The Saddleback Controversy

Richard Abanes, author of Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him (Harvest House, 2005), recently criticized Scott for his post entitled "15 Things I Learned at Saddleback." Richie, as was his stage name during his dancing and acting days, questioned Scott's accuracy on the following two issues:

1. Who was the speaker at Saddleback who said, "God taught me how to live victoriously as a single between my first and second marriage."?

2. The message of Saddleback is "affirmation" not "transformation" of a person's life as taught in the aforementioned sermon about Zacchaeus.

It just so happens that I was with Scott when he "learned" this. The man who taught upon the subject of living victoriously as a single was Bill Butterworth. The sermon title was "Living Life to the Max" and was preached March 2-3, 2002. In fact, in the sermon hand-out we filled in blanks as Bill spoke upon this subject. As he listed so-called "traits of fulfilled single adults", his first point was "Unconditional Acceptance of Myself." The scriptures given to prove this were Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." And Isaiah 62:5, "As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you." Of course, if anyone takes this advice I hope they like being single, because I expect no one will want to marry such a conceited, self-centered person who thinks everyone, including God, must accept them just like they are. (My wife and God are still working on me. Ouch.)

Concerning the second issue, I heard the same sermon preached as Scott did. In fact, it was Saturday August 26, 2000. That was the same service where we were specially noticed as out-of-towners because we carried Bibles. The sermon that day was preached by Rick Warren from Luke 19:1-4, entitled "How Much You Matter To God." Using the Message Bible, Rick read a portion of Luke 19:5, "When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up." Point number one was "No Matter How Insignificant I Feel, Jesus Notices Me."

After an interlude of special music, Rick transitioned to the second point by reading from the Living Bible a portion of Luke 19:5, "Jesus looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name 'Zacchaeus!' he said." Rick then says (and in amazement I wrote it down), "When Jesus said Zacchaeus' name, it was the first time Zacchaeus had heard his name in years." (Now from where did Rick learn that? I could not find it in any of his 25 favorite translations or paraphrase Bibles or my Greek New Testament.) By the way, the second point in the sermon was, "No Matter What Others Say About Me, Jesus Affirms Me."

Now let it be remembered, the reason that I have posted this additional information is because Scott's integrity was questioned by Richie. Furthermore, I believe that Saddleback's unbiblical gospel message is in the same line of psycho-babble-christianity as Joel Osteen and others. I spend most of my time preaching the Gospel and some of my time defending the Gospel from Biblical distortions of our era. This post fits the latter.

Saddleback Lessons Unabridged

I recently posted a rather sarcastic blog on Rick Warren and Saddleback Community Church entitled 15 Things I Learned at Saddleback. In the comments section of this blog I was taken to task by self proclaimed apologist for Rick Warren, Richard Abanes. He is a former Creative Arts Director, minister and member of Saddleback. Richard brought up some valid points about my cynical attempt to paint Saddleback with a not so pleasant brush. He said that I pulled bits and pieces from happenings at Saddleback with no context just to make Saddleback look bad.

Richard, I felt that the actual facts did a sufficient job of making Saddleback look bad, as did your comments. However, you had a legitimate point about some of my post. In an effort to be pithy I may have unintentionally tarnished the accuracy and details of these events and for this I am sorry. I would like to write a few sentences to clarify any misunderstandings of that blog.

I highly recommend reading the previous post (15 Things I learned at Saddleback) and its comments before reading the rest of this blog.

#1 When some friends and I visited Saddleback for the first time we wore shorts and sandals thinking we might blend in better. We entered the main sanctuary a few minutes before the service began and sat about two-thirds of the way up on the left side. As soon as we were seated a man standing on the stage walked down, introduced himself as the Associate Pastor, and asked, “How has your trip to California been so far?” I thought it was a very astute question so I asked how he knew we were visiting. His response was, “I can always tell the people from out of town by their Bibles.” I am sorry but I do not remember his name. My point had nothing to do with the holiness or lack thereof of taking your Bible to church. My point was, we were singled out because we carried to church the one book God gave us to learn everything we need to live Godly lives, to church.

#2 The comment about 25 translations was indeed a sarcastic jab. One of my issues with Rick Warren is that instead of using exposition of a text he seemingly tries to find a translation that will make the text say what he wants it to say. I have heard Rick’s reasoning for using so many translations. There is no need to refer me to it.

#3 No reflection on Saddleback Church whatsoever, but I found it comically interesting that at a junior high concert in one of Saddleback’s tents a group of 13 year olds approached the stage and asked the band if they could turn it down. This could have happened at any concert. I just didn’t believe until then that 13 year olds thought music could get to loud. Richard you are correct, the Bible does not talk about decibals. Btw, I have no birth date on my profile -- I am 33 years old.

#4 I believe “The Living Years” comment speaks for itself, but for Richard’s sake I will explain. I can see no justification for secular music in a church. Aside from it being a little too performance-focused I happen to like most of the music I have heard at Saddleback.

#6 After a service at Saddleback we were told we could not only watch the baptisms outside, but that we could also be baptized! We approached a woman under a canopy and asked her what we would need to do to be baptized. We were told to check the box marked, "I believe in Jesus" and would be given a shirt, shorts and towel to be baptized in. We asked if we needed to go through any classes, or talk with someone. “No, all you need to do is check the box marked I believe in Jesus.” This story ties into my Zaccheus comment, which was quite vague so I will explain (see #8).

#7 On the baptism issue Michael Spencer along with others have done a sufficent job of pointing out the error in this in the comments section.

#8 The above baptism scene took place after a sermon on Zacchaeus. In this sermon we were told that when Jesus called Zacchaeus’ name, it was the first time Zacchaeus had heard his name called in years (eisogesis), therefore affirming to Zacchaeus that Jesus would accept him as he is. My point was that I believe Saddleback teaches a Gospel of affirmation not transformation. Christ did not affirm Zacchaeus. Christ wanted Zacchaeus to “die” and be “reborn.” Never in one visit to Saddleback have I heard sin, repentance and confession of sin mentioned in a Gospel presentation. I am not saying it doesn’t happen. I just haven’t heard it. My experience has been quite the opposite in fact. The overriding theme has been “accept Jesus”, but I have never really heard what that means.

#9 I did not intend to imply that a Pastor was divorced at Saddleback. It was not a Pastor who spoke. This comment referred to a man who was the guest speaker at a weekend focused on single adults.

#10 The testimony of a woman standing in the baptistery played over the screens in the sanctuary. Rick Warren asked, “ _________ why are you getting baptized today?” The woman replied, “In 1995 I was as close to God as I have ever been. Then my baby daughter died. I am here being baptized today so I can see my baby in heaven.” That was it...not 5 or 10 minutes -- just that. I assume, but could be wrong, that the testimonies are screened before being broadcast to a few thousand people.

#11 I do not care how much Saddleback spent on its children’s facility. I was just making an observation that if you spend 25 million on a building you can do some really cool things to it. I love the building, and hope someday we could use some of the ideas for ours.

#12 Flower arranging is not a spiritual gift, it is a talent, and neither is recycling. No explanation should be needed.

I am no expert on Saddleback, so I suggest reading Richard’s comments. He gives great insight into Saddleback.

(some names have been removed to protect the guilty)

15 Things I Learned at Saddleback

For my own integrity sake I took the opinion that if I was to speak with any authority on Saddleback Community Church then I would need to actually attend the church itself, and not just take other's word for it. Since moving to California five years ago I have attended Saddleback 12 or 13 times. I am by no means an expert on this church, but I did want to share with you a few things I learned in my trips to this church.

I learned if you take your Bible into the service you will be greeted immediately by an associate pastor, asking how your trip to California has been.

I learned unless you have a Bible with 25 different versions then there is no reason to bring your Bible.

I learned that you can actually get music to loud for 13 year old Californians.

I learned “The Living Years” by Mike and the Mechanics makes for a very sentimental invitation song after you have preached a message on respecting the elderly.

I learned I like outdoor baptisteries.

I learned if you want to be baptized you can do so immediately, and Saddleback will provide you with a T-shirt and shorts to do so. The ­only requirement is check the box marked “I believe in Jesus”.

I learned if you would be like to be baptized again with your family or to rededicate your life or just because… they will provide you with a T-shirt and shorts to do so. No checking the box required.

I learned when Jesus called Zacchaeus’ name that it was the first time he had heard his real name called in years.

I learned how to live single and Godly, from a guy who learned it between his first and second marriage.

I learned that a legitimate testimony consist of “I am being baptized today so I can see my baby daughter in heaven.”

I learned 25 million dollars will build one, sweet children’s facility.

I learned that flower arranging is a spiritual gift.

I learned when Rick Warren tells 2500 pastors to get out their paper and he will give them their sermon outline for Easter Sunday 2498 of them start hunting for a pen.

PS. I learned from RC Sproul the 3 kinds of people in this world. Those who can count and those who can’t.