What is Robert Schuller 'rethinking'?

[Soldier4Christ]

What is Robert Schuller 'rethinking'?
Crystal Cathedral conference accused of twisting biblical Christianity

It's an all-star conference set for the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif., Jan. 17-19.

Former President George H.W. Bush will speak.

Chuck Colson will make a presentation.

Larry King will be there.

Rupert Murdoch will address attendees.

Ben Stein will appear.

And Kay Warren, wife of Saddleback Church mega-pastor Rick Warren, will join Robert Schuller, the white-haired, bespectacled purveyor of "possibility thinking."

What could such a diverse group have in common? What's the topic?

Well, it's a little vague.

It's called the "Rethink Conference," and Schuller promises 30 "Aha!" moments from the 30 different speakers confirmed for the event.

Not everyone is thrilled about this meeting of the minds. Some, including Christian author and former New Age devotee Warren Smith, suspect an agenda to subvert the church – to take the focus off biblical truth and absolutes.

"From my perspective as a former New Age follower, I believe that Robert Schuller's mission has always been to 'rethink' and 'change' biblical Christianity into something 'new' – as in New Age/New Spirituality," he says.

Smith's "Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Driven Church" documents Schuller's contacts and endorsements of New Age stars such as Gerald Jampolsky, Neale Donald Walsch and Bernie Siegel.

"As a former New Age follower I could hardly believe it," says Smith. "On October 17, 2004, more than 20 years after his first appearance on the 'Hour of Power,' New Age leader Gerald Jampolsky was once again Robert Schuller's featured guest. I was not surprised on one level, because I had always been aware of Schuller's affection for New Age teachings. What did surprise me was Schuller's willingness to still be so openly aligned with a veteran New Age leader like Jampolsky."

Smith says it was Jampolsky who first introduced him to "A Course in Miracles," the best-selling book New Age bible that taught him "there is no sin," "a slain Christ has no meaning" and "the recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."

All of Jampolsky's books, according to Smith, are based on "A Course in Miracles." But yet, there was Schuller on his TV show recommending all of Jampolsky's "fabulous" works. He even noted he sold some of them in the Crystal Cathedral bookstore. And, according to Smith, for awhile, Schuller even hosted "A Course in Miracles" study groups in his church.

It's not a one-way street, either, says Smith. New Age leaders like Walsch, author of the best-selling "Conversations With God," and Jampolsky go out of their way to praise Schuller, too.

"They know that Robert Schuller has always been open to spiritual compromise," he says.

According to Smith, Schuller has always "done a good job of softening up the church" for what he sees as unbiblical New Age ideas. And that's just what he expects the "Rethink Conference" is all about.

If indeed that's what the conference is all about, some other big names are going along for the ride. They include Christian pollster George Barna, former heavyweight champ George Foreman, American Center for Law and Justice founder Jay Sekulow, Gary Smalley and "The Case for Christ" author Lee Strobel.

"Never before have we gathered such dynamic leaders who will challenge us to think outside the box as we grapple with a changing culture and our response to it," said Schuller.

The conference will not only be attended by thousands at the Crystral Cathedral, but it will be telecast by satellite around the world by Church Communication Network, according to organizers.

"These culture pioneers know what is center-stage in our culture right now and also what is breaking on the horizon," says Rethink Conference executive director Bill Dallas. "This conference will confront outdated and pre-conceived ideas, offer new perspectives and open our minds to all kinds of possibilities that connect us with out shifting culture without compromising our core values."

Smith just wonders about those "outdated and pre-conceived ideas."

"The church does not need to 'rethink' and 'compromise' its God-given biblical doctrines to accommodate the world," he says. "It needs to rethink its willingness to follow worldly leaders like Robert Schuller."

[Soldier4Christ]

"The church does not need to 'rethink' and 'compromise' its God-given biblical doctrines to accommodate the world," he says. "It needs to rethink its willingness to follow worldly leaders like Robert Schuller."

It needs to rethink its willingness to follow Jesus Christ![/b]

[HisDaughter]

I always knew there was something that bothered my spirit when he would come on the TV.  I would always change it.  But I have another question Pastor Roger.  Is there something I should know about Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Life?  I read the book many years ago when it first came out and I have started reading it again.  should I not?
What's the scoop, the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop?

[Shammu]

New Age churches...... "Aha!" no thank you.  I'd like to see Pastor John Hagee there................

It needs to rethink its willingness to follow Jesus Christ![/b]

AMEN!!

[ibTina]

  I'd like to see Pastor John Hagee there

.. AMEN .. with him there someone at the Conference may hear the real Gospel and get SAVED!

[HisDaughter]

New Age churches...... "Aha!" no thank you.  I'd like to see Pastor John Hagee there................

AMEN!!

I LOVE Pastor Hagee!

[HisDaughter]

Is there something I should know about Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Life?  I read the book many years ago when it first came out and I have started reading it again.  should I not?

I guess Pastor Roger hasn't been back here today.  Could somebody else answer my question?  I'd really like to know.

[Soldier4Christ]

The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church appears to be great on the surface. It has quotes and references from many wonderful preachers. Unfortunately it mixes in many new age teachings also of New Age leaders like Neale Donald Walsch, the Dalai Lama and Starhawk the witch. Many of the teachings are very subtle and unless one has experienced the New Age movement firsthand would more than likely not recognize the New Age terminology and teachings that are presented.

Rick Warren preaches against the fundamentals of the Christian Faith:

"Now the word “fundamentalist” actually comes from a document in the 1920s called the Five Fundamentals of the Faith. And it is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity… " Rick Warren

What Rick is referring to here is a series of books that were written in the 1920's due to so many churches moving into the early teachings that today are known as New Age teachings. These fundamentals are:

1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Heb. 1:8-9), the Creator God Himself (Col. 1:16; compare Gen. 1:1); Who "laid the foundation of the earth" (Heb. 1:10-12; compare Psalms 102:24-27).

2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Luke 1:27).

3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Ro. 3:25; Ro. 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Heb. :12-14).

4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:14-15).

5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Ro. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20). Please note: this is NOT a reference to the "King James Only" debate; rather, this is a reference to people who claim to have revelations apart from the scriptures.

These books noted that disagreements are perfectly acceptable within the confines of Christianity just so long as these fundamentals were adhered to.

[Soldier4Christ]

I guess Pastor Roger hasn't been back here today.  Could somebody else answer my question?  I'd really like to know.

I'm sorry it took me so long. It has been a bit hectic here today. It took me almost 3 hrs to write that last post. 

[HisDaughter]

Thank you Pastor Roger!  I will put the book down.  I vaguely remember hearing of controversy concerning Warren quite some time ago but didn't know what it was about so I appreciate you filling me in!
I learn so much from your, Blackeyepeas and Dreamweaver's posts.  Thank you all!
Yvette 

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

I didn't know either. I spend the majority of my time with the Bible and rarely ever read anything else except Bible study helps. I also didn't know the full definition for "New Age". So, I'm behind the times. It sounds like it was a good thing that I missed it.     I also remember some kind of controversy, but I didn't  understand what it was all about. If anything gets close to the definition given in this thread, I wouldn't have anything to do with it anyway.

I have read some news on one-world religions and serious compromises being made by many churches without much thought. As far as I'm concerned, there is no compromise possible with the Holy Bible. I'm glad that I read this thread because I really had no idea what the controversy was about. I'll give everyone a laugh on me. I thought that "New Age" had something to do with the power of positive thinking and had no clue about the rest of it. I just didn't have a reason to find out. I also have a huge list of things that I want to do with Bible studies. Otherwise, I don't do much reading. In case you're wondering, we do have electricity and indoor plumbing now.   

(Small print:  I still won't spend much time on New Age stuff, even though I know what it is now.      I said that we have electricity and indoor plumbing - just no fixtures.     )

[HisDaughter]

In case you're wondering, we do have electricity and indoor plumbing now.[/b]   

(Small print:  I still won't spend much time on New Age stuff, even though I know what it is now.      I said that we have electricity and indoor plumbing - just no fixtures.     )

You're cracking me up you ol' Okie!
I did know about New Age but not much.  Only enough to stear clear.

[Soldier4Christ]

lol  ...  electricity and indoor plumbing without the fixtures ...  I think that I've been there. It took a long time by mule train to get there.

The power of "positive thinking" is a part of the new age teachings. New Age is a conglomeration of many teachings that leave the teachings of God out of them, another gospel.

[Shammu]

The power of "positive thinking" is a part of the new age teachings. New Age is a conglomeration of many teachings that leave the teachings of God out of them, another gospel.

Boy does that sound familiar, positive thinking.

[Soldier4Christ]

Boy does that sound familiar, positive thinking.

Reminds me of the RBS ads on TV.