Part 1 Maxine Gray Commentary on Saddleback Anger Management

In March '07 Doug Fields preached a message at Saddleback church where he pastors with Rick Warren. It was on Anger. As is typical with Purpose Driven/seeker sensitive churches, it was humorous (to the point of trivializing sinful attitudes and being just downright silly), and practical, mostly law, no gospel, all tips on how-to-have-a-better-life.

Anyway it reminded me of an episode I really enjoyed on Judging Amy. So I put this three parter together.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• saddleback
• anger
• management
• rick
• warren
• purpose
• apostasy

[terriergal]

I hear ya.

If we just give them the 'how to' stuff we can make them LOOK like Christians for a while, and that's good enough for Saddleback!

[terriergal]

It's all about LAW (HOW-TO) these days...

[hetgow]

american christians angry, abusive & whining about congestion in a church parking lot? sure is different than the christians who have repented, forsaken all & become a new creature Christ; who are dying for the faith with lives full of good fruit no matter the adversity.

[terriergal]

I agree.

[mo0nangel]

Jesus Himself said in prayer to God the Father:

"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth".. - John 17:17

the question is would you rather hear funny jokes here and there, stories unrelated to the Bible, just related to the topic the "pastor" is dealing with, in this case anger management, and seek to be a better person, rather than seek to be holier to glorify God, through hearing the preaching/teaching of His word?

[mo0nangel]

My friend I don't know about you but when I read the Bible I find all over it the command to be Holy as God is holy, to pursuit holiness at all times...how to "manage" my anger by doing the exact same things the world does, doesn't make me any holier than it makes an unrepentant sinner...

God in His word says "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." - Eph 4:26-27

You can start your sermon from there...

[mo0nangel]

1. I never said what were those other man-made ways.

2. There are plenty of "stories"(historical events) in the Bible that can be read at church and explained (Cause thats what the pastor/preacher/teacher does)

3. Jesus preached in Parables not "to gain a bigger aspect of who God is without it having to be direct exposition", We are told in Mat 13:34-35 and 13:10-17 and yet to his little flock, the disciples he explained these parables.

[kleslie]

So when Jesus was telling stories (parables) he was using Man-made ways of teaching...hmmmm. Maybe through story we can gain a bigger aspect of who God is without it having to be direct exposition...

[mo0nangel]

ummm there is a biblical way of preaching God's Word at church...that's expositionally(reading from it and explaining it to the people)...and then there are many other man-made ways that may or may not be correct...by the way I'm not a guy ;) and well no i'm not religious.

[waluiyi]

I think you are very religuos guy, theres may way to preach the word of God