Rick Warren: His Ideas Work

There is a new movement in Judaism called "SYNAGOGUE 3000." Their website says that S3K is a "catalyst for excellence, empowering congregations and communities to create synagogues that are sacred and vital centers of Jewish life." In trying to better reach the Jewish community with their message, they turned to the one man who best knows how to revitalize the spiritual life: RICK WARREN. Yes, the evangelical Protestant CHRISTIAN pastor Rick Warren!

Here's what the S3K website had to say about Warren's "ministry" with them:

On June 16, 2005 Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, the author of the bestselling "Purpose Driven Life" met with the S3K Leadership Network - Spiritual Leadership Working Group. Over the course of an hour and a half, Pastor Warren discussed the challenges and strategies of building a compelling spiritual community. His advice spoke directly to the mission of S3K, and his interplay with the S3K leaders demonstrated the common issues facing both churches and synagogues in attracting new members while serving the existing community.

What do we know here? We know that Jews reject one of their own, Jesus of Nazareth, as their Messiah. The Jews are still waiting for their "true Messiah" to come.

So, it appears that the message Rick Warren has been feeding Christians works just as well without Jesus! Does Rick Warren REALLY believe that non-believing Jews can have a true "compelling spiritual community" without the Spirit Of Christ?

Another has well said: "What would the apostle Stephen have said if he had the opportunity to speak to this collection of Jewish leaders?" Remember Stephen? He was arrested for saying that "this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us" (Acts 6:14).

When Stephen "took the stand," he gave a long history of God's acts in history and closed with this bombshell:

"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it."

What was the end of this brave witness? Luke tells the rest of the story:

When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

When Stephen spoke to the Jewish leaders, they got angry at his message and killed him. When Rick Warren spoke to these Jewish leaders, they applauded. What might be the difference in the two messages?