A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO RICK WARREN’S BATTLE OF THE MIND SPEECH AND PANEL RESPONSE
OF
2010 DESIRING GOD CONFERENCE

BY JAMES SUNDQUIST

Rick Warren’s “Battle of the Mind” Speech at the Desiring God 2010 THINK Conference (which Rick Warren did not attend but presented on videotape) resulted in a torrent of emails to me from Christians who were alarmed.  I also received a number of concerns about the response from John Piper and his panel at the conference after hearing Warren’s speech.  I had not planned on even listening to the speech because there had not yet been any formal or public repentance from Rick Warren for all of his false teachings in his Purpose Driven Life book or for the destruction he has wrought in churches all over the U.S. (a repentance speech is a speech that I would have made sure to hear).  But the indignation over the “Battle of the Mind” speech had grown so large, I felt compelled to view it and respond.  Before this I had appealed to and warned John Piper because he had invited Rick Warren to speak at his 2010 Desiring God Conference.  My appeal can be read at:

http://rock-to-salt.cephasministry.com/James_Sundquist_Response_to_John_Piper_Inviting_Rick_Warren_to_Defile_his_pulpit_and_people.html

John Piper did not listen to me or a host of other Christians who appealed to him or publicly rebuked him or Rick Warren.  Also see:

http://newdemonstration.com/defending-contending/john-piper-rick-warren-and-the-doctrine-of-separation

for Tim Challies’ appeal regarding Warren’s appearance.  John Piper invited him anyway.  What follows is my response to Rick Warren’s speech as well as my commentary on the Panel’s response at the 2010 Desiring God Conference.  I agree with Tim Challies.
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An Analysis Of

SIMA MOTIVATIONAL ABILITIES PATTERN
(HEREAFTER MAP) vs. SCRIPTURE

by James Sundquist

Sources of all quotes by SIMA International and/or Arthur Miller located at:

http://www.yourhrdreamjob.com/

&

http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=462015054

There is now an epidemic today in churches and ministry organizations which has convinced people that they must take some sort of psychometric personality and gift evaluation assessment(s) or test(s) in order to be able to determine how God would want them to serve, whether it be in the church, in para-church ministries, or in the workforce. These assessments and/or tests claim that up until now there has been no way to determine how one should serve or work without using the assessment(s) or test(s). Some of these assessment(s) and test(s) even claim that they can predict future behavior and job performance. The founder of the evaluation being featured in this article claims that his assessment is “as from the hand of God.”

Ironically, some of the originators of these assessment(s) and test(s) contradict and/or criticize each other as invalid. Many of the personality assessment(s) and test(s) used by Christians today are based on some sort of Greek mythology, principles of this world, or even have occult roots (such as MBTI Carl Jung and Rick Warren’s SHAPE). Some Christians are now compelled to take these assessments or they will not be allowed to be a church member or to be employed by a particular organization or denomination. In other cases the ministerial credentials of pastors are even threatened unless they comply with taking the required assessment(s) or test(s).

It is important to make a distinction here between assessments or tests which evaluate personality traits vs. objective skill sets such as trade requirements (e.g. plumbing) or professional requirements (e.g. bar exam). Of the course the latter is needed to determine competency and, in some cases, safeguard society. So tests, per se, are constructive for job placement when they deal with skills and aptitudes.

This article profiles one particular psychometric assessment system (SIMA) using content taken directly from the published resources of SIMA International (see MAP references below), as well as emails from its founder, Arthur Miller, and then compares it with scripture (see SCRIPTURE).

SIMA International came to my attention when I was discussing with a close colleague her interest in applying for the position of President of Southeastern University (Assemblies of God). Up until then I had never heard of SIMA. However, I was very familiar with many of the other personality assessment systems in use today. SIMA International was listed as the contact to begin the process of selecting a group of the “best of the best” candidates for the position of President at Southeastern University. Prospective candidates are required to contact SIMA International (as documented on Southeastern University’s Presidential Search Committee website) as the initial step of screening. This led to my researching where the MAP assessment originated. I discovered that the founder is Arthur Miller. Subsequently I emailed him with several basic questions about the MAP assessment and his own testimony and was shocked by his responses, which are also cited below.
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