October 27, 2005 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

During a press conference at the Baptist World Alliance’s (BWA) Centenary Congress in Birmingham, England, in July, Rick Warren of Purpose Driven Church fame called the Southern Baptist Convention’s withdrawal from that organization “silly” and “a mistake” (“Warren: Global Baptists Are in This Together,” Kentucky Western Recorder, July 27, 2005).

It was a mistake to pull out of an organization that is shot through with theological liberalism, that is a home to many preachers who deny that the Bible is the infallible Word of God? Rick Warren obviously has a greater love for wolves in sheep’s clothing than Jesus Christ does (see Mat. 7:15-17).

Warren, a keynote speaker at the BWA Congress, said Baptists should have “unity without uniformity.”

This is not the kind of “unity” we find in the Bible. Paul instructed the churches, “... that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).

Warren said, “I see absolutely zero reason in separating my fellowship from anybody.”

Perhaps he needs to read Romans 16:17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Tim. 3:5, and similar verses in an accurate Bible like the King James instead of the paraphrases that he is accustomed to using, because the Bible’s command to separate from false teachers should be a good enough reason for doing so.

Warren warned that Baptists often are “known for what we’re against rather than what we’re for.”

In his book, that is wrong, but it isn’t wrong when measured biblically. Paul spent much of his time preaching against sin and error, both in the book of Acts and in his epistles. The Lord Jesus Christ frequently preached red hot messages on hell, and He was known for His opposition to the Sadducees and Pharisees, the theological liberals and Catholic priests of His day.

Rick Warren has adopted the contemporary “positive” philosophy and he measures ministries by that rather than by the pure Word of God.

Warren also said he is praying for a second reformation of the church that will focus more on deeds than beliefs. The Bible, though, focuses on BOTH! You can’t have right deeds before God if they are not built upon the right doctrinal foundation. The very first purpose of Scripture is for DOCTRINE! “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

Friends in Christ, beware. This deluded but popular man is a dangerous spiritual guide.