Comment By Email on Rick Warren at the Harvest Crusade

I received this comment by email from one of our prayer partners yesterday and wanted to share it on my blog. This concerns the perils of subjugating a sound gospel presentation to the seeker-friendly movement, man based instead of Christ centered.

I am sure some of you have already heard about Rick Warren giving one of the opening prayers at the Sunday evening closing service of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, CA. Here are the references and my thoughts.

Greg Laurie at Saddleback 8-9-09
http://saddleback.com/mc/services/currentseries.aspx?site=yDi0V4EwP58=&s=vsqSbxM5CDU=

Rick Warren at Harvest Crusade 8-16-09 - webcast and slideshow:
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/webcast/player.php?id=136
Chuck at minute 14, Rick at minute 17.
http://www.harvest.org/crusades/2009/anaheim/slideshows/sunday.html

I have come to the conclusion that I am totally against what Greg Laurie did at the convention. This has nothing to do whether Warren is saved or not, whether Chuck Smith agrees or not, or whether Calvary Distribution carries Warren's books.

It has everything to do with recognizing him at this venue and thus giving the opportunity of the uninformed, with whom we share our concerns over the heretical contents of Warren's books, to say, "Well, Greg Laurie and the Calvary Chapel movement must agree with him. Why should I listen to you?"

This kind of thing has happened many many times over the years we spent within the 'cults movement' when witnessing to them. We must now deal with how to answer this when it comes.

Incidentally, Greg Laurie gave a very good sermon at Saddleback and asked for an alter call at the end. I think that Rick Warren was in the audience too.