It wasn’t that long ago that Sean Hannity gave Rick Warren 5 minutes unedited to answer the question: “how does one get to heaven.” Millions watching. How did Warren respond? While I can’t quote verbatim I remember being disgusted because there was a lot about purpose and vision and such (all concepts from his book, of course) but no cross. Penal subsitution and depravity were nowhere to be found.

I don’t expect Mr. Warren to use the terms of the Reformation (i.e. the Bible). But is it too much to ask to at least communicate the basic concepts of salvation in a 5 minute “gospel presentation?” E.g. our sin, Christ’s diety, perfection, substitution and resurection. I’ve heard this “second chance” language in reference to salvation from his lips several times. He actually uses the golf analogy often. Jesus died so that I could have a second chance? A muligan? Are you kidding me? This is no less heretical than the prosperity pimps telling me that Jesus died to make me healthy and wealthy. Warren may be sincere, but he is decieving millions. I pray that folks like brother Piper and Horton will be able to convince him of his error. Otherwise I fear for his soul and the souls of many who believe his “gospel.”

As Dr Horton points out “Working toward the common good is the calling of every person, believer and unbeliever alike”, so some – though not all – of Rick Warren’s work with other groups is a working out of people co-operating in the civil sphere to work towards the common good.

Rick Warren embraces deliberate pragmatism of the worst kind; routinely misuses Scripture to cover his own ideas with a veneer of divine authority; promotes extreme ecumenism; redefines ministry in terms of social activism and accepts the worst sort of evangelistic reductionism.

Rom. 16:17 is very clear, “mark” and “avoid.” With Rick Warren’s track record of “contrary” doctrine and practices there is no subjective decision to make regarding him in light of Rom. 16:17.

Piper, however, chooses to embrace and give him recognition, which will lend credibility to Warren and his methods. Piper also puts impressionable believers, who follow him (Piper) at risk by giving Warren another national platform, which could lead to their spiritual demise.

There are few in Christian circles who have done more harm to the New Testament church, the cause and Gospel of Jesus Christ than Rick Warren. He replaces the Great Commission and the New Testament church as laid out in Acts and the Pauline Epistles.

Piper’s embrace, hosting and partial defense of Warren and his methods is inexcusable.

LM

As Richard wrote, too many Reformed brethren are not charitable. In fact, it is as if being contentious is now part of what it means to be Reformed. Sadly it was not always that way. Not every Reformed brother is a Luther and not every non-Reformed brother is an Erasmus or a Servetus.