Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life ®

A Rebuttal by Robert E. Klenck, M.D.
[Bob Klenck's comments are in brackets.]
Pages

[LOVE!!!
No wrath, judgment, human depravity, repentance, reverential fear of God, or a literal burning hell. None of the Biblical limits or measures regarding human relationships or commands to carry out Biblical separation are mentioned. The closest that Pastor Warren comes to this is on page 150, when he misapplies the scripture regarding heretics (Tit 3:10), stating that “divisive” people should be confronted, as opposed to rejecting heretics after the second admonition. On page 31, he states that our purpose is to be our standard, and on page 186, he declares that we must accept the Bible as the authoritative standard for our lives. Yet, he doesn’t tell us which of the fifteen translations and paraphrases that he quotes from is “the authoritative standard for our lives.”]

[The following scriptures are not referred to:]

Acts 17:11 These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.(KJV)

2 Pet 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.(KJV)]

Page: 9 “Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:”

10 [Noah’s “purpose” – to preach righteousness for 120 years, and provide a means to escape the coming judgment. His life was not “transformed by 40 days of rain.”

Moses –

Spies – Num. 14 10 came back after searching the land for 40 days, started murmurings, were killed with plagues.

David – 1 Sam 17

Elijah – 1 King 19

Ninevah – Jonah 3]

“Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.” [– wrong: He was tempted. Mk 1:13]

“ The disciples were transformed by forty days with Jesus after His resurrection.” [versus on the day of Pentecost.]

11 “Real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit.” 

.”  [What about Noah and John the Baptist – their ministries were individualistic in nature.]

12 “… let’s sign a covenant together. … Let’s get started together!”

13 [Covenant to sign.]

17 “… everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Col 1:16 (Msg)”

[Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (KJV)]

“It’s not about you.”
[The rest of the book IS all about you.]

19 “Self-help books, even Christian ones, usually offer the same predictable steps to finding your life’s purpose: Consider your dreams. Clarify your values. Set some goals. Figure out what you are good at. Aim high. Go for it! Be disciplined. Believe you can achieve your goals. Involve others. Never give up.” …“This is not a self-help book.”

313 What is a Life Purpose statement?
-summarizes God’s purposes for your life [considers your dreams]
-points the direction of your life [believe that you can achieve your goals]
-defines “success” for you [sets goals]
-clarifies your roles [go for it]
-expresses your shape [finds out what you are good at]

The majority of this book is about involving others. Thus, from Warren’s own definition, this IS a self-help book.

[Ron Lippitt (a transformational Marxist), … developed the idea of a “preferred vision” … All of the corporate “vision” and “mission’setting” consultations of the 1980s would later descend from this practice.” Art Kleiner, The Age of Heretics: Heroes, Outlaws, and the Forerunners of Corporate Change, p. 41.]

[Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.(KJV)]

21 “The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity.”

29 “Others (people) are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.”

[Claiming that this is not group think, when it is exactly that – group think.]

30 ‘Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. ... The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose. … The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.”

[No, life without God is the greatest tragedy.]

31 “Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which aren’t.

[No, the blessed Word of God is to be the standard we use to evaluate every aspect of our lives.]

“Without a clear purpose you have no foundation on which you base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.”

32 “The power of focusing can be seen in light. … When light is focused … as a laser beam, it can cut through steel.”

37. [Hell defined –] “…if you reject his love (Arminian), forgiveness, and salvation, you will spend eternity apart from God forever.” [– wrong concept of hell]

“Tragically, many people will have to endure eternity without God because they chose to live without him here on earth.”
p. 85 – “eternal punishment” [no further elaboration of this concept]
p. 112 – “eternity in hell” [not defined]

38. [Weird “vibes”:] “Every act in our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate in eternity.”

46. “Luke 12:48b (NIV)
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  [beaten with stripes - avoided by Warren)]

[Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
(KJV) beaten with stripes (areas stricken out are areas avoided by Warren)]

53. “Pro 16:4 (NLT) The LORD has made everything for his own purposes.”  even the wicked for the day of evil.(KJV)]

[Prov 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.(KJV)]

“What is the glory of God? It is who God is. It is the essence of His nature, the weight of His importance, the radiance of His splendor, the demonstration of His power, and the atmosphere of His other intrinsic, eternal qualities.”

[judgment, anger, wrath (areas stricken out are areas avoided by Warren)]

54. God is … creative. [-not The Creator]

54-55. [Sin - (defined)] – “All sin, at its root, is failing to give God glory.”

55. “There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God’s five purposes for your life.” [-- Thus, since sin has been defined as failing to give God glory, then fulfilling God’s five purposes for your life (as summarized by Rick Warren), becomes equivalent to not sinning.]

“God’s five purposes for your life:

Worshiping
Loving other Believers
Serving Others
Becoming like Christ
Telling others about Him”

57. “Living the rest of your life for the glory of God…will sometimes mean choosing a difficult path instead of an easy one.”   [No, not sometimes – always:  2 Tim 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (KJV) Matt 10:38 "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me."(KJV)]

58. [Arminian – ] “ … if you will just make the choice to live for him.”
[God is misrepresented, thus, those who choose to live for Him, are living for a loving God, who is not holy, angry or a God of righteous judgment, they have not been commanded to repent, for them sin has been misdefined, and they have no fear of a literal, burning hell.]

Furthermore, this book says:

“First believe. Believe God loves you and made you for his purposes. Believe you’re not an accident. Believe you were made to last forever. Believe God has chosen you to have a relationship with Jesus, who died on the cross for you. …
[Why? – no mention of sins and propiation here – the reason behind His sacrifice on the cross – the fact that in order to execute the righteous judgment for our sins, that His sacrifice was required.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.(KJV)]

… “Believe that no matter what you’ve done, God wants to forgive you.”

[What about the unpardonable sin? -
Matt 12:31
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.(KJV)]

[Repentance and remission of sins were not mentioned:
Luke 24:46-7 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.(KJV)]

[Warren goes on to quote The Message:]

“The Bible says, “Whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! John 3:36 The Message”

[What the Bible really says:
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.(KJV)]

[Warren avoids the mention of God’s wrath.

64. “He wants you to enjoy life, not just endure it. The reason you are able to enjoy pleasure is that God made you in his image.”  [Firstly, man was made in the image of God PRIOR to the fall of man – man is no longer in the image of God.

[Once again, the Bible says: Eccl 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.(KJV)

Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;(KJV)  These are a couple of examples of the numerous verses exhorting believers to endure, not enjoy.  Another:

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.(KJV)]

64-5 [Inclusive of Catholicism and charismatic “worship” – stating:] “Worship can include … “ceremonies, candles, [charismatic] healing, miracles, and ecstatic experiences .” [
[Also, in Appendix 3, p. 326 – Warren quotes/utilizes Catholic Bible translations in the text of this book.]

[October 12-13, 1999 interview with Hank Hanegraaff, Warren describes churches such as Vineyard, and Melodyland as “good Bible churches.” – Churches that Hanegraaf would usually come against for their non-Biblical ecstatic experiences.]

“God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all”  Did God create the satanic rock and roll lyrics that are played over our airwaves today?]

73 “Jesus’ sacrifice” [– reason for it not mentioned.]

“thank him for what he has done” [what He has done – not defined.]

75 “Anytime you reject any part of yourself, you are rejecting God’s wisdom and sovereignty in creating you.”

[Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.(KJV)

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.(KJV)]

76 “He knows you are incapable of being perfect or sinless.”  [Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.(KJV)]

Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.(KJV)

Verse to Remember: “The Lord is pleased with those who worship him and trust his love.” Psalm 147:11 (CEV) 

Ps 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.(KJV)

**80-1 Rick Warren, by his own definition, is not surrendered to God. “You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation.” 

81 “our self-centered nature.”  [Contradicts p 75 – which stated that we are not to reject any part of ourselves.]

84 Verse to Remember: “Surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.” Romans 6:13b (TEV)

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.(KJV)

89 “Practicing the presence of God is a skill, a habit you can develop.”

Benedictine monks use hourly chimes of a clock to remind them to pause and pray “the hour prayer.”

93 God encourages us to complain about Him, second guess Him, accuse Him, and argue with Him, and on page 97, to wrestle with Him.

98 The truth is -- you are as close to God as you choose to be.

98 Implies that God won’t allow pain in your life, if you’re truly devoted to Him. – “If you’ve just been going through the motions spiritually, don’t be surprised when God allows pain in your life.”

[Once again, OUR CHOICE is emphasized. -1 Cor 12:24   For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:(KJV) – it is God who chose us, and is placing us for service – not we ourselves. 

John 15:16     Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.(KJV)]

104   [Encourages you to open up your mind to that which is untrue] – different translations and paraphrases of the Bible.  [Better to study Greek and Hebrew, so that you might find the intended meaning of the scripture by moving closer to the original texts, rather than steps further from those texts.]

104-5 Twists 1 Cor 14:16-17: “Being sensitive to unbelievers who visit your worship gatherings is a biblical command. To ignore this command is to be both disobedient and unloving.”

1 Cor 14:16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.(KJV)

“Worship Can Be a Witness” – Purpose-Driven Church (PDC) p. 241 – “More people are won to Christ by feeling God’s presence than by all of our apologetic arguments combined. … It is the sense of God’s presence that melts hearts and explodes mental barriers.” (No scripture referred to.) …

Ps 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.(KJV)

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(KJV)

Purpose-DrivenTM Church (PDC) p. 244 -> “… the message doesn’t have to be compromised, just understandable. … Changing the environment could be done through … the Bible translation you preach from.”

PDC P. 247 : “Three nonnegotiable elements of a seeker service: (1) treat unbelievers with love and respect, (2) relate the service to their needs, and (3) share the message in a practical, understandable manner. All other elements are secondary issues that churches shouldn’t get hung up on.

PDC p. 249 Spiritual maturity means giving up your absolutes (compromising) for the sake of unbelievers. – “Offering a seeker service … requires members who are willing to create a safe environment for unbelievers at the expense of their own preferences, traditions, and comfort. Enormous spiritual maturity is required to voluntarily move out of a comfort zone.”

108 Ascribes Psalm 22:1 to David, “Yet David frequently complained of God’s apparent absence:” [when this prophetic Psalm is actually the words of Jesus]: Ps 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (KJV)

109 Sin defined as: “disobedience, conflict with others [not limited to other believers, and busyness, friendship with the world, and other sins. [Then he references a scripture regarding Christians: conflict with others [not limited to other believers, [Then he references a scripture regarding Christians:  1 Cor 8:12  "But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.(KJV),  [we may even have conflict with other believers ie Paul and Barnabas],

1 Cor 8:12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.(KJV), [we may even have conflict with other believers as Paul and Barnabas],
busyness, friendship with the world [James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.(KJV)], and other sins.”

“Will you continue to love, trust, obey, and worship God, even when you have no sense of his presence or visible evidence of his work in your life?”

110 “Did you know that admitting your hopelessness to God can be a statement of faith?
Ps 116:10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:(KJV)   [No, our belief is our statement of faith – merely acknowledging our own depravity is not enough – we must believe on Him:  Acts 2:21  "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (KJV)]

[David believed, thus he confessed his own depravity – he humbled himself before almighty God.]

112 Jesus took all of mankind’s sin and guilt upon himself, [Universalism] Versus Limited Atonement.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.(KJV)

– does not say the sins of all, the scripture says the sins of MANY].

113 2 Cor 5:21 “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share your sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.(TEV)”

[Thus, according to Warren, we become equivalent with God.]

Actually, 2 Cor 5:21 says: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)”

Thus, we become equivalent with God.

118 James 1:18 And it was a happy day for him when he gave us our new lives through the truth of his Word, and we became, as it were, the first children in his new family.(TLB)

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.(KJV)

1 Pet 1:3
All honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are now members of God's own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead.
(TLB)

1 Pet 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (KJV)

“The invitation to be part of God’s family is universal.” [Versus Limited Atonement]

Is it?: Matt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.(KJV)

John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.(KJV)

Did He save the whole world. Does “the world” here mean everybody?

124 Relationships must have priority in your life above everything else.

[There are Biblical frameworks within which relationships must remain: None are mentioned in Mr. Warren’s book – except when he stated “that we are to confront those who cause division among Christians.”(p. 150) (text referred to concerns heretics: - please see the notes regarding p. 150 below) 

2 Cor 6:14-17-14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16   And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17     Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,(KJV)

Num 16:21- Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. (KJV)

Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

There are Biblical frameworks within which relationships must remain: [None are mentioned in Mr. Warren’s book – except when he stated “that we are to confront those who cause division among Christians.”(p. 150) [text referred to concerns heretics]:

2 Cor 6:14-17
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(KJV)

Num 16:21
21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.(KJV)

Rom 16:17
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1 Cor 5:11-13
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.(KJV)

125 Mother Teresa quoted: “It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters.”

[Does this mean that prostitution is okay, as long as it is done with love?] Untrue:
Rom 10:2-3 (referring to Israel)
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.(KJV)

Like Israel, Mother Theresa has a zeal for God, and had love but, it is not according to knowledge, and she did not submit herself unto the righteousness of God.

130 “The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship.”

John the Baptist, Stephen, Jeremiah, Noah, Ezekiel, Paul, etc..
Matt 3:1-5
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,(KJV)

131 You discover your role in life through your relationships with others. (Shift from God to man.) “(an organ) cannot exist on its own, and neither can you.”

133 “It (the church) is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love.  … the New Testament truth of being connected and dependent on each other.¹⁷  [Our dependency should be on Christ, and Him alone, our relationships with each other should be the natural outflowing of our relationship with Christ.]

17 (Our dependency should be on Christ, and Him alone, our relationships with each other should be the natural outflowing of our relationship with Christ.)

17 Eph 4:16
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
(KJV)

Rom 12:4-5
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
(KJV)

Col 2:19
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
(KJV)

1 Cor 12:25
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
(KJV)

136 “He created the church to meet your five deepest needs:
a purpose to live for,
people to live with,
principles to live by,
a profession to live out,
and power to live on.”

[No scriptural reference for this statement. – Wrong concept of church: Eph 4:12 "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV)  The church is designed for BELIEVERS, who are then taught how to yield to the Word of God, rather than how to fulfill their fleshly lusts (felt needs).]

137 “The Christian life … includes a commitment to other Christians.”

True, we should commit ourselves to a body of believers, but not a false body based on the humanistic model of Peter F. Drucker.

Ch. 18 [All about small “cell” groups, and “community”.]
Authenticity (transparency). p. 139
Mutuality(interdependence) – depending on each other. p.140
Accountability (to each other, not to God) p.140

139 Jesus ministered in the context of a small group of disciples. ...he knew twelve is about the maximum size you can have in a small group if everyone is to participate. ... every Christian needs to be involved in a small group within their church ... This is where real community takes place.

140 “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.” James 5:16 (Msg.)

The Bible really says:
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.(KJV)

(Nothing about making this a common practice, or confessing all of your sins on a regular basis to a group of people.)

142 “When … our faith falters, that’s when we need believing friends the most. We need a small group of friends to have faith in God for us and to pull us through.”

143 “You were created for community.”

145 James 3:18 (The Message) You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. [tolerance]

James 3:18
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (KJV)

146 Gal 6:1-2 Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again. (NCV)

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.(KJV)

147 “…the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship.”

147-8 1 Cor 5: 3-12 You must not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own. Bring it out in the open and deal with it … (The Message)

Actually reads:
1 Cor 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
avoids verse 13: But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.(KJV)

150 The fellowship of the church is more important than any individual.

God is very clear that we are to confront those who cause division among Christians.19

19 Titus 3:10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.(NIV)

The King James version of this verse reads:

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (KJV)
[So, anyone considered “divisive” is considered to be a heretic.]

150 I urge you to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship.

- share our true feelings (authenticity)
- encourage each other (mutuality)
- support each other (sympathy)
- forgive each other (mercy)
- speak the truth in love (honesty)
- admit our weaknesses (humility)
- respect our differences (courtesy)
- not gossip (confidentiality)
- make group a priority (frequency)

Matt 5:34 Swear not al all…37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.(KJV)

(Fellowship) means giving up our self-centeredness and independence in order to become interdependent.

[A shift from being dependent upon God, to being dependent upon the group.]

152 “Relationships are always worth restoring.”

“Paul taught that our ability to get along with others is a mark of spiritual maturity.” Rom 15:5 (MSG):

Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:(KJV)

155 Conflict resolution: “Nod that you understand even when you don’t agree.”

[In other words, affirm that which you do not agree with – LIE!]

158 [Putting aside differences for the sake of relationship: Dialectic Synthesis]:

“Emphasise reconciliation, not resolution. …Reconciliation focuses on the relationship, while resolution focuses on the problem. … We can reestablish a relationship even when we are unable to resolve our differences. .. we can disagree without being disagreeable. … we can walk arm in arm without seeing eye-to-eye on every issue.

Acts 15:38-40
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
(KJV)

161 Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.

“…for unity’s sake we must never let differences divide us.”

162 Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. … settling for the real without striving for the ideal is complacency. Maturity is living with the tension.”

166 You will give an account to God of how well you followed your leaders.

167 “At Saddleback Church, every member signs a covenant that includes a promise to protect the unity of our fellowship.”

191 “I cannot overstate the value of being a part of a small Bible study group. We always learn from others truths we would never learn on our own. Other people will help you see insights you would miss and help you apply God’s truth in a practical way.” [Dialectic, not didactic.]

250 [Find your spiritual gifts through trial and error.]

281 Made for a Mission

285 Jesus, speaking to His disciples: “He said in essence, “The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I’ve given you. Focus on that!” Acts 1:7-8 (NIV) quoted, However He gave them some details of His return in Matthew 24: 36-42 (and others).

300 Shift from local thinking to global thinking.

304     “What steps can I take to prepare to go on a short-term missions experience in the next year.”

 [All Christians are not called to be missionaries:                                                                            1 Cor 12:28   And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.29  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?(KJV)]              This agenda comes from Peter F.Drucker, a humanist who has influenced Saddleback (and numerous other “churches.)” – His goal is to gain global equality via communitarianism – a blending of communism and capitalism that results in communism.  The humanists believe that they can attain worldwide peace and prosperity (apart from God). Regarding peace, the humanists believe that national sovereignties and religious differences are the causes of all wars.   In order for the Christian church to fit into all of this, it must abandon it’s position of moral absolutism and focus on relationship-building (ecumenism). On page 124 Warren states:  ”Relationships must have priority in your life above everything else.” The Lord warned us against putting any human relationship above our relationship with Him:    Matt 10:37      He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.(KJV)   Additionally, the church must be convinced that they must contribute to worldwide wealth equity – thus, the emphasis here on EVERYBODY participating in missions experiences.]

 313     “You should develop a purpose statement for your life and then review it regularly.” – [No scripture quoted – again comes straight from transformational Marxists.]

More to come from Bob Klenck . . . Please feel free to contact Bob and also pray for him as he provides clear and important answers.