Posted on 03/17/2005 8:19:35 PM PST by buckeyesrule
STATEMENT FROM GRACE TO YOU:
John MacArthur on CNN's NewsNight with Aaron Brown
On Wednesday, March 16, CNN interviewed John MacArthur about The Purpose-Driven Life for a special broadcast of NewsNight with Aaron Brown (Paula Zahn substituting). John agreed to the interview because we saw it as an opportunity to clarify some important gospel truths that have been obscured in all the publicity surrounding the book's popularity.
John's critical comments about the book were brief but substantive. He highlighted some significant points where the thrust of the book is at odds with the message of Scripture. He pointed out, for example, that the true gospel is a call to self-denial, not self-fulfillment. The gospel is a message about redemption, not about life's purpose. The gospel according to Scripture deals with God's law, His grace, human depravity, redemption from sin, justification, sanctification, holiness, the nature of saving faith, and the lordship of Christ. And the true gospel's most essential features are the cross of Christ and the truth of the resurrection. None of those subjects is dealt with adequately or biblically in The Purpose-Driven Life.
In their own post-production editing process, however, CNN removed virtually all the substantive comments from their interview with John MacArthur. A voice-over by the CNN reporter introduced John MacArthur as someone who "preaches the gospel of a stern God," while the subtext identified John as a "skeptic."
CNN also inserted some remarks from secular media experts who seemed to think petty jealousy is the only motive two pastors might possibly have for disagreeing with one another. They made numerical comparisons between Grace Community Church and Saddleback, accompanied by a comment from a local newspaper's religion writer who declared that the difference between Warren and MacArthur was merely a dispute over two different marketing methods.
All of this gave a spin to CNN's interview that utterly misrepresents our concerns about the Purpose-Driven phenomenon. John MacArthur's criticism of this approach is not new, and it is not motivated by anything personal. We have been pleading for a more biblical approach to church leadership and evangelistic ministry for many years. John MacArthur's 1993 book Ashamed of the Gospel sounded this very alarm two years before Rick Warren published his first book describing his philosophy of ministry.
So the concerns we have raised are biblical and substantive, and not merely personal criticisms of Rick Warren. We wish the CNN interview had made those facts clear. We have certainly tried our best to make them clear.
Phil Johnson
I'll let you decide if this belongs in the religion section or not.
I missed this show for two reasons, 1.) March Madness and 2.) Aaron Brown and his blatant Liberal bias is unwatchable.
Well actually the show was on wednesday night....NIT Madness! LOL!
...or should I say Alias madness!
What are Freeper opinions of Rick Warren and his book?
I have my own issues with this book, which I'm currently listening to the audio version of. However, my difficulties with it aren't anything I'm going to press on anyone else who might benefit from the positive aspects of the book. Sounds like the guy criticizing it here is nitpicking because it isn't the book he would have written.
Rick Warren and his books have helped a lot of people. Jesus said by their fruits ye shall know them. The books help people. Enough said.
I have read many christian self-fulfillment books myself which I don't like. I haven't read Warren's book but it sounds like it's in that category.
The gospel is a message about redemption, not about life's purpose.I have nothing but respect for McArthur, but this statement is nonsense. If it were true, it would indeed make a pretty good slam on Warren's premise; but it is no more than a soundbyte, and a meaningless one at that.
I can see how some would see this as a petty argument from the silly issues that are being raised. I'm sure there is some valid criticism against TPDL, so why not raise that instead?
And, I can say that it has been one of the best things I have done in years.
I haven't read Mr. McAurthur's book, so I have nothing to compare it to. And, perhaps, because it is Lent or because I have been doing my daily devotion more devotely while reading the book, but The Purpose-Driven Life has had an important impact on me.
And, there's only 1 book that should be taken as scripture: it's called The Bible.
I'm sure that Rick Warren's book (or any of Mr. MacArthur's books, for that matter) could probably be criticized for getting something (or even several things) wrong.
That, though, doesn't seem to be the real issue here. It is CNN's package of the story. They want to show 2 "preachers" at odds. They want to show the "internal strife" that is ripping through the religious community over this or that book.
They do the same thing whenever there is even the slightest disagreement on political policy. One Republican thinks X, another thinks almost X. To CNN, this represents a "major rift" in the party.
CNN is a collection of leftist scum who wouldn't know the inside of a church or synagogue if it hit them in the face.
And, only by the Grace of God and the sacrifice of my Lord, Jesus Christ, do the people who produce this propaganda even have a chance at walking into God's great Kingdom. I only pray that they get it at some point.
Warren's book is hardly a "self-fulfillment" book. However, it would be accurate to say that at least one of the book's theses would be that your self-fulfillment comes in finding God's purpose for your life, with the emphasis being on God's purpose rather than your fulfillment.
I am not a cheerleader for "The Purpose Driven Life", but I can hardly see how Christians would find the book offensive, or even unscriptural. It certainly has many, many strengths, and has helped many people. Is is perfect? By no means.
By comparison, Oswald Chamber's book "My Utmost For His Highest" is also a wonderful book which has been used in the life of millions. But it too, is not perfect.
"What are Freeper opinions of Rick Warren and his book?"
As far as Ronzo is concerned, it is a most perplexing book for me to read. There are some sections that are so goofey it makes me want to throw the book in the garbage, and then there are other sections so brilliant and insightful one is honestly amazed.
While Warren has a five-fold purpose as the thesis of his book, there's really just one purpose: the purpose of man is to glorify God and enjoy a relationship with his Creator forever. (A paraphrase of Question 1 from the Westminster Shorter Catechism.)
Overall, I would say this book reads like a systematic theology for dummies. But since there are so many Christians ignorant of their faith, and many non-Christians curious about Jesus, then this is EXACTLY the type of book that many people need.
But, even I get some really good stuff out of it, and I've been a serious Christian for over twenty years.
There are much, much worst Chritian books on the market, even theologically correct ones! Sadly, most Christian authors are writing for the converted. It seems that Rick Warren realized that it might be a good idea to write a book which could introduce non-Christians to Christianity in a non-threatening way. In that goal, he has succeeded.
Well .. salvation was not the purpose of the book.
The purpose of the book is simple - believers and non-believers have asked the same question forever - WHAT AM I HERE FOR.
I haven't read the whole book, but I have read excerpts of it. It's mainly for people who are searching to know GOD better. Sometimes, before people can receive GOD as their personal savior, they need to discover who GOD really is; why he made the earth for them; why he loves them; and that he has a plan for their life.
To me .. this was just another attack upon Christianity by the LIBERAL HEATHENS trying to take down something good. After watching all the video of the lady who rescued the Atlanta killer - the non-Christians had to do something.
Why am I not surprised.
Ping.
If the Gospel isn't the Good News of what Christ has done for humanity, what is it?
Chewed gum is right in perspective here. The Gospel is the Good News of what Christ has done to redeem us to His purpose. Redemption without purpose is purposeless.
There is so much bad theology in the Purpose Driven Life I had to stop reading it. It is just awful.
ick.
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