Posted on 02/05/2008 4:47:35 PM PST by HokieMom
Rick Warren, a megachurch pastor and philanthropist who is courted by political leaders worldwide, says he thinks Christianity needs a "second Reformation" that would steer the church away from divisive politics and be "about deeds, not creeds."
Speaking today to a group of Washington Post reporters and editors, the evangelical author said he had an "epiphany" in recent years due to his wife's battle with cancer and the success of his book, "The Purpose Driven Life," which has sold more than 25 million copies. Humbled and scared, he said he decided to focus on helping the needy and the sick, particularly those with AIDS.
That meant advocating for a broader agenda for evangelicals beyond same-sex marriage and bioethical issues like abortion and stem cell research. That's a shift from the e-mail Warren sent before the 2004 election to his regular distribution list of 136,000 pastors, telling them to focus on those hot-button issues, which he called "non-negotiables."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
“Deeds not creeds” huh? Sounds like an un-doing of the Reformation, back to works righteousness and indulgences. Whatever happened to sola fide, Rick?
If a “second reformation” is needed, it’s because Christianity has drifted far away from the principles behind the first one.
Somehow, I doubt that’s what Mr. Warren, the pop star, has in mind.
He’s going to command everyone to plant trees now, to follow his “Global Warming” tirade?
Deeds not creeds is salvation by works. Good luck with that.
Absolutely perfect for the dumbed-down, anti-historical, touchy-feely sound-bite driven "faithful."
I’m not buying what Rick Warren is selling.
Yes what?
I think he should say we need to return to the roots of Christianity, fear of the Lord, studying the Bible and so on, that would solve most of America’s ills because the Lords way leads to goodness. But we don’t need him to do that, we need to do it in our own lives.
His mission has always been about works righteousness. SO no, not mission creep. Funny they posted this as news, he’s been saying this about a new reformation (a la Robert Schuller) for years.
Check this out. I can’t believe any Christian in his or her right mind still listens to this Gospel-less slob.
http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?p=4353
Rick never endorsed sola fide. In fact, he says that faith isn't the only thing required to please God.
from Chris Rosebrough at Extreme Theology going through 40 days of Community:
Discipline One: Each passage of scripture is to be understood according to its original context.
Discipline Two: Make sure that you are reading a good translation of scripture.
Discipline Three: The need to properly distinguishing between the message of God’s Law and the message of the Gospel.
Listen Carefully to these sound bites.
Sound Bite 1 - Nothing I Believe Will Matter
Notice how Warren's emphasis on love undermines the Biblical teaching that Faith alone saves.
Sound Bite 2 - It Takes More Than Faith to Please God (Just in case you missed it)
Sound Bite 3 - Only Thing That Matters
Sound Bite 4 - What is Love?
Sound Bite 5 - Love is a Choice
Pay real close attention to Sound Bite 5! In this quote, Warren violates all three disciplines that I listed above. Warren quotes 1 Corinthians 14:1 out of context, using “The Message” paraphrase. "The Message" quotes this verse as saying, “Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it, because it does”. Based on how Warren uses this verse, I'd have to assume that my life and my salvation depend on how well I love.
BINGO! I think you nailed it.
Hey Rick!
It’s deeds AND creeds!
Come on in....Rome will take you back!
There are interesting comments regarding this article at the Post blog at the link, too. Different points of view than those expressed here, as you can imagine.
Salvation through helping those with a sexually transmitted disease. Not sure what book he is reading, but mine says salvation by grace through faith.
Everything you need to know about Warren you can find in the book of Jude.
Rick just thinks he walks on water.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.