Several of the folks of Orwell Bible Church came because the church they were attending bought into the “Purpose Driven Church” philosophy promoted by Rick Warren.

I think it is important to be aware of what men like Rick Warren are doing, but not for the purpose of being on a “witch hunt.” Rather, we will have contact with those influenced by those like Warren, and we must speak accurately about what such men are currently doing to effectively help them see the danger of such.

Warren is quite pragmatic; that is, the end pretty much justifies the means. His most recent “end” is encouraging a physically healthy lifestyle, called the “Daniel plan.”

The “means” Warren utilizes to accomplish this end are several individuals, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Daniel Amen, and Dr. Mark Hyman. Who are these men? Here’s the info from Christian News Wire—

Dr. Mehmert Oz is a follower of Emmanuel Swedenborg according to The New Church website. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show and is Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Columbia University.

He is inspired by Emmanuel Swedenborg, a cult leader who died in 1772 in Sweden. Swedenborgianism has up to 50,000 members worldwide according to the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry website. They deny the atonement, the trinity, and the deity of the Holy Spirit.

They believe all religions lead to God and that Christianity must go through a rebirth. Also, they do not believe in a personal devil. They believe the Bible is not inspired and that when people die, they become an angel or an evil spirit.

Emmanuel Swedenborg had a vision in 1745 where he supposedly saw creatures crawling on the walls. He believed God then appeared to him as a man and told him that he would be the person to promote the new teachings to the world.

The other two speakers are Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Mark Hyman. Dr. Amen teaches tantric sex, a Hindu mystical approach to sex. He teaches Eastern religion meditation and energy-based Reiki, a New Age practice. Dr. Mark Hyman promotes mystical meditation based on Buddhist principles.

Warren thus is engaged in ministry endeavor with those who denies basic Christian doctrines, and the Bible clearly says that is not what should be happening–

¹⁴Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? ¹⁵Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.  ¹⁷“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you (2 Cor 6:14-17)

⁹Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; ¹¹for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds (2 John 9-11).

How should Christians treat Warren, a professed believer? The Bible gives instruction there, too–

⁶Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us…¹⁴If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame (2 Thess 3:6, 14).

Stay away from false teachers like the ones Warren fellowships with. And stay away from Warren.