Is God Purpose Driven?

I probably should not blog today... I'm in a bad mood. (that's another story) However, I only intend to copy and paste something I wrote a few days ago, so maybe it won't be horribly wretched.

Recently on facebook a couple friends and I somehow got on the subject of Rick Warren and his Purpose Driven materials/agenda. I have strong feelings on the issue, as I do most things about Church life. Anyway, I started a follow up comment that wound up being way too long, so I put it in a word doc., not sure what to do with it. Then one of these friends asked to read it so I thought I'd put it here. Before I post it I'll mention an interesting coincidence... Yesterday while chatting with Jared on skype, he was telling me about a paper he has to write for Hermeneutics class, which includes finding current examples of bad hermeneutics... Jared researched possibilities and wound up choosing Rick Warren's use of scripture (or should I say 'mis-use') in the book 'The Purpose Driven Church'. He didn't even recall my dislike of the 'Purpose Driven Progrom', ha ha. Well... here, in italics, is my long winded aborted facebook response on the subject.

I never thought much about Warren's teachings till we went through the things we did with our previous Church 3 years ago. I'd never been a fan of the whole 'seeker sensitive' mega church movements but I had read Purpose Driven Life when it came out, because I like to keep abreast of 'Christian fads' (usually finding they have little long term merit) I thought 'meh'.. Christianity light and airy, but could see some positive potential for the book as an introduction to Christian themes. However, Warren’s use of obscure translations (usually paraphrases) with NO verse references throughout the text annoyed me and raised a little red flag. Later when studying the whole Purpose Driven methodology deeper I learned that in many (if not nearly all) cases Warren uses Bible verses out of context to support his own points, rather than using his writing to expound Scripture's message. (somewhere on the web is a pdf chart of every verse Warren uses in 'The Purpose Driven Life' which compares them with truer to the original translations (NASB or NIV) in context to show how Warren abuses scripture to validate his personal message) It's clear pretext creating in many cases. In her book 'Teach Me to Study the Bible in 28 Days' Kay Arthur says... "Observing the context is an absolutely critical step to accurately interpreting Scripture. The Latin root con means 'with', so context means 'with (the)text'. Context is the critical setting that rules all interpretation. We must never take God's words out of their context. If we do, then we'll have a pretext -- something false that conceals the truth." I'm currently reading 'How to Read the Bible for All It's Worth' by G.Fee and D. Stuart, which also warns repeatedly about the importance of 'in context' interpretation, and the extreme dangers of 'out of context' teaching.

The next thing that turned me off to the Purpose Driven Church agenda was when our Church was merged (our pastor was declined a sabbatical and essentially forced to resign) with another in the same denomination which happened to have Warren's books and products everywhere in their campus store, as well as loads of Emergent and mystical authors. Our 'new' pastor was following the Purpose Driven church methodology to a large degree along with a mixture of other 'philosophies of ministry' (therapeutic, pep talk, target audience members of the lowest common denominator (unsaved), must not be offensive, etc).

We noticed several of the paid staff were biblically illiterate and exhibited immaturity as Christians, & nearly all were women, who were enamored of this pastors emotive style. I was asked to help plan the Women's retreat and in a first meeting the female Associate Pastor announced her plans to have the ladies walk a labyrinth and participate in Lectio Divina (a meditative mystical usage of scripture for prayer) I had previously done extensive research on Contemplative Spirituality/Centering prayer and it's mystical (make that 'demonic') roots in zen Buddhism, which is often the suggested next step after mystics get you to participate in Lectio (Lectio itself may be simply biblical meditation or it may be tweaked to be something entirely different, subjective and dangerous, it depends on the exercise and 'teacher'). Ron and I met with the pastor and voiced our concerns about the use of these mystical devices with the pastor and he pulled the plug somewhat on the activities. But it quickly became obvious that we were then labeled reactionary, negative, fearful, oppositional members of the churches agenda and we were marked out to be pressured by manipulation and rejection. At the same time we had just learned that Ron’s mom had terminal cancer and we didn’t have the time and energy to confront the vast amounts of error that were being dumped on this congregation from week to week. At one point the pastor made a point of treating us in an ‘ugly manner’ (not sure how else to describe it..it was shocking), shaming us for caring about biblical truth, it seemed like he was following a plan which apparently was the case; The Purpose Driven Church plan. We learned subsequently that Warren’s plan includes alienating ‘resisters’ in the hopes of forcing them to be quiet, or driving them out of the Church. Often times these are members who've loved and served in that particular Church for years and years, and never been 'trouble makers'.;

Before the whole Church merger, I had already been researching (due to some things Jared was experiencing in Portland while trying to find a Church near his College) the 'Emergent Church' also dubbed 'postmodernism' and its effects in the western Church, I was learning about leaders / authors / teachers like Rob Bell, Brian McLaren as well as mystics like Brennan Manning and many others who are bringing pagan practices into the Church by mixing them with Christian terms and fooling the immature into falling for these subjective experiences. Rick Warren popped up often and has endorsed most of those teachers and practices.

We’d begun reading Bob DeWaay’s website and shortly after leaving our Church we ordered ‘Redefining Christianity’ which is an exposure of all the unbiblical methodology within the Purpose Driven movement, which basically results in creating ‘another gospel’. So, ever since all this research I have become highly suspicious of Warren’s methods. It’s sad to see a supposed Christian minister bring so much mixture into the church, I wonder if he is the type of teacher we are warned about in 2 Timothy 3, as ‘having a form of godliness but denying it’s power.’


Lighthouse Trails, Apprising Ministries, Bob DeWaay and Gary Gilley have extensive online resources discussing Warren’s version of Christianity and Church growth and ministry. I don't agree with everything at these websites, but have found them helpful for research as they offer large quotes of Warren's articles, books and audios without having to go out and pay for them. Here is a wonderful resource tool that contrasts Warrens 40 Days verse usage with their in context meaning, for use side by side; http://cicministry.org/berean.php.

I find no pleasure in being a critic of a popular Christian leader, however we have seen this stuff at work in our former Church (we were happy participating members for over 6 years, before these changes came with a new pastor)  and know that people are being hurt, deceived and led astray sometimes through these things.  It is confusing to Christians and dangerous to the 'Faith delivered once for all to the saints'.  Please Christian friends check these things out in the word of God.  If you are in a Church that has not taught you how to read, study and understand scripture, then you must do this for yourself, to become a mature believer, who can discern, encourage and exhort faithfully.  To God be the glory, not to man, not according numbers, not worldly definitions of 'success'.  Faithfulness to God and His word from the love He has poured into our hearts is what matters.   Micah 6:8

Guilty Pleasures

Decided to do a quick entry about two little guilty pleasures that I have recently discovered.  I don't really feel guilty about them. ;P   The first is discovering one of my very favorite types of cookies, which I have not had since moving here 14 years ago!   These 'Little Dutch Boy' butter cookies.  I used to get them regularly at Stater Bros. in California and after a few years of searching decided that Arizona must be under some awful anti Dutch cookie law.  Well around the Holidays I happened into a  'day old' bread store of all places, and there they were!   (insert angel song and harps)   So now I can eat them until I  balloon up to a ridiculous weight. Only problem I see.... I had only eaten one cookie since buying these and when I took this picture, there were about 3 more gone.  Hmmmm, apparently Jesse likes them too.   

The second discovery is this wine from Chile... Brand: Gato Negro (black cat) Type: Carmenere (? never heard of this before).  I only drink an occasional glass of red wine, usually Cabernet or Merlot... and most taste crummy after half a glass.  This stuff is yummy all the way through.  ;O)  Here's what the back of the bottle says about it; "Colour: intense violet with blackish tones, very dark.  Aroma:  spices, mild green pepper, some tobacco, very fruity and fresh    Taste:  a pleasant wine, ample, velvety medium bodied, with a pleasing finish, a very different wine capable of surprising the consumer with its first impression."  It's all true!  A  red wine with out any bitterness, but not overly sweet.  It's delish....and I paid less than $4 for it at Sprouts.  Very Nice!  If I catch Jesse dipping into this, he'll be in a world of hurt.  ;o)                                                                               

Free Food for the Soul/Spirit!

Okay, I know it's been way too long since I've 'blogged' but that's probably going to be my modus operandi!  To splatter my blog with several entries and then not post for weeks.  My life is kind of like that.  But I do want all 2 or 3 of you to know that I actually have at least 3 blog topics percolating in my head and heart.  One will be a lengthy consideration of the topic of what is Church supposed to be/do/look like.  Prompted by yet another Church upheaval in our lives.  I find myself considering, praying and asking God for wisdom again on this topic...wanting our family to make a decision based solely on the word of God, as that is what we believe would be in line with His specific will for our family.  He has already informed us through His word on what He intends His church to be 'doing and being', we don't need a fleece or to cast lots in order to follow His will.  Okay...but that's for LATER!

The other entry brewing is some boring chit chat about my garden, with photos, perhaps.  ;o)

THIS post is supposed to about some FREE food for the soul and spirit.  I recently learned about this website from my homeschooling friend Nancy; ChristianAudio.com which offers FREE AUDIO books every month.  AWESOME!  Currently, through the end of March you can download Dietrich Boenhoeffer's 'The Cost of Discipleship';  John Piper's 'Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die' and at the moment also a new audio book  'Pilgrims Progress Retold'  (a modern rendition of John Bunyan's timeless classic).  I already downloaded Bonhoeffer's book and plan to copy it onto cd's to play in the car.  Just downloaded Pilgrim's Progress which I'll compare to another audio version of the tale I have, to see which I prefer.  ;o) And I am about to download Piper's book, as I think it will be a perfect thoughtful listen as we near 'Easter' (which I prefer to call 'Resurrection Sunday'). 

So, would you like to get in on the free stuff?  Then go to https://christianaudio.com/  (if you click on this blog post's title, you will be directed to Christian audio) 
Create a free account and click on the 'free download' links.  ;o)  Then you just go through a short check out process, enter the special free download code and whala!  You'll get a link to a page where you can download the audio files, with your choice of a couple of formats:  mp3 or some type suited for Apple products. 

Christian Audio has all kinds of other goodies to browse and buy, some are very good deals!  But be sure to go for solid biblical authors, since they also sell materials by some so called 'teachers' that I wouldn't give a moment of your time or mine to ingest their influence.  A lot of what I'd call 'popular poo poo' is out there, so don't read any of that stuff!  And if you don't know which is the safe stuff and which is the trash, ask a trusted discerning, mature believer.  And if you don't know any of those people, you need to find some new mentors and maybe a new church... and I'd be happy to give you MY opinion on various authors.  ;o)

Blessings!

A New Look for the New Year

Okay, it's still January (barely!) so I can yet get away with a 'new year' blog post, right?  ;o) The other day I found a link at a friends blog to these cool blog backgrounds, and AMAZINGLY I was actually able to follow the instructions and add this particular scheme to freshen up my page.  The only thing missing is the cool feather drawing that was part of the center design.  Apparently it gets covered up by the text area.  Sadly, that feather was what sold me on this design, but oh well!  I still like the natural colors and elements... it suits me!  So this 'look' will probably stay for a while... probably till Spring when I may switch looks again.  As an artsy type, aesthetics rule.  Anyway... my rambling may not be too inspiring, so at least you have some pretty doo dads to distract you!  So thank you (fill in name of blog background designer later when I go find it again) for the fun blog costumes!

Well it's pretty obvious that I haven't been inspired to say much in the way of something humorous, or artistic, or soap boxish for a while.  Truth be told, I focused steadfastly on my family over the holidays and had one of the most blessed Christmas times I've enjoyed in a long time.  It was a healing and sweet holiday in many little ways.  The introduction of Bethanne into our midst had a magical effect on the season, for me.  Seeing the tree,   lights and wrappings etc. from her toddler's perspective was so joyful.  I had more fun Christmas shopping and preparing than I've had in many years just by keeping her sweet face in mind.  We were so happy to be able to have Zac and Lisa over several times over the season. 

Jared was home for a shorter than usual break and it is his last 'official' stay at home, as the plan at the moment is for him to remain in Portland over the summer... he's not had great luck finding work here the past couple of summers.  So, in effect he's gone, possibly for good as far as 'living at home' goes.  This was very very hard for me, so I really soaked up his presence in the everyday aspects that may not 'be' again.  He and Jesse laughing over silly computer games (which they indulged in WAY too much), talking quietly late into the night. 

I can't stop the nest from emptying, I can dread it and cry about it, but I can't stop it... so I'm trying to take deep breaths and allow this stage to progress as God intends and not miss what IS here because I'm too focused on the unwanted changes that are coming around the bend.  Last year I listened to the audio of Beth Moore's book 'Feathers from My Nest', and I could relate so much to many of the things she shared as a mother whose babies have flown off to their own lives.  She weaves an allegorical tale of mr and mrs robin as they vacate their nest and head in a new direction that was sweet, and fitting.

So here I am in 2010 and by the time this decade has ended, it is quite likely that my life will be something I cannot imagine at all today... and truly the year 2000 seems like last week!  Time truly passes more swiftly as I age, my life is gaining steam in a direction that is somewhat scary to me.  But I am so amazingly thankful to know that God oversees my journey day by day, that He's with me, closer than my heartbeat and even though I'm not exactly looking forward to the next phase of my life... (old ladyhood),  it is just a temporary season that will finally end with my entrance into the most exciting, most dreamt of, unending eternal full existence in God's Kingdom.  I'll see Jesus face to face, touch His robe, and follow His footsteps for real!  I'll witness the intricate beauty of a place that the broken loveliness of our fallen earth can only hint at.  If my own little family on earth has been my treasure, my meaning and comfort... can you imagine what fully living in God's home with our big happy family might be like.  I can hardly wait.  So Lord, let the future come.  My anchor and hope are in You and in Your promises. 

The Shack (my review reposted)

It seems that as far as being a 'hot topic' goes, The Shack hullabaloo has died down somewhat.  However a friend recently asked for some information about the book, which prompted me to post my review of it here.  I wrote this in October of 2008. If you've read The Shack, or are thinking of reading it, I'd like you to know this information before doing so.    Blessed ~  Katie


As this moving book grows and grows in popularity, I find that I cannot keep silent about it's dangerous contents. Yes, dangerous.

Deeply moved by the story, and the emotional tug the author adeptly uses to paint a fresh picture of God for his readers, my primary reaction while reading this book a year ago was alarm. Intermingled with many lovely new ways of explaining our God and our faith, was a good deal of 'not quite right' theology. Understanding and relating to God according to His truth, is the only safeguard for assurance that the gospel we preach is the gospel that saves. And truly saving mankind is God's heart and mission. A half truth is as bad as an out and out lie, and often more effective at deceiving.

For months previous, I had been researching and reading resources on the topics of Post Modernism, the Emergent Church, Contemplative Spirituality and other philosophies and fads that are impacting the Church, (often harming, diluting, and distracting her from her true mission, in my opinion) when I picked up the book to 'divert' myself from such somber material to enjoy something lighter. Ha ha.

It was not necessarily the non-traditional, non-western, out of the ordinary characters that the author chose to represent the godhead that set off these alarms, but the content meaning and implications of the words put into the mouth of God the Father, or more precisely 'Papa' as (s)he gently re-enlightened Mack's thinking, that made my skin prickle. Beautiful, yet subtly poisonous, was my reaction.

Recently I discovered a response to the author and his book, that finally connected the dots for me. It has helped to bring into clarity the reason why the book set off such strong discernment alarms, while at the same time being able to find much to admire in it's pages. This helpful information comes from the Professor of New Testament Languages and Literature at Western Seminary in Oregon. Prof. James DeYoung has known The Shack's author personally for some years, and is aware of the authors faith journey which readers of The Shack are not privy to.

Rather than trying to restate DeYoung's case here, I humbly point my friends and family to seriously consider the facts behind the writing of The Shack and to reconsider their enthusiasm for it's powerful tale. In short William P Young embraces an unbiblical doctrine of Reconciliation ism. A belief that is on par with Universalism. Editor Wayne Jacobsen attempted to remove the false doctrine from the book, but its footprints remain.

You can avail yourself of Professor DeYoung's thoughtful and well researched work here;
http://theshackreview.com

There are a few pdf files, one being a shorter review of 9 pages, and one going into more detail at 39 pages. I urge you to at least read the shorter review if you have been favorably impacted by The Shack. Or if you have plans to read it, or pass it on to others. Or if you have had questions of theological concern raised by this book.

The mixture of truth and error when presenting an explanation of God is very common and very human. God is ultimately beyond our human words and understanding to be perfectly, or should I say completely, explained. Yet, we are admonished by Him to very carefully hold to the Faith once for all delivered to the saints. Why? Because it is His great heart's desire that all should come to a knowledge of the truth and enter into His Kingdom. God has provided the pathway to know and experience His presence and person, to knowing and living in the truth, and how to pass that on to others. Jesus described the gate as narrow and the way difficult. There is a reason why Christ described it so, He was speaking truth, and only spoke that which He heard the Father tell Him to speak.

The Shack falls short of this, and in fact, I fear it is pointing many who hunger for reconciliation with God onto a path that will ultimately lead away from Him, and quite possibly to destruction...all the while proclaiming and imagining that they are His children. (Matt. 13:7-26)

May the Church realize it's her calling to make the way to the Father clear, so that the lost should not be deceived, and may enter in. God's self-revelation is the one we must point the lost to, and fellow believers back to for comfort, instruction and discipleship. When we can re-state the truths of God's word without adding false, skewed or our own preferred ideals, and without taking away essential truths (such as the atonement, and the ultimate destiny for unbelievers), reforming biblical truths in artistic and creative ways can be wonderful and very effective.

Jesus paid an unthinkable price to deliver mankind, may we honor His sacrifice and speak His truth with love, boldly, and without mixture. 'Mixture' is repeatedly exposed as unholy and defiling (resulting in separation) in the Old Testament, we are wise not to forget those lessons. The Shack is a dangerous mixture of partial truth and serious error.

I applaud Mr Young's attempt to correct the distorted picture of God as simply a distant angry judge ....but God is not merely close gentle and conciliatory either. The Shack corrects one misconception, but replaces it with another, possibly more fatal for it's allure to our desires to make God in our own image. God is love, but God's love is HOLY, meaning altogether something different than human emotional love...though I've no doubt God, as the creator of emotions, is quite full of them; one being a jealous love that is much richer, sacrificial and deeper still than what is taught through the fictional Papa's words in The Shack.

Please prayerfully consider these things.

Other helpful reviews of The Shack can be found here

http://www.calvarycsd.org/docs/Discernment%20&%20The%20Shack.pdf

Justin Peters review

Elisabeth Elliot

"I'm old fashioned, and I don't mind it."  That's from an Andy Williams song I used to hear as a little girl.  But it's true, I am old fashioned in many ways.  A woman who has mentored me from afar is Elisabeth Elliot, through her radio show (no longer aired) and through her devotionals and books.  Many Christian women today would likely find her advice and way of seeing things to be 'old fashioned', but I find her full of grace and truth.  Today I've been so inspired by a few of my very favorite teachers.  More on that later, perhaps.  But among them was Elliot's devotion of the day, which can be found online.  It hit me right up side the head. It nicely complimented the excellent message on Revelation 3 given at Harvest Bible Chapel by James MacDonald this past Sunday, that I listened to earlier while slicing apples for the dehydrator.  (I think that was a run on sentence!)  The letter to the church at Sardis is a confrontation of a church that has a reputation for being 'alive' but in actuality is quite dead in Jesus' estimation.  I can sadly relate to that in many ways.  It's an important message....but anyway, I am going to post Elisabeth's devotional so I can read it again when needed and perhaps it will touch someone else where they need it too.


Title: Be Honest With GodAuthor: Elisabeth Elliot
Since God knows our thoughts even before we think them, isn't it absurd of us to hesitate to tell Him the straight truth about ourselves? When we feel we ought to try to cover our spiritual nakedness it is good for us to open up Psalm 139: "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.... You perceive my thoughts from afar.... You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.... You created my inmost being" (Psalm 139:1-4,13, NIV).
There are times when I hesitate even to pray, knowing how far short I fall from God's standard.
George MacDonald writes:
"If I felt my heart as hard as a stone; if I did not love God, or man, or woman, or little child, I would yet say to God in my heart, 'O God, see how I trust Thee, because Thou art perfect, and not changeable like me. I do not love Thee. I love nobody. I am not even sorry for it. Thou seest how much I need Thee to come close to me, to put Thy arm round me, to say to me, MY CHILD: for the worse my state, the greater my need of my Father who loves me. Come to me, and my day will dawn; my love will come back, and, oh! how I shall love Thee, my God! and know that my love is Thy love, my blessedness Thy being.'"
We may pray the prayer that closes Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).
"Be persuaded, timid soul," writes Archbishop Fenelon, in his SPIRITUAL LETTERS TO WOMEN, "that He has loved you too much to cease loving you."

A Paper Doll Dress for the Grand-darling.

I spent all day yesterday creating this cutest of the cute little girl dresses.  Can't wait to see our grand-darling in it. That's all for today!  ;o)