The Mother Teresa Principle (by Rick Warren)

EWTN  is Rick Warren's "favorite" Christian channel, and the program, "Chaplet of Divine Mercy" is his "favorite show" (one that he likes to relax to... along with his wife Kay, after a stressful day.) It renews and restores him.... helps him to worship, relax, reflect and meditate.... or so he says:

"I’m an avid fan of EWTN. I make no bones about it. I probably watch it more than any Christian channel. Well, you know what? Because you have more, more, uh, shows that relate to history. And if you don’t understand the roots of our faith, that God had been working for 2,000 years, regardless of what brand of believer you are, God has been working for 2,000 years in His church. And if you don’t have those roots you’re like the cut flower syndrome. Or you’re a tumbleweed. One of my favorite shows, which you repeat often is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Which I love. And when I’ve had a very stressful day, I’ll come home, I’ve got it taped and Kay and I will both, we’ll listen. We’ll put it on and just sit back, relax and worship. And in the time of reflection, meditation and quietness I find myself renewed and restored. So thank you for continuing to play the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. " ~Rick Warren 

Interview with Raymond Arroyo of EWTN on his program World Over, April 2014

With all his flattery aside, the way that Warren embraces EWTN's religious television program, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy... which is reallyu more of a Rosary recital than  "program," you would think he was Roman Catholic. Maybe he is.

After all, Rick Warren, his pastors.come website, and even his wife Kay, have been known to endorse and promote people, past and present, of Roman Catholic faith in their protestant arena.  Figures like Mother Teresa,Thomas Merton,   St. John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence, and Teresa d Avil,have been talked about as Christian heroes for their listeners to admire and emulate.  Rick and friends quote them, name-drop their names and endorse their "mystical" practices as something spiritually profound, something to be desired in the walk of Christian faith.

Rick, just loves to name-drop......

"To mature your friendship, God will test it with periods of seeming separation—times when it feels as if he has abandoned or forgotten you. God feels a million miles away. St. John of the Cross referred to these days of spiritual dryness, doubt, and estrangement from God as "the dark night of the soul. Henri Nouwen called them "the ministry of absence." A. W. Tozer called them "the ministry of the night." Others refer to "the winter of the heart.""  

~Rick Warren, 

God is Real No Matter How You Feel by Rick Warren, Daily Hope With Rick Warren,  5/21/2014

He used Brother Lawrence, to teach people to practice "breath prayers' originally in his Purpose Driven Life book.   And he repeats the "Brother Lawrence" story to this day.  Now, your "work" is suddenly transformed into communication and communion with God... but only IF...you learn to develop the skill of practicing the presence of God... From Rick and Brother Larry too..

 

"Everything you do can be “spending time with God” if he is invited to be a part of it and you stay aware of his presence. The classic book on learning how to develop a constant conversation with God is “Practicing the Presence of God.” It was written in the 17th century by Brother Lawrence, a humble cook in a French monastery. Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial tasks, like preparing meals and washing dishes, into acts of praise and communion with God. "

~Rick Warren, 

Be In Constant Communion With God by Rick Warren, Daily Hope With Rick Warren,  5/21/2014

Rick often endorses Roman Catholic books.  He wrote the forward to Tom Peterson's Catholics Come Home. (Check their website and see what they have to say to Protestants and Evangelicals.) The Vatican rightly promotes the notion that Jesus Christ founded one Church, but they also falsely believe that they, (and only they,) are it, with the Pope at their head.... they say, Jesus Christ willed that the apostles and their successors - the bishops with Peter's successor at their head - should preach the Gospel faithfully, administer the sacraments, and rule the Church in love.  "This particular book by Peterson is a call to all Christians to "come home to Rome" and be Roman Catholic.  Rick Warren wrote the "forward" to it.

 (See: Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23; Psalm 118:22;   1 Corinthians 11:3; and Colossians 2:10.  Who, does scripture tell us is the head of the church?)
 

Rick often quotes  "Mother Teresa," a well-known Roman Catholic.   This is the same Mother Teresa who in her book, Life in the Spirit: Reflections, Meditations and Prayers, (Pg 81-82 ) said,

“We never try to convert those who receive [aid from Missionaries of Charity] to Christianity but in our work we bear witness to the love of God’s presence and if Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics become for this better men — simply better — we will be satisfied. It matters to the individual what church he belongs to. If that individual thinks and believes that this is the only way to God for her or him, this is the way God comes into their life — his life. If he does not know any other way and if he has no doubt so that he does not need to search then this is his way to salvation.”

According to Mother Teresa, making humanity better--- "simply better" (not making disciples as Jesus directed)  is the point of her ministry. They do not preach the good news of JEsus, bear witness of Him, or of God's love... no.  Instead they "bear witness to the love of God's presence." (You have to wonder. Who is doing the love?)   Mother Teresa appears to believe that the way for a person to be saved is unimportant.  In fact, they are saved anyway they want to be, for what a person believes, be they Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics, makes no difference.  

Interestingly, Mother Teresa's religious convictions....  are a lot like "Pastor" Rick's.

Rick, speaks to Muslim audiences without sharing with them the gospel.   Rick admits, Mormons are not Christian, but apparently this doesn't matter as long as they have purpose and buy his books.  With Rick, salvation via faith in Jesus Christ so that your sins are forgiven is really not his message.  His message is about how a person needs to have purpose... and health... power and influence over others. His is  "another gospel."  His message, just like Mother Teresa's is about the betterment of humanity.... the common good.   

For those who want power and influence and who desire the honor of men, Rick has devised a "principle" to live by.... one that he calls, the "Mother Teresa Principal." 

"The more you care about the powerless, the more power you have. The more you serve those with no influence, the more influence God gives you. The more you humble yourself, the more you're honored by others" -Rick Warren

 Forward to: Mother Teresa at 100, The Life and Works of a Modern Saint by Richard Lycayo, 2010 TIME Publishers

You'll notice, this "principle" is not a reflection of what Jesus taught in the Bible.  Rick, just simply made it up.  Yet, he teaches it as a "principle,"  one that.... if you follow.. and the more you do what the principle teaches,  promises to give you power, influence.  Apparently the acquisition of power and influence is important, as well as is being honored by other men.

Do you desire power, influence and the honor of other men?  Maybe it would be wise to remember who is powerful (Answer: God) and who is not.... and then remember what Jesus said:

 Luke 20: 45-47 ...."Then in the audience of all the people he (JESUS) said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts..... "

Rome-N-Rick

EWTN , the Global Catholic Network, is Rick Warren's favorite "Christian channel," and the "Chaplain of Divine Mercy" they program on their channel is his "favorite show" one that he likes to relax to along with his wife Kay, after a stressful day. It renews and restores him.... helps him to worship, relax, reflect and meditate.  (What would he do without his T.V.?)

"I’m an avid fan of EWTN. I make no bones about it. I probably watch it more than any Christian channel. Well, you know what? Because you have more, more, uh, shows that relate to history. And if you don’t understand the roots of our faith, that God had been working for 2,000 years, regardless of what brand of believer you are, God has been working for 2,000 years in His church. And if you don’t have those roots you’re like the cut flower syndrome. Or you’re a tumbleweed. One of my favorite shows, which you repeat often is the Chaplain of Divine Mercy. Which I love. And when I’ve had a very stressful day, I’ll come home, I’ve got it taped and Kay and I will both, we’ll listen. We’ll put it on and just sit back, relax and worship. And in the time of reflection, meditation and quietness I find myself renewed and restored. So thank you for continuing to play the Chaplain of Divine Mercy. " ~Rick Warren 

Interview with Raymond Arroyo of EWTN on his program World Over, April 2014

How many Christians, at thte leading of Rick will now meditate with their Televisions tuned in ...just like Rick?

It's odd to have a "pastor" of supposed Protestant persuasion, Rick Warren, repeatedly endorsing Roman Catholicism before a watchful world.  You'd expect a Roman Catholic "priest" to do this, but not a Protestant pastor.  Protestants, while they share some of the same Christian convictions of faith with Roman Catholics, do differ on some key issues.  And really, differences, some differences are expected.. they are OK.   Yet, time and Time Magazine again, we hear the world reknown Rick Warren applauding the Roman Catholic church and pointing his listening audience in that direction.  It is almost as if he is on a mission, maybe, to reunite those separated brethren with Rome. 

Currently, Rick is giving the Roman Church more than lip service.  He has traveled to Italy, and is sharing the limelight surrounding the 2014 Vatican conference on Marriage with representatives of various faiths. 

In attendance are Mormons, (Yes, even though Mormonism is known not for monogamy but for polygamy)  Jews, Anglicans, Muslims, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists and even Hindus who have gathered together to affirm the long held understanding they all apparently share and can agree upon...  that marriage is between one man and one woman.  

The conference, with its reportedly 30 religious "leaders"  has no religious title.  The gathering is not to talk about "God" or issues of Christian "faith."  They gather at "Humanum."  in the name of..... yes,  humanity.... to examine "the changing roles of marriage and family."

Rick Warren, for his part at the conference, reportedly told the crowd, "We want all marriages and families to  be healthy and strong."  He also commented on what it was like to be in the presence of the Pope.  He said, "Up Close you can feel the humility and compassion that others see from afar."

According to Juan Martinez, vice provost of Fuller Theological Seminary, Rick was a likely candidate for being invited because " he has influence in certain segments of the Christian world"..."as he speaks, people will listen.  He said that as Rick's perspectives are made public, they tend to become representative of a significant number of evangelicals."....(In other words,there are segments of Christianity that can be easily  influenced by what is publicized as coming from Rick's lips.) 


Now we wonder why the other leaders got their invites as well.

It's an amazing comment from a representative of Fuller Seminary.  And what is Rick saying to the world?

Rick told a reporter how he was really hoping to see Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican while he is there for the marriage conference. (Isn't it interesting that those in Roman Catholicism who take vows of celibacy, seemingly know all about "marriage"....so they hold this conference? ) 

In reference to Pope Benedict, Rick Warren told reporters,
: “His books really influenced me, particularly his series on the life of Christ.”...... “He’s got a brilliant mind.”"

Rick Warren, OC Register article November 16, 2014

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/rick-warren-we-must-celebrate-marriage/#ixzz3JRQexU5h

Rick Warren, said to be so incredibly influential when he speaks, (at least according to Juan Martinez,) is pointing it out to others that he, being so well-read, knows a brilliant mind, (Pope Benedict,) when he sees one.  His words are then officially publicized for me and you, and if we do as expected, we will be influenced into reading and thinking just like influential Pastor Rick!

Benedict could very well be a very nice person.  He might even be a very "brilliant mind" but when it comes to faith issues, one must certainly ask Rick Warren, how's Benedict's (Ratsinger's) doctrine?  It this the person, with the brilliant mind, who knoews all about the life of Jesus, the one that we should all be be learning from and listening to?

Make no  mistake, in the heart of Pope Benedicts Roman Catholicism, you can count on rosary prayers, prayers for the dead,  and a belief in purgatory.  There's also the practice of indulgences, and the belief in the assumption of Mary into heaven,where she intercedes for those who are here on earth.  Yes, no doubt, as Pope, Benedict is contemplating and meditating on Marian mysteries and practicing lectio divina, while rejecting as heretics those who dare believe sola fide, (that salvation comes by faith in Christ alone,) unless of course, like so many religious leaders  of varying faiths, they submit, like Rick,  to the brilliance of the man and the  supremacy,  of the office hat he once held.... that has now gone to Pope Francis. 


 Rick Warren would do well to point his listeners, people of all "faiths"  to Jesus, instead he points them elsewhere... and when he is  being interviewed on on EWTN... he points people ..... to the pope.

"And—as—as—our new Pope he was very, very symbolic in, you know, in his first Mass with people with AIDS. Ah, his—his kissing of—of—this deformed man, his loving the children, this authenticity, this humility, the caring for the poor; this is what the whole world expects Christians to do. And when we—when they go, “Oh, that’s what a Christian does.” In fact, there was a headline here in Orange County—and I loved the headline—I saved it. It said, “If you love Pope Francis, you’ll love Jesus.” 

~Rick Warren

Rick Warren, 4/14/2014 EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroryo

Did you catch that?..."Our" new Pope?
The pope is Rick's pope too.

"Yeah, right. Well—and the main thing is love always reaches people. It—authenticity, humility—Pope Francis is the perfect example of this. He is, uh, he is doing everything right. You see, people will listen to what we say, if they like what they see." 

 ~Rick Warren

Rick Warren, 4/14/2014 EWTN Interview with Raymond Arroryo

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? 

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 (John 20:24-29 ESV)

rything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-DruckerI read everything Peter Drucker Writes

“I read everything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-Drucker

“I read everything Peter Drucker writes. His book “The Effective Executive" is a favourite I reread every year. Long before words like “empowerment” became popular, Peter was telling us that the secret of achieving results is to focus on your strengths, and the strengths of those you work with, rather than focusing on weaknesses. In fact, Peter says, making strengths productive is the unique purpose of organization. - See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#RW-Drucker

The Power of Community

Ah... yes. the "power of community."  What could be more powerful than community? 

Rick says that Saddleback Church believes strongly in the power of community. and to that end he is now ateaching about the 10 Building Blocks of Community.  These are, he says, frequency, authenticity, mutuality, courtesy, sympathy... and that's the first five.  He is only teaching them five at a time. and sad to say, he just kinda picked verses here and there to support his idea... the idea of there being 10 Blocks of Community is not actually in the Bible, he just kinda made that up!  

Rick does this  often.  

According to Rick, "community" is a Greek word, from the Bible.  It's a "modern term", he says, for an "ancient word" that refers to biblical fellowship. Then with a little more twist of definitions, right before your very eyes, the meaning of biblical Christian "koinonia" emerges in a brand new light.  It's his very own, new-and-improved, definition of being committed to Jesus and being in community.

"Small groups are extremely important at Saddleback because we believe so strongly in the power of community. Community is a bit of a buzz word in today’s church culture, and I think that’s a good thing. We need to understand it. It’s really a modern term for an ancient word – fellowship. The Greek word for fellowship in the Bible is the word koinonia. And koinonia means being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ."

Rick Warren, Nov. 7, 2014;
 The 10 Building Blocks of Community, posted at pastors.com,  

It's not a new concept of Rick's.  He has presented it before.... more than once or twice.

“..koinonia (the Greek word for fellowship) is "being as devoted to each other as we are to Jesus Christ."

Church membership covenant: Expect what the Bible expects By Rick Warren  10/25/02)

"The word for loving other believers is “fellowship.” Unfortunately, like “worship,” the word has been misused and watered down. Today fellowship is reduced to coffee and cookies and casual conversation. But real fellowship is being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ." 

 Rick Warren, Pastors.com Ministry Toolbox Issue 198, 

Easter, What Am I Here For? March 16, 2005

Rick has been repeating this definition for years, telling the same false definition, over and over and over.... informing people on what koinonia "really" means. People who blindly follow Rick Warren's Purpose Driven methods unwittingly repeat it too. Bible teachers will use the original greek definition of the word when they are teaching what the Bible says,  but Rick tells a different concept.... and he tells everyone quite plainly,  he and his church associates,  (a.k.a. "we") have their own definition:

"In our church, we define koinonia (fellowship) as" being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ."

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church,

for a review of this book, click here

 and then, maybe also here. 

Koinonia does mean fellowship, but it does not mean  "being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ," and yet, Rick Warren has a whole lot of people believing and repeating his new definition of what koinonia means.  This is how some forms of propaganda work.  ( If you tell a falsehood long enough, over and over, people begin to believe it. Then they repeat it.   Where in the Bible does it teach that Christians are to be as devoted to one another as they are to Jesus Christ?  

It doesn't.  If this were the case, who would be their master?  (Matthew 6:24) 

In the gospel of Luke we hear Jesus teaching this:

^" If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, 

and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own 

life also, he cannot be my disciple.'.

Luke 14:25

Jesus here isn't advocating "hate" nor is he giving you permission to neglect your parents or to  treat them unkindly.  He is not suggesting that you hate your siblings or yourself.   He is however, clearly asserting the importance of his role and place in the life of someone professing faith in Him.  

 No one comes to the father except through him,(John 14:6) and this faith in Christ, is a very narrow gate with which to enter in...(Matthew 7:14) .  All the world will try to keep you from entering in... if you let it, even well meaning family and friends.  The moral of the story is that Jesus must be first and foremost of importance above all others, if one is to be a disciple, but rick wants you to be as devoted to yourr little group within his church as you are devoted to Jesus Christ. 


Rick has sometimes used 1 John 3:16 to attempt to validate his point... This verse says:

".....because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Yes, we are to love the brethren and to love them as Christ loved us, maybe even lay down our life for another, but this is different than "being as committed to others as we are to Jesus Christ."  It's a tricky switch-up of things.  It is a different gospel than the one a Christian has already believed in, and at it's core it is legalistic, for like a law, you now must be as devoted to you group as you are to Jesus.     

Let's say that you belong to a group...  or even a family.  Could your attachment to the group, your desire for a sense of belonging, ever be strong enough, so strong  that you would choose to go along with them rather than stand for Jesus, even if you knew the crowd was wrong?  Of course. It's called peer pressure, and it works most all the time unless you have a conviction of heart and stick to it.  Peer pressure is even employed intentionally on some people.  God however.. in his wisdom, gave us each freewill to choose or reject him. 
To stand for Jesus, who was crucified before Pontius Pilot will not always be an easy thing to do especially if it means being ostracized from a group of people you love.... as much as you love Jesus..

 The Greek word kononia  means: (a) contributory help or participation, (b) sharing in, communion, (c) spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit.  In true Christian community, there are all these things. and yet, it is not the same as the secular concept of "community."

As Christians, we are certainly called to love others.... to love our mother and father and wife, and children and brethern and sisters..and no doubt we are also called to look out for the needs of others... as we feed and cloth ourselves.  Despite this, Jesus is God, and God is supposed to be first and foremost above all these things.  Following the direction of a favorite crowd for fear of being hated or shut-out of the group instead of following the truth of God in Christ, is not what a witness or for that matter, a friend, of the Lord Jesus is supposed to do.  Peter did that, three times, and by the grace of God, he was restored by Jesus, personally, but not without deep regret for what he had done in denying the Lord.

It's hard to go against the flow.... and if the truth be told, sometimes a Christian must take a stand.... for Jesus, for correct doctrine or for the truth of a situation; and sometimes the people around a Christian might hold a differing opinion or they may not like to hear and know the truth. On occasions like these, what is is Christian to do? If your commitment to the members of your particular group is equal to your commitment to Jesus Christ, you might have a difficult time deciding who holds your allegiance... men or God.

" ...they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said,
 "We ought to obey God rather than men."" 
  Acts Chapter 5: 27-30

The word "koinonia" is not always interchangeable with the word  "community."  It has several meanings and applications.  It also has real definitions and it does not simply mean "being as devoted to one another as we are to Jesus Christ."  

While it is not a bad idea to encourage believers to be devoted to loving and caring for fellow believers,(and to unbelievers too,)it is a bad idea to hijack the Greek word for fellowship between Christians, (koinonia,) and make up one's own definition.

"'Community'..... It’s really a modern term for an ancient word – fellowship. The Greek word for fellowship in the Bible is the word koinonia. And koinonia means being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ."         ~ Rick Warren

Rick Warren is prettuy open about what he is doing.  He is changing the church and the foundation of the church,, and in it's place he is attempting to build something completely different.... community.