Prelude
Before I get into content, I thought I’d state what this study is not about. First, it’s not about arguing the basic premise, “purpose driven”. It just wouldn’t make sense. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know their purpose? And in knowing that purpose, who wouldn’t want to achieve it? Secondly, it’s not about attacking the man or his motivation. Only God knows a man’s heart. In no way is my content endeavoring to belittle Rick Warren. Rick Warren will stand before the great judge and give account for his life, as will all of us. That being stated, I can examine his teachings. Thirdly, it’s not about arguing with all the good that the “Purpose Driven” series has done for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. However, I do have some serious concerns. And I believe that these concerns are biblically based and merit justifiable scrutiny. Let the reader be the judge.
The Purpose Driven Life, By. Dr. Rick Warren. “The bestselling hardback in history.” Publishers Weekly. This was back in 2002. Who knows how many more have been sold since. “Thirty thousand churches, so far have participated in 40 Days of Purpose, in 2005.” Rick Warren quotes the Bible nearly 1,000 times. (stated in the book)
You may be thinking, who are you to critique such a monumental, prolific book? Let me clear this up from the outset. I’m a nobody. I’m just a fellow believer who desires to discern the truth. I’d like to think of myself as just a Berean style student of the Bible. No doubt there are many reading this who outrank me in education, life experience and/or walk with the Lord. The above notwithstanding, please indulge me while I attempt to highlight some concerns that I have.
It may be just the cynicism in me but, whenever some new teaching or revelation is embraced by the majority of believers it always gives me pause. Why does it? Well because I know that in the last days that many will be deceived. I’m referring to eschatology (the end times).
“2 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” II Thess 2:1-3 KJV (bold mine)
I believe that there are those who will, intentionally or not, will draw many of us away from the “simplicity that is in Christ” (see 2 Cor 11:3 KJV) And, as misguided as you may think I may be, I believe that’s what’s happening here.
There are four main points that I’ll attempt to cover, The fickleness of Evangelicals, The Distortion of Scripture, New Age Implications, and Dispelling the Myths.
Before we dive into these points, let’s first look at the man, Rick Warren. Whenever I read a book, I like to know a little something about the author. Who is he? What was his upbringing? Who were his main influencers? What was his education? I think it’s just wise because everyone brings their particular prejudices to their writings.
“Rick Warren (born January 28, 1954, San Jose, Calif., U.S.) American pastor who, as founder of Saddleback Church and as the author of The Purpose-Driven Life (2002), became one of the most influential Evangelical Christians in the United States.
Warren, a fourth-generation Southern Baptist pastor, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California Baptist College, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. (www.britannica.com Nov 21st, 2023)
Well, his pedigree looks great! No need to research anything more. We’re all good here! I’ll take in everything he’s teaching, implement it and teach it to others! But hold on. Let’s look at a few other things.
The Fickleness of Evangelicals
In general, we evangelicals have always been a fickle bunch. Many of us are always looking for the next new revelation or the next great teacher. Much like the world, we have our Christian celebrities, don’t we? John Maxwell, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, to name a few. It’s just human nature. “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos”, are you not mere human beings?” I Cor 3:4 NIV The problem is this. Wherever we venerate a Christian celebrity, we don’t question anything regarding that person. Because they have some truth, and it seems to work, we tend to think everything they say is the truth and everything they do is right. Unwittingly, we let our guard down. And when we let our guard down, that’s when the enemy implants lies into our heads and we become deceived. Only, the deceived don’t know that they are deceived. We need to stop putting man up where only God belongs.
You may be surprised to know that before Rick Warren, and his life changing, Purpose Driven series, there was Bruce Wilkerson. He wrote a book called, “The Prayer of Jabez.”
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.” I Chron 4:10 NIV
The book sold like hot cakes! O’ yes. Evangelicals were promoting it whenever they could. Basically, if you wanted God’s blessings you need to go buy this book and pray this prayer! “Brother, you need this book!” I confess that I did both…then it wore off. No offense towards my Catholic friends, but how is this any different than praying the rosary or saying five “Hail Mary’s?” It’s not!
Overlapping these both, was “The Word of Faith” doctrine. AKA “name it and claim it”, “blab it and grab it.” Basically, it’s the teaching that God wanted you to walk in perfect health and wanted everyone to be rich. And if you weren’t it was because you’re in sin, or and didn’t have enough faith, or both. Hey, who cares if it twists the Word a little, it works! Just ask Kenneth Copland. He’s worth 700 million dollars! (I did a 4-part series that you can find on this site. My only ask is that you please start with part 1. Otherwise, it’s not going to make sense).
By the time the “The Purpose Driven Life” came around in 2002 we were more than ready for something new. Christ, the Bible and the Holy Spirit weren’t enough. We’ve found our new guru, and he would teach us how to be purpose driven Christians. He would also teach us how to build a mega church. I couldn’t help feeling bad for the first century church. They could have been so much more! Well at least they had the small group part down. Many of those churches started in their homes and remained there. Additionally, I thought of poor Paul. He planted all those churches, but he didn’t have the teachings of Rick Warren to really take them to the next level. But as strange as it may seem, the early church did grow. No clever marketing technics, no demographic studies, no cool trendy music, and no seeker friendly accouterments. What was the secret to their church growth? Hold on, I think I found it, “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 NIV (bold mine)
How about instead of looking for the next new, big revelation, we go back over the old Revelation and get to know the God who wrote it better and better? However, I surmise, that many of us still have “itching ears.”
Now let’s look at who some of Rick Warren’s influencers are and their New Age implications.
In my opinion, Warren has a lot of questionable influencers and associates. However, he tries to excuse his close association with people like Mehmet Oz, Pope Frances, Robert Schuller, and Bernie Siegel, and others, by stating that (and I’m paraphrasing), “Jesus hung around with sinners. How else are you going to get them saved if you don’t befriend them?” Sounds a little like Dr. Robert Schuller to me.
I should point out that not listed above is the fact that Rick warren is also a graduate of The Schuller Institute. Not only is he a graduate, but also was a teacher there as well. Some of you younger readers may not have ever heard of Robert Schuller, or “possibility thinking” or “if you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Kinda sounds like New Age, or Mind Science, doesn’t it?
I remember watching Dr. Schuller on TV when I was a kid at my grandmother’s house. His big smile, long robe, and parade of celebrity guests. Even back then I was thinking that it’s hard to believe that all those celebrities are born again. Little did I know at the time, that nearly 30 years later my new bride and I would be touring the Crystal Cathedral during our Honeymoon. It was only later that I learned that his particular brand of Christianity wasn’t the same as mine.
Robert Schuller wrote several best-selling books. The three that stick out the most in my mind are, “If it’s Going to Be, It’s Up to Me”, “Self Esteem”, and “Self-Love”.
As if the promotion of self-esteem and self-love wasn’t enough, Schuller goes further into New Age deception. There was a seminar held at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA back in 2004, entitled, “You’re Invited to Discover a Fantastic New Dream for Your Church!
The theme for the 2004 Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership is, “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!” Dare to dream that your church can overcome, can succeed, and can make a difference in your community and in your world today”.
“Is your church all God wants it to be? Send your pastors and lay church leaders to the 34th Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership, which brings together the most prominent pastors who make faith come alive in some of the country’s largest churches, like Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, both graduates of the Institute”. (Deceived on Purpose, by Warren Smith p.80) (bold mine)
“Rick Warren’s implication and Robert Schuller’s contention that God is “in” every person is at the very heart of all new Age thinking. The Bible does not teach this. The New Century Version that Rick Warren quotes is dangerously mistaken in its translation of Ephesians 4:6. The only books I had ever seen that taught that God was “in” everything had nothing to do with biblical Christianity. In fact, it didn’t take me long to find this same unbiblical teaching in A Course in Miracles. The word “purpose” was curiously prevalent throughout the teaching. I read the lesson heading shown below from A Course in Miracles, and then noted what followed:” (p.81) (Deceived On Purpose, by Warren Smith, Sept 2005)
Further, this author points out that on page 88 of The Purpose Driven Life, “Because God is with you all the time, no place is any closer to God than the place where you are right now. The Bible says, “He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.” (bold mine) There’s another word for “God’s in everything”. It’s called Pantheism! As fundamental orthodox Christians, we don’t believe in Pantheism!
We’ll get more into this later, but I find it suspect that he often prefaces a Bible quote with “The Bible says” but you need to go find what verse and what translation. I had to go look at the references on page 328 to find the what the scripture was. It’s Eph 4:6. Then I had to go to another section to find what translation. It’s the NCV. It stands for the New Century Version. This is a revision of The International Children’s Bible. It was written at a 3rd grade level. For those readers with a 4th grade education and up, please see below.
“one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in [a]you all”. Eph 4:6 NKJ. Paul is taking to believers. God is in them all. God is not in everyone, he’s in believers only. (underline mine)
Let’s take a closer look at Robert Schuller as well as a few other influencers of Rick Warren’s.
Make no mistake, Robert Schuller was a proponent of many new age concepts, and Rick Warren is most definitely an understudy of his. The following excerpts are taken from Warren Smith’s Deceived on Purpose, 2004, Mountain Stream Press.
“I remember something I had read in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Church. Right about the time Schuller was showing this Religious Science minister Ernest Holmer’s New Age book, a young Rick Warren was reading his first Robert Schuller book on church growth and starting to put his trust in Schuller as a teacher” (p. 102).
“Surprisingly, Rick Warren does not directly acknowledge Schuller in The Purpose-Driven Life” (p. 103).
“In 1979, as a last year seminary student and a year before he started Saddleback Church, Rick Warren and his wife Kay drove all the way from Texas to California to attend one of Robert Schuller’s church growth seminars” (p.103).
“In addition to the many Schuller people that Rick Warren quotes or cites, there are so many other Schuller references within the pages of The Purpose -Driven Life. Many of Rick Warren’s words, phrases, ideas, and expressions can be traced back to Schuller. Schuller’s use of multiple Bible versions, and even his penchant for instructional rhymes, is imitated. Rick Warren’s Schulleresque ‘God is real, no matter how you feel,’ ‘You are never persuasive when you’re abrasive,’ and ‘Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing’ were obviously inspired by Schuller rhymes like: ‘It takes guts to leave the ruts,’ ‘I’m not free until I believe in me!’ and ‘Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch.’ Rick Warren’s rhymes were further reminders of Schuller’s pervasive influence in The Purpose-Driven Life” (p.109).
“I believe a careful reading of the book which accompanies the video session will clearly show it is centered in humanistic philosophy rather than the cross, similar to the self-esteem gospel. Go to your local public library sometime and read the chapter on the Fatherhood of God in Self-Esteem: The New Reformation by Robert Schuller. (Or you can read Review: Self-Esteem: The New Reformation) If you are truly Christian make sure you are seated. Notice how he twists the real meaning of Scriptural words/concepts and yet continues to use those very same Biblical words.” (p.110)
Particularly of concern to me is this false premise of the self-love and self-esteem gospel. I’ve heard it said, “that you can’t love others until you love yourself”. As good as that sounds you will find no scripture to support it. And that’s the point. A lot of New Age teaching sounds like they’re scriptural. Simply put, it gets the focus off God and on to yourself. Consequently, many Christians fall into this trap. It appeals to the flesh. Please take a look at the examples below.
“The dynamic founder of Garden Grove, California’s Crystal Cathedral distills a lifetime of motivational wisdom into eight powerful principles. Addressing goals, priorities, planning, commitment, timing, fortitude, and more, Robert Schuller’s practical, upbeat lessons guide readers to see and seize the unlimited possibilities within themselves.” (Thriftbooks.com). Maybe it’s just me, but kind of sounds a lot like Humanism! (bold mine)
“Learn to love yourself – the secret to happiness in life, in love, in everything you do!” (Thriftbooks.com) Hmm…doesn’t sound all too Biblical, does it?
One reviewer who gives it 5-Stars on Thriftbooks.com, writes, “Everyone should read this book! It will mend broken lives. It will help you to realize your dreams! It will enable you to let God help you become what He dreamed you would become!” Is God’s goal for my life is for me to “realize” my dreams? Since when is it all about me? (bold mine)
Okay, I’m sorry, but I need to turn the light of God’s Word on this. Sometimes it’s good to show the contrast in order to spot the error. Let’s look at John the Baptist. Pulling from John 1:23-37 I found these six points of interest when he was questioned as to his identity and his ministry.
1) He said that he was not the Messiah.
2) He said that he was not Elijah.
3) He said that he was not a prophet.
4) He said that he was not worthy to unlace Jesus’ sandals nor worthy to become his slave.
5) He said of himself, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”
6) Two of his followers left him and became the disciples of Christ.
Was John suffering from lack of self-love, self-esteem, or lack confidence in his own abilities? Was John interested in fulfilling his own dreams?
Now let’s take a closer look at the Schuller-Warren Connection.
“You’re Invited to Discover a Fantastic New Dream for Your Church!
The theme for the 2004 Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership is, If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It! Dare to dream that your church can overcome, can succeed, and can make a difference in your community and in your world today.
Is your church all God wants it to be? Send your pastors and lay church leaders to the 34th Robert H. Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership, which brings together the most prominent pastors who make faith come alive in some of the country’s largest churches, like Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, and Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, both graduates of the Institute“. (Deceived On Purpose, by Warren Smith, Sept 2005, p.80) (bold mine)
Make no mistake, Robert Schuller was a proponent of many new age concepts, and Rick Warren is most definitely an understudy of his. The following excerpts are taken from Warren Smith’s Deceived on Purpose, 2004, Mountain Stream Press, Sept 2005.
“I remember something I had read in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Church. Right about the time Schuller was showing this Religious Science minister Ernest Holmer’s New Age book, a young Rick Warren was reading his first Robert Schuller book on church growth and starting to put his trust in Schuller as a teacher” (p. 102).
“Surprisingly, Rick Warren does not directly acknowledge Schuller in The Purpose-Driven Life” (p. 103).
“In 1979, as a last year seminary student and a year before he started Saddleback Church, Rick Warren and his wife Kay drove all the way from Texas to California to attend one of Robert Schuller’s church growth seminars” (p.103).
“In addition to the many Schuller people that Rick Warren quotes or cites, there are so many other Schuller references within the pages of The Purpose -Driven Life. Many of Rick Warren’s words, phrases, ideas, and expressions can be traced back to Schuller. Schuller’s use of multiple Bible versions, and even his penchant for instructional rhymes, is imitated. Rick Warren’s Schulleresque ‘God is real, no matter how you feel,’ ‘You are never persuasive when you’re abrasive,’ and ‘Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing’ were obviously inspired by Schuller rhymes like: ‘It takes guts to leave the ruts,’ ‘I’m not free until I believe in me!’ and ‘Inch by inch, anything’s a cinch.’ Rick Warren’s rhymes were further reminders of Schuller’s pervasive influence in The Purpose-Driven Life” (p.109).
I believe a careful reading of the book which accompanies the video session will clearly show it is centered in humanistic philosophy rather than the cross, similar to the self-esteem gospel. Go to your local public library sometime and read the chapter on the Fatherhood of God in Self-Esteem: The New Reformation by Robert Schuller. (Or you can read Review: Self-Esteem: The New Reformation) If you are truly Christian make sure you are seated. Notice how he twists the real meaning of Scriptural words/concepts and yet continues to use those very same Biblical words.” (Deceived On Purpose, by Warren Smith)
Other influencers and connections of Rick Warren’s are Mehmet Oz, Pope Frances (the most liberal Pope in the history of the Catholic church), and Bernie Siegel. Of which I think the most dangerous of them all.
Mehmet Oz
The Daniel Plan is a weight loss program that Rick Warren promoted at Saddleback church. One of the speakers that Rick had come to speak to was Dr. Mehmet Oz. Dr. Oz is a self-proclaimed Muslim. A Sufi Muslem to be exact. “He is also a New Ager and national spokesmen for Transcendental Meditation or TM. TM is a pseudo-scientific title conjured up by Hindu guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi”.
(The Berean Call, Mysticism and The Coming World Religion-Part Two, November 1, 2016)
Pope Francis
“The most influential evangelical pastor today, Rick Warren, refers to him as “our new pope.” Pope Francis is certainly the man for the renewal of mystical Roman Catholicism. He’s a Jesuit, fully rehearsed in Spiritual Exercises. In his address before Congress recently, he praised mystic monk and priest Thomas Merton. “ (Mysticism and the coming World Religion-Part One, T.A. McMahon/The Berean Call, October 1, 2016)
Bernie Siegel
In chapter 3 of The Purpose Driven Life, “Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. In the Bible, many different people expressed this hopelessness. Isaiah complained, ‘ I have labored to no purposed; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.’ Job said, ‘My life drags by-day after hopeless day’ and ‘I give up; I am tired of living. Leave me alone. My life makes no sense.’ The greatest tragedy is not death, by life without purpose. Hope is as essential to your life as air and water. You need hope to cope. Dr. Bernie Siegel found he could predict asking, ‘Do you want to live to be one hundred?’ Those with a deep sense of life purpose answered yes and were the ones most likely to survive. Hope comes from having a purpose”. (p.30-31)
Let’s check out Dr. Siegel’s web site. “Introducing Bernie Siegel’s new audio download, Daily Meditations for Optimal Health. Selected for Dr. Bernie Siegel’s Prescriptions for Living best-selling series, these recordings are a combination of guided imagery, auto-hypnosis and meditations that relieve stress, open the heart, and deeply heal your mind, body and spirit. Learn more. Available now. Order your copy online today at: Hay House or Amazon.”
(Taken directly from his own web site: Home – berniesiegelmd.com) (bold mine)
You may be thinking, so what’s the big deal? Rick’s not saying that he believes everything that these New Agers believe. Maybe not, but it’s often difficult to distinguish where the truth stops, and the falsehood starts. At least it is for me, and I’ve been to seminary, pastored a church in upstate New York, and have been studying the Bible for over 45 years. I can’t imagine what it’s like for a new believer in Christ. They haven’t yet developed their senses to be able to discern good from evil. Do we want to be responsible for possibly leading them astray? The fact is there’s a fly in the ointment. This could easily open the door to Eastern Mysticism. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Gal 5:9 NKJV
“Rick Warren openly associates with meditation, which is referred to as “contemplative prayer” or “breath prayer,” by making provision for it in some of his pastors’ training seminars, while yoga relaxation exercises are also offered. These are strange, mystical practices of Eastern origin. In Critical Issues Commentary (ibid) it is said: “Rick Warren compromises with the pagans like the churches Jesus rebuked in Revelation 2 and 3. He uses pagan principles in his SHAPE program which was inspired by Carl Jung’s questionable theories. He teaches pagan ‘prayer’ practices such as ‘breath prayers’ which are designed to induce altered states of consciousness. He consults compromisers such as Robert Schuller and encourage others to do the same.” (bibleguidance.co.za)
“On page 31 of his Purpose Driven Life book, Rick Warren quotes Bernie Siegel, a major New Age leader. Bernie Siegel is connected to Gerald Jampolsky and Neal Donald Walsh who openly say that the days of believing in an exclusive savior are over. If he is a ‘conservative’ Christian, why would he be quoting New Age leaders who do not believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, nor that Jesus is the only savior of the world?” (IS RICK WARREN REALLY A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN? By Loren Davis, January 02, 2009)
In summary, many in the modern-day church are fickle, giving way to them accepting doctrinal error, thus leading them astray. Secondly, Rick Warren has been influenced by New Age teachers. Thirdly, by having New Agers teach at his seminar, it gives the appearance that Rick was in agreement with all their teachings.