Posted on 08/16/2008 11:59:35 AM PDT by XR7
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — When John McCain and Barack Obama appear on the same stage today, they will vividly demonstrate the reach that has made the Rev. Rick Warren among the most significant evangelists of his generation.
He's a megastar who leads the nation's fourth-largest church and reaches thousands of ministers through the Internet and crusades against poverty and AIDS. That globe-trotting work and his successful book — "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" — puts him at the vanguard of a movement that inspires young, socially conscious Christians.
But his willingness to soft-pedal political issues once central to U.S. evangelicals, such as opposition to abortion, has opened him to criticism that he has strayed from his calling to spread the Gospel.
Today's forum also is a sign of religion's importance in the 2008 presidential campaign, and the emergence of a new style of evangelical leadership on the national stage that is not tied to a single party and has broadened its social agenda beyond that of the religious right.
"This is absolutely a changing of the guard, and it suggests that the new guard of the evangelical movement is able to generate the attention and focus of both parties," said D. Michael Lindsay, a sociologist at Rice University and author of "Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite."
Warren personally invited the two candidates — "friends of mine" — via their cellphones. His event at the Saddleback Church will be broadcast live on CNN and Fox News Channel and streamed on the Web. It has among its aims "helping the church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility," he said.
It's likely that fans and critics will be watching closely...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
My Prayer: God, help me come up with a religion so I can get rich too.
Oh I know that Rick Warren’s only purpose is to line his pockets.
I just used to roll my eyes at his actions until he let the “Messiah” speak from the pulpit of his megachurch. That is when I let all know that RW was nothing but another liberal pastor that wrote a book.
Thanks I just sent that to him as well as the other links you provided that will get our pastor going today.
I love to stir our pastor up. He went to Seminary with Warren. And says Warren’s heart isn’t what we see now.
I love to rub Warren’s straying from Conservative Southen Baptist ways in my pastors nose.( I know I know not very nice of me)
Two presidential candidates in a game show hosted by a false prophet.
This is completely FUBAR.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
That’s the book the girlfriend gave Scott Peterson to read...
I remember thinking why would a nice Christian girl have such a promiscious life ????
Was not familiar with the book, but from somewhere I got the impression it was a Christian book...
The spirit behind the writer is not righteous or Christian...
(Ecc. 10:2 Don't be Lazy look it up!!)
I guess you can contribute to MoveOn.org at this “Just Say No to McCain” site, since you are doing their work
But entertaining for a dull Saturday night....
I have the popcorn all ready to pop...
And the REAL Coke cooling...
And a frosty mug in the freezer...
Bring on the dancing boys...
:)
At least Mr. Rogers was a Christian.
I heard on Foxnews that Warren will not mention abortion. Obviously, he is for Obama, as are all liberal christians.
The liberal Christians I know typically grew up in racist families or the racist (pre-seg) era. They have a lot of white guilt from childhood.
I group Warren with Campolo, Wallis, etc. Very much a social gospel type. Along with -"Jesus came to save the whole world, so everyone is actually going to heaven, no matter which 'faith community' they are a part of -we just need to help the poor, while keeping government separate from religion, but gay-rights and abortion don't count. Oh- and let's force diversity and use the word 'tolerance', alot."
I will be there, not inside but outside with the ralliers and protesters. I will post pictures later.
Amy Grant cited that reason when she stop singing Gospel...
She said that popular would sell more ...
Until then I thought she was doing well...
That is just not true. His major issues are world poverty and fighting AIDS in Africa.
Campolo is Biblical economics...
Hadnt heard of Wallis..
RW will be on LKL Monday night to talk about candidate’s answers (and sell more books:)
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