Subject: purpose driven? |
Bible Note: Hi, brother Tim... I'll throw my two cents in, if you don't mind. I've scanned the book at Wal-Mart. I guess I might have had some bias against it right there. Books on theology sold at Wal-Mart are generally the first indication that you aren't looking at something terribly deep. However, as I looked through it, I couldn't help but notice the emphasis on self. In scripture, we see great emphasis on God. Over and over those whose eyes are drawn to God change their behavior as a consequence, without respect for the results. Job and his visitation; Abraham and his calling; Moses and the burning bush; Isaiah with his experience in the temple; Daniel and his visions; Habakkuk and his theophany; the disciples and their calling; the woman at the well; Zacchaeus; Paul; many people through Acts; etc. etc. No one comes to God for what they will get out of it. In fact, if a man's attitude is like that, his search will be in vain. Instead, we fall on our knees before God because He is God, and when we see Him, we see ourselves more clearly. What else is there to do but fall upon our knees, hang our head and cry, "Have mercy, Lord?" Trying to give someone a set of rules in order to find fulfillment just doesn't work. The reason it doesn't work is because you can't harness the flesh as an engine to bring someone to a more spiritual life -- at least, spiritual in the sense that the scripture means it. Note how in Ephesians that Paul brings us face to face with a Holy God. After three chapters where he can barely contain himself through the experience ONLY THEN does he begin to talk about the practical actions that grow OUT of this knowledge of God. He does the same in Romans and other epistles. I used to breeze over the theology stuff so I could get down to brass tacks. I'd say, "Okay... Okay... but what am I supposed to DO." This misses the boat. The focus on me and on my doing just blows it all out of the water. I know there is popular theology out there, but the truth always offends the masses. The very fact that a philosophy or teaching becomes popular means that it has found a way to coexist contentedly with the flesh and falleness of the many who are on the broad way. 2 Timothy 4:3 is the way to sell books and seminars. The stumblingblocks, foolishness, and light of 1 Corinthians 1:23 and John 3:19 will not often be sold in Wal-Mart I'm afraid. I apologize if I've gotten out of context here. I confess to not having read what everyone has posted on Mr. Warren and his writings. In Him, Doc |