Rick's New "Theology of Health"

"But not once have I ever heard an entire sermon on God's view of our bodies,  the subject was completely ignored.  This is why most people still have no theology of health."

-Rick Warren,  Chapter One of The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman, 

Rick says that, "most people".....  (note the "most" and consider whether or not you want to be elite and understand like Rick or just be part of the ignorant "most" as he continues,) "....still have no theology of health." Most people, apparently, don't, but Rick Warren now has one for you.... if you will listen to him.  Even better in his mind is that perhaps, if you do  listen to him, you would buy his book(s.)

"Even though I grew up  in the church, I never heard a single sermon about the body.  Not one.  I have heard sermons about the importance of your spirit, your soul, your mind, your character and your values.  I believe it's safe to say that most Christians do not have a theology of health." 

-Rick Warren,  The Daniel Plan Journal (Introduction) by Rick Warren, 

Rick...poor victim of the church, was completely lost until he came up with this new "theology of health."   He endured such poor preaching and teaching until now, after preaching and teaching for thirty years himself..  Imagine that!  He had never heard an entire sermon, not even one, on God's view of the human body.

 Rick would have you believe that the bible not only has a theology of health that you never heard about before....and that he, in his wisdom is now creating a "theology of health" for you. from the Bible.

Apparently, Rick doesn't read the Bible to understand, but to make stuff up, because the BIBLICAL "theology of health" is actually quite clear and the bottom line is simple, you are sick and weak and poor and wretched, destined to die in your sin without Jesus Christ saving you.  Unbeknownst to Rick and his earful audiences, the church believes the scriptures and understands our need for health and wholeness.  We believe health and wholeness come by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, (not Rick.)  Rick's extraordinary wisdom about the bible and his uncanny ability to re-invent everything has him even inventing a new theology.... of "health"  and he wants to sell it to you and me in the form of yet another a book.  

Rick sees the illness.  He sees that you are out of shape physically, much like himself. He blames, of course, the church for not having taught a proper theology on the subject all these 2000 years.  He will help you though, because Rick is an inventor , a visionary and he know how to re-invent and redefine most anything.  The solution to your problem and the problems of the world, according to Rick, has a simple solution:  Listen to Rick.  His P.E.A.C.E. Plan is touted as the solution to end all five giant ills in the world, and his Daniel Plan promises to end all the ills of your body.  Yes, the solution Rick offers to all people of "faith" (view the video) pastors, priests, rabbis imams, teachers, leaders and congregant of all spiritually-minded, religious  and even Christian communities is to put him, Rick, in control.

 In the olden days, traveling salesmen would come through town with cure-alls for health.  You would listen to them, get sold on the idea and purchase their "snake oil "product.  Rick has yet a new item he is peddling and it's being bottled as the new, never before discovered or understood,  "theology of health."   Gone is the concept of a healthy church sold to pastors left and right.  Now it's the healthy YOU being sold to individuals.  It's the Daniel Plan.

Biblical verse is used to support the Daniel Plan in concept.  People proclaimed as expert "doctors" are being employed to make it more desirable.  It is smart sounding, and apparently chock full o worldly wisdom. Rick and his three friends will teach you everything you need to do in order to have the health they offer.  While unwittingly walking after vanity, the wise preacher says, touch this, don't touch that, eat this, not that..... and they think this new health project is what godliness really is.  The sad end result is that people walk not after God or His Word, but after things that do not profit.  Physical training and eating properly is of some value..... but there is something greater.  Read 1 Timothy 4:8.  Daniel of the Bible was not simply concerned with what he ate and drank for his health, as Rick Warren would promote here.  Daniel was godly.

The church, according to Rick Warren, needs this new "theology of health," created by, none other than, Rick Warren.  Unfortunately, Rick will never tell you that it is only in Jesus Christ, by faith in Him and Him alone,(Titus 3:5)  that you are made complete, whole and healthy, (as we learn in Colossians 2:10.)  No...with Rick it's not faith in what Jesus has done for you.   (See this Daily Hope with Rick Warren article by Rick, July 22, 2013) and note he talks about what Jesus has done, but relays the concept that what he has done is bought you at an auction.  He  fails to encourage you,  his reader, to put your faith in Jesus at the cross.) No, with Rick, Jesus is good, but his church is all wrong and needs Rick's plans and theologies and must work with Rick to align itself into that three legged stool he like to talk about, politics, economy and all religious faiths working together to "save the world.". 

Daniel Plan aside.... and truth be told, the Church does have health.  Built  by Jesus himself on Jesus Christ, the cornerstone, even the gates of hell cannot undo what God has done through Him.  Too fat or too skinny, old and sickly or youthful and full of vigor, those who repent of their sin and by faith stand in the righteousness of Christ alone,have set our minds above.... and  while we do not yet see it, we know, by faith in God who gives life that it will appear when he does..  (Colossians 3: 2-4) 


 Nothing, (even our fat bodies, ill health or decrepit diseases) can separate us from the love of God that is given to us freely in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:38-39)