With Respect, Rick Warren
(Author of "The Purpose Driven Life")
With respect, Rick Warren, I believe you’re another pied piper — one of many,
For so many have gone before you, and you won’t be the last, undoubtedly.
Peddlers of unsound doctrine, who please the masses by tickling their itchy ears,
Teachers of secular theology, pop psychology, that wrongly steers.
Such has ever been the way, hence how Christians stray, duped by foolish Aarons, who,
A feel good, pagan, eastern, new age humanistic gospel fusion pursue.
Yes, wolves in sheep’s clothing, false prophets, amusing goats rather than feeding sheep,
Charlatans who cut and paste Scripture, and have Christians in a hypnotic sleep.
God’s Word states that the way is narrow, but not you, Rick, you consider it broad,
Hence why you’re avoiding the likes of repentance and judgment, unlike your Lord.
Yours is a gospel that’s virtually acceptable to everybody,
Much like Robert Schuller’s and Joel Osteen’s, which leave out accountability.
Your global alliance of Christian leaders and organizations is a threat,
For where’s this movement heading, what will it eventually aid and abet?
False doctrines have always enjoyed social and ecclesiastical acceptance,
Hence why when one looks closely, they’re peppered with stains from Satan’s fingerprints.
Yes, yours is a new gospel, Rick, a universal spirituality,
One that’s focused on the outward growth of the Church, not doctrinal purity.
One hooked on self esteem, self fulfillment, Warren study rather than Bible study,
A people pleasing push, that apologizes to those acting lawlessly.
You claim that God loves all kinds of music, which is incorrect biblically,
Hence why we’re told that the musicians of Babylon won’t see eternity.
These musicians aid false worship, much like you’re promoting, eroneously,
Worship that has less to do with Christ and more to do with “What’s in it for me?”
Yes, your kind of gospel, Rick, has a pleasure seeking cruise ship mentality,
One that’ll result in a tragic spiritual Titanic, ultimately.
Your way’s very wide, but not so God’s; He takes His truths very seriously,
For He’s the ‘God of Truth,’ and His truths are sacrosanct, He guards them jealously.
Your way is the soft sell, it’s full of compromise, quotes from dubious teachers,
Your way offends our Saviour, for He has never called candy coated preachers.
Rather, He’s calling men who’ll blow the trumpet, for His coming’s very near,
And more than ever, that very same message that Noah preached, this world needs to hear.
Your gospel’s generic, Rick, its watered down, unlike the apostles ministry,
For they weren’t afraid to offend, condemn, and God’s truths defend vigorously.
“Don’t judge,” you say. Well, there’s a half truth, Rick, for on the other hand we’re told to,
Thus, it’s all to do with context and not selectiveness — a fool’s avenue.
Tell me, since when has any man had the right to put his own stamp on God’s Word,
Or to avoid or exchange certain biblical doctrines for that which is preferred?
No, your gospel’s not one I recognize, except in places, tragically,
And as for your “forty days,” what happened to God’s timetable, choosing, please tell me?
Your way is full of dangerous error, like raisins in a cake, one you’ve made,
But one that appeals to many, (perhaps some who righteous living wish to evade).
One completely opposite to Christ’s, who said, “Take up your cross and follow Me,”
Knowing such aren’t loved by the world, unlike you, enjoying popularity.
No, the Christian walk is all about self denial, thinking of others, not “Me,”
It’s about the Spirit empowering, sanctification, gaining the victory.
Grace is all very well, and so are good deeds, but that isn’t where it ends, Rick,
For when it comes to our walk, God’s Word and His will, He never said, “Take your pick.”
By Lance Landall
The content of this poem has been drawn from various sources.
