I am not a fan of Rick Warren and Saddleback Church, BUT...
http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/home/bibleqanda/index.html
It appears that the website had a re-design, and all the Questions that were in their Q&A section have been addressed now with audio files. If one listens to the audio file for the Bible and homosexuality, Warren sounds like he is telling it like it is, and not backing down on the homosexual issue.
Listen to the audio answer for Question #22.
Everyone — FReepers included — love to trash people, even when they don’t have all the info. They feel better when others are diminished.
This is especially true of high-profile Christians. Any high-profile Christian who exhibits their humanity (i.e., their sinfulness) must be destroyed.
This character assassination is pathetic and juvenile.
If my last name were Robinson, I’d ban half the commenters in this thread. Starting with those who registered in 2008.
http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/maturity/fullstory.asp?id=5492
Question: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
Answer: The Bible very clearly says that homosexuality is a sin.
"Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin." Lev. 18:22 (TLB)
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:9-11 (NIV)
While all sin is destructive, Romans 6 warns us of the great dangers of sexual sin when it says, "Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." (1 Cor 6:18 NLT) This includes not only homosexuality, but all sexual immorality: adultery, sex outside of marriage and pornography. We must not act as if homosexuality is the only serious sexual sin, and we must not act as if homosexuality is not a serious sexual sin.
I’ve heard it asked, “Isn’t being homosexual something that a person is physically born with?” First of all, there are absolutely no facts to support this claim. From time to time studies have been reported in the news that seemed to indicate this, but every one of these studies has proven to be wrong. Secondly, even if some physical difference were discovered, it would be no excuse for sin. We know that some people can develop a stronger physical addiction to alcohol than others, but that’s obviously no excuse for living an alcoholic lifestyle.
Finally, a word about being judgmental. It’s not judgmental to say that what the Bible calls a sin is a sin, that’s just telling the truth. Not being willing to talk to someone caught up in sin or not believing that they can be forgiven or thinking that you are not just as in need of Jesus as they are... that’s being judgmental.
"Warren sounds like he is telling it like it is, and not backing down on the homosexual issue."
Bard and Theo, I'm with you.
What amazes me is how many Freepers can't spend more than a millisecond analyzing WHY Warren might be making his decisions.
Remember the interviews with McCain and Obama back in March or April? Warren didn't retreat one iota from the Bible or faith. Obama looked terrible.
Mature Christians like Warren are almost commanded to venture out and associate with the unworthy and sinners. Why shouldn't Warren do the same?
Here's my point. If he starts to retreat on abortion, or gays, then he's toast. If he starts to proclaim that social justice and global warming are top priorities, then I'll give up on him. But is he witnesses constantly, daily, to Obama, and Obama listens, then Warren has done an incredibly wonderful job of witnessing.
It's no different than Christian college students standing in the middle of the red light districts, handing out gospel tracts.
Do you think Obama received much faith listening to Jeremiah Wright for 20 years? No.
The Freepers that are apoplectic about this are drinking too much coffee. We have to watch what Warren does with his new friendship. What if he mentions that we're all broken and need salvation in his invocation? Wow!
Quit confusing people with the facts. It's obvious that Rick Warren is Satan incarnate and that he "redesigned" his website so that his church can host a Mardi Gras every year that makes New Orleans look like a Southern Baptist Sunday School picnic.
Oh, and if you've ever read any of Rick Warren's books you're going straight to hell. Just thought you might like to know.