Warren: “You should read 25 percent of your books from the first 1,500 years of church history, 25 percent from the last 500 years, 25 percent from the last 100 years, and 25 percent from recent years.”

The Desiring God National Conference was supposed to be the next battle for the evangelical mind after John Piper invited Rick Warren to speak. But Warren did not appear live on Friday, saying that he made three separate hospital visits to three separate family members. Piper said that he still has 13 pages of questions to ask him about The Purpose Driven Life, and they will set up something on video “so you can see me go after Rick Warren.”

“There are people who love to think … There are others who don’t like to think. This conference is a pain in the rear end to them. They’re just here to see Warren and Piper fight,” Piper said to the crowd during a panel. “[They think,] oh good night, can I just read my Bible, just relax, put my feet up, get a cup of coffee, enjoy Jesus?”

Warren was supposed to appear at the NewSpring Leadership Conference
September 16 with Andy Stanley, but canceled his appearance. He tweeted, “My family is my 1ST ministry. I’ll never regret I put them before work. Canceled East Coast mtgs this wk due to family needs.”

Separate from the Desiring God conference, Warren acknowledged critiques from pastor John MacArthur. “Bob, regardless of what he’s said about me, I respect & love John MacArthur. His words don’t control my response or attitude.”

Read More: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/octoberweb-only/50.13.0.html