Much like the prophet Balaam in the Old Testament sends mixed messages of whether he is a prophet of the Most High or a false prophet, Warren’s Purpose Driven message sends mixed messages. Though Balaam’s oracles prophesied of the coming Messiah, the New Testament writers identify him as a false prophet (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14) Muslim woman Wardah Khalid says Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven message resonates with Muslims.
I have always been a big fan of Oprah Winfrey. Growing up, I remember faithfully watching her show every day after school (after my cartoons ended, of course) and admiring the compassion and courage that she shared with her viewers. So when the opportunity came to attend a taping of her “Lifeclass” show in Houston, I snagged it. The icing on the cake? Pastor Rick Warren was her guest.
Yes, I realize that Pastor Rick is Christian, and well, I am not, but I was familiar enough with his work to know that much of the spiritual advice he gave his Christian followers resonated with Muslims as well. (online source)
The testimony of Muslim woman Wardah Khalid is consistent with Warren’s confusing and compromised Purpose Driven P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan includes unbelievers, Muslims, homosexuals, etc. setting aside differences and working together to fight poverty, disease, AIDS, illiteracy and injustice. This, according to Warren, will bring about the “Second Reformation.” Thus, Warren’s reformation is a social reformation rather than a spiritual reformation, based on behavior rather than beliefs, deeds rather than creeds.
Warren stated on a PBS interview with Charlie Rose:
When I go out and I start telling people, ‘Do you want to work with us on poverty, disease, AIDS, illiteracy, injustice?’ I often find people are more unwilling to work with us than we are willing to work with them. In other words, we’re saying, ‘You don’t have to change your beliefs for us to work with you.’ If you can only work with people that you agree with, then most of the world, you’re ruling out. Okay. I don’t insist that a Muslim change his belief for me to work on poverty. I don’t even insist that a gay person has to change their beliefs. They’re going to accept my belief, or I’m going to accept theirs.” (online source)
On July 4th, 2009, Rick Warren spoke to a crowd of some 8,000 Muslim Americans at the 46th annual Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention in Washington D.C.
“I will tell you that I am not interested in interfaith dialogue. I am interested in interfaith projects. There is a big difference.” (online source)
Warren gave practical examples of how Muslims could be successful and how Muslims and Christians could work together on his P.E.A.C.E. Plan. Christians are to boldly proclaim the Gospel to Muslims, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in Jesus’ name (Luke 24:47), rather than trying to find a common word with them or common ground in order to work for the common good. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was absent from Warren’s entire speech.