Previously, my column The purpose-driven left turn had appeared at Laigle’s Forum, showing how Rick Warren - whether inadvertently or on purpose - was helping the Democrats elect their candidate this year. If you read the comments section of that issue, you will see that Rick himself showed up with comments that were at best disingenuous and was then gently set straight by yours truly.
Today, no less than three items came in from three separate sources regarding Rick Warren, the first being an article showing how a Rick Warren acolyte closed down the web site of a Christian site manager who opposes Rick’s plan to take over the world:
http://christiannewswire.com/news/332947299.html
Then Loren Davis from Africa sent this pdf file, which, starting on page 5, tells about Rick Warren’s enormous influence on the government of Rwanda and other African nations, which Rick hopes to remake according to his own utopian ideas:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/raceforafrica2.pdf
And finally, we received this article below from Johan Malan of South Africa, which we reprint with the author’s permission.
All in all it is clear from these articles how Rick Warren has been propped up by the kind of bullying tactics we normally see used by the Left, and how he has been grabbing power not only in America but also elsewhere, and using that power to implement a utopian “Christian” worldview.
I will keep you informed as to any shenanigans that might occur regarding Laigle’s Forum as a result of our reports on Rick Warren. So far we have not been threatened directly, although a purpose-driven acolyte did try, in an email to me, to reprove me for writing that previous article. He obviously had not read my article, because his rebuttal did not tally with what I had actually said. Once I showed him that, he slinked away. Shortly thereafter Rick came to the site with his comments, which looked strangely similar to the acolyte’s and were, of course, based on a similar erroneous reading of my column. Was there collusion? You decide.
To any religious bully who has designs on wreaking mischief against Laigle’s Forum, let me remind you that the following article is a religious viewpoint and opinion only and is protected by the First Amendment. If this site is shut down in an attempt at censorship, I will make sure the world soon finds out (Be sure your sins will find you out).
You know what? I kind of hope they try!
Donald Hank, Fundamentalist Christian
Consequences of Rick’s Reform Program
Prof. Johan Malan, Middelburg, South Africa (July 2008)
Rick Warren’s ideological approach and religious dogma have the potential of causing substantial political, economic and religious turmoil in countries where his proposed reforms are instituted. He advances a religiously-based social order (or new world order, in a wider context) which is aimed at the establishment of unitary structures with the vision, capacity and means to drive reforms toward greater unity, prosperity, and harmony in society.
Church leaders are specifically challenged to join hands and promote the emerging social order which promises a better life to all. In the process, non-compromising evangelical churches are purposely invaded and changed - or else, if they stubbornly refuse to cooperate - discounted as obsolete forms of “vintage Christianity.” In this way conservative, biblical Christianity is discredited and undermined.
The following facts about Warren’s training, his associates, religious convictions and ideological approach should be considered to better understand his objectives and strategies:
Positive thinking. The ideology of positive thinking was passed on from Norman Vincent Peale, to Robert Schuller, to Rick Warren (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Peaceplan.htm). This way of thinking focuses on the positive aspects of good but ignores the antithesis of evil, sin, judgment, etc. In a Christian context, positive thinking leads to a non-offensive gospel in which nobody is called a hell-deserving sinner. All people are regarded to be inherently good. Positive thinking also distorts the gospel message since the cross and the shed blood of Christ, which are manifestations of God’s judgment upon sin, are avoided in preaching. For more info on this soulless gospel, see http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/RickWarren.htm
Promoting the emerging church. Warren made a very big impact in favor of the emerging church. A staggering 400,000 preachers in 163 countries have been trained through his purpose driven network. For his skills in leadership training, Warren gives most of teh credit to Peter Drucker and Bob Buford. He collaborated with both of them. In an interview he said that stability in any nation is dependent upon a strong and healthy government, a strong and healthy business sector, and strong and healthy churches. He likened it to a three-legged stool. With a view to promoting this view he travels to various countries to address government leaders, business leaders and church leaders to make them aware of their responsibility to work together in realizing the objectives of stable, prosperous, and purpose driven nations. Rick Warren addresses church leaders of all denominations on the subject of social transformation - including Mormons and Catholics - and often emphasizes that doctrine is not as important as remaining focused on service to the community. Read more on his commitment to the emerging church: http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Emerging.htm
A vision for Africa. Both Rick Warren and the like-minded Bruce Wilkinson have a vision for Africa (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Africanvision.htm). Wilkinson focused on South Africa and Swaziland, but underestimated the nature of African politics and ethnicity, and his plans soon ended in disaster (http://www.bibleguidance.co.za/Engarticles/Dream.htm). Rick concentrated on Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya, but there are no indications of the feasibility of his program. The dividing factors in multi-ethnic African countries are simply too deeply-rooted to be instantly replaced with unifying mega-structures.
Dominionism. Warren is totally committed to promoting a man-made kingdom on earth before the second coming of the Lord Jesus. This vision clashes with biblical eschatology, which warns of a deteriorating world that is heading for the great tribulation under the rule of the Antichrist. Not only is Rick’s non-offensive gospel at variance with the evangelical doctrine of salvation, but Rick also discourages his supporters from studying biblical prophecies. The inevitable result is that they end up with a form of godliness which denies the cross and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:5). This humanistic dream offers no spiritual advantages, much less a social utopia that stands any chance of uplifting the sick, the poor, the unemployed, the illiterate, and the politically deprived millions of Africa.
