Book Review: Deceived on Purpose by Warren Smith
July 25, 2005 Posted by Roger Overton
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By now, most Christians and many non-Christians in America |
Warren Smith brings several of these criticisms to bear in
his book Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose-Driven
Church. Since Mr. Smith was once part of the New Age movement, it would
seem he is amply qualified to discern when New Age ideas are invading the
Christian Church. From his background, Mr. Smith draws heavily on the works of
several popular New Age gurus and teachers.
Through the fifteen chapters of the book, Mr. Smith attempts
to build a case connecting Rick Warren to these popular New Age advocates, most
prominently through his relationship with Robert Schuller. Since Robert
Schuller has associated himself with New Age teachers and teachings, and since
Rick Warren has been deeply influenced by Robert Schuller, he contends, Rick
Warren is teaching New Age spirituality.
Mr. Smith claims, “Rick Warren is not the “victim” of any
“guilt by association.”” (174) However, the only evidence that Mr. Smith is
able to offer is completely circumstantial. He banks on the fact Rick Warren
drove from Texas to California in 1979 to attend one of Schuller’s conferences,
but there’s no real evidence that what he learned there was New Age
spirituality. He aptly notes several times that Robert Schuller is never
mentioned in The Purpose-Driven Life. There’s probably a good reason for
that; probably he didn’t have much of anything to do with it.
Something Mr. Smith loves to do is take a word or phrase
from Rick Warren out of context and claim it comes from New Age thinkers. This
method accounts for most of the book. For example, Chapter 7 is all about “What
Force Drives Your Life?” He quotes Warren, “What is the driving force of your
life?” then goes on to offer similar uses of “driving” and “force” in the New
Age writings of Neale Donald Walsch and Maitreya (an anti-Christ). I doubt,
however, these were the first men to ever use those words. Mr. Smith completely
disregards what Rick Warren is talking about and does make him guilty by
association- association of using the same language with no causal connections.
The only really substantive point against Rick Warren Mr.
Smith ever makes is on page 75. “The use of overlapping New Age words can
create great confusion about what is really being said, and can easily lead to
great deception down the line. Specific definitions of words are so very
important.” I think Rick Warren could have been more careful in a few specific
word uses, however, Mr. Smith should have been more careful to do his research
accurately.
Warren Smith is incredibly knowledgeable about New Age
teachings. I found his analysis of their material to be similar to my own
research in that area. He also makes a convincing case showing Robert
Schuller’s involvement with New Age teachings. However, he fails to show how
any of that relates at all to Rick Warren. While I’m encouraged that Mr. Smith
was saved out of the New Age movement, the way he self-importantly describes
his experiences and frequently quotes his previous writings became nauseating.
This is a helpful book for understanding the New Age and Robert Schuller, but
not Rick Warren. If there is a substantive case against Rick Warren and his “purpose-driven”
ministry, it must be found elsewhere.
Related posts:
- Book Review: Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him by Richard Abanes
- Rick Warren and the Purpose-Driven Controversy
- Book Review: Passing the Plate by Christian Smith and Michael Emerson
- Interview with Richard Abanes- Part Two: New Age Spirituality
- Why Did John Piper Invite Rick Warren To Speak At DGC 2010?
- Interview with Richard Abanes- Part One: Marketing
Posted in Book Reviews, Main Page, Roger's Posts
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July 25th, 2005 at 6:05 pm
this book review was quite insighful, thanks
November 22nd, 2005 at 8:25 pm
Thanks for this review.
2 Tim 3:3 says, “Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,” This seems to apply here to Smith's book. As he propogates false information about Rick Warren, and twists it to attempt to disparage his reputation. It says in 1 Tim 6:4-5, “4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” This seems to describe the nature of this book and Smith's efforts well.
February 16th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Tnx 4 da review.
I think you can find some more fundamental critique here: http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2003/1-purpose.htm
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:04 am
Thanks for the review. All of this can become a bit confusing for us Christians. Is Warren Smith a
March 23rd, 2006 at 5:46 pm
Should someone review the link that was posted giving a more grounded critique of the purpose-driven stuff?
January 19th, 2008 at 1:16 am
I think that you all are missing the point. Read Purpose Driven books, and compare it against the Word of God. And do the study in context. Don't pull out bits and pieces, but do a real study. The Purpose Driven Life, the Prayer of Jabez - they don't hold up to the magnifying glass of God's Word. And use something like the King James, or one of the versions that you can get that compares the original language to other versions. Don't be swayed by emotion, or by what feels good. Instead, stand firm in God's word - go to The Source.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Deceived on Purpose was very helpful and insightful, it
caused me to take a VERY close look at the Purpose Driven Life book for myself. After googling many of the names of people that Mr. Smith did not discuss, I have come to the conclusion that he is right on every aspect of his book with one exception, he contends that Warren and Schuller and other leaders who teach this
are Christian Leaders, I would most heartily disagree with that assumption, I believe they are definitely teachers of the “doctrine of demons”. Rick Warren is very slick, but if you would simply use the discernment God has given you, He will reveal the truth to you, it's there, as plain as the nose on your face. God allows these sort of teachers to teach these things as a test of our discernment, so, “do not believe every spirit that comes to you, but test EVERY spirit to see if they are truly speaking the truth.” And remember, A glass of water that's 99% water and 1% arsnic will still kill you as sure as if it was all arsnic. WAKE UP CHURCH!!!!! Jesus is going to return like a thief in the night, don't be caught snoozing!!!!!!