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Monday, September 24, 2007

What's in your hand?


I don't know what you think of Rick Warren or The Purpose Driven Life but it's interesting what process he's been through as a result. Here's a talk he gave to I guess a mostly unbelieving gathering at a TED conference. It's 20 minutes long but worth a look (click here for the direct secular response) 


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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Phil,

Really love the blog and the posts on materialism / community are really stirring in me.

I listened to both Rick Warren and also the secular guy's criticisms. What do you think of what Rick said?
My biggest concern was "where is the gospel?!"

Rick Warren's charity efforts are very very commendable - no one can doubt that... but in the end he promoted "good works" at TED - it's then unsurprising that the secular scientist then argues that atheists / agnostics can do exactly the same without God - because they can.

Let us as Christians and churches be known for our good works, but let us be more known for the message of Jesus and the cross.

J

Phil Whittall on 25 September 2007 at 12:05 said...

Thanks for your comment J. I think it was a tough assignment for him, the TED forum I guess on the whole doesn't lean towards Christianity (Richard Dawkins being a founder) and an evangelistic sermon would probably have been ruled out. So I think he tried to offer something for everyone, said where he was coming from and win a hearing. His challenge to a room full of some of the world's most gifted people not to be selfish with their talents was probably his main aim.

My thought is that the rebuttal didn't focus so much on Warren's talk as his book and there are a number of things in it I'd rebut too!

Matthew Hosier on 28 September 2007 at 15:14 said...

What Warren tries to flag up - and what is ignored by Dennett - is the crucial importance of worldview.

Dennett argues that the 'facts' and 'values' of religions can be separated, but this is a fiction. It is just not possible to teach 'all the worlds religions neutrally.' One's worldview will always shape how information is delivered.

Warren is the more honest (even if there are aspects of his book we take issue with) in stating that his decisions are taken in response to his worldview. So while the context meant he couldn't preach the cross, I think he did an excellent example of Christian apologetics.

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