Introduction

As Christian's we are commanded to prove all things and to test the spirits (teachers) (1 John 4:1). The bible goes on to say we will know them by their fruits, even thought they will claim to do things in the name of Christ (Matt 7:15-22). Therefore it is imperative that the work of Rick Warren be placed under the microscope of scripture.

In commenting on 1Thess 5:21-22 Edmond Hiebert says the following:

 5:21. In view of this danger Christians need to test what they hear and read, by comparing it with the Word of God, to determine if it is divine in its origin. This is difficult, but it is possible for a spiritual believer (1 Cor. 2:14). Each Christian has the responsibility and ability to do this, though some have more discernment than others (cf. Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). What is discovered to be good (i.e., in harmony with what has been given by the Holy Spirit in the Word) should be retained.

5:22. On the other hand counterfeit teaching and living should be rejected and avoided. Not only should pseudo prophecies be discarded but also, as Paul broadened his warning, every kind and form of evil should be avoided. [8]

As a member of a Southern Baptist church who has gone through 40 days of purpose using the "Purpose Driven Life" book as a guide. I'm concern about the spiritual signals Rick Warren is sending out via this book. These signals are distortions and half-truths, and should make any discerning Christian who names the name of Christ wary of what they are seeing, hearing and reading from Rick Warren. On one hand Rick Warren talks about preaching the gospel while on the other he promotes unscriptural mystical practices, quotes from non Christian people to bring about a so call spiritual understanding of the scriptures, quotes from paraphrase bibles which do not represent the original languages and calls it God's' word and uses the world's business techniques to promote church growth. This should leave any Christian concern about the use of any of  Rick Warren teachings as a guide for Church growth and a source for spiritual truth.

"The Bible tells us to "pray all the time"  How is it possible to do this?
One way is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries.

You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: "You are with me." "I receive your grace." ...(Boldness for emphases)

It is amazing to read Rick's instructions on "breath prayers" in light of what Jesus said in the following:

do not use meaningless repetition - comes from the Greek word "battos" (a proverbial stammerer) 1 to stammer. 2 to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words, to babble, prate.^[24]

Yet in the practicing of "Breath Prayers, Rick is encouraging believers to disobey Christ and do it any way, with the so called intention of practicing the presence of God. Since God doesn't contradict  himself whose presence would one really be practicing? 

1. Thomas Carlyle - an apostate, rejected the faith he was brought up in ^[14] (pg 27 *PDL*)
    
2. Bertrand Russell - atheist^[4] (Pg 17 *PDL*)
    
3. Dr. Bernie Siegel -  channeler  of George the spirit guide (demon), supposedly communication with dead patients and practitioner of holistic medicine which has an occult basis.(Pg 31 *PDL*)^[2]
    
4. Henry David Thoreau - Transcendentalism (Pg 32 *PDL*) ^[3]
    
5. Anais Nin - erotic story writer (Pg 41 *PDL*) ^[10]
    
6. Benedictine Monks - Roman Catholic Mystics( Pg 89 *PDL* )
    
7. St John of the Cross  -  Spanish mystic and Carmelite friar ( Pg 108 *PDL*)
    
8. Henri Nouwen -  Declares that Christ is not the only way(Pg 108,269 *PDL*)^[5]
    
9. Mother Teresa - (Pg 125,231 *PDL*)

   While she worked with the poor, Mother Teresa was adamant that any type of evangelism was unnecessary. In her book, Life in the Spirit: Reflections, Meditations and Prayers, she says:

   "We never try to convert those who receive [aid from Missionaries of Charity] to Christianity but in our work we bear witness to the love of God's presence and if Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, or agnostics become for this better men -- simply better -- we will be satisfied. It matters to the individual what church he belongs to. If that individual thinks and believes that this is the only way to God for her or him, this is the way God comes into their life -- his life. If he does not know any other way and if he has no doubt so that he does not need to search then this is his way to salvation." (Pages 81-82) ^[6]

10. Madam Guyon - -  Roman catholic mystic (Pg 193 *PDL*)^[7]
     
11. Carl Jung -  -  uses spirit guides  call ‘intelligent entities’ Philemon, Elijah and Salome.(Pg 345 *PDL*)
    
    "Over time, Jung holds conversation with Elijah who eventually changes into another figure, Philemon. Philemon teaches Jung about the nature of human consciousness. Jung begins to see how autonomous inner figures can act. It is the inner figure that seems to hold this knowledge, not Jung. (p.183). Again, Jung's inner figure changes. This time it alters to take on the form of the Egyptian notion of spirit, Ka. (p.184-185, Vintage edition of Memories, Dreams, Reflections) ^[9] "
     
12. Aldous Huxley- Huxley was a humanist but was also interested towards the end of his life in spiritual subjects such as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism. Huxley was a pioneer of self-directed psychedelic drug use "in a search for enlightenment", famously taking 100 micrograms of LSD as he lay dying. His psychedelic drug experiences are described in the essays The Doors of Perception (the title deriving from some lines in the book The Marriage of Heaven and Hell by William Blake) and Heaven and Hell. ^[15]

Rick Warren and Peter Drucker
Warren’s mentor well known in the business world for Management techniques and business innovation is now recognized as the grandfather of the ‘mega-church' movement. But is he even a Christian?

Rick Warren and The Syrians
Warren has traveled to and provided legitimacy to a hostile foreign government, presided over by a brutal fascist dictator who hates Jews, threatens Israel, subverts neighboring Lebanon, imprisons and terrorizes its own citizens and even kills them in massive numbers when they stand up in revolt

Rick Warren and Sen. Barack Obama
Warren has invited Sen. Barack Obama to speak to the congregation of the faithful on Dec. 1, 2006. In doing so, he has joined himself with one of the smoothest politicians of our times, and also one whose wickedness in worldview contradicts nearly every tenet of the Christian faith that Warren professes.

Rick Warren and The Templeton Foundation
“Templeton's beliefs are clearly expressed in his numerous writings: He is an evolutionist, pantheist, universalist, and has occultic views

Rick Warren Teams Up With Ken Blanchard
a man who so obviously promotes and believes in the benefits and use of mantra meditation, yoga and who has no trouble borrowing from Buddhism.

Rick Warren and The Emerging Church
Although Saddleback is not a direct participant in the movement, Rick Warren obviously approves of leaders Brian McLaren and Dan Kimball.

Rick Warren and Robert Schuller
There has apparently been some controversy regarding the connections between Rick Warren and Robert Schuller, with Rick Warren himself denying that he was mentored in any way by Schuller.. But Schuller tells a different story

Rick Warren and Leonard Sweet
In Leonard Sweet’s 24 Transitions For Moving Into The 21st Century, point reads as follows: From "Does it Make Sense" to "Was it a Good Experience?"

Bernie Siegel
Says this of his ‘spirit guide’ "All I know is that he has been my invaluable companion ever since his first appearance. My life is much easier now, because he does the hard work”

Warren Meets With Yonggi Cho
“Cho's teachings are an idolatrous mix of a little Biblical teaching with a lot of occult healing, prophesying, visualization, sorcery, and pagan mind techniques

Rick Warren Endorsed The Alpha Course
Leaders of the Counterfeit Revival demand the Kingdom now! — in this life, with all of its attendant material wealth, public accolades, physical health, and earthly power

Rick Warren’s tribute to John Wimber
This is the ecumenical, I love Mary, user of relics, guided imagery and visualization, believer in astral projection, "Zen" prayer techniques for meditation (i.e., Buddhism), and Jungian psychology John Wimber. Yup! The very same guy!

Rick Warren and The Minerva Awards
Pastor Warren seems to have little concern speaking at conferences highlighting awards named after Roman Goddesses, especially since he totally neglects to present the Gospel.

Rick Warren and The Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute web site defines it’s mission..  “Our core mission is to foster enlightened leadership and open-minded dialogue.

Rick Warren and Henry Nouwen
Rick Warren says this about In the Name of Jesus by Henry Nouwen.. My wife, Kay, recommends this book: "It's a short book, but it hits at the heart of the minister

See site http://www.inplainsite.org/html/rick_warren_new_age.html#Ken%20  for a detail treatment for each of the above ^[13]

With regards to the Ricks view of the importance of Bible prophecy, Rick Warren has stated the following as found on page 285-286 *PDL

"When the disciples wanted to talk about prophecy, Jesus quickly switched the conversation to evangelism. He wanted them to concentrate on their mission to the world. He said in essence, "The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I have given you. Focus on that!"

Speculating on the exact timing of Christ's return is futile, because Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Since Jesus said he didn't know the day or hour, why should you try to figure it out" What we do know for sure is this: Jesus will not return until everyone God wants to hear the Good News has heard it. Jesus said, "The Good News about God's kingdom will be preached in all the world, to every nation. Then the end will come." If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy.^{[11]. "}

On page 325 of the PDL**, Appendix 3 Rick makes the following Statement:

"...The Bible was originally written using 11,280 Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words, but the typical English translation uses only, 6000 words. Obviously, nuances and shades of meaning can be missed, so it is always helpful to compare translations.
Second, and even more important, is the fact that we often miss the full impact of familiar Bible verses, not because of poor translations, but simply because they have become so familiar...Therefore I have deliberately used paraphrases in order to help you see God's truth in new, fresh ways..." (boldness author's emphases)

Regardless if one uses multiple translations or paraphrase Bibles to gain an understanding of the nuances and shades of meaning of scripture, good and sound Bible exegeses comes from applying hermeneutical principles (i.e. looking at the original languages, context of verses and their historical setting) not from comparing different translations or referencing paraphrase Bibles alone. 

One thing is for sure if you use paraphrase Bibles or any translation for that matter that do not represent the original languages you will definitely see God's truth in new, fresh ways. The only problem is it will no longer be the truth of God but doctrines of man, error, or doctrines of demons.

One would think someone with Rick's Warrens' educational background would know that in order to bring out the meaning of a passage of scripture(s) one must use sound hermeneutical principles i.e. looking at the original languages, context of verse(s) and their historical setting rather than relying on a paraphrase bibles which don't do so. This behavior makes one question the motive(s) behind Ricks "Purpose Driven" teaching"

Consider some of the following passages as found in the "Purpose Driven Life": compare to relievable translations.

See http://www.cicministry.org/berean.php for a complete comparison of the bible version Rick Warren used in the PDL compared to NASB a very reliable translation.

In examining the non Biblical practices, quotations from questionable people, associations and the ambitions of Rick Warren, one is corralled into coming to only one conclusion. There are clear signals that indicate that Rick Warren is sending out non biblical messages and engaging in behaviors that are against clear Biblical teaching.

Compare what the Bible says about our association with the world versus what Rick Warren's is doing.

• Did any of the Old Testament Prophets quote form the demon led or possessed  priests or prophets of the world religions as a source of inspiration, enlightenment or pursue working relationships with them to help build the kingdom of God. 

In Amos 3:3 the following is said , "Can two walk together, except they be agreed? "

Yet Rick is actively seeking the wisdom of those who are of the world system and who are clearly enemies of the Cross to build the body of Christ.

One has to question how healthy the spiritual body that Rick Warren is building, considering the "source" of the diet in which he is prescribing, which is from the god of this world Satan (Eph 2:2) whose sole purpose is to deceive and destroy. 

Notice the Holy Spirit's take on the wisdom of the world as spoken through the apostle Paul:

1Cor 2:1-5

1Cor 3:19

In light of the above one has to ask why a professing Christain leader would (1) team up with and form any alliance with any one who clearly promotes and believes in the benefits and use of mantra meditation, yoga and who has no trouble borrowing from Buddhism such as Ken Blanchard. (Rick Warren Teams Up With New-Age Guru Ken Blanchard) (2) Who uses numerous favorable quotations from people who are clearly enemies of the Cross. (3) Encourages others to practice behaviors not sanctioned by scripture such as "Breath Prayers", which are based on clear erroneous interpretation of scripture where no sound hermeneutical exegesis has been applied. (4) His teaching of  immanence as found on page 88 in the "Purpose Driven Life". This "immanent" aspect of God, is also taught as part of the "Foundations" course at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. The Foundations Participant's Guide reiterates Rick Warren's teaching that God is "in" everything.  For those who are spiritually discerning you will quickly recognize this for what what it is, "pantheism" which is an erroneous view of the God of the Bible. With this one point in mind one has to seriously ask the question, which God is Rick Warren promoting? 
 

In light of the clear evidence from Rick Warren himself, one is left with the question where is the discernment, and  allegiance of  pastors and teachers within the church who are promoting and supporting Rick Warren initiatives such as his PEACE plan and his books "Purpose Driven Church",  and "Purpose Driven Life", etc. This clearly shows how far the institutional church has traveled down the road of Apostasy.

The apostle John's criteria for  gauging  our relationship with God is by whether we follow or deviate from Christ’s doctrine (2 John 9). We are explicitly warned not to allow false teachers to teach in our churches (at that time homes) nor give them any encouragement (v. 10). If we do, we take part in their evil deeds (v. 11). By way of extension this would include the buying and selling of their books and materials, teaching their messages and methods to others. If we do, we take part in their evil deeds. Yet there are churches that sell their books, teach from them, and adopt their messages and methods. They appear to be oblivious to the dangers that are presented. These indeed are perilous and deceptive times.

I would strongly encourage you to take the time and read the following especially if you are responsible for teaching or pastoring others.

Rick Warren
Rick Warren Archive
Resolution 69:13