New Evangelicalism

New Evangelicalism and the Purpose Driven 

and Emergent Movement

In this book you will discover and learn that there has been an intentional departure from believing the Bible is Inerrant and trustworthy, and has plunged the church of the 21st century down the treacherous slippery slope of accommodation and compromise. Paul Smith carefully documents the sobering truth in this book.

Some of the questions that will be answered are:
Are there clear historical markers that identify this paradigm shift?

Why have so many evangelicals identified themselves as “new evangelicals”?

What is the relationship between Fuller Seminary, the Purpose Driven Church, and the Emergent Church Movement?

How is the Emergent Church push for globalization harmonizing with the new world order in these prophetic last days?

Paul Smith answers these questions with case studies and documentation of the events that lead up to where we are now. The author shows the progression of ideas that were birthed in aberrant church beliefs and it’s historical origin. Smith writes that New evangelicals learned about the word “dialectic” from Karl Barth and neo-orthodoxy, and is today used by Emergent churchmen. This decline was only possible when the inerrancy of the Bible, it’s absolute truth was no longer believed by church and influential seminary leaders.

 

 

We must not forget that the church rests on the twin sufficiency of : the inerrant word of God - the Bible and the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. We must stand firm always on these truths. Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5 and 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Publisher: Calvary Publishing
ISBN-10: 1597519774
ISBN-13: 978-1597519779

You can also order this book from: Olive Tree Ministries: www.olivetreeviews.org

See a review by Gary Gilley:  http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/6-church-history/727-new-evangelicalism-by-paul-smith-costa-mesa-calvary-publishing-2011-215-pp-paper-1200

An Insightful Parable

O Shepherd Where art thou? 
  Reading / Review Date: February 23, 2009

Uniquely written with a Parable or (story) on one page, and the author’s impressions and perceptions on the opposite page. Although the story is written in a humorous fashion, the story takes a serious examination of the popular church-growth movement and it’s detrimental impact on Pastors and congregations. The Parable demonstrates that competitiveness and ambition for success can leave the flock unattended for and neglected.

Calvin Miller writes on the topic of the mega church-growth movement/CEO concepts being used to draw the crowds into the Church, and how it is structured to meet the needs of the Pastor.

The metaphoric Narrative takes a dramatic turn when the Pastor in the story comes upon a seriously injured truck-driver who is dying and the Pastor realizes that it is more important to stay connected to the lives of his people who are hurting, sick, and suffering, then to promote his ambitions for a large church and personal popularity. The Author conveys why Pastors may be drawn to this type of program and what Pastors struggle with in their vocation, which was insightful.

This author supports Contemplative teachers which the writer promotes in the book. For a deeper understanding on the concerns about the contemplative prayer movement, Ray Yungen’s book - A Time of Departing is very helpful.

Copyright © 2006 Calvin Miller

Publisher: Broadman & Holman Publishers

ISBN - 978-0-8054-4098-0

Driven Away by Purpose

An Examination Worth Reading

 This book is an examination of the purpose-driven life book, and also the 40 days of purpose and Rick Warren’s Peace Plan. The book also evaluates Richard Abanes 2005 book which was a defense of Rick Warren’s PDL church model, and it’s books and programs against it’s Critics. The Author of this book writes from his own experience of seeing the consequences of the Purpose-driven life movement within his own church in Singapore. Daniel Chew shows how the PDL teachings compromises the purity of doctrinal truth and in many cases is a False Gospel.

This Author takes a thorough examination of the PDL’s use of poor translations and in some cases mistranslations of the verses used in the Purpose-Driven Life book Warren uses to support points in his book. Evidence is given to show that Warren’s uses of Paraphrase Bible verses leads to a misunderstanding of the true intent of the verse and can distort a person’s understanding of Scripture. This book effectively shows that methods really can change the message and can be harmful.

One area that is most disturbing is PDL’s giving of the Gospel. Chew sites entries from the PDL book. The emphasis is on “Invitation” rather then a turning from and repentance of sin. The brokenness and godly sorrow that leads to Salvation (2 Cor. 7:10) is missing from repentance. PDL’s invitation is something less then the gospel requires. With this being the case the Author shows an example hypothetically of how a New Ager could still pray Warren’s prayer and still remain a New Ager.

One out of several important aspects the Author examines is: Warren’s denigration of doctrine and how his PDL church model elevates Unity above Truth. Daniel Chew quotes from the PDL book in making his points clear. He shows how there is an overemphasis on unity and relationships in promoting a protection of Warren’s Church model, and the purpose-driven life definition of “unity” is not the biblical definition of unity mentioned in the Bible. The PDL model of church does not allow disagreement centered on doctrine or discernment and leadership. In the PDL Church model - “Unity” becomes Militant and can be confrontational and truth is disregarded in the process. Compromise of the Faith becomes inevitable. We’ve read other books assessing the PDL movement, this book takes a much different approach showing the theological position within the purpose-driven movement.

Copyright © 2006 by Daniel HC Chew

Publisher: Xulon press

ISBN - 1-60034-618-9

Can be purchased at Amazon.com

Reading / Review Date: March 23, 2008