Posted on 08/28/2005 7:04:42 PM PDT by buckeyesrule
Friday, August 26, 2005 12:01 a.m.
It is one thing to help 25 million readers find purpose in their lives. It is another when one of those readers is the man responsible for ending what journalist Samantha Power has called "the most clear-cut case of genocide since the Holocaust." Paul Kagame, Rwanda's president, was so impressed by Rick Warren's best-selling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life," that he invited the founding preacher of California's Saddleback Church to come to his country. Mr. Warren not only accepted but asked his network of believers to come to Rwanda in small groups to plant churches, care for the sick, educate the citizenry and assist the poor.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
dont take this sarcastically, but who else is putting feet to their talk ?
I dont see anyone else over there and certainly the rwandans arent buying his book
That is probably true. Warren isn't going to get rich because of his visit. I also doubt that he can increase his sales in America, either. Those sales are on the downslope...those interested have probably already bought.
I'm glad that someone's doing something.
If God be for us who can be against us? Yet I do agree with the basic premise:
Americans, especially American Christians, have a habit of sticking our noses into places where we shouldn't. If Pastor Warren feels lead to go to Rwanda then by all means he should go. However I hope he's basing his decision on more than just "feelings" and understands this is HIS calling but it doesn't sound like it.
It's one thing to give of YOUR time and money to a cause YOU feel strongly about. It's quite another to be asking other Christians to give of THEIR time and money to a cause God may not have placed upon their hearts. How long will it be until we see the Rick Warren's Rwanda Telethon?
So we shouldn't appeal to others to do good because they might say no?
My church does between 25-30 foreign missions projects every year. I don't say yes to all of them.
We was invited and he accepted the invitation. It sounds as if God called him there to me.
It's one thing to give of YOUR time and money to a cause YOU feel strongly about. It's quite another to be asking other Christians to give of THEIR time and money to a cause God may not have placed upon their hearts.
He's the pastor of the church. If he has been called to this task, then his congregation has been called to the task. Its the shepherd/sheep thing. If people in his church do not feel compelled to give time or money to this project, they don't have to.
How long will it be until we see the Rick Warren's Rwanda Telethon?
Soon I hope. Isn't it about time somebody did?
I really get tired of this crap. Some of the opinions that get justified are so flamingly stupid, I want to scream....TSFW.
Count me out on this thread. If I run across another idiotic comment again today, I'll send that guy over here so there can be a dumb-fest.
For the most part I don't agree with anything you've said. But how many African countries have we've sent money to only to pad the pockets of some dictator or drug cartels? If the money makes it to the most neediest than fine. But it is rather naive in my mind to think the Rwanda President just simply picked up a book, was converted by the message and all of a sudden want Rick Warren with all his money and influence to come over to his country to help saved the lost. Don't be gullible.
If this was John Piper or R.C.Sproul you'd be all over this like stink on Clinton.
You spend weeks harping about how slick Warren is as a businessman, then suggest he's off to Rwanda to be swindled. Which is it?
xzins is right. TSFW.
But Harley understands his own calling
Harley smart / warren insincere / acting on feelings
white / black - we could post a spurgeon sermon and we'd get ripped for it
seems to me he's living Christs words
Matthew 19:19 Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
why do you limit God as being so weak as not to reach the dictators heart through warren
Oh yeah
Big church = bad church
arminian = finney false altar call
Knock it off.
"Americans, especially American Christians, have a habit of sticking our noses into places where we shouldn't. If Pastor Warren feels lead to go to Rwanda then by all means he should go. However I hope he's basing his decision on more than just "feelings" and understands this is HIS calling but it doesn't sound like it."
I take a different tack. Rwanda is a disgrace to American Christians because we did not stick our nose into Rwanda when we had the resources to do so. I'm not speaking of an effort through the government which is too often conflated with Christianity. I'm only speaking of professing Christians that should have joined together and assembled a force to fight the evil Muslim hordes. That we failed when we had the capability to defend our brothers and sisters in Rwanda speaks to the fact that most American Christians worship at the idol of American government and place their trust in it.
Not only that, as is so clearly evident, the American Church has become so putridly feminized; deluded into thinking love is something of a 60's free love, good feeling mentality.
Let's pray that Warren has an ounce of discretion and understands the meaning of stewardship. His job in this effort is to help defend the kingdom of God against the malicious evil present in that country.
As for the American Church it can be best summarized by Proverbs 9:13
"The woman of folly is boisterous, {She is} naive and knows nothing."
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Pro 21:1)
Further Note: by John Piper
Seems to me that God may be answering that prayer.
I'm with you there, although the statement is a little vague.
I'm inclined to believe that Mr. Warren prayed about the invitation and decided it was the right thing to do. I agree with the above that he probably stands to gain little financially from such an effort, so I doubt it's about the money or exposure. Only time will show what his purpose and means will be and what success he'll realize.
His will be done. Soli Deo Gloria
If I'm not mistaken, Evangelism Explosion is still currently working in Rwanda.
Than perhaps Pastor Warren's time would be better spent elsewheres?
He can't win with guys like you, can he?
1) John Piper fervently prays for more missionaries to go to Rwanda.
2) Rick Warren receives an invitation to come to Rwanda and then responds by pledging his church assets and church people to the cause and
3) Harley says... don't bother.
Whatever.
Maybe Harley doesn't think God needs any help if Rwandan's are part of the elect.
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