Rick Warren: Vanity

[Chong]

I received an email from my pastor about Rick Warren's interview with "those two" on CNN and also received another email from an old timer freeper FRiend warning me about Rick Warren.

Please share with me what you know about this man and what he stands for (without in-fighting if you can? 'Cause you are not going to change anybody's mind by arguing?)

Gotta go run some errands but will check back in when I come back, so don't think I am being rude by not replying right away.

Thanks.

[Reagan Man]

Well said.

[elpadre]

“Rick Warren is ALL about Rick Warren.”

that’s true of modern leaders of religion and politics, and most all phases of public life.

Show me a list of humble leaders - the nation or the world!

GWB would most likely make the humble list, but who else??

[Reagan Man]

Could be a Freudian slip. ;^)

[cookcounty]

"What I find troubling, is how can Rick Warren invite someone to his ministry, who professes to be a man of faith, yet condones and promotes abortion on demand. Its a total disconnect for me. Btw, this will be Obama’s second visit to see Warren.

Supposedly tonight will limited to "values" issues, so with Obama's astonishing "born-alive abortion" support, if Warren is the least bit consistent, he had better push Obama very hard on this.

Obama is far and away the most radical pro-abortion extremist that has ever run for the Presidency. He has no compassion for kids (at least not small ones).

[elpadre]

“....However, inviting a pro-abortion candidate to his house of worship, isn’t an appealing aspect of Warren’s faith....”

Jesus said we are to be in the world, not of the world.”

I have people in my house who hold ideals and opinions I don't agree with, often. Every once in a while they will see the light.

[Mount Athos]

This tells me a lot about what is really going on.

*Board of Directors president Meg Rlley, Director of Advocacy and Witness for the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship.

*Elizabeth Letzler, member of the PCUSA's Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee and the Israel-Palestine Network (i.e., an Israel divestment proponent). She's also been "deeply involved" with FaithAmerica.org, an NCC outfit.

*Nazir Khaja, a Muslim leader who also sits on the board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights.

*Fred Rotondaro, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, run by Bill Clinton's ex-chief of staff John Podesta, which is basically a Democratic Party research organization.

*Susan Thistlethwaite, president of the UCC's Chicago Seminary, well-known to readers of this blog for her contributions to the Washington Post's "On Faith" column.

*Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society, who also sits on the board (with Communist Party USA leader Judith LeBlanc) of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

[steve86]

that’s true of modern leaders of religion and politics, and most all phases of public life. Show me a list of humble leaders - the nation or the world! GWB would most likely make the humble list, but who else??

Pope Benedict XVI

[cookcounty]

The format is Warren, and Warren alone, asking questions of Obama for one hour, then McCain for one hour.

[Always Right]

Guys like Rick Warren and Olsten are making the most radical pro-abort Democrats acceptable to evangelicals. I have no use for his purpose-driven life agenda, which is really theological liberalism dressed-up for the post-modern world. I prefer the novel approach of studying scripture, doctrine, and apologetics for myself

It is unfair to wrap Warren and Olsteen in the same wrapper. Joel stays neutral on most controversial issues, while Warren is a liberal activist on issues such as gay rights and abortion. You can criticize Joel for not taking stances on social issues, but he is far from what Warren does, which is to actually promote such behavior.

[Abigail Adams]

You can do some reading here:

http://www.crossroad.to/index.html

And you can read an online book that I think is a must-read for any Christian here:

http://www.reinventingjesuschrist.com/

I would also recommend the books “Faith Undone” and “Deceived on Purpose,” and there are also other good books out there.

Essentially, Rick Warren was mentored by Robert Schuller, who is a new age spirituality proponent, and Warren has many connections to other new agers who call themselves “Christians.”

[Anti-Hillary]

What I do not like about Warren and others like him, is twofold:

1) They preach a disproportionate Gospel. What I mean is, they preach almost exclusively about the love of Christ, how he forgives, how he can meet your needs, how he can heal your wounds, how great he can make you feel, etc. I ABSOLUTELY don NOT disagree with any of those things, BUT they never seem to get around to preaching about our sinfulness and Jesus reaction to that. Jesus talked about hell 3x as much as he did about heaven. He taught about becoming holy and the consequences of sin and living a sinful life. Warren and others NEVER seem to get around to those points.

2) This is my MAIN objection to Warren and those in the ‘Emerging Church’ movement. It appears to me that they approach their relationship with God, and thus teach others the same, from the point of what God can do for them. It is all about how you can benefit from a relationship with God. Almost like the reason for entering into a relationship with him is for all the ‘goodies’. This is SO wrong. We are placed here to SERVE God. To bring Him glory. Not the other way around. All of the examples in the bible are of men who served God to further His kingdom, not to make their life on earth a more pleasant experience. Warren seems to miss that quite often.

[xzins]

Rick Warren was a church growth guru who did well at that. He then decided to inject himself into politics and has taken what appears to be a Sojourners/Jim Wallis type position....that is, a pacifist, eco-conscious, internationalist.

On another thread, I’ve read that he’s had tonight’s questions prepared by a left-leaning organization. I wonder what it was about his 20 thousand parishoners that disqualified them from coming up with some decent questions?

In any case, I’d peg Warren politically as a left-leaning cleric. Be prepared from all of the tricks of the left, when you watch.

In fact, I consider this event to be designed to promote Barak Obama, and to make religious evangel-lite voters comfortable with him.

[Abigail Adams]

PDL might seem harmless, but Warren does misuse Scripture in it. He also sometimes uses a new-age-friendly version, The Message, when it suits some point he is trying to make. His “gospel” message in PDL is so “lite” it can hardly be called a gospel message.

We must be vigilant and “test the spirits,” as deception is washing over the church! Question everything, and compare everything to the Bible, and ask God for wisdom so that you will have discernment.

[Wuli]

So what? The fact that that truth is so widely repeated by others does not diminish the relevance of it, in understanding Rick Warren.

[Abigail Adams]

How do we really know that Warren believes in the God of the Bible? He was discipled by new ager Robert Schuller. Wolves sometimes wear sheep’s clothing. We are told in Scripture to contend for the faith, and to expose false teachers. Us anti-Warren Freepers are just being obedient to God. :-)

[xzins]

"Change people's minds by...what?

Like at the diaper station.

Or you could get a sheisse-suction device from Ronco.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Billy Graham has a great deal of influence in America. And he is one of the most humble of men. His goal has only been to spread the word of Christ. I don’t believe that Warren can say the same.

[TommyDale]

All I can say about Rick Warren is that he is a very good marketer. His religion is all messed up, his philosophy has destroyed churches and driven millions out of their traditional settings, but he is a good marketer. He sells lots of books through his gimmicks.

[dennisw]

What I find troubling, is how can Rick Warren invite someone to his ministry, who professes to be a man of faith, yet condones and promotes abortion on demand. Its a total disconnect for me. Btw, this will be Obama’s second visit to see Warren.

I've never heard his message
But just as glance or two at his photos show me someone who isn't serious
Who is far too pleased with himself

Maybe he's delivering a feel good message to his mega-congregation
At least he isn't a Satanist or such so bully for you Rick!

[txzman]

Warren = Watered Down Christianity, Let’s all get along - don’t worry about the details.

Don’t fret Abortion - we’ll all sing Kumbaya and get over it.