Christian: Reasons Purpose Driven Theology Will Not Work For The Christian Church (Jesus Christ, ritual)

[TheGreaterGame]

I've studied PDT for a little while now . . . and I must say that it is a great concearn of mine that this way of doing Church is dangerous to put it mildly. Those of you who do not know exactly what PDT is let me explain, PDT is:

The philosophy born out of the life and ministry of Rick Warren. You can see its impact in the mega Churches strung throughout North America. PDT is a by-product of the Emerging Church Movement and has been adopted by the main stream evangelical movement.

So what's wrong with this movement . . .

As I see it there are at least a couple of things:

1. A distorted picture of God.
a. Part of being a Pastor is preaching the whole council of God. A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

2. Salvation is made easier then it really is.
b. Warren state early in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" . . . just pray this prayer . . . (and) now your a part of the family of God. Easy belivism is counter evangelicalism.

3. PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.
c. I don't care if you use hymns or progressive music or what color the carpets are, but we should be guided by scripture . . . PDT would let the context of the culture determine what is preached and what is said and what the music sounds like.

This could be an interesting dialougue between Christians on both sides of the aisle. Let's talk.

[dawny0826]

I have the book. And I'm very familar with this movement...my Mom goes to a Lutheran Church that is completing the book in one of the adult classes. They're really enjoying it and the church is truly ON FIRE for CHRIST. So, when you have a church family or if you're an individual who is growing spiritually...I think this movement is a nice reiteration of God's love for us...but I don't think it's the BEST book or movement available by any means.

I put the book down after several devotionals simply because I get so much MORE out of praying for spiritual guidance and reading my Bible. I have no issues with this movement, although I am more charismatic in my approach to Bible study and Worship.

Just to comment...

1. A distorted picture of God.
a. Part of being a Pastor is preaching the whole council of God. A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

I don't think that that this movement gives a distorted image of God at all. GOD IS love. When you accept the invitation through Christ to walk with him...you'll grow in God's perfect LOVE. Yes, he's a jealous God...yes he can be wrathful but when you're striving to become more like him through Jesus Christ...when you repent for your shortcomings and follow the example and direction that the Holy Spirit gives...God's wrath and judgement are overshadowed by his GRACE, LOVE and COMPASSION. We should be focusing on those things, in my opinion.

2. Salvation is made easier then it really is.
b. Warren state early in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" . . . just pray this prayer . . . (and) now your a part of the family of God. Easy belivism is counter evangelicalism.

He's correct. When we call upon Jesus and ACCEPT him into our lives...truly desiring to know him and walk with him...we've been granted Salvation. But of course, you have to sincerely desire Jesus Christ to come into your life. The granting of Salvation isn't the difficult part...when we call upon him...he answers. When we ask and believe...we WILL receive. This is all biblical. I think the intent of the PDL is to teach people that it's only THROUGH Jesus Christ that we have ANY purpose or ANY hope at all. I think the book and movement are simply meant to inspire and remind us that we're only found in CHRIST. John 3:16, in my opinion summarizes how easy obtaining salvation truly is. We obtain salvation through BELIEF in Jesus Christ. The HARD part...is keeping to the narrow path of righteousness. But regardless of our shortcomings, when we repent and fall upon Christ to lead us....he will...always.

3. PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.
c. I don't care if you use hymns or progressive music or what color the carpets are, but we should be guided by scripture . . . PDT would let the context of the culture determine what is preached and what is said and what the music sounds like.

I believe that we should be "doing" Church differently. It's not about church...it's about developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's about drowning yourself in the WORD and living your life as God instructs you. It's about stirring the Holy Spirit within you and acknowledging that our AWESOME God is the same God today as he was yesterday and will be forever. And as Christians...we've been given the opportunity IN CHRIST to do his works but also GREATER works. Think about how AWESOME that is. Really think on that for a minute. THIS should be the message that we SHOULD be hearing. When you surrender yourself to Christ, he will show you the who, what, when, where and how's in your life...he'll show you how to SHINE so that others will WANT to know him. He'll use your talents and spiritual gifts to further HIS precious kingdom. It's about ONE BODY...the BODY of Christ. I think that church and Christian influences are important because they keep us focused on our spiritual growth. But...with and open heart and the WORD of GOD...you can develop a fruitfull relationship with Jesus Christ without church.

[Baerly]

Originally Posted by TheGreaterGame

I've studied PDT for a little while now . . . and I must say that it is a great concearn of mine that this way of doing Church is dangerous to put it mildly. Those of you who do not know exactly what PDT is let me explain, PDT is:

The philosophy born out of the life and ministry of Rick Warren. You can see its impact in the mega Churches strung throughout North America. PDT is a by-product of the Emerging Church Movement and has been adopted by the main stream evangelical movement.

So what's wrong with this movement . . .

As I see it there are at least a couple of things:

1. A distorted picture of God.
a. Part of being a Pastor is preaching the whole council of God. A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

2. Salvation is made easier then it really is.
b. Warren state early in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" . . . just pray this prayer . . . (and) now your a part of the family of God. Easy belivism is counter evangelicalism.

3. PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.
c. I don't care if you use hymns or progressive music or what color the carpets are, but we should be guided by scripture . . . PDT would let the context of the culture determine what is preached and what is said and what the music sounds like.

This could be an interesting dialougue between Christians on both sides of the aisle. Let's talk.

My friend, if I understand what your saying your spot on. I am not quite sure what you mean by "do" church though. (John 4:24) does tell us worship must be done according to TRUTH,or else it is vain worship (Matt. 15:9). I really liked the part about following scriptures. in love Baerly

[angellous_evangellous]

*chuckles*

I've seen anti-Warren hate literature in ministry magazines, dribble from die-hard fundies, and pastors and other Christian leaders with an unhealthy envy of Warren's success.

Warren is simply recycling what Southern Baptists have taught their pastors in seminary since the 1970s, with amazing success. There's nothing wrong with Warren unless you have issue with someone doing his best to proclaim the conservative evangelical Gospel of Christ to as many people as he can, serve the community through hundreds of ministries, all with the primary goal of turning folks into servants who love God.

Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

[michel]

Originally Posted by TheGreaterGame

I've studied PDT for a little while now . . . and I must say that it is a great concearn of mine that this way of doing Church is dangerous to put it mildly. Those of you who do not know exactly what PDT is let me explain, PDT is:

The philosophy born out of the life and ministry of Rick Warren. You can see its impact in the mega Churches strung throughout North America. PDT is a by-product of the Emerging Church Movement and has been adopted by the main stream evangelical movement.

So what's wrong with this movement . . .

As I see it there are at least a couple of things:

1. A distorted picture of God.
a. Part of being a Pastor is preaching the whole council of God. A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

2. Salvation is made easier then it really is.
b. Warren state early in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" . . . just pray this prayer . . . (and) now your a part of the family of God. Easy belivism is counter evangelicalism.

3. PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.
c. I don't care if you use hymns or progressive music or what color the carpets are, but we should be guided by scripture . . . PDT would let the context of the culture determine what is preached and what is said and what the music sounds like.

This could be an interesting dialougue between Christians on both sides of the aisle. Let's talk.

I tend to agree with Dawny;

A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

I don't believe the above statement; firstly Christ's message was about Love, the main focus of life on earth is about love.

As far as God's wrath and judgement being underplayed, I'd like to know from where you have got that idea; there are plenty of 'fire and brimstone' Christians about.

PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.

To my mind, again, this is erroneous; Church should be about rejoycing, it should be about anything that makes people feel part of the community, and loved. Scripture has it's place, but is more of a 'manual' when the machine goes wrong.............

[Heneni]

I have thought about purpose driven theology a lot. To tell you the truth, I have not recieved ANY assurance either in prayer or meditating, that any of this theology is on the mark.

One positive point is, it doesnt hurt to help people get a sense of direction. Like someone once said, if you dont know where you are going, any road will take you there.

I have myself, searched long and hard, and asked for guidance in the matter of my purpose many a times.

This is what I believe my purpose is...BE LIFE.

All the other purpose driven theologies, seems to focus on god giving someone a special assignment so to speak. Not that he cant do that, he can give any assignment he likes. I think he uses angels for these assignments. But I have seen many ego's hurt and much suffering with this type of theology.

Purpose is not something to do, but something to be. All else follows. A flower knows its suppose to be a flower. It does what it needs to become a flower from the moment it became a seed.

All it knows is...to LIVE. To sprout, to grow roots, to break through the soil out of darkness and into light. To reach for the sun, and to, flower when the time comes. All of this is done instictively. Life has its own intelligence far more brilliant than all the wisdom of solomon.

It brought me great relief to give up my search for purpose, and when I realised that all I need to be is LIFE. Since then, life has truly changed.

I think God has given me a valuable piece of what I would call a missing link in my life. As a child I felt invisible. Not invisible as undestructable, but rather insignificant. When we become christians many of our old habbits and old problems could easily just be swopped for the same problems, but with a christian twist. When we feel insignificant as a child, we start to think that we can become very significant as a christian. Same problem, just different setting.

Lots of love
Heneni

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

*chuckles*

I've seen anti-Warren hate literature in ministry magazines, dribble from die-hard fundies, and pastors and other Christian leaders with an unhealthy envy of Warren's success.

Warren is simply recycling what Southern Baptists have taught their pastors in seminary since the 1970s, with amazing success. There's nothing wrong with Warren unless you have issue with someone doing his best to proclaim the conservative evangelical Gospel of Christ to as many people as he can, serve the community through hundreds of ministries, all with the primary goal of turning folks into servants who love God.

Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

Damn you're cool.

[*Paul*]

Originally Posted by TheGreaterGame

I've studied PDT for a little while now . . . and I must say that it is a great concearn of mine that this way of doing Church is dangerous to put it mildly. Those of you who do not know exactly what PDT is let me explain, PDT is:

The philosophy born out of the life and ministry of Rick Warren. You can see its impact in the mega Churches strung throughout North America. PDT is a by-product of the Emerging Church Movement and has been adopted by the main stream evangelical movement.

So what's wrong with this movement . . .

As I see it there are at least a couple of things:

1. A distorted picture of God.
a. Part of being a Pastor is preaching the whole council of God. A lot of times God's love is over emphasized and other parts of his nature are deemphasized, like his wrath and judgement.

2. Salvation is made easier then it really is.
b. Warren state early in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" . . . just pray this prayer . . . (and) now your a part of the family of God. Easy belivism is counter evangelicalism.

3. PDT seeks to "Do" Church differently.
c. I don't care if you use hymns or progressive music or what color the carpets are, but we should be guided by scripture . . . PDT would let the context of the culture determine what is preached and what is said and what the music sounds like.

This could be an interesting dialougue between Christians on both sides of the aisle. Let's talk.

I'm in full agreement with you on this one, I do not believe the a fully biblical view of God is presented in this movement, only what the view as attractive to would be seekers is emphasized but is very wrath and disgust towards sin and repentance are ignored or re -worded in the most seeker friendly way possible.

Easy believism is the curse of the evangelical church today, "if you just said that prayer you are now born again and in the family of God (now send us your money)". People are being led in a prayer to ask Jesus in their hearts when they have not been confronted with His true nature, the product is a church full of false converts who think being a Christian is the easiest thing they have ever done, now they just have to pay their tithes, come to church, help with fundraising and tell others about this church they have found.

As for your comment 3c I would like to add that when "scripture" is used it seems that very loose translations are favoured and certainly not a literal one.

[Dunemeister]

My problem with this movement is that it smacks of American evangelicalism which reduces salvation to a sinner's prayer and evangelism to a number's game. He's got numbers, I'll give him that. But that's not what evangelism is about, scripturally. He's basically using market techniques to increase church membership, which involves a number of compromises with the gospel.

[sojourner]

The whole concept of "purpose-driven" places Christians and the Church in a paradigm of "doing" instead of "becoming." If we aren't placing ourselves in a position to be transformed by God, then we're in the wrong business. Evangelism isn't about "getting more people to come to church," it's about sharing the gospel. In other words, helping others to be in a position to become.