Rick Warren's Presence at 'Azusa Street' Questioned
by Jim Brown
April 25, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A Bible teacher and author is questioning California pastor Rick Warren's decision to speak at the Azusa Street Centennial, a week-long festival that kicks off today in Los Angeles.Thousands are gathering in Los Angeles to mark the 100th anniversary of the "Azusa Street Revival," which is considered the start of the modern Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. According to the official website for the centennial celebration, objectives of the gathering include commemorating the movement's heritage, diversity, and progress, as well as seeking God's direction for its future. More than 150 well-known Pentecostal leaders are scheduled to preach or teach, among them Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, and Creflo Dollar.
Pastor Billy Wilson, executive director of the Azusa Street Centennial, says the event "will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the reflection and reality of the world's greatest revival."
Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, is among the speakers during Azusa Street Centennial. Bob Dewaay, pastor of Twin City Fellowship -- a non-denominational evangelical church in Minneapolis -- and author of Redefining Christianity: Understanding the 'Purpose Driven' Movement, is concerned that by speaking at the event, Pastor Warren is aligning himself with some speakers who have been accused of denying the Trinity.
Dewaay believes Christians need to start holding their leaders and pastors accountable -- and sometimes asking the hard questions. "Where's the gospel of Jesus Christ? Why isn't the gospel being preached?," he asks. "Rather than the gospel and sound biblical doctrine, we're having all these ecumenical meetings and experiences and bringing in everybody under the sun."
The pastor adds that if Rick Warren "wants to be America's pastor, then I think he better start standing up for sound doctrine -- not only in his own practice but those of the other people around him."
Dewaay says he questions Warren's motivation for speaking at the event, even going so far as to suggest that the well-known pastor and author is speaking to gain more support for his political agenda. The Minnesota pastor recalls hearing Pastor Warren tell the Religion Newswriters Association that he plans to get 400,000 churches signed up for his peace plan.
"Where are you going to find 400,000 churches unless you get everybody on board?" Dewaay asks. "In fact, that's more churches than we have in America."
Rick Warren was asked to be interviewed for this article, but was unavailable for comment.
Jim Brown, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
