... For Jesus."

 (Apparently Jesus does not have enough on his own and needs to use some of yours.)

Have you ever wondered why John the Baptist 

said he must decrease.... (not increase... 

nor "maximize?")

Of course to learn from Rick and Mark, you must be able and willing to buy a ticket for this incredible opportunity to hear them speak, and one ticket will cost you $99.00.

Odd isn't it?  Have you ever read anything in 

scripture about pay a fee in order 

to hear the master, Jesus, speak?  

Yes, $99.00.  That equates to a lot of fish!  However, there will undoubtedly be a lot of resources you do not want to be without that these men will have for sale, books, DVD's ect... that you will want to share with your friends, so maybe you will want to bring your wallet with you.  And while you are packing, note that Mark Driscoll recommend you bring your ears.

 Driscoll tell the listing audience, "Come with ears to hear, and hear what he would have to say."

Well, that kinda sounds like Revelation 2:29.... Jesus speaking. 

Wait a minute!  Is Rick replacing Jesus?

Dricoll began his introduction of Rick telling us that Rick has something to teach us...." if we are humble enough" to learn it.  He says, this conference is something "you do not want to miss."

 Apparently.... since you must be "humble enough" to come and learn from Rick, it logically infers that those who are proud and arrogant do not come to learn... from Rick.  

 Are you humble enough?  

(BTW, Driscoll is using verbal manipulation.) 

Also by telling me what I want and do not want,

 Driscoll is certainly attempting to

 exercise influence over me by 

making my choice in the matter for me, 
instead of letting me decide for myself.
..

According to Driscoll, the "story" of Pastor Rick Warren, is really phenomenal.  Poor Rick, started out as a guy who was broke and wow, look at him.  Now he is a millionaire!  He tells us that Rick's story is an amazing rags-to-riches one but to be sure we do not think it is "all about money,"  Driscoll assures us that the influence Rick swaggers before our eyes, is "all about Jesus."  

Driscoll further plays up the reputation of Rick, swooning at how amazing it is that Rick not only "pastors" a mega- church, meets with presidential candidates and even brings them together under his roof, but he stops AIDS epidemics, writes New York Times Bestselling books, and to top all of that, Rick Warren..... (another drum roll please.) gives ninety percent of his income to his church and lives off of ten percent!  

Have you ever seen a more amazing feat of humility?

Driscoll also notes how amazing we should think Rick Warren is by telling us that Rick he has  "refunded" to his church, Saddleback Church in southern CA,  the entire 25 years of salary he was paid as pastor! Rick of course now tithes that ninety percent.... to this not for profit entity, and works solely as "a volunteer" for his church.

Aren't you impressed?

Subsequent to his "paying" the church back... 

it appears that Rick is now in no way indebted to the church,  

he paid them back EVERYTHING they...
 through their generous giving, (or was it tithing?) 
ever gave, (or was it paid?) to him!  

They instead are indebted to... or at least have 
the majority of projects funded by his contributions to them.  

And Rick, who no longer" has" to work

is free now to speak at conferences
 and charge you  money to come and see and hear...
 and be influenced by him.

"Listening is influencing with your ears. See James 1:19" -Rick Warren      

Let's be like a Berean and check out James 1:19.   What does it say about listening with your ears?

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." KJV

Interesting.... nothing about influence there.  It says, "be swift to hear." Does it sometimes seem like Rick reads a completely different text?  Does he just make stuff up?  How on earth does he do it?  

 In May 2005, when Rick Warren first  introduced his P.E.A.C.E. plan to his church and to the world news about it was everywhere!  An article in the Christian Examiner reported on how Rick Warren, as he explained it, came to understand what to do with all his new found fame and fortune, due to the success of his best selling book, The Purpose Driven Life.  The Examiner reported:    

..."I prayed Lord, what do I do with this stewardship, this affluence, this influence.” Warren said the Lord  led him to Psalm 72. “It was clear,”.... “I’m to use my notoriety to help those throughout the world with no notoriety, the immigrant, the sick, the homeless, the hurt. For the next 25 years I’m focused on the rest of the world."       Rick Warren Enters 26th Year of Ministry with New Vision;‘Purpose’ Pastor Unveils Global Peace Plan By Christina M. Testa,             CHRISTIAN EXAMINER

So, and this according to Rick, God answered his request with Psalm 72. 
It was God who gave Rick the insight about  what he was supposed 
to do with all the  money from his God intended book. 

that was in 2005.  More recently, Rick was was publically interviewed by Piers Morgan.... and again he recounted once more the tale of Psalm 72.... about Solomon asking God for "influence"... "power,"and "fame." Rick told Piers:

"It sounds like the most self-centered prayer you can imagine. 'I want you to give me influence, give me power, give me - spread the fame of my name to every country,'... until you read the motivation behind it. And in it he says, So that the king may support the widow and orphan, defend the defenseless, release the depressed and prisoners.' Today he'd talk about all the margin.  See, he says care for the immigrant."-Rick Warren

Piers Morgan Tonight, Interview with Rick Warren, 12-29-2012

Yes, Rick is right, praying for fame and power does seem a bit self-centered.  But Psalm 72 is not actually about Rick.  And how is it that it doesn't seem to matter to Rick or to God that "Solomon" prayed in a selfish manner?  God seems to have answered Solomon's "self-centered" prayer... (given him exactly what he asked for,) and Rick seems convinced and convincing to us that this is just great.

It would seem that the end, regardless of the approach, justifies the means.  as we can see here, Solomon had good intentions, to help the poor.... so, God seeing that blessed him!

 But....did Solomon really ask God to make him famous, give him a fortune of money?

And did God respond to Solomon's bold, "self-centered "request for funds?   

No.

No such thing.

(And I am not even a "pastor.")

Stories of this kind, by Rick, are told and retold.  Sometimes they are retold by Rick and sometimes by other pastors who are unduly influenced by Rick.  Rick himself, has retold this story time after time.  He told the "life-changing "story pf Psalm 72 another time at a global gathering of influential people conferring about research and ideas, science and culture, called, TED:

"Being a Pastor I started reading the Bible.  There's a chapter called Psalm 72 and it's Solomon's prayer for more influence. When you read this prayer, it sounds incredibly selfish, self centered.  It sounds like he says, "God I want you to make me famous."  That is what he prays. He says, " I want you to make me famous, I want you to spread the fame of my name through every land. I want you to give me power.  I want you to ...." - Rick Warren 

Sorry to interrupt. 

Odd. And did you know, have you EVER read, that 

Solomon demanded anything from God or even 

asked God for things in this frame of spirit?  Did he demand 

(tell God, "I want,") of God for fame and power?"

In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks God for 

something quite different.

Why didn't Pastor Rick use this as

 an example of "Solomon's prayer?"

Perhaps Rick Warren has amnesia, or some other strange side effect of "influence-a?"

Also, Psalm  72  is a Messianic Psalm

written by or for "Solomon"

and it is ultimately about the Messiah.

It is not about Rick Warren.

Sorry this post is so long, but would you believe, yet another time Rick Warren spoke about Psalm 72.  This time it was on a forum for thinkers, movers and shakers, you know, influential people.... those  considered "experts" in their various but highly specified areas of interest, called,  Big Think.  Warren related his amazing story once again, saying,

 "Solomon was the wisest man of the world, the wealthiest man in the world. He was the King of Israel in Israel’s apex in history. The divided kingdom; it was the kingdom that was the most expanded ever in history. And in that prayer Solomon says, “God, I want you to make me rich.” Not rich, he said, “I want you to make me famous. I want you to give me power. I want you to bless me. I want you to spread the fame of my name to many countries.”

"And it sounds very self-centered until you read why. And in that he says, “So that the king may support the widow and orphan; defend the defenseless; speak up for the oppressed; care for the immigrant, the foreigner.”  -Rick Warren   

                                                                                           Big Think Transcript, What Is A Reverse Tithe? Dec. 2007

Let's look at  that now famous Psalm 72 (KJV) and see what it says.

"1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

 2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

 4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in       

      pieces the oppressor

 5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

 9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer 

       gifts.

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him 

      continually; and daily shall he be praised.

16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall 

      shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be 

      blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; 

      Amen, and Amen.

20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended."


Does Solomon make any demands to God saying, "“God, I want you to make me rich,” or "I want you to make me powerful"?

Does Solomon make proclamation about himself doing all these "wondrous things" or of his name being famous, people praying to him?  

No.

Something is odd about Rick's Psalm 72 presentation, it looks viral.