In the March 2005 Ladies Home Journal, Rick Warren, rather than teaching the Biblical gospel to his audience of mostly unbelievers instead gave his readers advice that could only be classified as man-centered pop-psych that contradicts Biblical truth.
(Click on magazine artwork to see a larger image of the cover)
Listed below are Pastor Warren's salient points from his article entitled "Learn to Love Yourself ". (These are Rick Warren's actual words from the article)
Accept YourselfGod accepts us unconditionally, and in his view we are all precious and priceless. Focus on this and you will not waste any time and effort trying to be someone you’re not.
Love Yourself
[Warren’s wife affirms], “God really does love me without strings attached.” [On this basis we apparently have been given the freedom to love ourselves]
Be True To Yourself
Discover, accept and enjoy our unique "shape" [which refers to Warren’s S.H.A.P.E. program] ….Be content with them [our weaknesses].
Forgive Yourself
God doesn’t expect perfection but He does insist on honesty. When I honestly admit my errors and ask forgiveness in faith, He doesn’t hold a grudge, doesn’t get even, and doesn’t bring it up again. We should practice such a forgiving attitude with ourselves.
Believe in Yourself
Start affirming the truth about yourself! The truth is God has created you with talents, abilities, personality and background in a combination that is uniquely you. It’s your choice. You can believe what others say about you, or you can believe in yourself as God does, who says you are truly acceptable, lovable, valuable and capable.
Doesn't the first sentence of the Purpose Driven Life say, "It's not about you"?
We here at the Museum of Idolatry have no idea which Bible PASTOR Warren was reading from in order to come up with these suggestions.
Maybe we're just a bunch of unsophisicated dolts who are not hip to the 'new thing' God is doing but doesn't God's Word say that 'self love' is the source of humanity's problems instead of the solution?
The Bible that we read doesn't teach us to love ourselves it teaches us to love our Lord. We think the list should have read something like:
• Accept Jesus
• Love Jesus,
• Be True to Jesus
• Receive Jesus' Forgiveness
• Believe in Jesus
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Please view the comments to this post for a complete Biblical critique of Pastor Warren's article.
