Can't Stop Thinking BIG... Rick's Power of Exponential Thinking

Rick Warren explains "exponential thinking" like this:

"This is thinking so big that it demands that you depend on God to see it happens. It's what I call "the faith factor."

Thinking BIG is what Rick Warren does best. However, there is a problem.  The problem is, Jesus never said that you needed to have a LOT of faith to get things done?  He said, if you have the faith of a mustard seed... you could move mountains.  Jesus then went on to explain that the mustard seed was not a huge enormous thing at all.  Rick however, wants you, like himself, to be thinking BIG.... really really big, and he teaches that without big thinking, without a big church, without a big dream....and without doing his programs and reading his books and materials, listening to him teach or letting him lead your small group, you are not doing things the right, good and godly way. In fact, in contrast to his "healthy" church propaganda, you might just be one of those sickly,  "unhealthy" people or churches.
Here are some quotes from Rick about thinking BIG.

Here he talks about thinking on a "godly scale.".  (What on earth does that mean?)

“I want to challenge you to think exponentially when you consider your church and to think on a godly scale about how you and your staff could help usher revival and renewal into your community.  There are many ways God may lead you to do this and I don't want to suggest that there is one formulaic direction. See what God has to say about this--and then believe him for BIG, BIG things.” ~Rick Warren

The Need for Exponential Faith Thinking by Rick Warren,  Global christian Center 

Originally posted at pastors.com

If you are not thinking big, you are not thinking on a "godly scale."   Not thinking big.... you are not on the godly scale.

He explains what "exponential thinking" is..

"This is thinking so big that it demands that you depend on God to see it happens. It's what I call "the faith factor." You attempt to do something so big that it can't be accomplished by human effort alone. It requires a miracle. Jesus said, "According to your faith, it will be done unto you."  ~Rick Warren

Revival, Awakening, or Miracle by rRck Warren, Global Christian Center

Originally posted at pastors.com in 2003

Apparently, the book he wrote and sold, was "a miracle," one that came about because of Warren's own BIG faith. ( Never mind of course, that it really was not the gospel of Jesus.... sold to the world by it's publishers and there were marketing techniques used to get the word out that Christians and others should be listening to "Pastor Rick."    

Rick was thinking in the millions....

“There’s only one thing big enough in the entire world to solve them [the five global giants]. Only one thing. The millions and millions and millions and millions and millions and millions of congregations that are spread out all around the world. I could take you today to a million villages that don’t have a school, don’t have a clinic, don’t have a post office, don’t have a fire department, don’t have a business, but they got a church. " ~Rick Warren

Keynote Address to the interfaith, Annual Conference of the 

Religion Newswriters Association (RNA) in September 2005.

Did you notice,,,, the ONE THING, is not JESUS CHRIST?

Rick also has his own P.E.A.C.E. plan.....which also is not about Jesus, but strategy.


“Now this is the strategy behind the P.E.A.C.E. plan. It’s a strategy to mobilize millions of small groups in millions of churches to attack the 5 global giants with a 5 point strategy.… P-E-A-C-E is the P.E.A.C.E. plan. ” ~Rick Warren

Saddleback’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, April 17th, 2005,

"This life you get 60, 80, maybe 100 years at the most. It’s very, really, quite short. On the other side of eternity you’re going to spend millions, and millions, and millions, and actually trillions, and trillions, trillions of years in eternity.

 ~Rick Warren 

http://bigthink.com/videos/rick-warren-on-a-purpose-driven-life

And yes, all of those millions of people who have a peace plan that is of the world and not about Jesus,will have an eternity.... but without the Jesus of the Bible that "eternity" will be quite sad.  God has offered forgiveness of sin, for all who believe on Jesus... who gives a peace much different than the peace this world has to offer.... and faith in Jesus, not faith inthe words of Pastor Rick, is the only way. 

Rick is about breaking down denominational barriers.

"There have been movements that have come along that have broken the denominational barriers in Christianity, things like the conferences we do, and even stuff like Promise Keepers that kind of went up and then went down; you know, all of a sudden you’ve got a million guys on the National Mall, and they’re everything – they’re Catholic and Pentecostal and Baptist." ~Rick Warren 

Influencing others.... 

"And so when I say I’m not a policymaker, that doesn’t mean that I’m opposed to Christians being in the public square.... I’m just saying that personally I’ve got a different agenda. My agenda is really of, in, for and through these millions and millions of churches that I now have technology to network together called the Internet, which allows me to sit in my bedroom and talk to guys in Brussels, and it allows me to influence any influencer." ~Rick Warren 

Myths of the Moern Mega-Chuirch pewforum.org, 2005

Influencing others.... for the "good"

“There is only one thing big enough to handle the world’s problems, and that is the millions and millions of churches spread out around the world...” "Well, the biggest distribution network in the world is local churches. There are millions of them, far more than all the franchises in the world. Put together, they could be a force for good.” ~Rick Warren

THE CELLULAR CHURCH How Rick Warren’s Congregation Grew by M. Gladwell 9/12/2005

Rick has them all in his sight, desiring they beunder his leadership and control.

He says, "They could be a "force for good."
 ???
Does this infer that they are not?


He is thinking BIG.

Caravan (Can't Stop Thinking Big!) 

with lyrics 

(Song by Canadian band, Rush)

“Last Sunday, we took a special offering called Extend the Vision, for people to give over and above their normal offering. We decided we would not use any financial consultants, no high-powered gimmicks, no thermometer on the wall. It was just ‘Folks, you know you need to give.’ Sunday’s offering was seven million dollars in cash and fifty-three million dollars in commitments."~Rick Warren

THE CELLULAR CHURCH How Rick Warren’s Congregation Grew by M. Gladwell 9/12/2005

Put Another Nickel In... In the Nicol-odian..

....Music, Music, Music.... 
that is, 
Music.... according to Rick:

“A song can often touch people in ways a sermon can’t. Music can bypass intellectual barriers and take the message straight to the heart.  It’s a potent tool for evangelism. In Psalm 40:3 (NCV) David says, ‘He put a NEW song in my mouth ... Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.’ Notice the clear connection between music and evangelism. ... Music is the primary communicator of values to the younger generation.  If we don't use contemporary music to spread godly values, Satan will have an unchallenged access to an entire generation. Music is a force that cannot be ignored.”  ~Rick Warren 

Some Rules for Selecting Music by Rick Warren Church Leaders Gazette, February 14, 2010

Notice the title of the article this quote came from.  
"Some Rules For Selecting Music."

Rules?

Why is Rick writing "rules" for churches to follow?

You have to wonder....

Church... did you need some NEW RULES to follow?

Man's rules at that?  

And... those 'intellectual barriers"

Why "bypass" them with endorphins created by music
 rather than use human reason engaged by words?
(Isaiah 1:18?)

And regarding Rick's use of Psalm 40:3- why did he leave out part
 of THAT verse that tells what the NEW song
 of David is directed towards?

"even praise unto our God."

Strange.

"Sadly, in most churches they are still singing the same old songs. "~ Rick Warren 

Some Rules for Selecting Music by Rick Warren Church Leaders Gazette, February 14, 2010

Perhaps they are ("sadly?") still telling

 the "old, old" story too?

"The style of music you choose to use in your services will be one of the most critical (and controversial!) decisions you make in the life of your church. It may be the most influential factor in determining who your church reaches for Christ and whether or not your church grows. You must match your music to the kind of people God wants your church to reach."  ~Rick Warren 

"Match the Music to the People You Want to Reach" by Rick Warren Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox # 190, January 19, 2005,

"The music you use “positions” your church in your community. It defines who you are. Once you have decided on the style of music you’re going to use in worship, you have set the direction of your church in far more ways than you realize. It will determine the kind of people you attract, the kind of people you keep, and the kind of people you lose."         ~Rick Warren 

"Match the Music to the People You Want to Reach" by Rick Warren Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox # 190, January 19, 2005,

Is this using music as if it were some kind of idol?
Is our preference something we must 
have in order to "worship"
God the way we like best?


If music "defines us," as a church 

or defines our "position" in community, 
then what about Jesus Christ?  
Where is he is this all important concept
of music "defining" who we are?


John 3:30

.... and WHO is being defined?

"Whatever It Takes"

"Do whatever it takes?"  

In encouraging church members to come to a recent Saddleback church meeting, we hear Rick Warren encourage his members to, "do whatever it takes" to be there.  Apparently, it is really important.  This "whatever it takes" terminology seems to be a common saying these days, several purpose driven pastors having latched on to the concept, repeat it.  
so what do they mean by "do whatever it takes?" 

It is almost a command as Rick says in the announcement, "Do WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE IT.  I'm so excited to see you!  P.S. For those who come to Vision Night, I'm going to give you a free copy of my NEW EXPANDED EDITION of PDL: WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? before it arrives in bookstores for the Christmas Season!"         -Rick Warren     
                                                                             News With Views 10/22/12 , Saddleback Church Vision Week Announcement,

He also  adds the personal touch.... saying he is "so excited to see you." And if either of those were not enough to get you there, he even offers that you will get a free copy of his book if you attend!

This "whatever it takes" phraseology, appeared another time when he was leading a group in prayer to receive "purpose."  After teaching the group, (who apparently was a group of people who had absolutely no real idea as to "what on earth" they were here for, but were learning from Pastor Rick,)  how to live "a life on purpose.'  He took oppoprtunity at the end of the lecture to speak to God on behalf of those within earshot.  This is what he had them pray and what he encouraged them to read aloud as he did,                                                                                           

"Thank you for the privilege for being a part of your family. It's my heart's desire to become like Jesus. I will do whatever it takes to cause that to happen. Help me to discover my shape for ministry and to use the talents you've given to me to use for others. Help me to have a servant's heart. Father, I want to fulfill my mission on earth. Give me a burden for people who don't know you. I want to serve your purpose in my generation. And I want to be a part of what you're doing in the world. From this day forward, I want to build my life around your purposes. Help me Jesus."- Rick Warren

Purpose Driven Life, What On Earth Am I Here For?   Warren, Rick; Global Christian Center, globalchristiancenter.com

Originally published in Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox, at pastors.com

Rick sure knows how to put words in other people's mouths and minds.  Unfortunately, rather than him lead people to Christ, what we have witnessed is him promoting himself and his programs as he is praying to God on their behalf.  He said things like,  

"Help me to discover my shape for ministry" 

                     Really?  "Help m to discover my shape...?"  Isn't that a bit of a salespitch?  
                      Seriously.  Have you heard that one before?  If you don't know, S.H.A.P.E. is a  
                      ministry program, his own idea, (promoted by his associate, Erik Reeves.)

"Father, I want to fulfill my mission on earth." 

                      Whatever happened to repenting ate a prayer time like this?  It's not here.
                       Is saying this to "God," even akin to submitting to God's will or 
                      saying the words., Father, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done," as Jesus 

                      taught his disciples to pray in the scripture?  No. This is an "I want."
                      Weird.

"Give me a burden for people who don't know you. "

                     That's a novel idea!  Ask God for a burden that you do not have.  There's 

                      nothing about giving what is burdening you to Jesus... "knowing his yoke 

                      is easy and his burden light.  (Matthew 11:28-30 )  It makes one wonder why  
                     this man seeks to bind a burden upon these people?  

"I want to serve your purpose in my generation."

                      This is way different than simply serving God.  It correlates directly to     
                      his business slogan, not the gospel. 

" And I want to be a part of what you're doing in the world."

                      Rick believes, (and is passing on that same notion via the guise of prayer") 
                      that what he is doing is the New move of God.  Be it the NEW Reformation...      
                      the Saddleback model of church, this best selling Purpose Driven Book, the  
                      P.E.A.C.E. plan...the Daniel Plan, whatever, Rick believes God is "doing" it and 

                      you need to be on board if they want to sync with God.  He is of the mindset 
                      and teaches his listeners that if your church is not built on the five purposes he 
                     teaches, then it is not "healthy."Church, because Rick thinks he has the corner           
                     on "God's Agenda." 

"From this day forward, I want to build my life around your purposes. "

                     From this day forward?  Is this a marriage ceremony of somekind?
                      And, build my life on what?
                     Build "around" what?  (Oh yeah, that sure foundation of 

                    "purpose"... all five of them.)
                    There is no Jesus.  Where is the foundation of God's word... with the apostles  
                       and prophets?                

                      It's glaringly missing. (Did he never read Ephesians 2:20)

And if that is not enough...It all begins with that notorious "whatever it takes" slogan.

"It's my heart's desire to become like Jesus. I will do whatever it takes to cause that to happen. "

Doing "whatever it takes" to make themselves become like Jesus sure seems altruistic.  Jesus is a great guy.... great teacher, had a pure heart, was obedient to God the Father completely, perfect in every way..  but can you make yourself like Jesus?  Can you become like Jesus simply because you put our mind to it?  Hardly.  We all miss the mark when it comes to being anything like Jesus.  We need God's assistance through his Holy spirit living in us.  You see, usually one repents of sin and asks forgiveness in Jesus' name and then God  comes and dwells inside them.  That is the cause of how it happens.

 Odd, isn't it.  Usually people become clothed with Christ... by faith in him and what He has done for us.   They become Christians.  God's Holy Spirit then comes as a gift to us.  This is not something we do.  Odd, too is that "whatever it takes" slogan being promoted by Rick.  

 If you remember, Rick was in Angel Stadium, April 2005, and he was rallying the crowd:

"Whatever it takes!"  Anaheim 2005

"Jesus said, 'I want you to do this publicly." He was referring to the notion of saying publicly, "Jesus we are yours!"  (The idea being to commit our lives to Jesus Christ.)   Unfortunately, the example he gave the crowd to follow was that of people committing to follow the communist leaders of old. He reasoned of course, that Christians should be as dedicated to Jesus as these people were to their communist leaders.  Rick then urged people to tell God that they, would be devoted, to "purpose" and "serving the purposes of God." He continued,  "So what I want you to do is take the card, and in just a minute, and if you say 'Rick, I am willing to serve God's purposes in my generation.' I want you to open up to the sign that says 'Whatever it takes.'"
                                                                                                                                                                                               - Rick Warren
                                                                                                                                                                          Angel Stadium, April 17,2005 

Sounds good.  Certainly it can be very sincere on the part of participants who want to do the will of God and serve him and are listening to a pastor's advice.   It''s a great public declaration, but whatever happened to baptism as a public profession of Christian faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus?  Did Jesus tell us to publicly announce that we would do whatever it takes?  No.  Even our best intentions fail.

Peter's best intention failed him, and Jesus knew it would happen this way even before it did.  Jesus told him so too.  Just as Jesus told him, Peter's best intention failed Peter three times!  

The good news for Peter is that even though he failed, (three times before the cock crowed,) he had a refuge in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He had put his faith in Jesus Crist as revealed to him by God.  God's word will never fail.  Peter repented of such foolishness, trusted God and took Him at his word and then he told others about the grace and goodness of God found in the man who was crucified before his eyes and raised from the dead too!  He built his new life in Christ there on the Rock of Ages, he then walked in faith by God's mercy, love and grace, telling others of this good news.

 Jesus never told anyone to make promises that they could not keep, let alone a promise, to do  "whatever it takes," all by themselves, in their own strength.  This is one beauty of Christ and his gospel; and this is that  Jesus Christ did for us what ever could never do.  All that is needed is for us to turn to him in faith and confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that He is.  But this is not the message with Rick and friends.  They have you pledge to do "whatever it takes"... (anything except what it takes.. repent and believe in Jesus)  and even have you "ask God" for a "burden," instead of free you from the one you carry... sin.  

In the purpose driven paradigm it is YOU who need to make promises and sign membership covenants.  It is You who must discover your "shape," find your "purpose," fulfill your "mission" on earth, and your destiny, not to mention keeping perfect balance in everything you do, proving yourself to be  "healthy." You also need to buy all kinds of purpose driven books.  

You are required to know this secret and that secret, (that you get from Rick since he has this special insight "from God," whom from you can lean and do the six steps or eight principles, or 4 laws,  along with classes like Membership 101, 201, 301, 401, and other various six week periods of small group studies called 40 Days of....____.(Fill in the blank with Purpose, Community, Transformation, Love, P.E.A.C.E. or any other program instigated by Rick, )  Then, once you have this NEW paradigm of thinking.... God will use you... "to serve his purposes' under the ultimate direction of that great man of campaigns, best-selling author.... Rick Warren.

But note that you will mention nothing in the creed below about simply telling other people the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ and what he did for you, (me, ) and for them.There is no cross.

 "Today I am stepping across the line, I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering,  I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way.  There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love and communicate His Word.

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home waiting in heaven,  I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting or faithless worrying.

Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, we over me, character over comfort, service over status and people over possessions, position, and pleasures.  I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got.  I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics or motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.

When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I am Spirit-lead, purpose-driven, and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious for everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say,  However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever You ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes!

Wherever You lead and whatever the cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord! Whatever it takes!

I want to be used by You in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear You say, Well done now, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!

~ Rick Warren, in Anahiem Stadium, 2005 AND during Hillsong Conference 2006

...But this is only because of your obedience... (to do "whatever it takes"to be like him,  and pledge to go "God's way" and serve "God's purposes' with "God's people"... on "God's planet."  Where is the cross?  Where is what Christ did for you?  Funny, it seems to have simply vanished in Rick's paradigm.

Jesus, not only did "whatever it took" to be obedient to God, but in doing do he never failed even once.  He saw it through to completion.  Jesus, sinless Jesus, even shed his blood and died in perfect submission to God.  It is he who was, and is and who forever remains both faithful and true! And death could not keep him down.  

So, instead of making willful declarations of what we will purpose to do, may we Christian focus instead on Jesus, who gave his live for us and when dealing with each other can we simply let our yes be yes and our no be no. (Matthew 5:37) May we also simply live and work side by side as we worship Jesus as Lord, in spirit and in truth, as we look to do justly, to  love mercy and walk humbly with Him, our God. (Micah 6:8)  

Hebrews 12:2

        Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. 1. 
      

Galatians 6:14

1. 
   
   1. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Rick Warren on Fundamentalism

"Muslim fundamentalism, Christian fundamentalism, Jewish fundamentalism, secular fundamentalism - they're all motivated by fear. Fear of each other."

~Rick Warren

Really? That reasoning seems pretty simplistic.  It it the kind of reasoning that puts the three major religions in the world on the same common denominator, when they are each distinctive on their own.  In fact, if you were to take a look into it and study it, you might see that religious fundamentalism is motivated by a lot of things, not just "fear."   

But what is "fundamentalism" anyhow?

Wordnet.princeton says: "the interpretation of every word in the sacred texts as literal truth"

Wiktionary says, "The tendency to reduce a religion to its most fundamental tenets, based on strict interpretation of core texts;"

 

Christian "fundamentalism" then, would be a religious view that stresses the infallibility of the Bible's words and message, not only in matters of faith, morals and in the practice of that faith, but also as a  historical record of the Jews, the early church, and the life and death of Jesus Christ.  It would also be one that takes what the Bible teaches into understanding on topics like the creation of the Earth, animals and all that is in it, not to mention the stars and heavens above, and even the origin is things like angels and humans.   Fundamentals of the Christian faith would include, but not be limited to, a belief in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, (the Messiah who was to come to the Jews,) his teachings, his life, death and the part about his physical resurrection too, which was claimed by those first Christians who wrote the New Testament scriptures, to be God's blood atonement made sacrificially by him in our place for sin.  Add to this the believe that Christ will come again... his Second Coming and you understand what it is that Christians FUNDAMENTALLY believed 2000 years ago, as well as today.

Warren expressed a lot of his views about "fundamentalism" at a conference in Florida in 2005.  Here are excepts of his conversations from a transcript highlighting his opinions on the subject.  You can read the transcript in it's entirety, here.

Pew Forum: Myths of the Modern Megachurch

Note:Underlined parts and emboldened sections are done for emphasis (by me)  Underlined parts are parts to be noted in general and the boldened black font parts are what Warren specifically says about "fundamentalism."  

".... about a hundred years ago, Christianity split into two wings in the Protestant division and this hasn't been happening with Catholicism, but it did happen in Protestantism." ~ Rick Warren

Since when has there not been divisions in Catholicism?

"There is a fellow named Walter Rauschenbusch, who is the man who came up with the term "social gospel." Rauschenbusch was a liberal theologian and he basically said we don't need this stuff about Jesus anymore; we don't need the cross; we don't need salvation; we don't need atonement; we just need to redeem the social structures of society and if we do that people will automatically get better. This is basically Marxism in a Christian form.                                                               " ~ Rick Warren

So here, Rick makes mention of Rauschenbusch....

the one who taught, what Warren calls,  

Marxism in Christian form.

But really, do we know of anyone else working 

to  redeem "the social structures of society," Someone like.... (Rick Warren.) 

You know, someone who  is hoping to 

get everyone on his own bandwagon and 

work together to eradicate his list of terrible evils 

of our world,(Rick's P.E.A.C.E. Plan)  eliminate, things like  "unhealthy"

pastors and those other social ills...

poverty, disease and illiteracy.

Interesting isn't it, how Warren made it a point to identify this man, 

Walter Rauschenbusch and tell us how he taught a social gospel...
,,,what Warren calls, "Marxism in a Christian form,"  This is an interesting introduction to  a man named Raushenbausch and what he taught... by a man who does the same thing. 

It;s a case of the "pot calling the kettle black,"

"And there were even magazines like The Christian Century, (Might he mean the Christian Oracle?)which was a pretty audacious title when it started at the beginning of the 20th century - as if to say, this is going to be the Christian century; we are going to bring in the millennium simply by changing the social structures of society. Well, nobody believes that anymore after two world wars and a bunch of other stuff."                                                      ~ Rick Warren


But what happened is Protestantism split into two wings, the fundamentalists and the mainline churches. And the mainline churches tended to take the social action issues of Christianity - caring for the sick, for the poor, the dispossessed, racial justice and things like that. Today there really aren't that many Fundamentalists left; I don't know if you know that or not, but they are such a minority; there aren't that many Fundamentalists left in America."

                                                                                 
                                                                                  Christian ones?

"Anyway, the fundamentalist and evangelical movement said they were just going to care about personal salvation when they split from the mainline churches. What happened is the mainline churches cared about the social morality and the evangelicals cared about personal morality. That's what happened when they split. But they really are all part of the total gospel - social justice, personal morality and salvation. And today a lot more people, evangelicals, are caring about those issues."                                       ~Rick Warren

The Myth of the Modern Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005


The "total gospel?"

Social justice, personal morality and "salvation," mind you,
are not exclusive to the Christian faith.
These are pertinent to every religion.
That is exclusive to Christianity is "the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
and it is the same thing John the Baptist preached
about the man from Nazareth, born in
Bethlehem, named Jesus.
"Behold, the Lamb of God!"
The "total" gospel is all inclusive of this statement by John
and it would include what the apostles believed
and wrote and publicly proclaimed after Jesus'
Resurrection from death.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
you and your household,
and you will be saved."

"....we need to help journalists use the right terms. There is a difference between "evangelicalism" and "fundamentalism" and "the religious right." And people use them like they are synonyms. They are not - they are very, very different. I am an evangelical. I'm not a member of the religious right and I'm not a fundamentalist. "                                               ~Rick Warren

The Myth of the Modern American Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005

I'm not a fundamentalist. " ~Rick Warren

One year (2005) he says he is not a fundamentalist.
(they are just too radical, 
too extreme in their beliefs.)

and a few years later, (2011...
he is "radical" about the roots of Christianity.

“You need to be radical 
in your connection to God 

so that you are rooted" 
~Rick Warren
 

 Rick Warren said this regarding his recent Radicalis conference.

Also regarding the Radicalis conference,
Liilian Kwan, reporter for the Christian Post quoted
Warren telling the world what being radical meant::
"Being a radical in the truest sense

of the word: rooted in Christ,

rooted in his love,

rooted in the Word."
~Rick Warren
  

Duplicitous Rick
would claim to be
all about fundamentals,

even call himself "Radical,"

but deny being anything
like a Christian "fundamentalist"
who actually believes

the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

" MR WARREN: How do you explain a book by a pastor selling now over 25 million copies? And that's in English. The book has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. And I'm not even a writer.I tell you, there's nothing in the book that's new - not a single thing in the book that's new, that's not in historic Christianity over the last 2,000 years. I just happened to say it in a simple way

ELSA WALSH, THE NEW YORKER: So are you saying doctrine won't be important or is not important if you bring together all these -

MR. WARREN: No, no. I think, though, it's what Augustine said: "In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity." And I think that's how evangelicals and Catholics can get together. And I don't know if you know this or not, but fundamentalists and Pentecostals don't like each other, okay? They don't. But they could get together. "In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."

The Myth of the Modern Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005

Evangelicals  and Catholics
even in their differences, 
find fundamental common ground

As for "fundamentalists".... who,
according to Rick warren, 

"do not like "Pentecostals"
note how he is contrasting groups of people
makeing certain to once 

again isolate :"fundamentalists"

as the negative people.

Note also that "Petecostals"
claim to believe those five

the fundamentals of 
the Christian faith.

 JUAN WILLIAMS, NPR: Picking up on this business about the disagreements between the fundamentalists and the Pentecostals, I mean, this struck me as news because when journalists write about it, we go to people like Robertson and Falwell to represent the evangelicals. And that's the way it comes across, so it strikes me that we're ill informed or you're wrong. (Chuckles.) And secondly, that you're not using this God-given influence you spoke of, because your influence is not showing up in the American media in terms of supplanting people who you would tell us are bogus.

MR. WARREN: Well, I tell you, that's the reason I accepted this meeting, because I'm just tired of having other people represent me and represent the hundreds of thousands of churches where the pastors I've trained would nowhere, no way, relate to some of the supposed spokesmen of a previous generation.... Now the word "fundamentalist" actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity, and when I say there are very few fundamentalists, I mean in the sense that they are all actually called fundamentalist churches, and those would be quite small. There are no large ones. ~Rick Warren

 "Legalistic?"  "Narrow view?"

Seriously???

Does Rick Warren mean legalistic,
as in they might actually hold to a
belief in the Ten Commandments?

Is this "narrow view" concept of Christianity
mean they have the audacity to believe
the scriptural ways of
narrowness, like John 14:6?

While Rick faults the Five Fundamentals document,
Rick himself is in the business
of redefining and replacing
and changing Christianity...
be ready for a little slight of mind,
you see,
as Rick finds fault some obscure document

 you never paid much attention to before,
he would be happy to get you to ascribe
another concept of fundamentals...

Five of them...called the Five Purposes.

MR. WILLIAMS: Bob Jones is not a mega-church?

MR. WARREN: No, no, no, no, no, no no. Bob Jones is not a mega-church. That's right exactly, it's not, and that group is shrinking more and more and more. On the other hand, Pentecostalism and charismatic evangelicalism is growing by leaps and bounds. It's growing huge all over the world. And so that's the movement that's growing.

MR. WILLIAMS: What's the difference between a fundamentalist and a Pentecostal?

MR. WARREN: A fundamentalist would deny the miraculous today. They would - for instance, one of the hallmarks of a Pentecostal would be praying for miracles of healing and speaking in an unknown tongue and things like that. Those would be hallmarks of Pentecostalism and fundamentalists would say, "Oh no, all that stuff died at the end of the New Testament." They would not accept the miraculous today.

Rick is a bit misleading..  

"Fundamental" teachings
of the Christian faith, 

like the virgin birth and
the resurrection of Jesus,
resurrection from the dead

are not your common everyday occurrence;

these are miraculous indeed, and Christians 

who believe the fundamentals of Christianity

believe those very things.
They do believe in miracles.

As Christians they have the liberty
to be like Bereans
and search the scriptures
so as not to be deceived
when dealing with

signs, wonders and

sensational appearances  

of things like gold teeth
that appear  in people's mouths
and then appear
to some as "miracles"

MR. WILLIAMS: So what's the difference between you and the fundamentalists?

MR. WARREN: Well, I don't agree with that. I believe there are miracles today.

MR. CROMARTIE: Let me give you a quick answer to that. The difference between an evangelical and a fundamentalist is an evangelical is someone who really, really, really likes Billy Graham. A fundamentalist is someone who thinks Billy Graham is a liberal.

MR. WARREN: That would be true. A fundamentalist basically would look at many others in Christianity and say, "You're not even a Christian." They'd say it about Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics. You know - even evangelicals. It's interesting - maybe 15-20 years ago, Falwell stopped calling himself a fundamentalist, and actually left the fundamentalist fellowship, and he went and joined the Southern Baptist Convention - which is as wide - I mean you can find anything in that."

The Myth of the Modern Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005

 

"MR. GOLDBERG:....The question is, do you think your followers - or the people who come to church, the people who read your books, the people you are talking to all over the world - are sophisticated enough to hold this contradiction in their minds and to see Jewish people as not just Jews, but let's divide the world between the saved and the unsaved. Do you think that they are sophisticated enough -

MR. WARREN: I do. Absolutely, without a doubt because the fundamental issue of Christianity is this: the purpose-driven life is built on two verses of scripture, both by Jesus. One is called the Great Commission, and the other is called the Great Commandment."

The Myth of the Modern Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005

Be amazed as you 
watch Rick redefining 
what a "fundamental" Christian is. 
 He is stating that the purpose driven paradigm is 
built not on fundamentals already established, 
Watch how he circumvents that idea... 
and tells his listeners Purpose Driven
is the  fundamental issue of Christianity.
and it's not built on Jesus, but rather 
built on two commandments...
Jesus gave.
                                
THIS, is manipulation, and it is legalistic.

"And so I think fundamentally Christianity and Judaism both teach that it's all about love. It's all about loving God and loving your neighbor. That's why I was serious when I was saying you're my cousin; I obviously have far more in common with someone who is Jewish than I do with someone who is a secularist - far more in common because we worship the same God; it is Adonai, it is Jehovah. We worship the same God. We are cousins in the faith.

Now the ridiculous thing is this myth that all religions are not mutually exclusive. If you've studied them - anybody who has studied the world religions knows they cannot all be right because they totally contradict each other. Anybody who says they don't has never studied the world religions. They are mutually exclusive, and that's why I come back to my earlier statement that I'm going to bet my life on one of them because I cannot bet my life on all of them. And I think the stupid thing is not to make a bet."                                                                                      ~Rick Warren

The Myth of the Modern Megachurch, Pew Forum, Transcript, 2005

 

"Now the ridiculous thing is this myth that all religions are not mutually exclusive."

 ~Rick Warren

 

"I think fundamentally Christianity and Judaism both teach that it's all about love. It's all about loving God and loving your neighbor"

"Muslim fundamentalism, 

Christian fundamentalism,

Jewish fundamentalism, 

secular fundamentalism -

 - they're all motivated by fear.

Fear of each other."

                                                                                       ~ Rick Warren

.