The Christ Driven Life
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Posted: 02/07/08
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The Christ Driven Life
We have all heard of the "Purpose Driven Life." Rick Warren, who is the author of one of the most successful (in terms of sales) books ever written, is now a bit like a rock star. There are Churches that now describe themselves as "purpose driven churches". If you read Warren's book you will find some things that agree with the bible. The problem, however, is with Warren himself. When he speaks to non Christian audiences he speaks in terms of living out your purpose. He then allows you to fill in the blanks as to what your purpose is and leaves Christ out of the discussion. The message is not about the eternal purpose of God in expanding the Kingdom of God in the hearts of people by bringing them the gospel. It is more like a motivational speech to encourage people to act upon their gifting and talents. The idea is to be purposeful in living rather than just getting by with no vision. I happen to like that message as a point that should be made concerning motivational vision. It is good to get motivated and act rather than accomplishing nothing in life, however the problem is that no gifting or talent will ever get you or I to heaven.
As a minister, Rick Warren must declare the gospel. It is not the gospel of your gifting and talents. It is not the gospel of your personal purpose or vision. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. If Warren preaches Jesus Christ and the bible as the word of God first, and then teaches about finding your gifting, talents and purpose in service to the gospel, that would be fine. Warren however dances around the question of salvation in Christ only. In his interview with Charlie Rose (about 21 min into the interview) he is asked about how we get to heaven and if he was saying that those who are not Christian are damned. He refused to straight forwardly say that Jesus is the only way and whoever tries to come to the Father in any other way is a thief and a robber (John 10:1). Warren went on to say that Catholics and Evangelical Christians have more in common than in disagreement. This is absurd since Catholics do not place the written bible as the final authority. Much of Catholic doctrine is superstition and idolatry. He also said that Christians have more in common with Muslims than secularists since they "believe in God". That is another absurdity. Muslims do not believe in the God of the Bible therefore as Christians we have no common ground with them at all. Warren says we need a "second Reformation that is not about theology." His Reformation idea is to bring together the liberal social gospel churches with the Evangelical churches because we as he put it "need both."
What is motivating this man? Is he some kind of purposeful deceiver? I don't think so. I think he is deceived and is spreading the deception with good intentions. As the old saying goes; "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Rick Warren is a globalist who believes that he can bring the world together under non essential doctrines. He has a a world-view that can be described as "Unitarian dominionism"; a view that tries to meld together Evangelicals, Catholics, liberal main line churches, and whoever else to accomplish his "global peace plan". It seems that his non essential mind set includes looking the other way concerning Marry worship, saint worship, main line denial of the inerrancy of Scripture, and idolatry. It seems clear that Warren has given himself over to a Unitarian mind set. He says that for him he is "betting his life on Jesus." Others may "bet on something else". Why not say the truth? Why dance around? Rick Warren has a tremendous opportunity to preach the truth but he will not because he knows that he will be rejected by the world if he does. This is the reason he skirts the issue and compromises, deceiving himself into believing that he should be "inclusive".
The inclusive mind set of Warren has led him to include Ken Blanchard in his leadership teaching. Blanchard is enamored with New Age pantheism. Blanchard is on the Advisory Board of an organization that promotes New Age philosophy called The Hoffman Institute. Those who have now been anointed by the world as "Christian Leaders" are now using their power to destroy Christian exclusivity. Do we who believe the bible also believe that Christianity is exclusive? You bet we do. It is exclusively for those who put their trust in the Jesus of the Bible, and hold to the teachings of it.
The Apostle Paul preached the Word with power and did not worry about offending the culture. He wrote;
"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness" - 1 Corinthians 1:23
"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified"
-1 Corinthians 2:2
The Apostle Peter wrote;
"And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed" - 1 Peter 2:8
When will Rick Warren and the others in the "emergent movement" understand that the Church is called to be Christ driven? When a Christian looks for a church to fellowship in, he/she should look for a church that preaches a Christ Driven Life. Not a church that is driven by a social gospel or motivation of unity without sound doctrine. Peace will not be ushered in by Rick Warren's "global peace plan" or by his membership in the globalist "Counsel of Foreign Relations." God has called Christians to bring reconciliation with God through the gospel message. Peace comes to the individual through the Church's message of salvation in Christ and no other. Jesus did not come to bring peace to the world. Consider the following Scripture;
Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven"
Here we see the importance of confessing Christ before men without shame. There is a strong promise here from The Lord that should motivate every believer.
Matthew 10:33 "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven"
Here we see that being ashamed of the gospel or allowing fear of what the world thinks stop us from confessing the only true Savior has a spiritual consequence. To have Christ deny you is a painful thought. No matter how big your "ministry" is, no matter how many books you sell, and no matter how many world leaders refer to you as a "Christian leader," it matters not if Christ denies you.
Matthew 10:34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword"
Rick Warren needs to understand that Jesus did not come to unify the world in peace. Jesus came to divide between those who receive him and those who do not. Christianity is open to all since Christ died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Having said that, every person must receive Christ as their Savior in order to be saved (John 3:7).
Matthew 10:35 "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law"
We must be willing to choose Christ even above our own families, and personal relationships.
Matthew 10:36 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household"
Even those in our own household will turn against us due to our faith in Christ and choice to follow him.
Matthew 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"
Nothing and no one can be placed higher in our life than Jesus Christ if we are to follow him.
Matthew 10:38 "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me"
We must carry our cross and that means many will turn against us and revile us for our Christian faith and stand for God's Word.
Matthew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it"
We must be willing to lose our position in the world's eyes and even our lives if necessary for the proclamation of the gospel. Pandering to the secularists and false religions (only Christian teaching is true) only brings the death.
It is not the best seller "Purpose Driven Life" that we should aspire to. It is the Christ Driven Life that motivates the true Christian believer. "The Christ Driven Life" has a book to study and live by. It is called the bible! You want purpose? You want motivation? You want truth? Put down the Purpose Driven Life book, pick up your trusty King James Bible, and discover the eternal purpose of a "Christ Driven Life."
Dr. David M. Berman
Senior Pastor, Author, Convention Speaker
211 Whitcomb Road
P.O. Box 10357
Swanzey, NH. 03446
Phone 603 352 9471
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