Unity without Leaven

After prayer and searching the Scriptures we believe the doctrine taught by Rick Warren in the purpose driven life is not one of simply a different method to reach the lost but one that is contrary to the doctrine we have learned and connected to fellowship with unbelievers.  This is clearly forbidden in the Scriptures and is need of reproof and correction.

Eph 5:9-11 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 

Roger Oakland clearly laid out the problem with Rick Warren's doctrine in his book Faith Undone:  Roger says, "Rick Warren believes that God has shown him not only the boundaries (or lack of them) of this coming global kingdom, but also the strategy to bring it about. Before Warren came up with the plan, he says he asked Jesus to show him how to reach the world. He explains:”

(p.149) Rick W   “Then I said, ‘How did You do it? You wouldn’t have left us without a strategy.’ And I found the answer in a passage in Matthew 10 and Luke 10 where Jesus sends His first followers out…He says, ‘When you go into a village, you find the man of peace in every village, in every government, in every business, in every church.* And so I said,  "What is the man of peace?"  He said, "When you find the man of peace,if he's open and he's willing to work with you, you bless him and start your work there.  If the guy's not open to working with you, you dust the dust off your shoes and you go to the next villages, cause you can always find someone to work with." The man of peace is open influential. The man of peace does not have to be a Christian believer. Could be Muslim. Could be Jewish. Because when Jesus said, ‘Find the man of peace, there were no Christians yet. Jesus hadn’t died on the cross. There was no resurrection. He’s just saying, go out and find somebody to work with.” (pp. 149-150)

Roger O “Jesus did not say they were to look for a man of peace of every town, Rather he said ‘whatsoever city or town ye shall enter , enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go hence”  (Matthew 10:11)…it is important to realize that the criterion for staying in a house was not the greeting of peace itself but whether those in that house received their message. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” (Matthew 10:14) “Let me speak very boldly here: if we are going to link hands with those who believe in another gospel or no gospel at all for the sake of establishing an earthly, unified kingdom, we will not be building the kingdom of God.” (p.151) End quote Roger Oakland. 

Roger Oakland rightly divides the truth and points out the subtle shift in what Jesus really taught as opposed to what Rick Warren said regarding fellowship with unbelievers to accomplish ministry.  

While loyalty to our friends and ministries is commendable our loyalty to the Lord and love for him must take first place in our lives no matter what other relationships we have. Solomon was beloved of the Lord, but his heart clave to his wives that worshipped false god's whom he allowed to set up the high places.  If this could happen to Solomon it could happen to anyone.  It is a prudent measure to take care and guard our hearts with all diligence in what we allow our hearts to cleave to.  We are warned about dreamers of dreams that have a different vision which contradicts scripture in bringing us into connections with those that worship other god's such as the ones of the new age movement that Rick Warren has continued to be connected with. Hearkening to those who tell us something contrary to what "God hath said"  is how God PROVES us.

Deuteronomy 13:3-4 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 

We all fall short but the real issue is if we are willing to repent and receive correction.  Jesus spoke to the churches in Revelation and commended them for the good things they were doing yet there were also some things that needed to be repented of. 

Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

All false teaching and false prophesy are based in lies and deception with those who claim that God says something he does not say.  We would be in agreement with Roger Oaklands warnings of Rick Warren teachings contrary to that of scripture as well as the late pastor Chuck Smith's warnings regarding Rick Warren's peace plan as being one that is man directed rather than spirit led. We agree with/follow a man or teacher only as that man or teacher follows Jesus Christ.    

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 

Please join with us in signing the following petition to make a clear statement that we will not reccommend, join with, endorse or share platforms with those who teach doctrine contrary to scripture but rather mark and avoid those who would cause offenses and divisions contrary to the doctrine which we have learned. That being said, it is our desire for repentance and reconcillation for all affected so that we may continue in unity, but without the leaven. 

1Co 5:8: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  

Sincerely, In Christ

Kevin Walding

Rally for Jesus