Rick Warren: Fundamentals of the Faith a "Legalistic and Narrow View"

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." -- Matthew 7:13-14

On May 23, 2005, Pastor Rick Warren was a quest speaker at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. At this event, he made this shocking statement concerning the nature of Christianity:

Now the word "fundamentalist" actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity... (Read entire transcript here; this quote is about half way down the page.)

What is this 1920's document that Pastor Rick Warren finds so legalistic and narrow? Here is what that document says:

There are five fundamentals of the faith which are essential for Christianity, and upon which we agree:

1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8 9).

2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27).

3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Romans 3:25, 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14).

4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).

5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16 17; 2 Peter 1:20).

And those who disagree with any of the above doctrines are not Christians at all. Rather, they are the true heretics.

So disagreements are perfectly acceptable within the confines of Christianity, because our salvation does not hinge upon doctrines other than the above five. (Read the entire document here [look at left side of the page].)

Does this sound at all like legalism? Does he not believe that this document accurately presents Christianity? If these five fundamental Christian truths are "legalistic", I wonder what he believes about Christianity?

HT: Lighthouse Trails Research

Preach ONLY the Word of God!

"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." -- 1 Corinthians 9:16

A vital question that all Christians should ask themselves is, "What should my pastor be preaching at my church?" I think the Christian church has really fallen into a lot of non-biblical preaching and teaching these days. They want to be "relevant", "attractive", and "appealing" to the unsaved people in their community. However, the Bible nowhere says that that is what our churches should be like!

Let's look at some Scriptures on what the main job of a pastor is on a Sunday morning:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,for correction, for training in righteousness;

so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

- 2 Timothy 3:16- 4:1-4

This makes it very clear.

What are pastors supposed to be preaching about from the pulpit? THE WORD OF GOD!!

Not from the latest popular book, movie or TV show, some new study or finding, and not even the pastor's own experiences.

God's people want to hear God's Word, not man's word. I've heard a lot of pastor's say they are preaching from God's Word when they really aren't. Just quoting a few verses of Scripture to back up what you want to say to the congregation does not count as preaching from the Word.

The Bible should be the main source for the sermon, and nothing else!!

So, if you're a pastor, please...PREACH THE WORD!! If you aren't preaching from the Bible every Sunday, honestly, I don't know why you think you can be a pastor.

And if you're a Christian going to a church that is not preaching the Word faithfully every Sunday, I encourage you to start looking for a church that does.

Sola Scriptura! (Scripture Alone!)

Peace with God

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

-Romans 5:1-11