We did this campaign two years ago and it was HUGELY successful. I am a good result of turning my life to Christ for REAL! I know many who have come to Christ as a result of Rick Warrens book. I was visiting another place on this board and I didnt' realize that it was so contoversial. Wondering how the non denominational people feel about this.
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Has your church participated in 40 Days of Purpose Campaign??
- Thread starter ChrisinMI
- Start date
- Status
Entertaining_Angels
Well-Known Member
Yes, our church did the campaign and I left soon after. I was not comfortable with it and felt concern while in prayer over it.
Upvote
0
Until coming to this board...I didn't even realize it was a topic of controversy among Christians.
Upvote
0
- Nov 4, 2005
- 9,128
- 691
- 39
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Non-Denom
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- CA-Conservatives
My church is participating in it!
The thesis of the book is that glorifying God with our lives is the purpose of the Christian life... from my 16 years as a Christian I can't see how that strays away from the Bible.
The thesis of the book is that glorifying God with our lives is the purpose of the Christian life... from my 16 years as a Christian I can't see how that strays away from the Bible.
Upvote
0
SNPete
Psalm 53:1
My church did it and it was great. I believe God has a plan a purpose for each of us. The Purpose Driven Life is designed to encourage each of us to find God's will for our lives.OreGal said:
So my question is: why did you have an issue with it which caused you to leave your church? Seems like an extreme reaction.
Upvote
0
Entertaining_Angels
Well-Known Member
SNPete said:
No, the PDL was only a small part of why I left. Admittedly, I tend to be hypersensitive to teachings. I was raised with word of faith type teachings and had to be healed of them. While the Lord was really working on me the 40 Days thing came up and I knew immediately after starting the small group that wasn't where God wanted me. It's a long story. I don't believe the church I left was heretical by any stretch of the imagination. God just moved me to another church and has been blessing me since.
If you do a search, you can find numerous threads discussing PDL and maybe you can find out why not everybody is thrilled with this book.
God bless you.
Upvote
0
SNPete
Psalm 53:1
I see your point and agree. I do want to say the Body has enough Critical members to insure that nearly any useful and edifying teaching will have it's critics. The "perfect Christians" will always have something to criticize in any program or teaching regardless of its value. It is all about being in line with the perfect Christians theology.OreGal said:
And BTW these folks will be quick to point out they are not perfect. Yet their critical spirit remains and they point out why a teaching is not perfect. Go Figure.
Upvote
0
Well, the problem with Rick Warren is that he preaches a religion of works that is non-biblical instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You'll hardly ever here that you can conquer sin by repenting and trusting Jesus, as a matter of fact Rick Warren doesn't even talk about faith in Jesus, all he talks is about human efforts and man-made programs in order to conquer sin. In Rick Warren's book there is very little about believing, and yet the bible teaches us that we are saved (both justified and sanctified) by faith alone, by believing alone, by God's grace, not through our own efforts. Works are the fruit of that belief, belief in Jesus is the only way of salvation, and that belief alone produces good works. Not according to Rick Warren, it is human effort that produces the good works and we need his 40-day program instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the holy spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead that dwells in us.
Actually, I need rectify a bit what I said in the previous paragraph, Rick Warrent doesn't talk that much about sin or repentance. His religion of works is really about new age human self-improvement, and feeling good about yourself. He's a disciple of Robert Schuler who teaches the gospel of self esteem. Sin is hardly ever mentioned. Rick Warren's church has no cross in order to not offend, so in essence it doesn't recognize Christ's work on the cross. Rick Warren's church growing methods are based on the "seeker sensitive approach", meaning we ought only to preach those parts of the gospel that will not offend the non-christian. Like others have said this approach could very well be called "sinner friendly approach". But the bible tells us we ought to call sinners to repentance and not approach them with a feel good attitude and tell them they are not sinning.
Actually, I need rectify a bit what I said in the previous paragraph, Rick Warrent doesn't talk that much about sin or repentance. His religion of works is really about new age human self-improvement, and feeling good about yourself. He's a disciple of Robert Schuler who teaches the gospel of self esteem. Sin is hardly ever mentioned. Rick Warren's church has no cross in order to not offend, so in essence it doesn't recognize Christ's work on the cross. Rick Warren's church growing methods are based on the "seeker sensitive approach", meaning we ought only to preach those parts of the gospel that will not offend the non-christian. Like others have said this approach could very well be called "sinner friendly approach". But the bible tells us we ought to call sinners to repentance and not approach them with a feel good attitude and tell them they are not sinning.
Upvote
0
cenimo
Jesus Had A 12 Man A-Team
Here's some info:
http://www.sacredsandwich.com/warren_scripture.htm
Be sure to scroll down a little bit and read Question Marks About Rick Warren on the left of the page. More than a little disturbing.
http://www.sacredsandwich.com/warren_scripture.htm
Be sure to scroll down a little bit and read Question Marks About Rick Warren on the left of the page. More than a little disturbing.
Upvote
0
SNPete
Psalm 53:1
So having read the article, I have to say the fellow makes many good points. However, few of them are valid in light of the end result.cenimo said:
My Church of 800 did the 40 days along with 15 or 20 other churches in my community. Effect number one: The body was brought together. I guess some purists would say this is a bad thing.
Effect number two: We saw 80 people come to Christ in our church alone as a result of the 40 days. I guess leading people to Christ through the idea that God has a purpose and a plan is unbiblical to some. Personally I have never favored the fire insurance approach to salvation. The love of God approach is what works for most. Yes, maybe a few need to scared into the kingdom.
The third effect was that most Christians find this book to be a reminder of Gods love and power and purpose. It is a refreshing and renewing experience.
So as I said in an earlier post there is always somebody who wont like how you are winning souls, because it is not done the way THEY think is right.
Luke 9:49-50
49 Now John answered and said, Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.
50 But Jesus said to him, Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.
For what it is, the 40 days is a good thing. It is not the Bible. It is just a book that many find helpful.
Upvote
0
SNPete said:
How do you know they are winning souls? You can only win souls by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, otherwise you will be winning church members but not souls. There's a difference between church membership increase and salvation of souls.
Upvote
0
SNPete
Psalm 53:1
Huh?? How do I know??? When a person says he or she has accepted Christ as personal savior. Theology 101. We don't make them fill out forms. If a person testifies they have accepted Christ we say Praise God.Bill777 said:
No offense, but we didn't just sit around in a circle and sip tea. Unsaved people asked questions. We gave answers-i.e. the Gospel of Christ. Some accepted Christ soon thereafter.
You seem to have a cynical view of the 40 days and can't accept the fact that people got saved and blessed as a result. You know many of these now saved people would never have stepped into a church. But they were willing to be part of a small group that was discussing a life with purpose through God.
I hope you can accept methods of bringing people to Christ that differ from the methods you favor.
Upvote
0
Kelly said:
Except for the fact that a HUGE number of people who claim to be christians do not know what it means 'to have a personal relationship w/God'
Upvote
0
Bill777 said:
It sure is opening a door that people have previously kept closed. I am witness to MANY people who, as a result of reading this book, started to take a much closer look at what it means to be a Christian......I am the FIRST and my mother is the second that I can start my list with. I thank God for blessing Rick Warren with a message that is not bogged down with hard to understand scripture to get our attention!
Upvote
0
9-iron
Football Fan
I don't know anything about Rick Warren or his ministry, but after trying the book, I didn't get where he was coming from. You really can't put your finger on it specifically, but something in my spirit didn't agree with what he was saying.
I tie it back to way he portrays we approach God. Honestly, I don't remember exactly, but I do know, I didn't agree and couldn't continue the book.
That said, our church is doing it in January and I hope this makes an impact in our church. Right or wrong, I'm not opposed to God using any 'tool' He chooses for His purposes.
I tie it back to way he portrays we approach God. Honestly, I don't remember exactly, but I do know, I didn't agree and couldn't continue the book.
That said, our church is doing it in January and I hope this makes an impact in our church. Right or wrong, I'm not opposed to God using any 'tool' He chooses for His purposes.
Upvote
0
9-iron said:
After you try it again.... check back with us and let us know what you thought. An all church campaign is very different than just picking the book up as a 'good read' so you may be pleasantly surprised! For seasoned christians the book poses as a good reminder of what our mission here on earth is....Jesus told us about the Great Commission. That is the point of the book.
Upvote
0
- Status
Similar threads
