Rick Warren in his PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE books and study guides. Sometimes Warren uses a verse from one or another version that seems to be more suited for his interpretation or spin on any particular subject. The version that is clearly the most controversial would be THE MESSAGE Bible. Smith, forinstance, compares the MESSAGE Bible Version and the KJV Bible in their translation of the very well known LORD’s prayer found in the Gospels. This is very interesting because in the Message version, instead of saying “ let Thy Will be done: in earth, as it is in heaven” [as translated in the KJV and many other Bible translations), the MESSAGE has it translated: “as above, so below.” Smith notes that this is (again) a definite new age buzz term and expression that all new agers would immediately identify with. Also exposed is the belittlement of the King James Bible. In fact, Rick Warren tells his readers “to get rid the King James Bible.” This simply makes me want to keep mine above all the others. Warren Smith encourages his readers “to be Bereans,” - to be careful to verify the truth of ideas and doctrines based upon sound Biblical context. How the people of God need to be and to do just that. Smith continually alerts his readers of the changes in ideology among many of the leaders of evangelical Christianity. As a man who came out of the darkness of great deception and has seen first hand the new age philosophies and religions, he is well informed and able to inform others of just where and how these new age ideas have crept into the Christian community and various ministries. He exposes his readers to numerous new age ideas and concepts that most of the body of Christ are woefully ignorant of, both in terms of what they mean and as to the origins, - which is usually Hindu, Buddhist, occultic, or “New Age.” This book is a MUST READ for many Christians who have simply been entirely naive of these creeping (and often subtle) deceptions. I must add also that it is certainly no great surprise that this book has been published by a relatively small publishing company (Mountain Streams Press). While it is well-written, well-researched and very convincing, it deals with a subject matter most publishers would, for the most part, simply want to avoid. Despite being confined to small distribution channels, I was gladdened to see that it is now in its third printing. I believe that Warren Smith has many important things to say in this book and that Christians need to evaluate the teachings of Rick Warren and others to see if they are consistent with the Scriptures. In these times of heightened danger and treacherous deceptions, we must always go to the Lord and look to the Holy Spirit for truth and direction. Christians following deceived leaders will only end up deceived themselves. We must always measure everything carefully by the true Word of God and what is known to be sound doctrine. In closing, I would like to share my favorite passage in this fine and challenging book that is found on page 147. It seems to sum up the real message of Christ and Christianity very simply, clearly and concisely:Finally, after all we had been through, I was starting to see that the heart of the gospel is not so much that God helps those who help themselves, but, rather, that God helps those who cant help themselves. It was not in affirming our strength but in recognizing our weakness that we had finally learned to ask the Lord for help. It was His grace, not our own self-sufficiency that had saved the day. Some additional works that have only recently been published on this same subject are: For Many Shall Come in My Name, by Ray Yungen The Truth War, by John MacArthur The Beautiful Side of Evil, by Johanna Michaelsen Inside the New Age Nightmare, by Randall Baer Redefining Christianity, by Bob DeWay and More than a Purpose, by Marshall Davis Here also are a few videos over at youtube that can be very helpful in order to get a clearer perspective on these issues: Be sure to listen to this one first: Pastor John MacArthur on the Purpose Driven Life:youtube/watch?v=nI9EzMWZoag&feature=related Rick Warren - Religious Pluralism - These Bridges Are False! youtube/watch?v=ptGh_xU2PCc youtube/watch?v=jdhDnPeIOn0&feature=related BEWARE of the subtle infiltrations and deceptions of the New Age Agenda: it is now more prevalent and “acceptable” than ever before. Remember: Jesus said, “MANY *would come in His name* and deceive MANY.” – that was certainly a righteous and accurate warning.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:08:59 +0000
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