On Rick Warren's Second Reformation

" I’m looking for a second reformation. The first reformation of the church 500 years ago was about beliefs. This one is going to be about behavior. The first one was about creeds. This one is going to be about deeds. It is not going to be about what does the church believe, but about what is the church doing" -Rick Warren

Critique: The first reformation 500 years ago was not simply about "beliefs". It was about much more than that. The reformation 500 years ago was about the essentials of the Christian faith. It was about whether we are justified by faith alone in Christ (Sola-fide), or whether we are justified by our faith in Christ, and our good works. It was on whether God's gift of salvation is by grace alone (Sola-Gratia), or whether we could earn that gift by merits. It was on whether Christ was sufficient to save alone (Solus Christus), or whether we must venerate Mary, Saints, and relics. It was on whether scripture is the only infallible rule for faith and practice (Sola-Scriptura), or whether the Roman Catholic magisterium, led by its infallible Bishop of Rome, AND the scriptures are that infallible rule. This all leads to the fifth sola- whether God gets all the glory in salvation, or whether we, or these other idols the Roman Catholic church has established gets them.The Reformation was about Christianity- not mere "beliefs". Sure, these doctrines ARE beliefs, BUT these beliefs are what makes biblical Christianity.

Mr. Warren then sets up a false dichotomy. He says the first one was about "creeds" and this one will be about "deeds". Why does it have to be either or? What is so contradictory about having both solid doctrine, and good works? Listen, I appreciate Mr.Warren's global efforts to fight poverty, and disease; my fear is that this strong emphasis on "deeds" has taken the place of the gospel.  What is the difference between these efforts and those of say an Oprah Winfrey? NONE. We can do these things, brethren, we can support those efforts, but we mustn't forget the gospel!

Mr.Warren forgets one more important thing: What the church believes will determine what the church does. What you believe about God- who He is, what He demands, what He doesn't demand- will drastically determine how you live. These go hand in hand. Which is why- Theology matters.

Here is Dr.Horton's article on Warren's quote.

In Christ, awretchsaved