Rick Warren | False Teacher 

Great work, brother. Rick Warren slips in under the radar all too often as a false teacher. You are doing great work - very important.

Reposting a comment I made in a prior video: I attended Saddleback for 4 years before the Lord drew me out 2 yrs ago. -The Gospel is never presented -There is no exegesis of scripture -Sometimes the name Jesus is never mentioned in the sermon until closing prayer -Scripture is often proof-texted using different bible translations to fit the message -The mention of sin and its severity is avoided -Repentance is rarely mentioned and only under the purpose of self improvement. -Maybe 5% of people bring their bibles -He said if he can meet people's “felt needs” he can lead them to Christ. Thus, 100% of his sermons are topical and ALL omit a gospel presentation. Yes, Saddleback does a lot for the community and there are many wonderful people there... but their primary focus is leading people to purpose, lifestyle, & relationship improvements... moralistic therapeutic deism. Christ and Him crucified for our sins is never, ever preached.

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." I Peter 5;8

When anyone asks me what the first step in Christianity is I always tell them it is to pray for discernment. Satan knows that once we have given ourselves to Christ, he wont see us in hell so he will try his best to hinder our walk and to make sure we dont know what we are saying or doing so that we can lead anyone else to the Lord.

I used to attend Saddleback Church because I like many used to think Rick Warren was a solid Bible teacher. Then, I quickly realized that the church was preaching a truncated version as you said. As I result I now attend a more solid Bible teaching church. Pray for people like Rick Warren and those who attend Saddleback and I thank the Lord that he brought me out of that congregation.

I rarely comment on youtube videos, but I feel like sharing something that's been on my mind recently with regards to discerning/calling out false teachers. First of all, I want to say that I really appreciate and admire the fact that you want to honour the Lord (and help others) by being discerning. We are all called to do that as followers of Jesus Christ. We should test everything to see if it's biblical (1 John 4:1-6). However, I think that it is equally important to be wise in how we go about these things, so that we don't enage in any slander or godless quarrels. With that said, I believe that we must be very careful with how we use the term "false teacher". It seems to me that that term is used so casually sometimes to the point where it actually looses it weightiness. It's sometimes even used as more of an insult than anything else. From what I understand about the label "false teacher" biblically speaking, that label describes someone who is teaching a doctrine (or several doctrines) that is so erroneous to the point that they are actually cutting people off from receiving a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Therefore, a false teacher would be somebody who denies the essential truths of the Christian faith such as the deity of Christ, salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ alone etc. When it comes to Rick Warren, he doesn't even come close to being a false teacher if the term false teacher is to be used the way I just used it. However, that is not to say that he is flawless. I agree with you that Rick Warren isn't always as strong on certain issues (when being interviewed for example) as he should be. But if you were to have a personal conversation with him (as John Piper did) I think you would be surprised to see that he is much more solid than you would have anticipated. I know that I was! Therefore, I cannot conclude that he is a false teacher. Rick Warren is often lumped in with people ike Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer (who are obivously very wrong in their teaching) but I dont think that this is fair given that he is orthodox regarding all of the fundementals of the faith. It's just that his style is simply different than that of John MacArthur for example and he doesn't necessarily agree with every nuance of how to do ministry or how to preach as I would if I were in his shoes. I like and respect Rick Warren as a brother in Christ, but he isn't my all time favorite preacher because I don't think he is as consistent in his exegesis as he should be. However, that is not to say that he hasn't been used by God to bring many people to Christ or to edify the Church. No preacher is perfect, because no Christian is perfect. Therefore, we need to be careful when using the term "false teacher" and we need to be gracious and humble in how we deal with our brethren with whom we disagree and in understanding the issues that the Church faces today. Thank you for your videos by the way! God bless you Alen :)

I remember reading that book ,the purpose driven life, also gave them as gifts to closed ones 😵😵😵 im just so thankful to God that he gave me the wisdom to discern all of this 😭

Did Rick actually say "it's impossible to go to hell"? I listened to the clip twice and could not hear that. Instead his sentence was cut abruptly!

We need to not elevate teachers above Gods word. So many people are unwilling to speak against them. As if these teachers are sovereign themselves. If I believe something that goes against what scripture has clearly defined then I am wrong. Period.

The emphasis of many churches these days has moved from "Repent, and believe the good news!" to "If we have unity in and with the world and be better people we can solve it's social ills!" This is occurring across the spectrum of denominations or lack thereof.

Glad to see you back and healthy, Alan. I remember years ago, while still very spiritually immature and not discerning, I for years defended Warren. Not too long ago, God sovereignly opened my eyes, through the inescapable truth in the Bible, to the truth of Reformed theology, I threw Purpose Drive Life in the trash, and I never have looked back.

In the 1990's my church used the "Purpose Driven Church" for sermons, Sunday School classes, and personal devotions. There were study books and workbooks for the last two categories. I never could bring myself to do the devotionals and write in the workbook. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for helping me KNOW how empty the teaching was.

I was troubled when I read PUPOSE DRIVEN life 20 years ago. The first sentence is (words to this effect) “it’s not about you” and yet the remainder of this book is all about YOU. Bless him...he’s quite off tract. We need to pray for him and those who follow him.

Warren doesn't believe that man is depraved and dead in sin; therefore, he thinks salvation comes by enticing the flesh -- emotions, perceived needs met, etc.

I try telling my dad that he is a false teacher but my dad doesn’t believe me. Another great video.

This video could be longer by several fold.

Sadly, Rick Warren has deceived many mainstream charismatic preachers in SouthIndia.. 😢😢

MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR WELL NEEDED MINISTRY !

Man me and my dad loved listening to Rick warren. I’ll have to tell my dad the news, and be more careful to who we’re listening to. Please pray for us to have more wisdom and discernment when we choose to listen to preachers. Either way it’s ok who needs Rick warren when we have gods word.

The gate which is wide will lead to destruction

Thank you for this series. I pray others will come to realize that false teachers are a part of the spiritual darkness Christians fight against every day. I pray God will continue to bless you and your ministry.

If there is any place that's one of the most easiest to go to, it's Hell, hands down, for sure we all need to pray for pastor Rick Warren.🙏

I thank the Lord for keeping me from reading that book. Despite recommendations from close friends, families etc. The Bible has all the information that I will ever need to get to heaven.

That is why I absolutely love the story of the rich young ruler. All my life, I was taught it was about surrendering one's possessions to the Lord. I was absolutely blown away when I learned that it is actually about the impossibility of salvation through the works of man. How much more beautiful, then, is the truth that "with God all things are possible."

Came here after listening to a powerful sermon from pastor David Wilkerson, glad I can come to RU-vid and find great messages from Godly men

I think we should ask Rick Warren what was he really saying because if you watch that clip he paused and sort of changed his thoughts and said what he said instead of, maybe, what he was supposed to say. His thoughts seem to have changed mid sentence. In other words he might have mispoke. I think what he was trying to say is "if I choose to go to heaven, then it is almost impossible for me to go to hell." I do not agree with what all RW says, but at times like these we Christians should avoid attacking one another specially if the issues like these or fellow Christians like RW are not absolutely clear in violation of Bible doctrine and teaching unlike Joel Osteen who is blatantly clear. If RW can categorically say that is exactly what he meant to say, then probably that is the only time we can call him as such... A false teacher.

I was actually following his content sparingly within the last year. I recently started dedicating myself to his sermons. THANK GOD (literally) that I was able to be in right relationship with the Lord, with biblical Christians calling out unbiblical teachings and teachers. Thank you, Polite Leader and Christ. ^^

I stopped listening to Mr Warren many years ago mainly due to Justin Peters exposure of him in his “clouds without water” series. Thanks to the Lord’s work through Mr Peter’s, I was saved from falling into this deadly trap

Wow! I only really know Rick Warren because of the popularity of Purpose Driven Life. I had no idea. I have to dig deeper into this!!

There are many wolves among the sheep. Thank you for exposing this evil

First. Thank you for your work you do for the body of Jesus Christ.

Let’s all pray for him, and for many people that are swept under teachers like him. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit helps us withstand the onslaught of false teaching, and dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us “contend for the faith that God has once for all time entrusted with His holy people” (Jude 1:3).

I started reading his book"The purpose driven life" a little over a week ago. I saw a lot of scripture from the MsG bible quoted. First red flag. Then last night I had a dream that there was this disgusting river or stream. The water was so dirty and this book was in the banks under the dirty water. There were multiple books! of the same book. He was telling me this book was unclean and impure. Dirty, and soiled, unfit for a child of God. The Lord led me to look further into this book and here I am! Wow! the Lord is so good! He warns us ❤️

We all got that famous book “ purpose driven life “ mine is now in the trash!

Thank you P.L. have a blessed week. Prayers from South Africa. 😊

If you listen to the full interview on December 21, 2012 you'll find that Rick did not suggest that going to hell is nearly impossible. In context, he is saying that rejecting the gift of God's grace and eternal life should be "nearly impossible" since it is so generous. In fact, shortly after his comment he addresses the wide/narrow path as well. You and Justin Peters clipped his comments to create a narrative that falls apart if you include his next few words that follow. There may be better examples of his poor/false teaching, but this isn't one of them. You shouldn't take someone's words out of context or unnecessarily edit them to prove a point.

Thank you. I used to attend such a church. The sermons were motivational speeches, the focus was on growth and there was no mention of Sin or God's wrath of judgment or hell. Focus was also on Hillsong songs with smoke machines and disco lighting and it was so dark you literally had to be escorted to your seat with a flashlight.

Thank you food for thought I ask for discernment from Holy Spirit

I would love to see you on Fighting for the Faith for prophecy bingo.

🤦🏻‍♀️oh darn!! I just ordered his book 5 days ago. I had no idea. I’m so new to Christianity and sponging in everything. I just knew something felt “off” when I placed the order but I got caught in the excitement of the comments and reviews. Thank you. Even this short video was full of important information that felt exactly right when I watched.

Is there a reason you didn't include any videos of Warren saying any of these things? The only clip you showed of him was not even discussed.

How Can He SAY THAT?? Thank you so very much for another great video. And please take care of yourself. God Bless you and your work.

I don't follow a lot of these well known pastors to honestly know what they believe. That one clip with Hannity is alarming. As Justin said, Warren literally said the exact opposite of Christ. I would be interested in a video on his book, too. I've never read the book, but I have seen it every time I've gone to thrift stores for many years now.

One thing that bothers me is when a Christian radio station with many excellent preachers mingles Warren into their schedule where unsuspecting folk unsuspectingly take it all in!😐

“They appear as sheep but inwardly they are ravenous wolves”

Peters, MacArthur, Sproul, Alan....these teachers are led by the REAL Lord Jesus Christ.

Hey Alan.... very true. Its nice that we have people like you, James and Justin to point out little things like that out. Had I watched that scene with Rick alone, I would ha e thought he was making a different point . We should watch Justin sometime. As always......great job dude.

Great work Polite and Justin! This is a tough one to discuss with so many because they think Rick Warren is such a nice guy, which he probably is, but the truth of God's Word must be defended.

You could tell this dude wasn't right when he started cozying up to Obama.

Well done. Facts folks need to hear

Thank you for your videos that open my eyes to the right and not the wrong.🙏🎚🥰

My pastor had the staff listen to part of Saddleback's celebration (an anniversary of some sort) and during the short clip, he never said anything that could be held in error, but he also never opened the Word. A short time later and I hear you mention Rick Warren and I got the sinking feeling in my stomach. I have to say at the moment I am some what concerned what all my pastor listens to and where some of his material might come from. I deeply love my pastor and his family as they have been good to me, but I cannot ignore the growing concerns I have.

My church held a month of bible study based on one of Rick Warren's books, and I dreaded the study and gave up after a few days. Something wasn't right, but at that time I didn't know what was wrong. A few years later I was studying a different teacher who warned against the teachers who never mentions Jesus name. Then I thought about Rick Warren's book, picked it up and searched for Jesus name. Three or four chapters in, and I knew exactly this was the problem with Rick Warren's teaching, and I threw out the book for it to be burned, and warned my husband about this.

Ear tickling preacher don't know why but eveytime I listen to certain people I get a restless feeling can follow threw with the message something is hindering me and not long after that you Allen or another youngish guy Collin warned against them God bless

No disrespect I don't really ever find myself disagreeing with your videos that being said I'm not a Rick warren fan but a little over 2 min in I have to disagree . maybe the clip of Rick shouldn't have been cut so short it seemed like justin was twisting what he said maybe I'm wrong .I dont think he was saying it's impossible to go to hell .he said you have to do almost the impossible I think he meant the decision to choose hell over jesus as if youd be making such a crazy choice not to choose Jesus it would be almost impossible to have both before you and choose hell. I could be wrong and even if thats what he meant then ide say its still flawed idea but lets not twist it into what its not .again I Could be wrong maybe look I to it. Thank you

New to reading the bible and I'm taken back by the amount of false preachers there are. Scary really....

I had Christian friends tell me that we choose to go to hell, whether we consciously believe that or not. However, Jesus said there will be those who deceive themselves thinking they can enter heaven because they did great things in his name, but if you don’t personally know him, you won’t enter heaven. The vast majority of people are deceived, thinking themselves righteous because they donate to causes or do great things, and they like to compare themselves to awful people from history and on the news thinking (thank God I’m not like them) but all sins are worthy of hell.

Look into Nicky Gumble! And Kenneth Copeland is another one. So many people being led so easily

And that’s what makes him dangerous how he will add some truth to his teaching. He’s another one that my former Charismatic church followed I knew someone who read hi book. I tried to but I never actually picked it up and did. I’m so glad I’m out of that. I still so much appreciate your help and others. I would like to email you, again another video I agree with. Thank you Allen and God bless. God willing I hope to get Justin’s DVD

It’s a shame that preachers like Warren create God in their own image, it’s idolatry.

Good evening sir. Hope all is well

Amen, Allan. Its all we can do for them.... pray. Thanks again for this and for all the work you are doing. Blessings from Australia 🙏🕊❤

Someone gave me his book one time. I started reading it, but stopped and got rid of it. I also attended a church weekly bible one time that did a video study of the book of James with Rick warren( a young Rick warren) that wasn't bad(I don't attend that church anymore),but somewhere down the road he lost his way. Good video by the way. Bless you my friend.

Amen, call them out & pray for them. Salute

I look forward to future videos on Warren. Purpose driven life was such a fad that almost every church did. Warren was a keynote speaker at the InterVarsity missions conference years ago. It was all acronyms and "raise your hand and repeat after me" mindless shallow stuff.

I was just about to put one of his sermons on. 😭

I have the Purpose Drive Life journal, the fancy one and now I have to throw it in the trash. I have known for quite some time I need to but it's hard for me to throw books away especially empty journals. In the burn pile it goes. Always quoting the great Justin Peters.

Not sure which is worse, the false teachings of Calvinism or the false teachings of the prosperity gospel. The irony of one false teacher calling out another false teacher. All your statements and logic you used against him can literally be applied to Calvinism as well.

It's very sad ppl are being deceived ,my prayer is their eyes will open,thank you for revealing truth...God bless😊

Alan, you're pretty slick to totally twist Warren's words. That's all you got? Who's the used car salesman wearing the tie?

Rick Warren is a disciple of Peter Drucker and has incorporated Drucker's secular economic philosophies for church growth.

I used to listen and watch saddleback's sunday services before until I came across a southern seminary video on youtube back in 2018. From that one video i've known some solid bible-preaching pastors like Albert Mohler & John Mac Arthur.

Very interesting Alan, I actually used to go to Saddleback church when I was younger. My dad and I had a brief 2-3 year period where we didn't go, and I actually told him we shouldn't go back SPECIFICALLY because he was sounding too much like a prosperity teacher after so long, even during the time we went. It's sad to see how much Rick has taken the prosperity route. Thanks for this video on his ministry Alan. God bless ☝️

That dodgy 'goatee beard' gets the alarm bells ringing , pretty much instantly......!

While I am no particular fan of Rick Warren, this critique is dishonest because it doesn't provide the full context of his statement. If one watches the full interview with Hannity, Warren provides more commentary on his statement. He even agrees with Hannity that few go to heaven. It wasn't Justin Peters who first challenged the hell statement. Hannity immediately challenges it, and in response, Warren references the redeeming love of God as well as man's problem with sin and pride. There may be a lot in Warren's theology to criticize, but not giving the full context of his statements provides a less than genuine critique.

Hell is a choice, and that is what he basically said. One door leads to eternity with God and the other door leads to death. The Bible teaches seek and we shall find, knock and the door shall be opened. I think he is weak in some teachings, but he is one of the few who has actually walked out his faith and we all saw that when his son died. He does not live a lavish lifestyle, though he wrote a best seller that made him millions. The famous John MacArthur has three lavish homes. Rick Warren gives his money to the poor and he has housed people when they lost heir homes in wild fires. “I drive a 12 year old Ford, have lived in the same house for the last 22 years, bought my watch at Wal-Mart, and I don't own a boat or a jet,” says Warren.Mar 21, 2013 I find it sad to see people tear this man apart. He is a good godly man and I still after all the claims, have not heard one false thing he has taught. I know my Bible and I know a false teacher when I hear one. They also live off the poor. Rick Warren has always helped the poor

Thank you for this. I tend to forget to witness to people about the importance repentance. 😊

Absotively agree. Ty for sharing your video and information with us ALL. HUGS AND GOD bless us everyone

You should do a show on Celebrate Recovery and his sermon on the 8 steps found in the sermon on the Mount!! Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 step recovery movement in the church would be another great topic. I think it would be a big eye opener for your audience.

When your ministry is about looking at others , I have to question the motivates. If your a bible reading , seek truth with pray then the holy spirt will lead you in truth, but Satan is the accuser of the brother.

I agree something told me to look into his faithfulness. Let God be true.

When Rick said that, I was like Nahhhh...

Great video - I almost got sucked into him years ago - Praise God I took a turn back to Christ and the true Gospel. PS - Nice to see your channel growing!!

Prayers going up for him and his followers. Thanks for this video! Informative and convicting

Great, Great video Alan, I am happy that you are better. Keep up the good work, by God's grace 👍🏿💯

His poor son commited suicide breaks my heart Whats being preached out there was he damaged too by thinking heavens easy belief

A few years ago i watched a rick warren sermon in which he said that if you knew God and chose to do wrong that there was no hope for you. I heard that at a low point in my faith and it caused me the most miserable times in my life as I thought I could never return to God. I can't find the sermon now and I'm not sure what it was called but it shows the dangers of saying things that aren't biblical.

The very fact that you can turn on the TV and get all the heresy from preachers that you want but you can't find many at all that preach the truth. You have to dig for them. That should tell you something in itself between the broad and narrow way! Thank you for your video!

True Pastors and preachers are rarely well known.

My mom loves this guy, among others I would never want to listen to.

I’ve been waiting for this video for quite some time. Thank you for exposing this man for who he is, a peddler of the Word and not Its faithful administrator. Thank you and God bless.

I don’t know , how many people have seen love of Jesus Christ with your video and your life, but I can confidently say pastor Rick warren shows true love of Jesus Christ , his mercy, his grace through his almost entire life…and I personally understand the goodness of with his words. I saw your video , brother you only have the intention of finding mistakes in ricks word ,like the preachers tried to find mistakes in word of Jesus. I don’t see any godly love in words , you listen ricks other sermons too you need it. God bless you.

I don't follow Rick Warren but his comment seemed to have a comma after it that you don't continue to. I expected more evidence in this video that you don't include but rather repeat the same charge to stretch out the time.

I agree, he doesn't like people studying prophesies. He want people to listen to him and his peace plan.

What’s concerning to me. As I have been guilty myself. Many believers are lazy when it comes to studying to truly know God for themselves. Fighting through all the smoke of all the different doctrine being taught while praying that the Holy Spirit may reveal the biblical truth. I have been saved for about 16 years now. I have wrestled through many false teachings. The Lord has preserved me and is faithful.

I think what he means by you have to do the impossible is like you have to have the audacity and nature to want to spend that eternity in hell above spending it with a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for you if you get up, carry your cross, and follow Him

I don’t think he is a false teacher because when I had my first encounter with god he spoke to me in one of Rick warrens sermons and I could feel god presence trough his video I know it sounds crazy but it’s true .

He will have his reward

So many people that I know quote him! I should redirect them to this video from now on!

Thanks for the videos Allen. I know it takes a lot of work, for which I’m very grateful. God bless you