“The contemporary thinker [Rick] Warren cites most often in conversation is the management guru Peter Drucker, who has been a close friend of his for years.” (Malcolm Gladwell, “The Cellular Church,” The New Yorker, 9/12/2005)
The October 7th Herescope reported on Peter Drucker and Buddhism. Since Peter Drucker was one of Rick Warren’s most influential mentors, it is relevant to examine what Drucker believes.
Another eastern religion that has influenced Drucker is Confucianism. In a Journal of Management History article entitled “The unfashionable Drucker: ethical and quality chic,” (2000, Vol. 6, Iss. 1), authors James S. Bowman and Dennis L. Wittmer explain:
“Drucker describes Confucian ethics as a guide for organizational ethics; indeed, it is ‘the most successful and most durable ethics of them all: the Confucian ethics of interdependence’ (1981a, p. 30). One of the reasons it is so fitting is that he views ethics as concerned with relationships and appropriate behavior between parties (e.g. managers and employees, manufacturer and customer, or faculty and student). . . .
“Convinced of the overall importance of Confucian ethics, he claims that ‘if ever there is a viable “ethics of organization”, it will almost certainly have to adopt the key concepts of Confucian theory: clear definitions of relationships, universal rules, focus on behavior rather than motives, and behavior that optimizes each parties’ benefits’ (Drucker, 1981a, pp. 35-6).”
Here is what The Dictionary of All Scriptures and Myths has to say about Confucius:
“‘Chung-ne (Confucius) handed down the doctrines of Yaou and Shun, as if they had been his ancestors. Above, he harmonised with the times of heaven, and below, he was conformed to the water and land. He may be compared to heaven and earth, in their supporting and containing, their overshadowing and curtaining, all things. He may be compared to the four seasons in their alternating progress, and to the sun and moon in their successive shining” (G.A. Gaskell, [The Julian Press, 1960] quoting from J. Legge, Teachings of Confucius, in a definition on p. 169)
In other words, what Drucker calls “Confucian theory” is rooted in buddhic teachings of the occult. The ethical system of Confusius emphasized external behaviors — devotion to family and society, ancestor worship, justice and peace.
The Truth:
Peter Drucker’s management theories are results-oriented, outcome-based, peer-focused, and performance-driven. The focus is on external “works.” It is no wonder that Confucianism appeals to him.
It is a concern, therefore, that Rick Warren has now issued a call for the start of a Second Reformation which will emphasize “works.” Last spring he said, “The first Reformation was about belief; this one’s going to be about behavior” (www.pastors.com/article.asp?ArID=9290) [emphasis added].
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
Check back tomorrow!