My Name is Ezekiel

“But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not”.

In the fall of 2003 I undertook to warn my distribution list and class about the dangers of The Purpose Driven Church and Life Books by Rick Warren, and the methodology that is employed. Some or many of you have gone through the books and the 40 day plan. Some groans and cries of anguish came back to me in spite of the (somewhat brief) reviews that I had provided by fundamental pastors of the Shepherd’s Fellowship:

“Why listen to these critics? Why can’t we just get along with each other? There
are some practical helps there that we need”

“My pastor (he can’t be wrong) is going through the Purpose Driven Life for us”

“Don’t knock (criticize) Rick Warren. He is reaching people that no one else can reach”

“The 40 day plan is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me”

“The success of his church is overwhelming. Can’t you see that?”

“Just sour grapes”

“Everybody is doing it. It must be OK.”

“My church can’t be wrong”

“I have met Rick Warren and he is the most loving, sensitive pastor I have ever met. They have something for everyone there”

“He’s all right, just shallow theology”

“I’m reading the Purpose Driven Life, it’s so down to earth”…in gushing tones, and when asked by my wife why are you reading that, the reply was, “He uses scripture to prove his points”

There are several more, but you get the idea. Now, I am not Ezekiel, but those scholars, theologians, pastors and others who have filled the airways with warnings are certainly to be considered as modern Ezekiels in this case. And there are many, many, of them. Of course, there must be justification and resorting to comparison to scripture for these warnings. Let it be known that in my research I have collected dozens of authors, 100s and 100s of pages and such comments as “This is out of the pit of hell”, by an east LA pastor on an LA radio station. Rather brusque, wouldn’t you say? Did you say, “That is not Christian”? Let me put it another way in my words:

“Rick Warren is an apostate preacher-teacher, with an apostate message, building an apostate church”.

Now then, I have said it. So much for America's pastor. And I have friends who are members in good standing in his Saddleback church. If you would like for me to remove your name from my address book and distribution list, I will be glad to do so. Just send me an email note with your request and it will be gone the same day. No offense will be taken.

I would hope that you might consider all the Ezekiels who comment on Warrenism as being representative of the massive content of information that is available on his unbiblical message and methodology. Comparison of his words with scripture, almost line by line, comparison of his methodology with the socio-psychological therapy of the day in order to build his church, and seeing the results should bring bible-oriented Christians back to the question, “Does a feel good message bring people to Christ, or just to feeling good”? There is more where these came from.