I love what the 17th century Puritan, Thomas Watson, aptly wrote concerning true repentance:

“The eye is made both for seeing and weeping. Sin must first be seen before it can be wept for. Hence I infer that where there is no sight of sin, there can be no repentance.”

I would recommend Thomas Watson’s book The Doctrine of Repentance if anyone happens to be interested. :-)

Thanks for letting me occupy some space on your blog to write this, Mary Jo. :-)

Here is an excerpt:
MINISTERS ARE FEARFULLY GUILTY if they intentionally build up men in a false peace. I cannot imagine any man more greatly guilty of blood than he who plays jackal to the lion of hell, by pandering to the depraved tastes of vain, rebellious man. The physician who should pamper a man in his disease, who should feed his cancer, or inject continual poison into the system, while at the same time he promised sound health and long life such a physician would not be one half so hideous a monster of cruelty as the professed minister of Christ who should bid his people take comfort, when, instead thereof, he ought to be crying, “Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion: be troubled, ye careless ones.”

I write this a lover of Christ, saved by Grace, a member of Saddleback Church, and one who views this issue from both of your perspectives. I am member of Saddleback Church and I believe there is no salvation without confession and repentance.

I was saved at a Saddleback Men’s retreat in 1999. I was not a believer and a friend took me to the retreat. I heard a message from Kenny Luck (Saddleback’s Men’s Pastor) on how to escape sexual sin, by confessing the sin, begging for forgiveness, and asking Christ to come into my life and be my savior. This repentance from sin was the first step in my salvation, exactly as Christ described it. In the 8 years since that day, my life has been completely transformed, and I thank Jesus every day for what He did for me.

Rick does not talk about sin. Rick may have mentioned sin at one or two sermons over the years, but he clearly explains salvation from belief in Jesus. If Rick had titled his book, “The Purpose Driven Life, a Life without Sin” how many copies would have been sold? Rick knows exactly what he is doing, He is a fisher of men. He tries to hook them, and leaves their maturation of faith to others. If anyone doubts this, all they had to do was listen to Rick’s Christmas message. God bless Rick, as he clearly explained that we can turn from our old life (sin?) and take a Mulligan (golf’s second chance). I know that message reached many us-saved and they turned to Christ. That was the most evangelistic I have ever heard Rick be. I know personally that dozens of un-churched sinners attended those Christmas services and have turned to Jesus. I pray that Bible believing Christians will come along side those new believers and help them grow in repentance and salvation.

So I think you are both right, Mary Jo as you say, Rick does not teach salvation through repentance from sin. Richard, you are also correct, God has chosen to use Rick Warren in mighty ways. Rick has opened the door to salvation, and the resulting obedient service to our Lord. As for me, I pray the God will use me to work with Rick, and help new believers at Saddleback to understand exactly why Jesus died for us, and the need for confession and repentance.

May God bless all of our efforts to serve Him.

Larry Stevens