Because we love Him, we keep His commandments, and as we keep His commandments, we abide in His love and experience it in a deeper way. The staff at Moody Church quickly discovered Wiersbes sense of humor. They thought He was planning to kill Himself! All rights reserved. (His grandson Don Jacobsen explains the bridge-building metaphor here.). Through his lessons,. None of this should come as surprise considering this man also edited the extremely heretical and unBiblical. He changed me from a topical preacher to a text-driven preacher.. Bruce). And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For one thing, when you are abiding in Christ you produce fruit (John 15:2). I do not believe our Lord is teaching here that true believers can lose their salvation, for this would contradict what He taught in John 6:37 and 10:27-30. Wiersbe pastored the extremely compromised and heretical wishy washy neo-evangelical Moody Church. 10:1). The theologian, who authored more than 150 books, passed away on the evening of 2 May. Jesus boldly made several claims to deity (John 8:26). 11:28-32). Many are at the end of their rope but they are not broken or poor of spirit before God. He claimed to be sent by God, and He claimed to have heard from God the things that He taught. We either walk in the light and have eternal life, or walk in the darkness and experience eternal death. 1. He changed me from a topical preacher to a text-driven preacher.. 2:20-21), or worse yet, we are identified with the false teachings and the false teachers themselves (2 Jn. Jesus was returning to His Father in heaven, and nobody can go there who has not trusted the Savior. Wiersbe was also pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Kentucky from 1961 to 1971 and served with the Moody Bible Institute in its radio ministry and . Together they had four childrentwo boys (David and Robert) and two girls (Carolyn and Judy). Beloved for his biblical insight and practical teaching, he was called one of the greatest Bible expositors of our generation by the late Billy Graham. Dr. Wiersbe is author of more than 80 books, including the best-selling BE series. Warren Wendall Wiersbe (May 16, 1929 May 2, 2019) was an American Christian clergyman, Bible teacher, conference speaker and a prolific writer of Christian literature and theological works. Paul considered Christian giving to be fruit from a dedicated life (Rom. They did not understand! Just as an unfruitful branch is useless, so an unfruitful believer is useless, and both must be dealt with. He enjoyed radio ministry and was effective at crafting the message to fit the medium. Warren W. Wiersbe is a well known international Bible conference teacher with a heart for missions and is a former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. The Answer (Of Course) Is: It Depends! And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Prepare for Easter with Bible Gateway Plus. Several different kinds of spiritual fruit are named in the Bible. None of this should come as surprise considering this man also edited the extremely heretical and unBiblical Christianity Today publication. This pruning process is the most important part of the whole enterprise, and the people who do it must be carefully trained or they can destroy an entire crop. Sometimes He must chasten us (Heb. There are actually three different vines found in Scripture. It would be in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension that Jesus would be revealed to the Jewish nation. From 1961 to 1971 he pastored Calvary Baptist Church ofCovington,Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati,Ohio. There is no place in the Bible that even remotely teaches repentance in such a manner. In 1957, he left his pastorate at Central to becomeDirector of the Literature Division forYouth for ChristInternational. The apostle Paul warned of men like Wiersbe who pervert the gospel: 2. We are not producing fruit to please ourselves but to serve others. W arren Wiersbe (1929-2019) was an influential Bible teacher and a prolific writer who published 150 books, including the popular "Be" series of commentaries that has sold more than 4 million copies. But it was his faithful preaching of Gods Word that helped The Moody Church BE a church God called them to be. His philosophy denies many important things concerning salvation and since repentance is an important component of the gospel (Ac. After volunteering to usher at a 1945 Youth for Christ rally, Wiersbe found himself listening with rapt attention to Billy Grahams sermon, and responded with a personal prayer of dedication. BTTB was very much "anti-Lordship" and for "easy-believism" which isnt surprising at all considering Wiersbes own alleged testimony of faith. Life and Books and Everything: Whats Going Right in the Church? His ministry to pastors continued as he spoke at Moody Founders Week, Pastors Conference, and numerous campus events. He is, perhaps, best known for his Be series, a series of 50 books from Be Real to Be Joyful, Stetzer, executive director of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, said via email. Like Lewis Sperry Chafer, Charles Ryrie and Zane Hodges before himall very vocal voices and proponents of Keswick theologyWiersbe is similarly confused over the true gospel. Wiersbe would become one of the magazines most prolific writers200 articles during a 40-year span. As branches in the Vine, we have the privilege of abiding and the responsibility of bearing fruit. See Eph. - Warren Wiersbe 1 God In contrast to the believer, the ungodly are not like trees but are like chaff. Warren Wendel Wiersbe was born on May 16, 1929, the third child of Fred and Gladys Anna (Forsberg) Wiersbe, in East Chicago, Indiana (25 miles southeast of Chicago). Left to itself, the branch might produce many clusters, but they will be inferior in quality. From 1971 to 1978, Wiersbe pastored Chicago's Moody Church, named for 19th century evangelist Dwight L. Moody. [1][5] Before his death, Wiersbe and his wife Betty gifted their massive personal library of over 13,000 volumes to Cedarville University in Ohio. Sometimes He simply uses the Word to convict and cleanse us. From September 1957 to 1961, Wiersbe served as Director of The Literature Division for Youth for Christ International. The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament Ive ever read., Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven., Youre blessed when youre at the end of your rope. A few years later, the president of Youth for Christ, Torrey Johnson, asked him what he wanted to do with his life. Warren Wendall Wiersbe (May 16, 1929 - May 2, 2019), was an evangelical pastor, Bible teacher, conference speaker and a prolific writer of Christian literature and theological works. Wiersbe does not understand Gods Word, since God is a God of separation. Warren Wendell Wiersbe was born May 16th, 1929 to Fred and Gladys (Forsberg) Wiersbe in East Chicago, IN. God had to deal with the nation Israel and chasten it, but even that did not produce lasting results. Wiersbe is perhaps best known for his series of 50 books in the "BE" series: Be Real, Be Rich, Be Obedient, Be Mature, Be Joyful, etc., and other theological works. In 1997, he wrote an autobiography entitledBe Myself: The Autobiography of a Bridge Builder. Later Wiersbe said. People regularly mention him, his preaching and his influence in their lives. and what communion hath light with darkness? They were wasting their God-given . His future wife, Betty, worked in the school library, and Wiersbe was a frequent visitor. God is glorified by a bigger crop that is also a better crop. Billy Graham calls him "one of the greatest Bible expositors of our generation." Interestingly, Warren's earliest works had nothing to do with scriptural interpretation. Ours was a very fragile plant, and it was easy to break off a branch. Warren W. Wiersbe is the Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary, and is the author of more than 100 books. Wiersbe is perhaps best known for his series of 50 books in the "BE" series: Be Real, Be Rich, Be Obedient, Be Mature, Be Joyful, etc., and other theological works. The Heresies of Warren Wiersbe Demand Exposure and Separation, Not Acceptance or Ignorance. Our union with Christ is a living union, so we may bear fruit; a loving union, so that we may enjoy Him; and a lasting union, so that we need not be afraid. Once again, the people misunderstood His teaching. Jesus was teaching one main truththe fruitful life of the believerand we must not press the details too much. Consider some quotes from The Message which was so heartily praised by Wiersbe: Being poor in spirit means to be at the end of your rope?! His preaching and writing are deep enough to make a Ph.D. professor think and practical enough to help a Sunday School teacher struggling with a passage of Scripture. By submitting this form, you consent to receive promotional and other communications from the Moody Bible Institute. This same combination of suffering and glory is repeated in Peters first letter. That is far from Biblical Christianity and once again proves he was nothing less than a wolf in sheeps clothing. God is glorified by a bigger crop that is also a better crop. He received an excellent education from East Chicago schools, graduating from Washington High School. Heaven and Earth, spirit and matter, the invisible and the visible worlds form a unity to which we are intimately linked (quoted from Warren Smith, Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Wiersbe responded, I wanted to go to school and get some Bible training and then preach the gospel. Johnson responded: Young man, find the one thing you do that God blesses, and stick with it! Even a Roman soldier, beholding the events at Golgotha would confess, Truly this man was the Son of God (Mark 15:39). Only North Americans seem to believe that they always should, may, and actually can choose somebody with whom to share their blessings . In fact, the vinedresser will even cut away whole bunches of grapes so that the rest of the crop will be of higher quality. These words from Ministering to the Mourning offer a fitting tribute to his own ministry: We who are in Christ know that if He returns before our time comes to die, we shall be privileged to follow Him home. Back to the Bible has identified itself with a wide range of false teachings and false teachers. Dr. Warren Wiersbe once described Heaven as not only a destination, but also a motivation. Not even close. Wiersbe is perhaps best known for his series of 50 books in the "BE" series: He believed that the Holy Spirit only convicts man of one sin before salvation: unbelief, so thats the only sin he must turn from. Are the sermons notes available for this message, Comfort For a Believers Death. So we're in a transition and I think it's a transition for the best, for the good., Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. His most popular positions included pastoring the Moody Church in Chicago (19711978) and director of Back to the Bible radio ministry and editor of Christianity Today (1978-1982). In the course of the move, Mrs. Wiersbe told the real estate agent, We are looking for a library with a house attached. Their house would eventually have the entire basement devoted to Warrens collection of more than 10,000 books. Wiersbe transgressed and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ for many reasons including the ones noted above. He wrote back to Cloud. Dr. Warren Wiersbe and his son, pastor David Wiersbe, co-authors of Moody Publishers' Ministering to the Mourning. Rate this book. 12:1-11). After leaving The Moody Church in 1978, Wiersbe continued his writing, radio and teaching ministries, serving at, among other institutions, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in suburban Chicago. In an interview late in life, he reflected on his lack of physical strength growing up and how the Lord was preparing him for something different. "I first heard Dr. Wiersbe at a Bible conference" in Chattanooga, Tenn., in the early 1960s, said Jerry Vines, a former Southern Baptist Convention president and longtime friend of Wiersbe's. The Message is an environmental hocus pocus Bible, as well. Dr. Wiersbe authored more than 80 books, including the best-selling "BE" series. No doubt, His enemies reacted violently to these words, but some of the listeners put their faith in Him. Wiersbe even wrote a glowing endorsement of Charles Ryrie's so-called "exegetical scholarship" in the forward to Ryrie's book So Great Salvation, in which Ryrie claims that the repentance God calls us to is a changing of our minds about Jesus, but not turning from sin (So Great Salvation, p. 94). Actually, just the opposite was true: It was they who were going to the place of judgment! Wiersbe married Betty Warren on June 20, 1953, and they had four children. The amazing thing is believers today can experience personally that same love! Clear rating. 13:15). He continued to write for Moody Monthly and had just started a new column, Insights for the Pastor. The monthly feature continued to run during the years Wiersbe served at The Moody Church. Our Lords reply may be expressed, I am exactly what I said! In other words, Why should I teach you new things, or give you new proof, when you have not honestly considered the witness I have already given?. One of the key principles of neo-evangelicalism is that of neutralism and toleration as contrasted with Bible separation and militancy against error. Wiersbe embraced and promoted a false gospel that included false teachings on the Holy Spirit and repentance. Many of the images of Christ and the believer given in Scripture emphasize this important concept of union and communion: the body and its members (1 Cor. Wiersbe grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, a town known for its steel mills and hard-working blue-collar families. His Be commentary series covered most books of the Bible and has sold more than 4 million copies, according to series publishing company David C. Cook. The greatest judgment God could bring to a believer would be to let him alone, let him have his own way. Humility and humor were among the hallmarks of Wiersbes ministry, Vines said. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Wed spend the first twenty minutes laughing over what happened the day before. It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit. People who disapprove of it, they'll probably just go to another church. [1][2] Wiersbe is perhaps best known for his series of 50 books in the "BE" series: Be Real, Be Rich, Be Obedient, Be Mature, Be Joyful, etc., and other theological works. Its nothing but Hocus Pocus., That is unsurprising since Peterson was a New Ager through and through. He also taught courses on preaching at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. Warren Wiersbe is a well known international Bible conference teacher with a heart for missions and is a former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. (She was a librarian, and he practically lived in the library.) Nowhere, does Scripture anywhere establish this alleged distinction. Believers are branches in the vine of heaven, but the unsaved are branches in the vine of the earth. The unsaved depend on this world for their sustenance and satisfaction, while believers depend on Jesus Christ. 15). In the book. What does it mean to abide? Left to itself, the branch might produce many clusters, but they will be inferior in quality. Between August 1979 and March 1982, he wrote bi-weekly for Christianity Today as "Eutychus X". As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal. From 1980 to 1992, he went to work for the Back to the Bible radio broadcast and succeeded Theodore Epp as general director the last six years of his time there. When you learn the joy and theprivilege of Bible study, you dont haveto be paid to do it. For less than $5/mo. Warren Wiersbe, an author and pastor credited with influencing thousands of preachers toward biblical exposition, died May 2. 15:28). He recalled: God has a sense of humor. [4], Wiersbe married Betty Warren on June 20, 1953, and they had four children. The word translated lifted up has a dual meaning: lifted up in crucifixion and lifted up in exaltation and glorification. Jesus often combined the two, for He saw His crucifixion in terms of glory and not just suffering (John 12:23; 13:30-31; 17:1). But I can read and study and think and teach. Thats both a lie and false repentance and thus a false gospel. Among his contacts with Southern Baptists, Wiersbe spoke at the SBC Pastors Conference in 1977, when Vines served and president. From 1984 to 1990 he served as general director of Back to the Bible. When you and I are truly motivated by the promise of eternity with God in heaven, it makes a difference in our lives.. Now we turn to the second picture, that of friends. He went on to pastor in Illinois and Kentucky as well as serve on the staff of Youth for Christ International before assuming the pastorate of Chicagos Moody Church, where his radio broadcasts gained a national following. Summary of progress and ongoing work by Moodys Title IX Office. In Rom 15:13, The Message says, May the God of green hope fill you up with joy and in 1 Cor 6:9-10 it says that those who use and abuse the earth and everything in it, dont quality as citizens in Gods kingdom., The Message is pro-homosexual, playing right into the hands of those who teach that homosexuality is a natural condition that God can bless instead of a sin that needs to be repented of. There is a fourth contrast. He was the youngest of four siblings. Man-made results are dead and cannot reproduce themselves, but Spirit-produced fruit will go on reproducing from one life to another. I remember the Sunday morning at Moody Church when John the Baptist came in. Copyright 2023 The Baptist Courier. 1:9-11), lest in the end, we are disqualified for service (2 Tim. In The Message this becomes the vapid and almost meaningless those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex. In 1 Tim 1:10, them that defile themselves with mankind is changed to the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever.. 20:21, 24; Lk. It is good for either bearing or burning, but not for building (read Ezek. There are four elements in this allegory that we must understand to benefit from His teaching. Also, you experience the Fathers pruning so that you will bear more fruit (John 15:2). The church he pastored hired a homosexual minister of music. Warren W. Wiersbe is a well known international Bible conference teacher with a heart for missions and is a former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. The points below cover some of the more important reasons why one should not read or endorse Warren Wiersbe but rather warn about this man who by all appearances was a false teacher and wolf in sheeps clothing. Jesus was in the world, but He did not belong to the world (see John 17:14-16). New International Version (NIV), Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series 1. 3:10; 1 Tim. This certainly involves the Word of God and the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him (John 15:3). This was the message Peter preached at Pentecost (Acts 2), not only the death of Jesus but also His resurrection and exaltation to glory. Even our good works, our service, grow out of our abiding life (Col. 1:10). Yikes. Warren Ray Wiebe. Site by Mere. If the branches could speak, they would confess that the pruning process hurts, but they would also rejoice that they will be able to produce more and better fruit. For 19th century evangelist Dwight L. 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