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A PURPOSE-ENHANCED WORLDVIEW: Exalting the Fallen Creation
A Critique of The Purpose-Driven® Life

It is virtually impossible to mention the name Rick Warren and not in the next breath speak the word "purpose."  But we now know from his website that his "purposes" are much broader and deeper than we ever imagined.  His real "purpose" is the introduction of his P.E.A.C.E. plan which can be viewed here:  http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/PEACE/PEACE_Plan.htm  The essence of the real workings of his peace plan can be reviewed here:  The Emerging Global Church

The last time I checked The Purpose-Driven® Life by Rick Warren had sold over 25 million copies world-wide. One only has to watch the news or read their newspaper to see the book has a strong appeal to a variety of people. There must be a reason why this is so.  Is it that the message is so profound and precise that we meet the God of the Bible between its covers?  Or could it have such a mixed and esoteric message that anyone could find something in the book that is poignant for them?  I believe the latter is probably the more true statement.  The real message of this book may be in just noticing all the different kinds of people who you see enamored with it no matter their views of the historic fundamentals of the Christian faith!  In fact, I know of a "new-age" couple who love the book but reject the historic Christian faith. Surprising?  I don't think so. The reality is there seems to be underlying philosophies and wisdom in the PDL book which could be purposefully laying the groundwork for a growing world religion and humanistic spirituality.

INTRODUCTION

I believe it to be a generally accurate statement that the world loves to hear about the love of God. Unfortunately, most only really wish to hear about the love of God in His originally creating this world and humanity apart from any consideration of the fall of man. They do not wish to hear about the cross of Jesus Christ where God's real love deals with His own wrath against our sin. Unfortunately, the entire tone and theology of The Purpose-Driven® Life falls into the former category. The book begins with the Day 1 title "It All Starts with God."  But it should be "It All Starts with God's Original Intention in Creating."  Unfortunately, that original intention about which the Scriptures actually give us very little knowledge is over and done with because of the fall of man! Therefore, we could say:

Are we fearfully and wonderfully made? Answer: Yes.
Shouldn't this wonderful fact save us? Answer: No.

Don't we have an internal revelation from our creator that we are eternal creatures? Answer: Yes.
Doesn't this wonderful revelation give us a sure hope of eternity with Him? Answer: No.

Isn't it wonderful that when we look at the creation we know there must be a creator? Answer: Yes.
This must mean we each have the potential to know this creator in our present condition? Answer: No.

Is each of us created in the image of God? Answer: Yes.
Then "salvation" must just be readjustment so that we now see ourselves in this light? Answer: No.

Get the point? The hope of salvation for a true Christian or for anyone who is pondering the claims of Jesus Christ is not based in "general revelation" which is the term that has been coined to describe the above types of questions. Salvation is based and revealed in the revelation of the cross of Jesus Christ and not in the revelation of the original creation.  In the first three chapters of the book of Romans when Paul is laying out his gospel message he first shows how utterly needy and depraved we are in our circumstances as fallen man within the creation and before the law of God!  This is the foundation which Paul uses to then show us our desperate need for a Savior! Warren lays the groundwork for his "gospel" by somehow using the exact opposite tactic. Yes - he, like Paul, spends time talking about God the Creator. And he will talk about sin later on.  But the reasons and goals and contexts seem different.

CHAPTER ONE
IT ALL STARTS WITH FALLEN ME

The title of this chapter is "It All Starts with God." And that is how it is marketed. But the reality is the chapter focuses upon filling our minds with thoughts about the image of the one created - man - as related to the original creation. The problem is that just being born into this world does not equate with being born by his purpose and for his purpose (p.17) in a necessarily good sense. If we were not fallen creatures in Adam we could agree with what Warren is stating. But the reality is that we are born in Adam as rebellious to God. He uses the text of Colossians 1:16 at the very start to introduce his statement. But this quote is specific to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ as Lord over all of His creation. He does not include the full text which also says that he created all things "whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities." Why is this significant?  It is this. Jesus Christ is Lord over everything that has been created, whether it is in rebellion to Him or not!  He reigns OVER it!  So we must not prematurely take assurance or comfort in the fact that he has made everything for his purpose.

Next, we must ask - if this chapter really is all about God why does he misquote and misapply text of Scripture that enhance man's image in his fallen state. The following three points in chapter 1 confirm my statement.

1. Warren says (p.18)  "Many people try to use God for their own self-actualization..." He then denies that is what his book is about. Then continuing with his thought two paragraphs later on the very next page he quotes from:
The Message Bible - Which states your true self is found through self-sacrifice. And this self-sacrifice is God's way indeed of finding that true self.
The same Scripture in the NASB:  "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it."
The same Scripture in the KJV Bible: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it."
The Message Bible misquotes Holy Scripture! The context of the passage in question is of course the verse before: Matthew 16:24 - "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." {KJV}
Ponder for a moment the mistranslation: self-sacrifice is my way versus the true meaning "whoever loses his life for My sake." This is not about self "doing" through "self-sacrifice" so "self" can attain a "self identity."  In context it is about self "dying" - and - it is about the new object found, which is Jesus Christ - Himself, and not that which is supposedly the true self. This is the death of self to Christ. It is conversion - not self-actualization through self-sacrifice. And it is about a new identity but only as it relates to Jesus Christ and for His sake. Even though he says his book is not about self-actualization he uses a mistranslation of Scripture which makes this text seem like it is about self-actualization - which it is not. The Message Bible quote is obviously a very poor paraphrase of the Holy Scriptures which is then used by Warren to support his point.

2. Warren claims (p. 20) that we can have "God's wisdom" from the Word of God. He then quotes from the Bible a reference about God's wisdom in I Corinthians 2:7. Yet on the next page in describing this "wisdom" he relates the following story of someone who had an "experience" of deity. (p.21)
"Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: Without God life makes no sense. Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God's light." He then summarizes your purpose for life (via his book) as you walking into the light.
You should have just read a statement in a book on New Age Mysticism. At least you would have known it was New Age Mysticism!  But you just read this in a "Christian" book. But it doesn't matter what it is labeled. It only matters if it is truth. God's wisdom that Paul describes in I Corinthians 2:7 and to which Warren relates on page 20 is the wisdom of the cross!  You can read about its wisdom in I Corinthians 1:17-2:2 which is just before the passage he quoted! Jesus had to be crucified because we are sinners! This is the only way we can be saved. And the wisdom of the cross is that God can still be a holy God and yet can save sinners in the foolishness of the gospel preached. This wisdom is not that we can decide through some mystical experience that we need God and we secure the knowledge of God by "our walk into the light" apart from gospel proclamation. Salvation is of God and is based in the message of Christ crucified for sinners. So his example leads us astray.

3. And his quote of I Corinthians 2:7 leads us astray as well.
He quotes from the Message Bible. And that quote mentions that the "best in us" is brought out by God. And that fact is God's wisdom which is not new but old and deep in the framework of his purposes.
Now let's read the quote from the NASB: "But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory;" 
Now we read from the KJV: "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" 
As you can see, the Message Bible is misquoting the Holy Word of God once again!  There is no "best in us."  God's wisdom is the reality of His being able to save us through the gospel as Paul had already made clear in I Corinthians1:17-2:2.  That is what is to our glory. It was determined this way from eternity and it is His wisdom: Christ crucified for sinners! In our conversion He makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus with a new life from and in Him. This wisdom is not God bringing out his best in us.  In fact, the Scriptures say that our "old man" (sinful nature) was crucified at Calvary when we were placed "in Christ." (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:6)  God did not "bring out his best in us" in crucifying Christ.  In Christ Jesus, He forgave us all of our sins, identifying us with His crucified Son on Calvary, and recreating us anew, giving us a new heart!
Unfortunately, Warren takes you through the door of a different wisdom and labels it God's wisdom.  And you probably didn't even notice since you were reading a "Christian" book. Instead of your thoughts entering the door of "Christ Jesus crucified" they were taken through the door of "mysticism/humanistic philosophy." And the reality is that the "wisdom" throughout this book is consistent with the example and the Scriptural misquote already sited.  It has nothing to do with the wisdom which Paul describes in I Corinthians.

Thus, Warren begins his book laying a humanistic philosophy based in the original creation as if the fall was inconsequential to you. At the same time he is negating and twisting texts which normally would clearly describe to us the need and provision in Christ of His life and a new creation via His crucifixion, resurrection - and our death and new life in Him.

CHAPTER TWO
NO ACCIDENT HERE

"You Are Not an Accident" is the title of the second chapter of PDL. And thus Warren continues with his theme of purpose through an understanding of the original creation. But now he is down to specifics. This really is about God creating you. And, according to Warren, the thrust of this theme of purpose via an understanding of the original creation is even found in the New Testament Scriptures! That is in his misuse in using the Message Bible and then misapplying Scripture! Three examples should suffice:

1. (p.24) He quotes Ephesians 1:4a from the Message Bible - Which when taken out of its context looks like it is speaking of humanity as being the special focus of God's love even before He created.
KJV - "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world," NASB - "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,"
There is a key piece of information that has been left out of the quote? It is a love "in Him." It is the fact that this love is a love for His new creation. It is specifically through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus within the context of Ephesians 1. {Please read about it further in Ephesians 1.} So Paul's specific intent in Ephesians 1 is twisted to the point of negation!

2. (p.24) He quotes from the NCV in reference to James 1:18.
NASB - "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures."
KJV - "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Once again we see the very same misapplication. This text is not about birth in the original creation. It is about new birth in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

3. (p.24) "God formed the earth....He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18, GWT)
This is a most amazing quote if you are familiar with Martin Luther. The reason being, the text is in the context of a Scripture which he used in describing the humanistic "theology of glory" versus his Biblical "theology of the cross." This text on creation is in the context of God's redemptive purposes for Israel as their Savior!  Let's read the text in a fuller context. (Isaiah 45:15-22, NASB)

"Truly, Thou art a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, Savior! ....
Israel has been saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation;
You will not be put to shame or humiliated to all eternity.
For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens
(He is the God who formed the earth and made it,
He established it and did not create it a waste place,
But formed it to be inhabited),
I am the Lord, and there is none else....
And there is no other God beside Me,
A righteous God and a Savior;
There is none except Me.
Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth;
For I am God, and there is no other.

As you can see, this text about creation is in the context of God being the Savior of Israel, who is the special object of His love. Its context is about a specific redeeming love not a universal original creation love. But when you read Warren's comments just before and after his quote it is quite obvious he is applying this universally to a love for creation apart from God being a Savior. And Luther specifically saw verse 15 as pivotal to his theology of the cross. "Truly, Thou art a God who hides Himself." For Luther, God's "glory" is now hidden behind His cross!!! You can not see or know it clearly unless you truly behold the One who died on Calvary!!!

So it is not about God's love in the original creation! It is specifically about His love in Christ Jesus. This love was planned from eternity for His own and exhibited in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  Warren misapplies Holy Scripture in all of the above instances. And it is not that he simply leaves the theme out of these particular quotes he leaves it out of the whole chapter!  Go ahead - look for it - you won't find it. The New Testament is very specific as to the One who was given for us in the gospel - so that we are made new creatures in Jesus Christ. The love of God is not outside of the demonstration at Calvary - this is due to the fact that we are fallen creatures. It is specific to the Lord Jesus Christ who died on Calvary to redeem us. John 3:16 starts with the adverb "thus" or "so" which relates the love expressed in Christ to what went just before the familiar text. The children of Israel are being bitten by serpents and dying in the wilderness. And God intervenes. This is redeeming love! It is not original creation love - it is recreating love. But Warren's humanistic theme based on the original creation remains intact. And now he adds another ingredient - he misapplies the specifics of God's love and re-creation in Christ Jesus - as if they were universal.

CHAPTER THREE
THE DRIVING "FORCE"

The title of this chapter is "What Drives Your Life?" But then Warren soon asks the question "What is the driving force (emphasis mine) in your life?"  Evidently this is an internal force and although "driving" it is not meeting its potential. Warren lists five reasons why the human condition can miss the goal and suggests there are many other reasons. The problem according to Warren: this force that drives your life hasn't come under the guidance of God's purposes. In other words, it is misdirected, unfocused and misinformed. But Jeremiah 17:9 gives a different assessment of this "force" that drives our life: "The heart is more deceitful than all else, and is desperately sick, who can understand it?" (NASB)  This is a bit of a different take on the subject, wouldn't you say?  What is the driving force in my life? Could it possibly be a deceitful heart? This is not what postmodern man wants to hear, is it? So it is not mentioned. So Warren is letting us know that this is what the "God of the Bible" is all about: He is there to grant purpose to our misdirected "driving force" of life. Nothing could be further from the truth!  God is the author of new life in Jesus Christ - not a refocused or redirected old life. But - you might say that Warren informs his readers that God is in the business of giving "fresh" starts! So what is the problem?  This is true - but it is not true. That is because God is in the "business" of recreating. II Corinthians 5:17 says: "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB)  The "fresh start" comes from a "new heart" given in a new creation according to this passage. (The old "driving force of life" heart is crucified.)  And it is God who establishes this new relationship when He saves us. {It can be generally noted in Warren's writings and even his website that he often thinks like this: I will show you how you "can establish" a relationship with Jesus Christ.} But the reality is that we have the "fresh start" only as the result of being saved and it is He that does it. Not vice versa. And it happens when we acknowledge our need for a Savior from sin not our need for an avatar of purpose who Warren says is the God of the Bible and is evidently also the author/creator of this "driving force" of life. The real Jesus is Savior FROM SIN not Avatar FOR PURPOSE whom we then call "Savior." Thus, Warren's humanism remains intact, is clarified and enhanced toward his ultimate conclusions.

CHAPTER FOUR
DEATH AS "UNFAIR"

"Made to Last Forever" is the title of the fourth chapter. And according to the Bible we are "MADE" to last forever in one of two places. And if something or someone does not intervene we are already on the road to destruction. The results of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden were total and devastating. They are (not were) spiritual and physical death, along with a few specific curses for Adam and Eve and the serpent. It was the just due of man before a Holy God and it was God's curse upon their disobedience. Yet Warren says that "death always seems unnatural and unfair." (p.37). Why does he throw this "spin" upon the curse of God? And the real tragedy of death is the second death according to the Holy Scripture which is eternal separation from God. And apart from Jesus Christ the condition of any of us is eternity without God. We are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) And death is what our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ had to conquer on our behalf! And unless God in His infinite mercy and grace saves us through the gospel we remain in our already lost condition. Let me say this again unless Jesus Christ in His infinite grace and mercy saves you and I from our sinful condition we have no hope! And physical death is not unfair it is a curse - and God's curse at that. It is the result of our sin before a holy God.  Physical death is absolutely not a "door to eternity" (p.40) that we go through which will be our "birthday into eternal life." (p.40)  Death is the result of our disobedience in Adam! And unless we already possess the life of our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ it is a very awful day indeed. But you should carefully note that Warren never clearly presents Christ Jesus as Resurrected Lord, the One who conquered death, who destroyed the powers of darkness at Calvary nor Coming King on the clouds of heaven in the first seven chapters! And yet, if you wait for two more chapters, he will offer a prayer you can quietly whisper. And when you do you have "believed" and become a part of the family of God on page 59.  However, it is spiritually deadly to present death as unfair, when it is actually a curse and then present death as a door and then present a "Jesus" as waiting for us on the other side of this door which he says is our "birthday" - and then to forget to mention that death is what our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had to conquer on our behalf!  But this is what Warren has done!  The real Jesus is Lord over HELL, DEATH and THE GRAVE not the one we call "Lord" who is waiting for us on the other side of this DOOR CALLED DEATH. After reading chapters 1-4, I can imagine a conversation between the Serpent and Eve after the fall of man that might have gone something like this:

Eve: I thought you said we would gain wisdom in eating the fruit. Instead we got what God calls death.

Serpent: Death? And you say He kicked you out of the garden? Doesn't that seem a bit unfair of God? Seems to me that is kind of taking things to the extreme a bit.

Eve: Well - it does seem kind of extreme.

Serpent: God is only implying death is bad so that He can keep you from disobeying Him again. He seems a bit obsessive about this obedience thing - don't you think? Maybe you should go back and talk with Him about it. And besides - you are created in His image. That should carry a little weight when you talk with Him. Maybe He'll change His mind about this "death" thing. And you know - He is a very loving God.

Eve: Well - yes - Adam and I did know Him as such.

Serpent: What you don't understand is that what God labels as death is really just a door into heaven. And there is a party on the other side. I've been there and seen it! Someday when you die you will find this out. Besides I think you have already paid enough of a price for just one act of disobedience. Don't you think?

Eve: Yeah. Well, maybe. Actually you're absolutely right - we have paid quite a price already - getting kicked out of the garden and all. Oh - so then I guess I don't have to really worry much about this death thing?  After all - you are right - I was created in His image. In fact - now that you have shared with me about it being my birthday into heaven I can almost look forward to it. So I shouldn't worry?

Serpent: I wouldn't.

Eve: But I am still kind of curious as to why God said He had to kill this Lamb and put his skin on us? I wonder - which one did he kill? Adam named all the kinds of animals - but I named each of them you know. It never seemed before like He would do such a thing? It seems sort of out of character for Him. It is as if He was angry with us.

Serpent: But how can He be angry and still love you? I don't think He would change like that do you? And God said He had to pour forth the life of that little lamb just so you could have its skin? Since you didn't need it before why would you need it now?

Eve: Well God has a little different "spin" on this death and image thing.

CHAPTER FIVE
GETTING A "HANDLE" ON LIFE

The title of this chapter is "Seeing Life from God's View." But what he really means is "seeing" is "shaping."  "How you define life determines your destiny." (p.41) Ponder this statement as a created being for just a moment. I am sure that the last time you looked at the stars in the heavens this is the exact phrase that crossed your mind - am I right????  Warren has this incredible capacity to say or give the impression that he is being God-centered in his thinking. And yet everything is turned back upon man as being the central focus. This chapter has a section that deals with the "tests" and "trusts" of our lives as a "stewardship" before God. And they are probably accurate statements for the most part. But what is their context?  Is Warren saying man is creature or "determinator."  He has brought "God" into the picture but is it the sovereign God of the universe?  Do his "stewardship" statements become misstatements because they are not centered upon the reality of life from God in Christ Jesus?  They don't seem to be based on the sovereignty of God in such life. This chapter is about the possibility of you gaining or reclaiming or refocusing a life which he then calls the purpose-driven® life. And in the process you shape that life. But that can't be the Christian life because the Christian life is about Jesus Christ giving us His life. The Scriptures state that "in Him was Life" and that "He who has the Son has Life." First - we have a new life in Christ Jesus. It is His life given for us and to us. And because we have been purchased by Him based on His redemption at Calvary our lives are not our own. So then, how could it be about you shaping your life when such life is not your own? It is supposed to be about the new life a Christian has been given as a gift through the Lord Jesus Christ. And the stewardship is our continual response to His sovereign work in and through us. Therefore, we don't determine our stewardship because we don't determine our destiny. This new stewardship we are given is within the framework and sovereign control of an all holy, loving and providential Creator. Unfortunately, Warren's humanistic underpinnings once again shine brightly.

CHAPTER SIX
CITIZENS, STRANGERS - AND REJECTED

"Life Is a Temporary Assignment" or so goes the sixth chapter. Most people sure don't act like the world is only their temporal home. Maybe that is why we have to be told. Warren tells us in this chapter that our life is a temporary assignment. True! And it is a mistake to assume that the goal of God for your life is "worldly" success. True! And that every one of us really has a "dual" citizenship. True! And that the physical place called "this earth" is not our final home. True! And that as a disciple of Jesus Christ you have the potential to be reviled and misunderstood and labeled an enemy by the "god" of this present evil age along with those upon this earth. And in fact such disciples of Jesus Christ have the potential to be put to death for their beliefs. Oops! Warren has left that out. The lofty thoughts as presented in this chapter have nothing to do with the "cutting edge" nature and character of Holy Scripture, the call of Jesus Christ for His disciples, the experiences of all the Apostles, let alone Jesus Himself, and anything remotely associated with the challenges of the Christian life. By that I mean - what the rest of the world knows as Christianity compared with the "Americanized" version of the "Christian" life. Why don't Americans suffer for the gospel of Jesus Christ? One reason only. We refuse. We must only be "contagious" Christians. Well that is certainly better than being an "obnoxious" Christian. But it is not what it means to be an ambassador of another kingdom when that kingdom is absolutely contrary to your present living quarters. Paul uses the metaphor of "aroma" in describing the Christian witness in this world. (II Corinthians 2:14-16) And this aroma is two different scents  depending on the condition of the person you happen to be rubbing elbows with at the moment. And although Warren says Christians are strangers in this world and citizens of another place he ultimately just has us "passing through" and pretty comfortably at that, which is most unfortunate. It in no way even remotely helps us to begin to understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This kind of "discipleship" only flies in Western culture.  {It is reported that approximately 150,000 Christians are martyred every year for their faith in Jesus Christ.  The 20th century was the bloodiest of all in church history! All Christians should be aware of this reality and all Christians should expect to pay for their faith with their lives - even if God should ordain it not happen to you. The price of knowing and following the real Jesus Christ could even change in the western world - so be prepared.}

CHAPTER SEVEN
"FAILING" TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD

The title of the seventh chapter is "The Reason for Everything." Well it's time to roll up your sleeves. Fallen man is now going to live for the glory of God. And how can fallen man bring glory to God. Warren lists five reasons. And he once again has fallen man look to the original creation and specifically Gods' glory in the creation - to bring us to "faith" and the all important "purpose-driven® life."  Even Jesus lived this purpose-driven® life - so you can too! Oops! Oops! Oops! Warren takes his readers through a series of missteps to bring Jesus to our level and raise fallen man to Jesus' level.

1. On page 54 he lists a series of opportunities that God has given for fallen man to "see"  God's glory. Jesus is one in the list. NO! Jesus is NOT one in a list!

2. Immediately following this statement Warren has a perfect opportunity to tell us that Jesus is Unique and Incarnate Deity. He quotes John 1:14. But he leaves from the quote: "glory as of the only-begotten from the Father" which is a specific reference to His deity. And this is in the context where he says that Jesus is one who "illumines" the world.  Many people and religions in the world view Jesus as someone who "illumines" the world, including those who believe in the Christ of the New Age movement. And some view Him even as someone who "came into the world" but not uniquely. But they do not see His uniqueness as Incarnate Deity, and Lord and Savior in their Biblical context. And even the word "son" is not defined specifically in many peoples' minds, nor is it by Warren. It is used very uniquely of Jesus in the Scriptures.

3. On page 55, "Jesus honored God by fulfilling his purpose on earth. We honor God the same way." Once again, Warren belittles the uniqueness of Christ and elevates the abilities of man. Within the immediate context it is about us "refusing to give glory to God" and so - now it is time. But the truth is - we can't - not apart from the unique ministry of Jesus Christ! It is not Christ's example for us to then also "copy" because we decide we too can live to God's glory. It is the reality of our obedience within the context of Christ's redemptive work and His saving and recreating us. He is the only reason we can live to God's glory and the glory of the gospel.

4. Jesus struggled with following a difficult path to bring glory to God on page 57 - just like you. When he was facing His crucifixion was when this was made clear. Warren states "Jesus stood at a fork in the road. Would he fulfill his purpose and bring glory to God, or would he shrink back and live a comfortable, self-centered life? You face the same choice." Why does Warren think that Jesus can shrink back and live a "sinful" life????  And how in the world can either you or I be facing the same choice in the same way that Jesus did?  Do you see this quote as belittling to our Savior and as self-glorifying of man? And this takes place just moments before people are asked to "believe" on him. Why does it sound to me like you are really being asked to "believe on yourself?" (For further insight see my review "The Jesus Who Stood at a Fork in the Road" www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/fork.htm)

So now we come to the ground of the cross. And what do we find there. After 7 chapters Warren asks us to consider: "It's time to settle this issue. Who are you going to live for - yourself or God? (page. 58) 
Not - it's time to understand you are a fallen sinful creature.
Instead "believe you're not an accident"
Not - it's time for you to be crucified!
Instead - "believe you were made to last forever"
Not - it's time for you to see the Savior bore the wrath of God for your sins!
Instead - "believe that no matter what you've done, God wants to forgive you."
Not - it's time to repent.
Instead - "believe God loves you and made you for his purposes."
Not - it's time to be broken and amazed at holy, redeeming and unmerited love.
Instead - "believe that no matter what you've done, God wants to forgive you."

So when you look at the cross what do you think? Who are you going to live for? Or "Is this what it cost My Lord and Savior? "What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul."  The sad fact is Warren soothes our souls instead of allowing the Spirit of God to bring conviction to us of our sinful ways. He does this through a combination of two things.
First is the constant emphasis on general revelation in the original creation. These things always find a "yes" response in the human heart but the problem is we are fallen creatures and therefore we pervert the revelation!!! 
Then, second, is his continuation of this theme with the constant watering-down of the abiding and enduring realities of man's already present fallen and lost condition before a Holy God. And the lack of horror of that condition before a holy God - which Jesus Himself clearly understood in the Garden of Gethsemane since He would bear that penalty!  These two things are a spiritually deadly combination.
The final stage is set for us along this path by his expressing his gospel in terms of "whispering" a prayer that puts a change of eternity in your hands - instead of being "convicted" by the Spirit as a sinner with sorrow for that sin, repenting and trusting the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Only He can change a destiny.

Warren's gospel is not about our conversion in Jesus Christ. It is not about the "crucifixion" of our sinful nature. "Let Jesus do the dying - I want to live!" seems to be its mantra. Unfortunately, the western world is filled with this kind of "gospel" message. It is not about Christ Jesus crucified for sinners as Paul preached. The Apostle Paul said he gloried in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14) and that the word of the cross (i.e. its "meaning") is foolishness to those who are perishing (I Corinthians 1:18). The same text says the saved view it differently. It is the power of God.

Since this chapter is about "failing to give glory to God" let's look at three fundamental concepts as it relates to God's glory and man's failure to give glory to God:

1. Romans 1:23 - This text says about man that we "exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man..."  In man's fallen condition he is most willing to exchange a true view of God's glory for a perverted one. How does man do this? He exchanges the revelation of the character of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. If we don't like the fact that God is holy we pervert His image. If we don't like the fact that God's love is specific through His Son, Jesus Christ we make it universal. If we don't like the fact that God's wrath is revealed from heaven we say that His love in Christ already has affected our eternal outcome, we just don't know it yet, etc. We repaint God in our image and then "accept" or "believe" him. We should be careful that someone doesn't help us to do this. We can not exchange the revelation of the God of the Bible as One who is ALL Holy and ALL Righteous and ALL Loving and in ALL of these Immutable - so that he is then made palatable for fallen man. If we do we have exchanged the images. And, yet, we have still been told it is "gospel." 

2. The outcome of exchanging the glory of God is "double-speak."  Warren says he is helping us to glory in God. And yet, clearly, he glories in man bringing his "driving life force" under the direction of the Creator. But as such, it cannot possibly be glorying in God because it does not glory in the God who recreates us in Christ Jesus through the message of the cross. That is not what Paul or any of the apostles preached or expected to take place in the word of the cross. Warren's "gospel" strokes and soothes our Adamic ego to then bring it to "faith." 

3. In a careful reading of the Apostle Paul in the Holy Scriptures as relating to "glory" one finds a very important fact. He did not glory in the God of creation, he did not glory in the "feelings" he got through worship, he did not glory in what he had accomplished, he did not glory in his own Christian life or walk, he did not glory in the false concept of he himself being able to bring his life under God's direction - he only gloried in the cross of Jesus Christ by his own words! (Galatians 6:14)  Warren is quite content to have the cross be one of a number of things, which seems to really be in our hands, to bring glory to God. If we do this we no longer glory only in the Lord Jesus Christ of the gospel.

And now what I promised in my introduction. Further proof of my conviction of this is found in the first session of his "40 Days of Purpose" video tape (Fall 2003). This first session, which introduces this book into many churches and which supposedly introduces people to Christ, fails to even mention that Jesus had to go to Calvary to die for our sins! Does that sound like "glorying" in the God who placed His Son on the cross for you?  And yet he leads people in a prayer and welcomes them into "the family of God."  And many Christians sit under the preaching of the tape not even realizing that is what has happened! Not realizing it was a different gospel means you were mesmerized into believing it was something that it was not! What spirit did that to you? And, unfortunately, people who prayed the prayer were told something they should have never been told based on his "gospel" presentation. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. And only the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Holy Spirit has absolutely nothing to do with an unholy gospel - no matter if you pray until you are blue in the face! True Biblical faith only comes in the preaching and receiving of the true gospel. When someone arrives (even via a video tape) and delivers a "different gospel" there is a Scriptural understanding and obedience which all true Christians should realize at that point. {Carefully read and understand your call in Galatians 1:6-10 and II John 1:8-11} This is why my review of this book is so forthright. I simply see in chapters 1-7 a continuation and confirmation of the first session of the video tape. And there is something far worse than not being converted to the Lord Jesus Christ of the gospel - it is not being converted and then being told that you are going to heaven. Pray this doesn't happen to you or someone you love.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission; (www.lockman.org) When referring to "PDL"  references are taken from: The Purpose-Driven® Life by Rick Warren, Zondervan Publishing,Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49530, USA, Copyright 2002.Can be linked as: A Purpose-Enhanced Worldview: Exalting the Fallen Creation by David Sheldon

Copyright 2005, David Sheldon, all rights reserved. Can be photocopied only in its entirety, including all copyright information and references but not for profit. (Excluding price of duplication if so desired.) www.atrueandfaithfulwitness.com/purposeenhanced.htm

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