Rick Warren Is Doing It Again—Or Still

Jim Hinch has an article in the Orange County Register describing how the members of Saddleback Church are befriending the Muslim community as part of Rick Warren's PEACE plan.  The lead paragraph states:

The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest and one of America's most influential Christian leaders, has embarked on an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims by partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

Before jumping all over Warren for this, I assume the reporter does not understand Christian parlance and might misconstrue what is happening.  For instance, later in the article is the mention of a joint document authored by representatives of Saddleback and a local mosque:

The men presented a document they co-authored outlining points of agreement between Islam and Christianity.  The document affirms that Christians and Muslims believe in "one God" and share two central commandments: "love of God" and "love of neighbor."  The document also commits both faiths to three goals: Making friends with one another, building peace and working on shared social service projects.  The document quotes side-by-side verses from the Bible and the Koran to illustrate its claims.

This does not state the two groups worship the same God, but the language is vague enough to confuse all involved, which may be the purpose—use religious, but friendly, wording that ultimately communicates nothing.

One quote that caught my attention came from the Muslim representative:

"We agreed we wouldn't try to evangelize each other," said Turk. "We'd witness to each other but it would be out of 'Love Thy Neighbor,' not focused on conversion."

Why would Rick Warren or any other pastor at Saddleback agree to this? Then I read further:

For 12 years Warren has lived next door to Yasser Barakat, a Muslim from Syria who worships at a Mission Viejo mosque four miles down the road from Saddleback.  The Trabuco Canyon neighbors were friends for years before Barakat realized he lived next door to a world-famous Christian pastor.

No hint of Christ or Christianity for 12 years?  Really?!  The situation is quite clear: Rick Warren has no interest in the gospel, and he has taught the Saddleback members likewise.  A word of warning to them is in order:

I know your works.  You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard.  Keep it, and repent.  If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.   Revelation 3:1-3