Practical Concerns in the Local Church: An Interview with John MacArthur

President Zero

For the benefit of the controversy?

John Piper, a well respected pastor and primary speaker and Bible teacher of Desiring God ministries recently announced that he has invited Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in southern California and author of "The Purpose Driven Life" to speak at this years Desiring God national conference. This is a shock to many in reformed Christian circles and is at the very least controversial. If you know anything about John Piper or Rick Warren's ministries, you would understand that this is a very unusual step for Piper to take. So why is he doing it. He describes his reasons here, feeling the need it seems to explain his decision:



Here is a brief description of what is wrong with Rick Warren's book and describes much of how Warren preaches and what he preaches. John MacArthur and John Piper share much in common and MacArthur has appeared at Piper's conferences in the past. They are in fact friends. It will be interesting to see the response from John MacArthur about this decision, if we hear from him about it. We may not. Here is a short message by John MacArthur describing the problems with Purpose Driven Life however, which would give us an indication of what he thinks. Given his track record of faithfulness and commitment to biblical truth, this may be a very big deal. (Forgive the music in this sample. I think it distracts, but can't find the same without it in the background.)



John Piper has announced he will be taking the rest of the year off from ministry to work on time with his family and get some rest. Pray that during this break the Lord reveals some truth about how we should receive the seeming 'unitarian' approach Piper seems to be taking toward those who are preaching a gospel that's not in the Bible. Exit questions: Pastor Piper, what does Rick Warren 'have to offer?' You mention that several times. What has he offered so far that makes you believe he has much to offer?

UPDATE

Phil Johnson has written a short response to Piper's decision. Worth the few minutes to read.

The Colossal Fraud

There is a cancer in modern day evangelical Christianity. It is destroying the credibility of the church and is victimizing people who are at best gullible and at worst, desperate and poor.

John MacArthur recently produced a short writing on the subject after spending several weeks watching television while recovering from knee surgery. During that time, he was exposed to evangelical television. A must read for any faithful Christian or anyone wondering about or listening to these people.
You can also hear the audio from related messages here, and here for part II.

Here are the lyrics from the song you are currently hearing that are also very relevent, courtesy of Genesis. The song is called "Jesus He Knows Me." I invite you to follow along...

You see the face on the TV screen
coming at you every Sunday
see that face on the billboard
that man is me

On the cover of the magazine
there's no question why I'm smiling
you buy a piece of paradise
you buy a piece of me

I'll get you everything you wanted
I'll get you everything you need
don't need to believe in hereafter
just believe in me

Cos Jesus he knows me
and he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I'm right
and he's been telling me
everything is alright

I believe in the family
with my ever loving wife beside me
but she don't know about my girlfriend
or the man I met last night

Do you believe in God
cos that's what I'm selling
and if you wanna get to heaven
I'll see you right

You won't even have to leave your house
or get out of your chair
you don't even have to touch that dial
cos I'm everywhere

And Jesus he knows me
and he knows I'm right
I've been talking to Jesus all my life
oh yes he knows me
and he knows I'm right
well he's been telling me
everything's gonna be alright

Won't find me practising what I'm preaching
won't find me making no sacrifice
but I can get you a pocketful of miracles
if you promise to be good, try to be nice
God will take good care of you
just do as I say, don't do as I do

I'm counting my blessings,
I've found true happiness
cos I'm getting richer, day by day
you can find me in the phone book,
just call my toll free number
you can do it anyway you want
just do it right away

There'll be no doubt in your mind
you'll believe everything I'm saying
if you wanna get closer to Him
get on your knees and start PAYING!

Couldn't resist

Are you kidding me? He needs a teleprompter for a talk at an elementry school?

Video below.