Who Said That?

Who said that? (or better, "what is this?")

"God is bigger and better and closer than we can imagine.

The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living.

Jesus is God showing himself to us.

Through His Holy Spirit, God lives in and through us now.

Nothing in creation `just happened.' God made it all.

Grace is the only way to have a relationship with God.

Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.

God has allowed evil to provide us with a choice, God can bring good even out of evil events and God promises victory over evil to those who choose him.

Heaven and hell are real places. Death is a beginning, not the end.

The church is to serve people like Jesus served people..

Jesus is coming again."

Please, no google searches! Leave your guesses in the comments section below.

Update on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 05:35PM by Kim Riddlebarger

As many of you guessed (and some of you cheated to find out), such as it is, this is Saddleback's "Statement of Faith."  They do have a more in-depth statement for those who want it.

Comments

[zrim]

is it a slight breach of riddle-etiquette to post a 'who said that' without having named the last one?

zrim

["lee n. field"]

"or better, 'What is this?'"

Reads like your basic evangelical church's statement of faith. It also strikes me that the language is loose enough to be the S.O.F. of a group not too solid on the Trinity. Who? I don't know.

[Toltec]

I've read this before. If memory serves...it is the statement of faith from Rick Warren's church.

[BrianR]

Sounds like standard modern evangelicalism, a bit skewed, and representing the lowest common denominator.

[Toltec]

P.S.
It's one of those things that sounds pretty good if you don't think about it too much, Which is why it would work well at a mega church.

[Nick Kennicott]

My first thought as I was reading it was Rick Warren. That's my guess. Perhaps derived directly from the Purpose Driven Life book?

[CP]

This is the statement of faith of the southern baptist church my family used to attend. (At least it's what they now post online as "what we believe.")

They are deeply into the purpose-driven program and also into some Willow Creek stuff, so I suspect it is from Saddleback or Willow Creek.

I've wondered how many Mormons or Muslims could agree with most of the things here.

[Ivan]

The statement includes:
"Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God."


Let's see, a Mormon could say this, as could an unbelieving Jew.
And I have heard enough liberal unbelieving Anglicans, Methodists and Presbyterians say the same thing [Mainline liberalism].

Faith in whom?
More of the vague, cloudy, blurry, empty "religious sounding Evangelicalism"

Ivan

[Ivan]

"The Bible is God’s perfect guidebook for living."

They reveal their low view of the gospel, of Christ's work.

That's what the unrighteous need: a guidebook. They are simply lost and just need directions like a mapquest or something and we can do the rest.

The irony is; I am sure this church will boast of its literal interpretation and how conservative they are. When in fact they don't even realize we sinners don't need better directions; we need a SAVIOR.

[walt]

It's saddleback's 'doctrinal statement'. Rick Warren

[John A]

There's a typo in your title, but it's appropriate. One can rearrange the sequence, leaving the typo:
Who? Sad, that.

[Darrell]

Rick Warren

[Albert]

Warren

[Tyler]

I think it's something from Joyce Meyers and probably in her monthly magazine as a sort of "statement of faith."

[walt]

Here you go:
http://www.saddlebackchurch.com/flash/believe.html

[Robin]

Hey, that's nuthin'...you should see what Rick has to say about B.A.P.T.I.S.M.

Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle at all times!

[Rick B.]

What is it? I suppose it's a new confession for the confession-less. A doctrinal standard for a Church with no standards for doctrine.

The Saddleback Catechism?

[Ron]

Walt,

Please don't post links to prove your answers correct.

If you know you're right, that's fine. But don't spoil the fun of guessing for the rest of us.

Thanks.

[Brian C.]

Have you read the "Purpose Driven Covenant?"(also on the church web-site) 30,000 members of Saddleback gathered together at Mt. Sinai, oops, I mean Angel Stadium and made this "covenant." I wonder if they cut the rally monkey in half and passed between the pieces. Pop-quiz: Is this a covenant of works, or a covenant of grace? Here are the stipulations of the covenant:

"Today I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate his presence, cultivate his character, participate in his family, demonstrate his love, and communicate his word.

Since my past has been forgiven, and I have a purpose for living, and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation, or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for everyday, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord; Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!”"

[DJ Cimino]

Brain... thanks for posting that church covenant from Saddleback. It is going to be my new Sunday theme from now on. My church life has now been filled with purpose where before all it had was God's word. PTL!!