Extreme Theology

...with Gentleness and Respect

After my meeting with Rick Warren I had decided that I would be commenting and critiquing some of the content that he taught at the Purpose Driven conference. I still intend to do that. However, after seeing the 'fire storm' that was created after I publicly thanked Rick Warren for his generosity and for being a gracious host it became sadly clear that there is another issue that must be addressed.

The chief passage regarding apologetics and defending the faith is found in 1 Peter 3:15. It reads:

1Pet. 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

The battle for truth or the 'truth war' as some have called it, has taken a bad turn. Some segments of the battlefield have degenerated into ad hominem bickering and biting and toxic vitriol. This is not what Christ has called us to. In fact, that behavior is contrary to the clear teachings of scripture which call us to defend the faith with 'gentleness and respect'.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a deep passion for the gospel and I will arm wrestle anyone in order to make the case that the message of 'Christ crucified for our sins' should be the central message of all of our sermons, lessons, studies, books and devotional material and many of you who read this blog and follow my public teaching share that same passion for the gospel.

What I find ironic almost to the point of irreconcilable contradiction is that there are some that claim to share a passion for the gospel yet they employ the most demeaning and vicious forms of personal slander and ad hominem attacks in their "defense of the gospel". I don't see how this contradiction is even possible because the gospel message is the good news of how "God so LOVED the world" that His only begotten Son died for my sins and yours on the cross and thereby reconciled us to himself in one supreme act of LOVE. Furthermore, God has entrusted us with this message of reconciliation.

2Cor. 5:18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

I know that I have been guilty of the very behavior I am decrying in this post and I am deeply sorry for committing this sin and repent of it. That being said, I am appealing to all of my Christian brothers and sisters who have a passion for defending the truth and defending the gospel to repent of ad hominem and personal attacks and let your actions and statements and debates always be seasoned with love, compassion, gentleness and respect.

Contrary to what you may think, love, gentleness and respect do NOT compromise the Gospel. Instead, love, gentleness and respect are the fruits of the gospel in our lives and they only make our defense of the truth even stronger and more convincing. In fact, it doesn't matter if your theological precision is accurate to one one hundredth of a percent and all of your apologetic arguments are irrefutable. Attacking and demeaning and belittling are not actions that are in keeping with the gospel.

In the days ahead I will be posting my Biblical critique of the material I heard at the Purpose Driven conference. I am not doing this in order to personally attack Rick Warren, nor am I interested in slicing Rick Warren up into little pieces so that I can feed him to a hungry school of 'theological pirana'. Instead, I will be posting these critiques as part of an ongoing debate and dialog. The debate and dialog is necessary so that we can all wrestle with the scriptures, defend the gospel, identify and correct error and build people up in the truth.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12 )

Thank You to Rick Warren and Saddleback

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Rick Warren. This meeting was made possible by the generosity of Rick Warren and Saddleback Church. I want to personally thank Rick Warren for the invitation and his generosity with his time and resources. He was truly a gracious host.

Many of the readers of this blog would like details regarding the meeting. Here is what I would like to say on the matter...the meeting with Rick Warren lasted for a little over an hour and was a face to face with myself and Bob DeWaay of Critical Issues Commentary. The tone of the meeting was wonderful. Warren was genuinely interested in getting to know us and he was receptive in hearing both Bob's and I's concerns and critiques of his doctrine and practices. Never once did the conversation turn hostile or angry and Warren was more than willing to answer and address our toughest questions and most serious concerns. Both Bob and myself focused our comments on the Gospel and were encouraged by Warren's receptiveness to both listen to and interact with our concerns.

Neither Bob nor myself were required to sign a non-disclosure and we are being provided with a recording of the conversation. However, I have NO intention of making that recording available to the public because I do not believe that to be appropriate nor would it be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting or the love of Christ.

Over the next week or so, I will be writing a Biblical critique of some of the content of the Purpose-Driven conference. The purpose of this critique is to continue a Biblically grounded dialogue so that we all may wrestle with and engage the Word of God in order that errors within the Body of Christ may be corrected and the good news that Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins may be proclaimed so that we all may be called to a life of repentance AND the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:44-47).

Grace and Peace to you all in Jesus Christ,

Chris Rosebrough

Purpose Driven Community Gathering - Day One

* Note: These are my notes and initial impressions about what I heard at the Purpose Driven Community Gathering. This is NOT NOT NOT my response to what I heard and experienced. My response, if I write one at all, will not come until after I've had time to reflect and process all of the information.

Today, tomorrow, and Thursday I am attending the Purpose Driven Community Gathering. This is an invitation only event and Warren personally invited friend and foe alike.

I am blogging from a table reserved for the media, press and bloggers.

Already, Warren has announced that there will be some important announcements at this conference. One announcement pertains to a new network that will be launching soon called the "P.E.A.C.E. Coalition".

This version of P.E.A.C.E. breaks down this way.

Promote reconciliation (to God & others) and Plant Churches
Equip Servant leaders
Assist the poor
Care for the sick
Educate the next generation

The first session of the conference was about "Personal Spiritual Renewal"

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The second session is about growing a spiritually mature church.

Oddly enough, as one who watches and listens to just about everything Warren says in public, I have heard many many many of the things that Warren has said this morning. I'm thankful for that because I think I'd be crawling out of my skin because of Warren's habit of misquoting the Bible.

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What is most interesting about Warren's lectures is that they have been peppered with information and counter-claims to many of the criticisms leveled against Warren and Saddleback. In a way, Warren has come out swinging.

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Not surprisingly, Warren's reformation of Deeds NOT Creeds is at the core of his definition of Spiritual Growth.

"Maturity is relational not intellectual."

"Jesus is the model of maturity."

"It is a myth that you can grow by attending church and listening to sermons."

Warren's primary definition is based upon behavior.

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"Secret #2" in Warren's method of spiritual maturity...

"Spiritual Growth is Intentional"

"We Grow by Making Commitments" says Warren.

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Warren claims that you have to have a 'process' for moving people from the commitment of "come & see" to the commitment of "Come & Die".

Warren's using a Really bad hermeneutic here.

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What are the tools that Saddleback uses to 'build lives of obedience'?

1. Weekly Commitment Cards - Every sermon has to come down to two words "will you". Cards capture commitments.

2. Covenants - Nehemiah 9:38-10:1 in the Living Bible

3. Message Notes - we forget 90%-95% of what we hear within 72 hours.

Sheeesh! - Does God's Word do anything in Warren's view? When you measure spiritual maturity by behavior and commitment level then it makes sense that these practical tools are being promoted as the answer.

The assumption here is that retention is the key to applying the practical information you're hearing in an law based sermon. If I retain the information then I'll become more obedient or go deeper in my commitment. Therefore, my behavior will change and that equals 'spiritual maturity'.

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Warren likens his systematic incremental process to a Catechism.

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Warren claims that we grow by "good habits" or "spiritual disciplines".

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"Secret #7" - Spiritual Growth is multi-dimensional

Warren claims that it is a myth to believe that "maturity is measured by your Bible knowledge" but then he goes on to completely misquote Titus 2:1. He quoted it from the GW (?) which says, "Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings"?

Here's what that verse says in a good translation...Titus 2:1   But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

I agree with Warren that spiritual maturity is NOT measured by Bible knowledge.

BUT, that means you CAN'T possibly have real spiritual growth occurring without ACCURATE Biblical Teaching. Pastor Warren, Will you please STOP twisting God's Word!

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Unbelievable!!

Warren just claimed that Matt 11:28 is proof that Jesus was about meeting people's felt needs.

Here is what the passage says:

Matt. 11:28   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

That passage is not about felt needs. It is about our need for the Gospel and our need for a savior.

Sheesh.

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Warren just announced his new 40 Days campaign. It will be called the 40 Days of Love. It will be about relational renewal.

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Afternoon Panel Discussion on Best Practices for Effective Evangelism
James Meeks, Lee McFarland, Miles McPherson, Bob Roberts, Nelson Searcy, Mark Batterson

Was greatly disappointed to hear T.D. Jakes mentioned by one of the panelists as if he were a Christian brother. (Jakes denies the doctrine of the Trinity)

Greatly disappointed that the idea that Church is a gathering of believers to receive God's word is selfish and wrong. We've got to stop doing church and be the church. This is the exact opposite error of a church that only delivers dry theological lectures. (Bifurcation fallacy).

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I do like the panelists passion for reaching the lost and their practical ideas for doing it. But, are these 'unchurched' people being reached with the message of Christ Crucified for our Sins, or are they being reached with a different gospel of a 'changed' or 'purpose-driven' life?

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This conference features the EXACT same theology that I ran into at the Evolve 08 conference. The problem with this theology, regardless of how well meaning it is, is the fact that it has the wrong material and formal principles.

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Thinking out loud: This feels like a movement that is 'in part' a reaction against legalistic Biblle thumping American evangelicalism.

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Perry Noble is on the next panel. They are speaking on the subject of "Best Practices for Deepening Fellowship".

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Afternoon Panel Discussion on Best Practices for Deepening Fellowship
Floyd Flake, Ray Johnston, Perry Noble, Larry Stockstill, Ron Sylvia

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Floyd Flake intro - I have no idea what he just said means. Transformational? Empowering? Missional? Huh?

But Dr. Floyd said that his wife the a co-pastor of his church. (Doesn't scripture forbid that?)

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Ray Johnston - literally said that he was taught that if you are not in a small group you are not obeying the Lord. Wow! I remember when small groups first came on the scene. It was called the meta-church. This happened during my lifetime and now these guys are claiming your are sinning if you are NOT in a small group.

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Perry Noble - Definition of small groups "connecting dysfunctional people with dysfunctional people".

Noble, has made the MOST sense out of anyone I've heard today. Oddly enough what he said resonated with me.

Said Noble, "We trust the Holy Spirit to save people, how come we don't trust the Holy Spirit to build Christian community?" "Christian community and fellowship cannot be forced."

Hmmmmm.... I agree.

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Disturbing quote from Ray Johnston

"There is a difference between a 'growing Christian' and an Authentic 'Christ Follower'"

Is this the new system of two-tiered Christianity?? I remember the Nazarenes teaching me about 'second blessing holiness'. In their way of thinking there were "ordinary Christians" (bottom rung Christians) and those who've experienced the 'second blessing' (those who are authentic and sold out Christians). Boy, that concept created all kinds of goofy pharisees who thought they were better than you because they were more mature than you, more 'spiritual' than you and more blessed than you.

This two-tiered view of Christianity nearly caused me to walk away from Christianity.

Purpose Driven Community Gathering - Day Two

Live Blogging Notes.... Keep refreshing if you'd like to read my updates.

* Note: These are my notes and initial impressions about what I heard at the Purpose Driven Community Gathering. This is NOT NOT NOT my response to what I heard and experienced. My response, if I write one at all, will not come until after I've had time to reflect and process all of the information.

Today is day two of the PD Community Gathering. I sitting at the one of the media blogging tables getting ready to listen to part 3 of Rick Warren's conference series entitled "Manifesto for Renewal". This morning's topic will be "Preaching with Purpose".

Warren is stalling for time while they pass out the notes for this segment. I bet every Kinkos within a 20 mile radius is working over time to copy enough handouts for everyone attending the conference.

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1. God's purpose for man is to make us like Christ.

"The whole purpose of life is to make us like Christ". And according to Warren, "If you don't know this then you're not ready to preach".

Convictions, Character & Conduct

Sanctification means to become like Jesus.

According to Warren the problem with a lot of preaching is that it produces learners instead of doers.

2. God's Purpose for the Bible

The Purpose of the Bible is for lives to be changed

Challenge our character and change our conduct.

Woah!!!!

Warren just said that the Bible is not a history book but is a "Manual for Life".

Warren said, "The Bible tells us how to live".

Warren said, "There are far more people who know more than they are doing".

Warren said, "Purpose of preaching is to change character and change conduct."

Warren said, "Application of the word of God is where life change takes place."

Thinking out loud: Warren is the new John Wesley. This is the 21st Century version of Methodism.

3. God's Purpose for Preaching - Eph 4:11-13 NIV

4. God's Purpose for the Preacher is to be a Bridge Builder

Four Stages of Bridge-Building

1. Study the text

2. Find the Timeless Truth

3. Think of your audience

4. Apply the truth to their situation.

6 Things that are true of EVERY audience.

1. Everybody wants to be loved - many are lonely

2. Everybody wants their life to count.

3. Life is empty without Christ.

4. People are carrying a load of guilt.

5. Many cosumed with bitterness and resentment.

6. Universal fear of death.

Warren is on a role defending "how to sermons" and is making his case for the Application being the primary purpose of scripture.

"Knowledge without application produces pride"

"Knowledge without application brings judgement"

Percentage of application in scripture

Romans - 50%
Eph - 50%
Galatians - claims it is 100% application
James - 80%
1 Peter - 80%
Sermon on the Mt. - 100% applications

5. Becoming a Purpose-Driven Preacher

The goal of purpose-driven preaching is not instruction.

The goal of purpose-driven preaching is obedience.

The result of purpose-driven preaching is a disciple (not a listener).

Thinking out loud: Warren totally confuses law and gospel.

Said Warren, "Always preach for a response".

What Warren has learned about Preaching for Life Change

1. All Behavior is based on a belief.

2. Behind every sin is a lie that I am believing.

Said Warren, "It is the deception of Satan's lies that causes us to sin."

3. Change always starts in the mind.

4. To help people change we must change change their beliefs first.

5. Trying to change people's behavior without changing their beliefs is a waste of time.

6. The Bible Term for "Changing Your Mind" is Repentance - Metanoia.

7. You Don't Change People's Minds, The "applied word of God" does.

8. Changing the way I act is the result or fruit of repentance.

9. The deepest kind of preaching is preaching for repentance.

Warren claims, "Repentance is the CENTRAL message of the New Testament".

10. To produce lasting life-change you must enlighten the mind, engage the emotions and challenge the will.

Here are some photos from the conference.

Suffering is not a Sin

Suffering is not a sin. The devil would try to tempt us otherwise. Remember how it was with Job. His three friends (then four), all poor theologians, tried to connect the dots between Job's suffering and his sin. The same temptation comes to us when we thing that a Christian must always be happy and cheerful, or when we imagine that there is some sort of shame in suffering and trouble.

There is a type of “Billboard Christianity” where everyone is smiling and successful, healthy and happy. This plastic faith understands Jesus as spiritual “Botox”, and then if you are sad or depressed it is because your faith is not strong enough. In fact, we hear this type of thing from the television preachers. “God wants you,” they say, “to be healthy, wealthy and wise.” And if you are not, you must be under God's curse or the control of the devil and so forth and so on. As if we are Christian robots with these two facial expressions: happy and ecstatic. I know that this false teaching hasn't made its way among us, but perhaps there is even in our midst a shame in our suffering, a thought (even if we haven't thought about it in these words) that our suffering is a sin.

This is simply not the case. If suffering was a sin, then Jesus would have committed sin. Who, after all, suffered more than our Lord Jesus in His cross? On the cross He tasted God's wrath, knew the depths of the affliction of hell. Jesus suffered. He did not sin.

And Jesus was not alone in His suffering. As Christians we share in the Lord's suffering. Rather than being sin, suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life.

When Jesus asked if anyone would follow Him He didn't say, “If any would be My disciple, let Him take up His victorious life and follow Me.” No. Jesus bids us take us “take up your cross and follow Me.” [Matthew 16:24] Jesus has warned us that in this world we will have trouble. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33]

This trouble and tribulation comes from the world, the flesh and the devil, the three constant enemies of the Lord and His church. It was this way from the beginning, and will be this way until the Lord returns, the Lord's people suffer. From Abel to Noah to Joseph and Moses and David and all the prophets. In fact, when you read Hebrews 11, a chapter often called “The Hall of Faith”, you find a list of the Old Testament faithful, which is also a list of their suffering.

In the New Testament it is the same way. Jesus says, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” [John 15:18-19] The apostle's suffered because of the name of Jesus, and far from considering this to be sin, they thought it pure joy. “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus].” [Acts 5:41]

St. Paul encourages the church to “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” [Romans 5:3-5]

When St. Peter tells us to follow the example of our Jesus, he instructs us to be like Jesus in His suffering. This is incredible. Rather that showing us Jesus as an example of life, of victory, of overcoming trouble or any such thing, Jesus is our example in suffering. “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” [1 Peter 2:20-21]

Far from being a sin, suffering is a mark of being Christian. The holy cross is a mark of the church. In this life we are traveling through a vale of tears, the valley of the shadow of death, but the Lord is with us in our suffering. He knows what it's like. And He comes to us with His comforting promises that He will never leave or forsake us [Hebrews 13:5], that He will be with us always, even to the end of the age [Matthew 28:20]. He promises that while our suffering will be for a while, His comfort and life and salvation will last forever.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [Romans 8:18]

INJ,
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller