17 June 1703 A.D. Pietist and Sectarian John Wesley Born

17 June 1703 A.D.  Pietist and Sectarian John Wesley Born.

No author.  “John Wesley: Methodical Pietist.” Christianity Today.  8 Aug 2008. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/131christians/denominationalfounders/wesley.html. Accessed 3 May 2014.

John Wesley

Methodical pietist

"About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed."

In late 1735, a ship made its way to the New World from England. On board was a young Anglican minister, John Wesley, who had been invited to serve as a pastor to British colonists in Savannah, Georgia. When the weather went sour, the ship found itself in serious trouble. Wesley, also chaplain of the vessel, feared for his life.

But he noticed that the group of German Moravians, who were on their way to preach to American Indians, were not afraid at all. In fact, throughout the storm, they sang calmly. When the trip ended, he asked the Moravian leader about his serenity, and the Moravian responded with a question: Did he, Wesley, have faith in Christ? Wesley said he did, but later reflected, "I fear they were vain words."

In fact, Wesley was confused by the experience, but his perplexity was to lead to a period of soul searching and finally to one of the most famous and consequential conversions in church history.

Timeline
1678	John Bunyan writes The Pilgrim's Progress
1687	Newton publishes Principia Mathematica
1689	Toleration Act in England
1703	John Wesley born
1791	John Wesley dies
1793	William Carey sails for India

Religious upbringing

 

Wesley was born into a strong Anglican home: his father, Samuel, was priest, and his mother, Susanna, taught religion and morals faithfully to her 19 children.

Wesley attended Oxford, proved to be a fine scholar, and was soon ordained into the Anglican ministry. At Oxford, he joined a society (founded by his brother Charles) whose members took vows to lead holy lives, take Communion once a week, pray daily, and visit prisons regularly. In addition, they spent three hours every afternoon studying the Bible and other devotional material.

From this "holy club" (as fellow students mockingly called it), Wesley sailed to Georgia to pastor. His experience proved to be a failure. A woman he courted in Savannah married another man. When he tried to enforce the disciplines of the "holy club" on his church, the congregation rebelled. A bitter Wesley returned to England.

Heart strangely warmed

After speaking with another Moravian, Peter Boehler, Wesley concluded that he lacked saving faith. Though he continued to try to be good, he remained frustrated. "I was indeed fighting continually, but not conquering. … I fell and rose, and fell again."

On May 24, 1738, he had an experience that changed everything. He described the event in his journal:

"In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

Meanwhile, another former member of the "holy club," George Whitefield, was having remarkable success as a preacher, especially in the industrial city of Bristol. Hundreds of working-class poor, oppressed by industrializing England and neglected by the church, were experiencing emotional conversions under his fiery preaching. So many were responding that Whitefield desperately needed help.

Wesley accepted Whitefield's plea hesitantly. He distrusted Whitefield's dramatic style; he questioned the propriety of Whitefield's outdoor preaching (a radical innovation for the day); he felt uncomfortable with the emotional reactions even his own preaching elicited. But the orderly Wesley soon warmed to the new method of ministry. With his organizational skills, Wesley quickly became the new leader of the movement. But Whitefield was a firm Calvinist, whereas Wesley couldn't swallow the doctrine of predestination. Furthermore, Wesley argued (against Reformed doctrine) that Christians could enjoy entire sanctification in this life: loving God and their neighbors, meekness and lowliness of heart, abstaining from all appearance of evil, and doing all for the glory of God. In the end, the two preachers parted ways.

From "methodists" to Methodism

Wesley did not intend to found a new denomination, but historical circumstances and his organizational genius conspired against his desire to remain in the Church of England.

Wesley's followers first met in private home "societies." When these societies became too large for members to care for one another, Wesley organized "classes," each with 11 members and a leader. Classes met weekly to pray, read the Bible, discuss their spiritual lives, and to collect money for charity. Men and women met separately, but anyone could become a class leader.

The moral and spiritual fervor of the meetings is expressed in one of Wesley's most famous aphorisms: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

The movement grew rapidly, as did its critics, who called Wesley and his followers "methodists," a label they wore proudly. It got worse than name calling at times: methodists were frequently met with violence as paid ruffians broke up meetings and threatened Wesley's life.

Though Wesley scheduled his itinerant preaching so it wouldn't disrupt local Anglican services, the bishop of Bristol still objected. Wesley responded, "The world is my parish"—a phrase that later became a slogan of Methodist missionaries. Wesley, in fact, never slowed down, and during his ministry he traveled over 4,000 miles annually, preaching some 40,000 sermons in his lifetime.

A few Anglican priests, such as his hymn-writing brother Charles, joined these Methodists, but the bulk of the preaching burden rested on John. He was eventually forced to employ lay preachers, who were not allowed to serve Communion but merely served to complement the ordained ministry of the Church of England.

Wesley then organized his followers into a "connection," and a number of societies into a "circuit" under the leadership of a "superintendent." Periodic meetings of methodist clergy and lay preachers eventually evolved into the "annual conference," where those who were to serve each circuit were appointed, usually for three-year terms.

In 1787, Wesley was required to register his lay preachers as non-Anglicans. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the American Revolution isolated Yankee methodists from their Anglican connections. To support the American movement, Wesley independently ordained two lay preachers and appointed Thomas Coke as superintendent. With these and other actions, Methodism gradually moved out of the Church of England—though Wesley himself remained an Anglican until his death.

An indication of his organizational genius, we know exactly how many followers Wesley had when he died: 294 preachers, 71,668 British members, 19 missionaries (5 in mission stations), and 43,265 American members with 198 preachers. Today Methodists number about 30 million worldwide.

Brainerd, Edwards, Piper, Revivalism & Enthusiasms

David Brainerd. 20 Apr 1718- 9 Oct 1747.

Born the 6th of 10 children. His father, a CT legislator and farmer, died when Brainherd was 9; a few years later, his mother died when he was 13. He remained on the family homestead under his brother’s oversight. Later, he wanted to become a minister like one of the other brother siblings. He prepared for Yale by studying under Mr. (rev.) Fiske.

He still was “not” a church member by the age 19. Why? The Congregationalists required a “salvation experience” and a “statement of the assurance of salvation.” A Baptistic and Pentecostalist view? Proto-revivalism.

He also allegedly disliked original sin, the sovereignty of God, the strictness of law, and that he could not contribute to his salvation. He entered Yale, but was evicted for stating that a Professor had “as much grace as a chair.” Brainerd’s name will come to be associated with “New Lights,” a school within American Congregationalism-Presbyterianism.

Ultimately, he became a missionary to Indians in MA, PA, and NJ. At this point, more research is needed, but not inclined to do it, however.

Jonathan Edwards wrote “An Account of the Life of the Late Reverend Mr. David Brainerd” as well as editing Mr. Brainerd’s diary.

On 12 July 1739, Brainerd wrote this in his diary:

“When I was again walking in the same solitary place…unspeakable glory seemed to open to the view and apprehension of my soul. I do not mean any external brightness, for I saw no such thing…It was a new inward apprehension or view that I had of God, such as I never had before; nor anything which had the least resemblance of it…I felt myself in a new world…At this time the way of salvation opened to me with such infinite wisdom, suitableness, and excellency, amazed that I had not dropped my own contrivances, and complied with this lovely, blessed and excellent way that I had formerly contrived, my whole soul would now have refused it. I wondered that all the world did not see and comply with this way of salvation, entirely by the righteousness of Christ.”

To my mind, this is unanchored and misguided enthusiasm and mysticism.

Edwards wrote at the top of the page for the diary entry: “Lord’s Day, July 12th 1739 forever to be remembered by D.B.” Brainerd died in Edwards’s home in 1747. Age 29.

I took a graduate course on Jonathan Edwards years back, read his works and some of descendant-ministers but never could quite come to terms with him or his theology. Some American "evangelicals" seemed to like him. Or, to my mind, the “Great Awakenings” never seemed as “great” as some asserted. But, 100s have been favourably influenced by Brainerd.

The above quote, however, summarizes the rather “enthusiastic,” “mystical,” “experientialistic,” and “revivalistic” themes. It may be why Mr. (rev.) John Piper and other Particular Baptists have inclined to Edwards and Brainerd. It would seem to coordinate with American "contemporary music" of me and Jesus.  Brainerd and

Edwards, albeit an earlier version and restrained by "something" from Calvinism, Prayer Books, Psalms and Confessions, may well be or have laid the groundwork as proto-charismatics.  Experience!  Inner lights!  Inner visions!

Is there a theological culture clash between an old Calvinist Prayer Book Churchman and Congregationalistic Brainerdism/Edwardseanism? Liturgically, there was. There is on my end, definitively. Not sure how others view these things.

The question is more difficult than presumed. There are sub-textual issues. Of course, research and further readings are in order. And may moderation prevail rather than a parochial hubris that tosses the "baby out with the wash." Having said that, Brainerd and Edwards ain't this scribe's cup of tea. To my mind, Brainherd and Edwards seemed to be "Confessional Calvinism run amok."

The value of church history?  History in general?

It cures the parochialism and hubris, enabling one to transcend his or her limits. Don't be misled here: Anglicanism (some Carolina divines? Wesleyanism, Tractarians, etc.), Presbyterianism ("New Lights"), Lutherans (pietism), Romanism (a whole train of them), etc., have all had their share of "experientialists." "revivalists," "enthusiasts" and "pietists."


A retour of Chas. Hodge may be in order...on the subject of "mysticism."

Charles Chauncey, 1743, a Congregationalist cleric, eviscerated the Edwardsean movement as well as the Anglican revivalist George Whitefield. It's a must-read. Here it is online:

http://books.google.com/books?id=N84CAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=charles+chauncey+state+of+religion&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PmfgUdriKoKxywHZ1YDwDQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=charles%20chauncey%20state%20of%20religion&f=false   

Here endeth the unresolved musings.  Rather than navel-gazing, we'll look fixedly and confidently to the Risen, Ascended and Sovereign Redeemer, but that's another story for another time.

Presbyterian Looks at Early American Revivalism

H/T to:  http://presbyterianblues.wordpress.com/2012/02/22/a-presbyterian-look-at-early-american-revivalism/  

A Presbyterian Look at Early American Revivalism

                              George Whitefield, Anglican Exhorter, Revivalist, and Enthusiast

Whether it was the First Great Awakening or a different and more subdued title would be appropriate, the American revival associated with George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards has profoundly influenced the sensibilities of American Protestantism. Today we look at an excerpt from an analysis of the Old Princeton theologian and churchman Charles Hodge.


The great revival, which about a hundred years ago visited so extensively the American churches, is so much implicated with the ecclesiastical history of our own denomination, that the latter cannot be understood without some knowledge of the former. The controversies connected with the revival are identical with the disputes which resulted in the schism which divided the Presbyterian Church in 1741.


…The men who, either from their character or circumstances, are led to take the most prominent part, during such seasons of excitement, are themselves often carried to extremes, or are so connected with the extravagant, that they are sometimes the last to perceive and the slowest to oppose the evils which so frequently mar the work of God, and burn over the fields which he had just watered with his grace. Opposition to these evils commonly comes from a different quarter; from wise and good men who have been kept out of the focus of the excitement. And it is well that there are such opposers, else the church would soon be over-run with fanaticism.


The term ‘revival’ is commonly used in a very comprehensive sense. It includes all the phenomena attending a general religious excitement; as well those which spring from God, as those which owe their origin to the infirmities of men. Hence those who favour the work, for what there is divine in it, are often injuriously regarded as the patrons of its concomitant irregularities, and those who oppose what is unreasonable about it, are as improperly denounced as the enemies of religion. It is, therefore, only one expression of that fanaticism which haunts the spirit of revivals, to make such a work a touchstone of character; to regard all as good who favour it, and all as bad who oppose it. That this should be done during the continuance of the excitement, is an evil to be expected and pardoned; but to commit the same error in the historical review of such a period, would admit of no excuse ….


That the state of religion did rapidly decline after the revival, we have abundant and melancholy evidence. Even as early as [March] 1744, (Jonathan) Edwards says, “the present state of things in New England is, on many accounts, very melancholy. There is a vast alteration within two years.” God, he adds, was provoked at the spiritual pride and self confidence of the people, and withdrew from them, and “the enemy has come in like a flood in various respects, until the deluge has overwhelmed the whole land. There had been from the beginning a great mixture, especially in some places, of false experiences and false religion with true; but from this time the mixture became much greater, and many were led away into sad delusions.”

Southern Baptists Concerned about "Encroachment of Calvinism"

The Southern Baptists are concerned about the "presumbable encroachment of Calvinism."  This means TULIP or the "five points of Calvinism" associated with the Dutch Synod of Dordt, 1618-1619.  Reformation Anglicanism, of course, would subscribe to "5-point Calvinism." Such views are so basic to young and maturing Churchmen.  We well remember--with head-scratching--when Dr. Al Mohler burst onto the Baptyerian scene with his new found "Calvinism."  One would have thought the Second Coming occurred as Al, along with John Piper, enthused at a Ligonier Conference, sponsored by R.C. Sproul, Sr.  Bapyterians, like R.C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Ligon Duncan, and even James Boice, gave a voice and wide platform to these Baptyerians.  There's much more to "Calvinism" than five points:  covenant and infant baptism, the covenant of grace, consensus Reformed confessions, music, catechisms and memory work for children, doctrinal preaching (e.g. Heidelberg Catechetical instruction at evening services), educated clerics, synodical government, Psalm-singing and theologically-driven hymnals, etc. We would add an Anglican-Reformed liturgy of which the Bapyterians know nothing.  None of the Baptyerians have exposure, skill, or the piety of the  old Prayer Book.  Even the Reformed Seminary professors have little of that. But we briefly digress.  At this point, "predestinarian Baptists," or, as a more historical term, "particular Baptists" like Al Mohler, are giving pause to the revivalist and Arminianized SBC versions, their dominant faction.  Reformation Anglicanism will maintain that level of discernment that transcends these Anabaptists and Baptyerians...what one advisor to Queen Elizabeth the First said, a "faith for men of discerning spirits."  While one might rebut that point as elitist (etc.), we have sustained and substantive rebuttals.  We support Elizabeth's advisor while the Revivalists will object.  The article follows with the URL.

'Encroachment of Calvinism' concerns editor

Posted on Feb 10, 2012 | by Erin Roach

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Southern Baptists must decide whether they are satisfied with a "presumable encroachment of Calvinism" in their leadership and their seminary graduates, Baptist paper editor Gerald Harris wrote Feb. 9, drawing responses from several SBC entities.

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J. Gerald Harris

In a column titled "The Calvinists are here," Harris, editor of The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention, set forth statements about Calvinism and quoted Southern Baptists on both sides of the issue.

"... It appears that some of our institutions and agencies are giving, at the least, tacit approval to Reformed theology or are, at the most, actively on a path to honor, if not implement Reformed theology and methodology in their institutions," Harris wrote at ChristianIndex.org.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., was cited in the column as "a particular source" of recent graduates espousing Reformed doctrines.

"There is a growing perception that Southern Seminary has become a seedbed for a brand of Calvinism that is quite different from the Reformed theology of its founder, James Petigru Boyce, and also a training ground for Reformed church planters," Harris wrote.

In response, R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary, told Baptist Press, "I have no idea what Dr. Harris has in mind with this comment, and only he can explain it. The theological standard at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is the Baptist Faith & Message and the Abstract of Principles, upon which the institution was founded, and on which the first signature is that of James Petigru Boyce."

For more, see:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37156

Rick Warren to Too Excited to Sleep

http://www.saddleback.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentID=2085

Dear Saddleback Family,

I'm not sleeping much. I'm too excited.

THIS SATURDAY, March 28, will be THE GREATEST DAY in Saddleback's history.

OVER 2,000 people have already signed up to become members of our church family on a single day! They're joining me for:

BREAKFAST, BAPTISM & CLASS 101 WITH PASTOR RICK THIS SATURDAY AT 8:30 AM TO NOON IN THE WORSHIP CENTER.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Two thousand years ago - the Day of Pentecost was the first day of the Christian Church. Acts 2:41 tells us, "About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the church that day." If you'll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback! Want to make history?

Which of these requirements do you need to complete this Saturday?

1. Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Click here to learn more.

2. Attend Class 101: Discovering Your Church Family. Sign up.

3. Sign our membership covenant (explained in class).

4. Be baptized the way Jesus commanded and modeled for us.

(Many of us were baptized as kids on our parent's faith. Jesus modeled believer's baptism at age 30 when he was baptized in the Jordan River) It would be my privilege to baptize you after Class 101.

YOU CAN FINISH ALL 4 REQUIREMENTS IN ONE DAY - THIS SATURDAY!

EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE:

1. I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.

2. I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.

3. You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)

4. You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.

5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)

6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.

7. You'll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!

8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.

I was asked, "Rick, If you could wish for anything to celebrate your 30 years of service at Saddleback, what would you dream of?" I said, "To experience a repeat of Pentecost - and see 3,000 people affirm their faith and join our church family on a single day." Will you be a part of making this a reality?

Just do 2 things:

1. Sign up for this Saturday by clicking here.

2. Watch the session 3 video!

This is going to be fun. You're the greatest. See you Saturday!

Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Purpose Driven Network
P.E.A.C.E. Coalition

Rick Warren-Watch: Some Resources

There are a few broken links which we left here. 

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/213-rick-warren-research

Articles
Contra
The Adulation of Man in the The Purpose Driven Life by Richard Bennett.
Discerning a Christian Flip-Flopper: Why Rick Warren Has Critics by Chris Carmichael.

[I]t should come as no surprise that Rick Warren has cultivated many critics within Christianity who are coming to see that his inconsistent teachings are an indication of a double-minded man. Truly the Saddleback pastor has exhibited strong signs of being a Christian flip-flopper on many occasions, and this has made many discerning Christians rightfully wary of him, especially considering the prominence and influence of his ministry.

Purpose Drive Life - Church by Robert Wise.

I have studied this subject extensively and I can without reserve say that Rick Warren and his newest “purpose” are deceiving churches and preachers. There are numerous Scriptural errors in this book. I believe that most people who read it will ascertain that the book seems to be a good read and a practical book giving decent advice, while not Discerning that the book is filled with dangerous errors and is loaded with tons of "New Age" philosophies. The book does cover a lot of basic teachings for new Christians in a sense, but the biggest problem is that there is no conviction, repentance, or actual absolute reliance on the Master for our life sustaining needs. There is a lot of fluff . . . milk instead of meat of the word.

Rick Warren Connections "Especially to the Ecumenical Third Wave New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and "Positive Thinking" Movement ". Compiled by Sandy Simpson.
Rick Warren's Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan vs. Scriptural Teachings on Peace by James Sundquist. For some background information, see The Purpose-driven Pastor.

Dedicated to the churches of Jesus Christ our Savior in the 67 countries in which Rick Warren has tested his pilot P.E.A.C.E. Plan in 2005, the 131 countries[1] he has been working on for the last two years, to those who speak the 56 languages in which Purpose Driven Life has already been translated, and to rest of the nations throughout the uttermost parts of the earth that he has targeted to consummate the roll-out for his plan in 2006. This is also dedicated to the tens of thousands of churches which have already been stolen by Rick Warren's teachings and to the saints who were purpose-driven from those churches for opposing his teachings and covenants, many of whom now have no church and to all of those pastors and church members still on the fence about Rick Warren's teachings.. We hope this will help alert you to the magnitude and scope of this religion and movement and sound an alarm to those Christians who have never heard of Rick Warren.

Rick Warren: Jesus Would Not Have Approved By Matt Hutaff, on The Simon (blog): "Rick Warren is no innovator. He's just another pastor who treats Christianity like big business... and business is good."
Pro
Living with purpose "A philosophy of faith and service moves hearts and minds." Chicago Tribune, Apr. 25, 2004. (Posted at the web site of Saddleback Church, which is pastored by Rick Warren).
The Man With The Purpose "Rick Warren’s plan for spiritual fulfillment is making him America's most influential spiritual leader." TIME magazine, Mar. 29, 2004. (Posted at the web site of Saddleback Church, which is pastored by Rick Warren).

Books

Contra
Deceived on Purpose By Warren Smith. Mountain Stream Press (December 12, 2004).
Redefining Christianity: Understanding the Purpose Driven Life Movement by Bob DeWaay. 21st Century Press (January 22, 2006).

The author of this book examines The Purpose Driven Church, The Purpose Driven Life, and the business system that Rick Warren has developed to promote it around the world. He looks carefully at his claims, his use of scripture, his integration of human wisdom with scripture, and his ability to get thousands of pastors to convert from expository Bible preaching to being Purpose Driven. In the end he compares Rick Warren’s version of "church health" with that of Jesus Christ. The reader will see how Rick Warren has indeed redefined Christianity. [...] Bob DeWaay is the senior pastor of Twin City Fellowship in Minneapolis, Minnesota.- Source: Amazon.com reviews

Who's Driving the Purpose Driven Church? A Documentary on the Teachings of Rick Warren by James Sundquist. Bible Belt Publishing (November 2004).
Pro
The Purpose-Driven Church by Rick Warren. Nelson Books (November 27, 1995).

The thesis of The Purpose Driven Church is that when churches think first about their health, growth is sure to follow. "If your church is healthy," writes Rick Warren, "growth will occur naturally. Healthy, consistent growth is the result of balancing the five biblical purposes of the church." These five purposes are to "Love the Lord with all your heart," "Love your neighbor as yourself," "Go and make disciples," "[Baptize] them," and "[Teach] them to obey." And those purposes can only be accomplished, argues Warren, when church leaders stop thinking about church-building programs and shift their focus to a "people-building process" involving fellowship, discipleship, worship, and evangelism. Warren, the founder of the fastest-growing Baptist church in American history, has taught seminars to thousands of pastors from all over the world, many of whom have successfully implemented his techniques.- Source: Amazon.com reviews

The Purpose-driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren. Zondervan (October 1, 2002).

The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness.- Source: Gail Hudson, Amazon.com reviews

Rick Warren And The Purpose That Drives Him: An Insider Looks At The Phenomenal Bestseller by Richard Abanes. Harvest House Publishers (July 2005).

Books / Study Guides Online

A Berean's Discernment Tool for the Purpose Driven Life

One frustration experienced by readers of The Purpose Driven Life is that most of the Biblical citations fail to designate which translation is cited in a specific text of the book. The reader must go to the footnotes for the particular chapter to find out which passage is referenced and in which translation. The other problem is that Rick Warren often employs partial citations of verses rather than the whole verse. These problems make it difficult to discern whether the Bible actually support the point he is making. We have created a series of files that resolves this problem -- one for each day of the 40 days of purpose. In the left column on each page we show the passages that Warren cites just as he cites them; and in the right column next to Warren's verse we show the full verse from the New American Standard Version of the Bible. [...] It is up to you to determine whether Warren has made valid use of the passage.

Multimedia

Commentary: Rick Warren's View of Revival [Audio] by Dr. Alan Cairns, Pastor of Faith Free Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.
Spirit-Led or Purpose-Driven? [Audio] by Mark Franklin, pastor of Hardingville Bible Church in Hardingville, NJ.

News and News Archive

Rick Warren news tracker, provided by Religion News Blog
Additional news items that include the term Rick Warren

Web Sites

Purpose Driven Official web site for the purpose driven programs
Saddleback Church Official web site of Saddleback Church, pastored by Rick Warren

Rick Warren Videos