Posted on 11/16/2006 5:33:58 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
WASHINGTON -- Like many fellow Democratic politicians, Sen. Barack Obama is no stranger to the pulpit.
But in December, Obama will go where few progressive Democrats usually venture--to a large, conservative evangelical church that boasts a Sunday attendance of more than 20,000 people.
Even more unusual is that he'll attend at the invitation of megachurch Pastor Rick Warren, evangelical icon and author of the popular Christian book "The Purpose-Driven Life."
Aides to Obama say he will appear at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day.
"Sen. Obama has a deep respect for Mr. Warren's commitment to fighting AIDS and poverty," said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.
While he was working on his latest book, "The Audacity of Hope," Obama asked Warren to help by reading one of his draft chapters. Warren issued the invitation to Obama to speak at the church next month.
The messages that Friday will focus on AIDS and HIV, a key area of ministry for Saddleback Church. While many conservative Christians have shied away from AIDS because of their discomfort with its connections to premarital sex and homosexuality, Warren and his wife, church co-founder Kay Warren, have been vocal advocates for patients living with the disease.
Shortly before the release of his latest book, Obama issued a call to progressives to shed bias against religious people and to recognize "overlapping values."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Baptist ping
Of himself? Another religious leader with a little fame and celebrity. Out goes the true Message. Sad.
I go to church to hear the Word proclaimed on Sunday, not some flash-in-the-pan pol. Im sad for this congregation.
Is he going to talk about his "Purpose Driven Land Deal"?
Rick Warren always caused a bit of a red flag in my spirit. Here is how I feel about him...
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false pophets, and shall show great signs an wonders; inasomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
Matthew 24:24
My gosh, the number of Pharisees on this thread is incredible along with the possibles trolls! Oh no, Jesus is going to have dinner with a tax collector! (sarc/off)
If there is a separation of church and state I think Pastor Warren is blurring the line. He should stick to preaching the Gospel and leave public policy to the appropriate people.
You can have all the dinners you want with Obama; it's quite different to give him your pulpit...
Completely agreed, right down to the Scripture.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Obama wants to use TAX dollars to fight poverty and AIDS...not responsiblity.....not information that will truly solve the problem... his solution perpetuates the problem and lines the pockets of the politicians and abortion mills.....
anyone want to buy a book I have laying around.....I' let it go for 2 tylenol and a glass of water!
Jesus did not invite the tax collector to speak in the Temple.
Jesus didn't write an endorsement for the tax collector's book.
Nor did he invite the tax collector to preach to his followers.
Rick Warren and Bill Hybles ( and Robert Schuller and Joel Osteen, et al) are and have been pied pipers on the brad path to destruction. These men have preached the idolatry of self worship (with many cunning and crafty words) for more years than it makes sense to count.
Everything that man speaks must be tested to see if it lines up under the Word of God or departs from it. The father of lies deceives many and lures men to line up under his leadership, subtly twisting Truth to puff up the sinful flesh.
This is not a new direction for Warren. It's only a logical next-step. His entire "Purpose Driven" paradigm is flawed and he must continue distracting people from the Truth so his deceptive teachings are not made public.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" he would tell us.
Detailed review of both of Warren's "Purpose Driven" books can be found here - http://brogdensmuse.menofhonorministry.org/Apologetics.htm
When a dem goes to a church, it's a novel idea, an outreach, a new marketing concept. But when a Republican does so, it's politicing from the pulpit, a grave offense worthy having IRS tax exempt status yanked.
I have NEVER before seen such a double standard in anything!
I never liked Purpose Driven Life.
It is full of errors and heresy.
I started reading it and stopped.
Now, can a conservative work with a liberal to accomplish something, even if you disagree with them on other issues....yes. I have NO problem with Obama speaking there. It doesn't mean he supports him on other issues.
All he is there to discuss is AIDS.
But still, Rick worries me. He is a breed of new evangelicals that are frankly dangerous.
This is good because once they get rid of AIDS and HIV there will be no more death and dying in the world.
This is a bit more than 'dinner'....:^
I stopped before I started, all it took was seeing a quote by Anais Nin. Of all the people he could have quoted, he chose to use that one. What signal does that really send to people? I would like to ask Warren how does he know what she wrote? Has he actually read her materials?
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