The popular pastor and author of The Purpose-Driven Life was one of the guest speakers at the 46th annual Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention at the weekend.
“I invest my time speaking to groups of unbelievers that most pastors never get the opportunity to share with,” Warren wrote in a recent update to the Saddleback family.
“Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,’" Warren added, citing Luke 5:31. “If you want to have a Christ-like ministry, you have to associate with the people Jesus did - unbelievers!”
Warren has received flak in recent years for his association with pro-choice US President Barack Obama, his support behind a major initiative to combat global warming in 2005, and for speaking engagements such as the ISNA convention this past weekend.
“Every time I speak to any non-Christian group, I get criticised by well-meaning believers who don't really understand how much Jesus loves lost people. They are more concerned with their own perceived purity than the salvation of those Jesus died for,” Warren stated in a letter to his congregation, which made no specific mention of ISNA but was sent out one week ahead of its convention.
Critics of Warren’s latest appearance include Zionist Jan Markell, founder of Olive Tree Ministries, and fundamentalist Steve McConkey, president of 4 WINDS.
According to McConkey, Warren’s “silence on the exclusive claims of Christ” this past Saturday “led his Muslim audience into believing that works will save a person.”
“Rick Warren envisions coalition of faith,” McConkey wrote on his website following Warren’s appearance Saturday evening. “Where in the Bible does it say we are to combine with false religions to do good works? In James 2:14-26, faith in Christ is first and works second. In Warren's theology, works are first and faith is second because as he does his works, he is not telling people that Christ is the only way!”
Markell similarly criticised Warren, expecting the megachurch pastor not to share the Gospel during his appearance.
"Why go to a Muslim outfit and not share your faith and not tell them the truth,” she posed to OneNewsNow ahead of Warren’s appearance.
She also pointed to ISNA’s alleged ties to terrorism and said she does not understand why Warren’s denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, or own congregation has not expressed any concerns about his dealings with the questionable Islamic organisation.
In his letter to the Saddleback congregation, however, Warren insisted that if the church wants to have a Christ-like ministry, it has to build relationships of love, respect and trust with unbelievers.
