Tags
Christianity, Church, Kay, orphans, Rick, Saddleback, warren
According to Mrs. Rick Warren, you simply are not a Christian if you’re not caring for orphans.
From the Christian Post:
“Don’t call yourself a believer if you’re not caring for orphans, said Kay Warren.
"If we are doing little to nothing, how dare we, how dare we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ," she said Friday. "Followers of Jesus Christ care about widows and orphans and they understand that it is a litmus test.
"It is not an option."
The weighty words were delivered to thousands of church and ministry leaders on the final day of Catalyst West, a three-day conference designed to challenge leaders to be change agents in the culture.
Stripping the leaders gathered in Orange County, Calif., of their excuses, Warren said caring for orphans is not just for infertile couples or middle-aged folks who have a little discretionary money and time.
"It has nothing to do with personality, it has nothing to do with spiritual gifts, it has nothing to do with economic status, it has nothing to do with your season in life," she stressed. "It has to do with accepting the responsibility that God will one day hold us accountable."
Read more here.
Very works oriented! To test ourself as to whether we’re a true believer read 1John 2 and then examine yourself as to the state of your heart! Do we see the fruit of the Spirit in our life? We are not to be judging others about how much or to whom they are ministering but to judge ourself and see if the love of Christ is being shown in our daily life. Are we growing, yearning, seeking His word? That is important and not the measuring of the lives of other people as God alone reads hearts, minds and motives!
“Followers of Jesus Christ care about widows and orphans and they understand that it is a litmus test.”
So, based on what she says here, if I care “about” widows and orphans then I pass the litmus test and MUST be a Christian?
More of the same “behavioral” changes that are required to be considered a Christian according to the “Warren” gospel message.
There is much arrogance in proclaiming your own gospel.
Notice no scriptural back up for anything she says.
Some people become legends in their own minds.
Oh.. and for more information on “Catalyst”, here
read this:
http://www.discernthetime.com/messag…light=Catalyst
Sounds alot like Judas, doesn’t she.
Repent, believe in the gospel and take in an orphan and you shall be saved!
Yes we are to care for orphans and widows – and much more. We are saved unto good works prepared for us before time. No man can dictate what works the Lord has appointed to his neighbor. If we have fellowship with one another, we will discern the joy of the Lord in our brethren but do not have authority to tell them what works almighty God has in store for them.
To do so is arrogant.
Yes, it is much better to sit around at our keyboards spouting how superior our theology is than to actually put feet to words.
Luke 3:8-9–Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham (or is it Calvin?) as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
We need to be very careful of resting on good theology if it doesn’t bear fruit (even Sproul says this quite convincingly). There is ample Biblical evidence calling us as believers to care for orphans. Is it the essential to salvation? Of course not. Does God place deep value on the downtrodden, including orphans? Absolutely. Perhaps it may be of some benefit to actually think about how you *can* care for those less fortunate rather than hiding behind your keyboards as you think of new ways to criticize Rick Warren and his wife.
Jason,
Thanks for stopping by and agreeing that it’s not about Rick or Kay, but their erroneous doctrine which affects the minds of myriads. BTW, can you show me where Calvin or ‘our theology’ was ‘spouted’ as superior to anything? No?
That doesn’t sound much different than James 1:22, 27:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Barry, Thou art correct; however, you are assuming that the person in question is already a believer as James did when he wrote his book. Now fast forward to the post-modern era where man worships himself. A fast-talking pragmatist talks a quasi-gospel heavy in self-satifaction and prosperity for the here and now unto a bunch of unbelievers.The unbelievers hear only the part about caring for widows and orphans and not the part about salvation and its composition.
What then develops is a works-based false religion. James never affirmed such a thing. Just because someone “cares” does not mean they are saved.
A Warren audience has heard only partial truths. Therein lies the danger. Unbelievers should be addressed with the need for repentance resulting in salvation by grace through faith in Jesus. Then they are ready for doctrine.
Truthy
Believers do care for orphans and widows as well as many other things.
What Mrs. Warren is really saying here is, “Look, my husband’s theology may be whack but he has a lot more money than you guys, so shut up!”
Works serve as an evidence os salvation… we all agree on that; however, works alone are not proof of salvation. Remember when Jesus said that many will come to Him on that day (Judgement Day) and claim to have done many works yet He will say to depart for He never knew them?
Using Mrs. Warren’s logic, Bill and Melinda Gates are headed for heaven since they have given more to charity than anyone… Anyone know what they believe? I am pretty sure they are newage communitarians.
Then there’s the comment from a poster saying, “sha, dudes, get off of yer keyboards and get into action, man…peace out” or something to that effect. Look, those who fight to protect proper theology are some of the most active people in God’s kingdom. we just do not goaround beating our chests and announcing our actions.
Mrs. Warren just serves as another warning for people to wake up. The Warrens are likely on the broad road. Do not go that way! Read the Bible, fear God in light of proper theology, and work as if there will be no tomorrow.
Tough love from Truthy
I didn’t realize she was a preacher
Admin,
Where do I see that you believe your theology is superior? How about the whole site, from the title on down the right side bar, to most of the posts. For what it is worth, I happen to agree, firmly, with Reformed theology and I argue passionately for it. However, Kay Warren is calling people to care for orphans, which is a Biblical mandate, and rather than affirming that she is correct, everyone here is criticizing her and now I am criticizing you all. Darn it!