Give Jesus a 60-day trial..

I am no fan of Rick Warren. But I saw that interview, and here is the context of what he said...........
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Like I said, I have never been a fan of Mr.Warren, but in this interview, he did not reject the Gospel.

 

...which is not true. I've come to expect that from you, though. Kind of like calling him a "great theologian....and then stating you could never sit under his ministry. Not trying to tear anyone down, huh?

 

I don't think any man deserves that title. Excellent evangelist, solid theologian.

 

My opinion of RW is based on what I've seen and heard from him in interviews, both radio and tv, and his book PDL. I find him to be weak in his presentation of the gospel, given he has such a huuuuuge platform from which to proclaim it. He is popular on many secular programs because of this. Ever wondered why Oprah is so captivated by him? If he were to proclaim that without Christ as your Savior, you're headed for hell, he would not be so welcome on Larry King, Fox News, CNN, ect.....
He appeals to the unbelieving population that wants to hear that they're going to heaven whether they put their faith in Christ or not. I'm not saying that he believes this. I'm saying that's the way he is "perceived". I say that because if I was an unbeliever, I would not have a very clear understanding of how to go to heaven based on RW's gospel presentation.

A person needs to know why they need a Savior. I haven't heard a lot about that from RW.

I do have a problem with this quote from his website.

We are not marred by an attitude. We are marred by sin. We do not have a "tremendous potential for good" as sinners under the wrath of God. We can only do good for God once we are indwelt by His Spirit.

It is not our "attitude" which separates us from God. It is SIN.


This is my opinion and I do not expect you to agree with it. I do not hate RW and certainly wish no harm to him. This is just how I see him.

 

WARREN: Give him a trial. See if he'll change your life. I dare you to try trusting Jesus for 60 days. Or your money guaranteed back.

Whatever that is it is not the Gospel. To put it more bluntly it is nonsense. Jesus Christ said in John 3:3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

A person does not get born again and then unborn.

The Apostle Paul states:

Romans 1:16.
16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

And in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul further defines the rebirth or regeneration.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Wd,do you really think that Warren is an "excellent evangelist,solid theologian"?If you actually rank him so highly -- who would be considered a poor theologian for instance?

 

What does that have to do with this thread? I said "solid" theologian. I've heard him preach before.

 

You seriously misunderstand his entire point. The point is if you were to take his "challenge", there would be no "return period". People, he was using a metaphor! He was not being literal like you all would want it to be so you can continue the barrage on his character!

 

Thanks for the feedback, but I really wish you would look into his ministry further besides tv interviews. I have never heard him say there is any other way besides Christ on any tv interview, so I'm a little perplexed where you got that from.

Curious...an "attitude of disobedience" is not the same thing as sin? This is what I referred to earlier, us "veteran" believers who speak "chritianese" have problems with some of the phrases and terms he uses. He is relating to those people who don't speak our language, kind of like Paul did

 

I don't know anything about Warren's character so I can't speak to that. However, his theology does not appear to be Biblical.

 

His interviews are what unbelievers see, is it not? This is where he will reach the unchurched. He needs to preach the gospel, not part of it. The unchurched aren't going to look into his ministry to see if he's a solid preacher. All they're going to see is TV interviews.
I didn't say he preached another way besides Christ. I said an unbeliever could easily perceive it that way.

If you can show me from the Bible where we are condemned based on an "attitude", I'll listen. But I've never read anything like that. I've not heard any other preacher use that term either. It definitely softens sin.

Anyhoo, that's just MHO. I could be wrong, but well, there it is.


You didn't answer my question about Oprah. Why do you think she likes RW's books so much? You know she believes there are many roads to heaven. I'll tell you why. RW's gospel is not offensive. Jesus' gospel is offensive.

 

I've never heard that Oprah like RW. Where did you see that?

 

She praised PDL on her show when the book was so popular and told how it had really helped her life.

 

Since she thinks she is a religion in herself, maybe she just assumed the book was about her.

 

I get the same impression as Amy does. To explain, I kind of get the same feeling watching him on TV as I get when I see people trying hard to be their children and their children's friends buddies instead of being parents to them. Just kind of that vibe where how they are perceived is definitely on their minds and affects how they might act or what they might say.

I am sure RW's church is of sound doctrine, but when he is on TV with an audience of millions, I am always waiting for him to really take a swing at some of the questions posed and try and hit one out of the park. But it feels like he is always trying to draw the walk instead.

I think many non-Christians can listen to him on his TV interviews and miss the gospel message entirely.

 

COLMES: True, and I think that's a wonderful message. But if you don't accept Jesus, if you're not something who goes that route religiously...
WARREN: Yes.
COLMES: ... can you find your way to heaven? Can you still be — go to the same place when it's all said and done?
WARREN: I'm not the authority on that, but I believe Jesus is. And everybody's betting their life on something. Jesus said, "I am the way." I'm betting that he's not a liar. I'm betting that he told the truth.

Was this drawing a walk?

 

I think yes, going for the home run he would say Jesus is the only way. Many people feel that there are many ways to heaven, Jesus only being one of those ways. Those people would still believe that after RW's interview without any pause.

 

One more thing he prefaces his statements with "I am not an authority on that", I have seen Joel Olsteen do that same type of thing, that even weakens what he is about to say that much more. He is basically telling people he doesn't have authority to proclaim Jesus as the only way to heaven. Every Christian is an authority on that point, or at least they should be.