Re: "Deception of the Last days," mercilessly attacking Rev. Rick Warren.

I have read other such attacks, and as best I can figure they are mostly coming from the same small corner of believers who are against everything and everyone, unless it happens within the walls of their little church, where nothing really ever happens (probably why they are jealous), and where God would probably feel uncomfortable (if He ever showed up). They major on criticism, and are among the world's experts at fault-finding.  Unbelievers cannot match them.

I always cringe whenever I read such a vicious, one-sided attack on a fellow believer with the usual self-righteous excuse of "defending the faith."

Warren may have some warts, and I do not agree with him on everything, but I have read his book, "The Purpose-Driven Life" and have been a part of two, solid, discerning, Bible-believing evangelical churches that used it for study.  With possibly rare exception, the book is Christ-centered, edifying for believers, and a great witness for unbelievers.  I have seen baby Christians grow in their faith and commitment to Jesus after group-study of the book.

I have also seen Warren interviewed on television several times and he has never failed to be Christ-centered, frequently getting in the gospel message.

Much of the criticism is taken out of context and distorted.  For example, the article attacked him for a paragraph on page 89 where he says, "You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath,” accusing it of being "New Age."  The writer conveniently omitted other parts of the paragraph which reminded us that God tells us to "pray continuously" (or all the time) and where with one breath, we can pray such short prayers to Jesus as, "You are with me... I receive your grace... I'm depending on you... for me to live is Christ... you will never leave me..."

That's bad?  If that is New Age, then sign me up, now!  I have been praying that way for many years.

He is also attacked for the following strategy he is promoting:

Plant churches….………………….................Spiritual Lostness
Equip servant leaders…….......………………Lack of Godly Leaders
Assist the poor…………………………...........Poverty
Care for the sick…………...............................Disease
Educate the next generation………………….Lack of Education

That's bad?  Somebody should have told Jesus.

Below are excerpts from Warren's book.  If anyone wants to judge this man, go ahead, but don't stand next to me on Judgment Day, or in a lightning storm:

Page 34.
One day you will stand before God, and he will do an audit of your life, a final exam, before you enter eternity.  The Bible says, “Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God. . . . Yes, each of us will have to give a personal account to God.”  Fortunately, God wants us to pass this test, so he has given us the questions in advance.  From the Bible we can surmise that God will ask us two crucial questions:

First, “What did you do with my Son, Jesus Christ?”  God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views.  The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust Him?  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Second, “What did you do with what I gave you?”  What did you do with your life­all the gifts, talents, opportunities, energy, relationships, and resources God gave you?  Did you spend them on yourself, or did you use them for the purposes God made you for?

Preparing you for these two questions is the goal of this book.  The first question will determine where you spend eternity.  The second question will determine what you do in eternity.  By the end of this book you will be ready to answer both questions.

Page 37.
While life on earth offers many choices, eternity offers only two: heaven or hell.  Your relationship to God on earth will determine your relationship to him in eternity.  If you learn to love and trust God’s Son, Jesus, you will be invited to spend the rest of eternity with him.  On the other hand, if you reject his love, forgiveness, and salvation, you will spend eternity apart from God forever.

Give the guy a break!

Jim