Purpose Driven Life according to John MacArthur

John McArthur has set himself up as a judge over other believers. He has become a hinderence to the spread of the good-news of the gospel.

There is a huge difference between unbiblical and extra-biblical. Following biblical principles to reach others for Christ, using innovative and effective methods, and maintaining consistancy of purpose is not unbiblical.

McArthurs writings and teachings on this subject have had a detrimental impact on many local churches. Many have become his disciples and preach a judgemental message to other churches who have a different ministry philosophy. It has become disruptive.

Rob

 

MacArthur has had a tremendous impact on Christianity, but it sounds a little like sour grapes.

 

Hi Rob,

I haven't read the article yet on MacArthur, but we would agree there is a command to judge believers from 1 Cor. 5-6?

 

Rick Warren is a false prophet and has no business calling himself a "baptist" preacher!


Repent!

 

Deacon, John MacArthur is not setting himself up as a judge over other people, but comparing what is being taught to what the Bible says. And he is correct in his criticism of the Purpose Driven Life.

It is never wise to take the advice from a book and replace the guidance of the Holy Spirit with it. What PDL is actually doing is replacing OT law with Warren's directives. All of which takes away from the actual Christian focus of following Christ HIMSELF through the directives of the Holy Spirit in one's life.

Teaching how to DO things is quite different from teaching how to listen to Someone and obey.

 

John MacArthur has something negative to say about someone who does things differently than him???

I'm shocked.

I appreciate John Mac but this is not unusual for him. He has a monopoly on what he believes evangelicalism should look like and he tends to define who is in and who is out by his standards of what the gospel should look like and how it should be presented.

While he loves to quote Paul, it is probable both Paul and Jesus would fall under MacArthur's criticism if they were alive today and practiced ministry in the way described in the NT.

For those who believe in MacArthur's philosophy of ministry, he is a great model. For those who differ, we simply appreciate his contribution to the kingdom and ignore the other.

PDL has some weaknesses. After all, Rick Warren is a human just like John MacArthur. Can anyone say eternal sonship of Jesus Christ???

 

This is from a blogger called Fid-o who attended Saddleback for a while to get to know it. Here are some things he mentioned he learned while attending Rick's church:

I read somewhere that Saddleback has beautiful etched glass windows which makess the sun print shadow-texts on the walls of the hall outside the main sanctuary. The shadow-texts are exerpts from his books.

 

I have just started reading Rick Warren's The Purpose Drive Life so I was interested in this thread and reading what John MacArthur had to say. (Actually, I don't know much about John MacArthur)

The following quote is as far as I got in reading this statement by MacArthur:

"He (MacArthur) pointed out, for example, that the true gospel is a call to self-denial, not self-fulfillment."

because in Rick Warren"s book on the first page of Chapter 1, he states: "It's not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness...You were born by his purpose and for for his purpose."

 

Love your comments: All about Grace.
Gracefully said!

Too many people criticize without reading the book.
The book is meant to read as a devotional, not a Systematic Theology text.
Sure it’s light reading.
To call Rick Warren a “false prophet” distinguishes one as a possible troll.
What is unbiblical in Warren’s book?
Below is a list of each days daily devotional reading.

Rob


Introduction
WHAT ON EARTH AM I HEAR FOR
It all starts with God
You are not an accident
What drives your life?
Made to last forever
Seeing life from God’s view
Life is a temporary assignment
The reason for everything

Purpose #1
YOU WERE PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
Planned for God’s pleasure
What make God smile?
The heart of worship
Becoming best friends with God
Developing you friendship with God
Worship that pleases God
When God seems distant

Purpose #2
YOU WERE FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY
Formed for God’s family
What matters most?
A place to belong
Experiencing life together
Cultivating community
Restoring Broken Fellowship
Protecting you church

Purpose #3
YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST
Created to become like Christ
How we grow
Transformed by truth
Transformed by trouble
Growing through temptation
Defeating temptation
It takes time

Purpose #4
YOU WERE SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD
Accepting your assignment
Shaped for serving God
Understanding your shape
Using what God gave you
How real servants act
Thinking like a servant
God’s power in your weakness

Purpose #5
YOU WERE MADE FOR A MISSION
Make for mission
Sharing you life message
Becoming a world-class Christian
Balancing your life
Living with purpose

 

I've read the book, he is a false prophet, and I am not a troll.


Repent!

 

Opinions vary...troll.

 

Do you care to elaborate on John Macarthur's criticisms being "correct", or is this an empty allegation?

 

I have read Rick Warren's book. While it has many good points, I agree there is some false teaching in it. If someone reads it, hopefully they have a good solid doctrinal base with which to weed out the chafe and accept the good.

That is my personal opinion.

 

I get real tired of reading all of the "false doctrine" and "false teaching" allegations without stating what they are. If you are going to call Rick Warren a "false teacher" and PDL as "false doctrine", put your money where your mouth is and state EXACTLY what is false!

 

Theres a lot of this going around.
Quite a bit here.

 

I get real tired of reading all of the "false doctrine" and "false teaching" allegations without stating what they are. If you are going to call Rick Warren a "false teacher" and PDL as "false doctrine", put your money where your mouth is and state EXACTLY what is false! </font>[/QUOTE]Well I suggest you quit reading then...troll.


Repent!

 

That's pretty hypocritical of you to call him a judge while you yourself are judging him. It shows that your thought process is driven by personal preferences rather than critical and biblical thinking.

 

I haven't read John MacArthur's concerns yet. So, I can't comment on that.

I have been teaching the basic ideas presented in The Purpose Driven Church and the Purpose Driven Life at my church.

What Warren basically says is this:
Every Christian (and church) has a responsibility before God to do all of the following
1. Fellowship with other believers
2. Discipleship (that is grow in grace)
3. Ministry
4. Evangelism
5. Worship God

That seems like basic Christianity to me.

 

What is a troll ?

And what are the false allegations in Rick Warrne's book ?