I usually come to the defense of Rick Warren as I believe he has been in many cases unjustly maligned. But I am very distressed by his statements. As one who numbers himself as both an evangelical and a fundamentalist, I would have to take exception to Mr. Warren's reference to Christian Fundamentalists as "enemies." If he believes that a Fundamentalist like Jerry Falwell is his "enemy" rather than his brother in Christ, then I would dare to say that Warren himself has crossed the line from evangelical Christian to lukewarm religious secularist.
Some of his statements (if they are true) are really beyond the pale for a "non-denominational" Christian minister. For instance: "But, powerful as churches can be in working for the powerless, they can't succeed without governments and nongovernmental organizations." As if God's will is dependent upon Government intervention.
Often people who become popular or famous surround themselves with yes men who nod with approval at every idiotic thing the famous person says or does. I suspect that Warren may have fallen into that trap.
At any rate I'm not going to defend him on this.
I usually come to the defense of Rick Warren as I believe he has been in many cases unjustly maligned. But I am very distressed by his statements. As one who numbers himself as both an evangelical and a fundamentalist, I would have to take exception to Mr. Warren's reference to Christian Fundamentalists as "enemies." If he believes that a Fundamentalist like Jerry Falwell is his "enemy" rather than his brother in Christ, then I would dare to say that Warren himself has crossed the line from evangelical Christian to lukewarm religious secularist. Some of his statements (if they are true) are really beyond the pale for a "non-denominational" Christian minister. For instance: "But, powerful as churches can be in working for the powerless, they can't succeed without governments and nongovernmental organizations." As if God's will is dependent upon Government intervention.
Being one of those people on the other end of your defense of Warren, and knowing these things about him, I appreciate your saying this.