Early on, some differences of interpretation have surfaced which I want to address here. Rick Warren's views would be described as a belief in predestination in which God knows and determines every detail of our lives. His statements about God's power and knowledge are absolute and reflect a Calvinist or Reformed position in theological discussion. This approach is not one I agree with because it underestimates free will. When extended out, this line of reasoning also leads to some illogical positions, such as, "Why have health screenings for heart disease or cancer if God has already predestined how and when I will die?" or "Why wear a seat belt, or even have traffic laws, if God has already predestined how and when I will die?"

      In contrast, our United Methodist understanding is in the Wesleyan tradition where we affirm God has a purpose for us and for creation. God's power and might are understood as encompassing all possibilities that might come to be in our lives and our world. God will be present to work with us through those possibilities. The main difference is that we understand free will to be an essential part of God's creation. Each one of us has been given freedom to make decisions about our lives, and our choices have consequences and effects. In addition, we believe that the world is given the freedom to operate within its limitations. Human beings and the world itself are vulnerable and God has not predetermined who will contract a disease or have an accident. But God's being encompasses all the possibilities of our lives and God is therefore in the midst of all our circumstances, loving and caring for us.

      So why read and listen to Rick Warren if he does not represent my view? First, it is the style consistent with our United Methodist way of doing theology to be inclusive of differing viewpoints. Second and most importantly, I do not believe that I have to agree completely with someone else in order to benefit from considering their point of view. This is something I learned the hard way in seminary where I first encountered people whose theological positions were very different from my own and some of which I even found offensive. I learned to read and listen carefully to other points of view in faith as in other aspects of life; take what I learned and use it to help shape, define and strengthen my own faith understanding. Sometimes it is in disagreeing with someone's position that I discover more clearly what I believe. Sometimes it is in responding to another's ideas that I get more clarification of what I truly believe and why.

      So don't give up learning from others even when they push us to think outside our box. I am absolutely convinced that when we are reading scripture together and in conversation with other believers, listening and learning from one another, God has many blessings in store for us. This 40 Days of Purpose Campaign was not designed to make Rick Warren clones out of any of us but rather that we might use this organizational approach and his ideas to stimulate our own theological thinking.

      For me it has already been a blessing to have so many in our church in earnest and important conversation about faith matters, to have our Sunday worship and small group study so closely tied to each other, and to hear how this campaign is raising important faith issues in your lives. Joe and Bill and I are available for further conversations if that would be helpful. Bring your ideas and questions to your small groups as well. Together we will grow in our understanding of God's purposes for our lives and we will glorify Christ in new ways as part of the Body of Christ in this place at this time.

Grace and peace,