Is Rick Warren And His Flirtation With Chrislam A Heresy- Are His Critics Too Harsh?

Today I want to talk about some things that disturb me. That should be easy enough, there are a lot of things that disturb me and at 56 I'm finding I have lost patience with a lot things that I used to endure. But when it comes to the Bible, the person and work of Jesus Christ and the state of the present day church these are things that are worth getting riled up about.

Today's disturbing subject is Mr. Rick Warren. There is no need to introduce this man, if you don't know who he is then it is time you crawled out from under that rock. He's the darling of the Southern Baptist Convention, the financial savior of publishing house Lifeway and he's been referred to as America's pastor. But I would submit to you that he has been involved in a long flirtation with heresy for most of his ministry career.

In my opinion, Rick Warren's, guidelines for church growth have fostered the seeker sensitive rock concert atmospheres that pass for "church" in most cities across our land. He has done more to undermine solemn, traditional, hymn singing worship than any man in the history of the church. He has closed down more little Bible preaching churches than Wal-Mart has closed Ma and Pa stores across America. But it could be argued that worship styles hardly constitute a battleground to determine heresy. I would argue with you on that point but I won't in this post today.

I am disturbed that Rick Warren has associated with new age influenced teachers who are part of the demonic "emergent" church movement. Again, you might think that I'm being too critical, too sensitive, maybe I'm just jealous of Warren's "success".

I'm disturbed that America's pastor is allegedly a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a partner with Tony Blair and together they are seeking ways for the church to bring change in the ever evolving "global society". I'm even more disturbed that no one seems to notice that we are fast approaching a global society, a global currency and a global identification system. This lack of awareness and watchfulness is especially apparent in our pulpits. When was the last time you heard an end times update from your pastor? I thought so.

On March 7, 2011, Roger Oakland, founder ofUnderstand the Times, International, and two other members from his ministry attended the Peace in a Globalized Society forum at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, which featured Rick Warren and special guest, former UK prime minister Tony Blair. Roger Oakland and his co-workers obtained eye-witness seats at the event that included well over 2000 people in attendance. Although cameras and recorders were not allowed in the main sanctuary where the interview took place, the UTT team took notes.
What Oakland and his team heard caused them much concern – thus the reason for this special report. Warren and Blair spoke about Warren’s PEACE Plan and his “Three Legged Stool Plan.” Tony Blair spoke about his inter-faith Faith Foundation. Both speakers were noticeably excited about what they were doing for the world. According to a 2010 UK Observer report, “Tony Blair is preparing to launch a “faith offensive” across the United States over the next year, after building up relationships with a network of influential religious leaders and faith organisations.” Blair’s foundation is “develop[ing] a US arm that will pursue a host of faith-based projects.” Given the fact that Warren joined the  advisory board of Blair’s foundation, it is safe to assume Saddleback will be part of Blair’s US interfaith arm. For the rest of the story Click Here.

I'm disturbed that America's pastor was called upon to give the inaugural prayer and in that prayer he referred to Jesus by His so called Muslim name, Isa. By the way, Jesus was never called Isa in the only book I call sacred, the Holy Bible, and that is the book for me...the B-I-B-L-E ( a little flashback from my VBS experiences).

And while all of these things disturb me about Warren the latest antics of America's pastor in regards to Islam, see Chrislam, disturb me the most. Warren has been leading a charge in his own church to educate the flock concerning the "similarities" that exist between Islam and Christianity. Below is a copy of one of the power points that made up a presentation called "The King's Way". You'll notice that there are references from the Holy Bible and the Quran "side by side". Now, I don't know about you but it is obvious from this panel of information that the intent of these verses is to point out that we are both worshiping the same God, they just have different names. I am not going to take the time in this post to show you that Allah and Jehovah are not the same. Do the research, it won't take long.

Now here is a list of outrageous claims that the Qur'an actually teaches about Jesus, who just happens to be my Lord and my God.

1. Jesus was not the Son of God.

2. Jesus did not die on the cross, He just fainted.

3. Jesus did not raise from the dead since He did not die.

4. Jesus will return with the Mahdi to make people convert to Islam.

5. Jesus will destroy Christianity. 
(For more on Islam/Christianity differences see Dr. Ergun Caner Here)

You see the truth is that the Qur'an actually debases, denies, defies, dilutes and disrespects the person and work of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. The very One who is above all, the High and Lofty One, and the very One who will one day rule the world! The Qur'an blasphemes the Beloved One and elevates a mere mortal in His place. It kind of reminds me of the choice people made the night Jesus was condemned...give us Barabbas.  It makes me nauseous to see references in the Qur'an next to the Word of God. Sadly, I seem to be part of an ever shrinking crowd that feels that way. To try and instruct anyone from a book, the Quran, which is not inspired by Almighty God is heresy. Hey Rick, you are going to have to give account for this grievous error.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Why do Christians feel they must leave the Bible and use other writings to persuade others?

 Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 6:68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

We hear the terminology all the time that encourages us to show our love for Muslims by compromising with them and building a bridge to Mecca. Don't misunderstand me, we need to love Muslims. We have a command from our God to love them. The only way we can show our love for Muslims is to tell them they are drinking from a broken cistern and they need to come to the Water of Life. We need to tell them they will miss the experience of living in the New Jerusalem if they fail to believe upon Jesus Christ. We need to tell them that receiving the gift of forgiveness and eternal life is a simple process of trusting in what Jesus did on that cross 2000 years ago. Oh that Muslims will by the millions come to the point in their lives where they believe that what Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection "is sufficient payment for their sins"!

Time is short, we are living in days of apostasy and heresy. Friend, I beg you to watch the little video in the right side bar entitled "How To Be Forgiven In 3 Minutes". Come to Christ today, don't wait.

Click Here!