Posted on 11/16/2006 5:33:58 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
WASHINGTON -- Like many fellow Democratic politicians, Sen. Barack Obama is no stranger to the pulpit.
But in December, Obama will go where few progressive Democrats usually venture--to a large, conservative evangelical church that boasts a Sunday attendance of more than 20,000 people.
Even more unusual is that he'll attend at the invitation of megachurch Pastor Rick Warren, evangelical icon and author of the popular Christian book "The Purpose-Driven Life."
Aides to Obama say he will appear at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day.
"Sen. Obama has a deep respect for Mr. Warren's commitment to fighting AIDS and poverty," said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.
While he was working on his latest book, "The Audacity of Hope," Obama asked Warren to help by reading one of his draft chapters. Warren issued the invitation to Obama to speak at the church next month.
The messages that Friday will focus on AIDS and HIV, a key area of ministry for Saddleback Church. While many conservative Christians have shied away from AIDS because of their discomfort with its connections to premarital sex and homosexuality, Warren and his wife, church co-founder Kay Warren, have been vocal advocates for patients living with the disease.
Shortly before the release of his latest book, Obama issued a call to progressives to shed bias against religious people and to recognize "overlapping values."
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
My mother bought his book and gave it to me a couple of birthdays ago. I use it everyday... as a coaster for my coffee cup while I read my Bible.
See, unlike most FReepers, Rick Warren is explicitly non-partisan. He's willing to work with anyone respectful of his faith who will help alleviate suffering.
Frankly, I'm inclined to do likewise.
It's a Toon Town Too.........?
Even Assad of Syria
We did "40 Days of Purpose" in '03 and "Purpose-Driven Church" in '04. Same thing-huge waste of time AND we lost a couple of families who couldn't stomach Warren's man-centered "me-ology". I hunkered down and gritted my teeth and trashed the materials as soon as we were done.
I think most of those who were involved now see it as a mistake, especially "Purpose Driven Church", which Saddleback appeared to discontinue in midstream. We couldn't get the course materials for the latter weeks even though we had paid for them and the pastor was forced to improvise. We got the impression that it was a half-baked money-making gimmick. I suspect that Warren was losing interest in spiritual things even back then.
Sure - why not?
Warren's philosophy is non-biblical. His ideology has "driven" pastors all over the country to wreck churches and lives by selectively targeting who a particular church wants in its membership (i.e., we want young professionals in their 20s through 40s, but if you are over 60, hang it up). Jesus never made such a distinction. Now, this week, I see Warren, with his watered down truth courting the Dems and the President of Syria. It makes me ill and I wish the church would wake up to this wolf.
Because Assad is a CAUSE of suffering. He is a terrorist that spends millions trying to kill maim and destroy those he counts as enemies (even though the majority of the ones killed are usually considered innocents in a time of war). He wants the destruction of God's people, Israel. He doesn't allow full freedom in his country. And he is a tool of Satan. Need anything else, or can I just assume that when the time comes you will jump in line to take the mark of the beast because, Gee, that guy just wants to alleviate everyone's suffering.
I-chabod
One of many. So is George W. Bush.
He wants the destruction of God's people, Israel.
Israel is not "God's People" - that is the Church (see 1Pe. 2:9, Mt. 21:33-46, Luk. 3:8-9). (Yeah; I believe in supracessionism. The Church always has. So what?)
I'm not anti-Warren but I think giving Obama a platform in Warren's church is a huge mistake.
Here's Obama's page on Obama and the issues. In giving Obama this platform, Warren may be providing Obama with credibility in the Christian community (and beyond), which IMO is a huge mistake.
You are very ignorant of Scripture, and life. Scripture, because you are ignoring a TON of irrevocable promises God made concerning Israel (including in Romans 11). Ignorant of life because you have the audacity to compare Assad with Bush. In short, get saved. It will change your outlook.
The evangelical movement has been quite sick for a while. I saw on Fox News that through their polling 50% of self described Evangelicals voted Democrat. Alot of said faith people out there I guess instead of real faith. Supporting a party that agrees with murder, adultery, stealing and bearing false witness against your fellow man makes you by default a lukewarm feel good Christian. I blame it on the seed faith crappola and bad theology most of these charlatans spew from their fiberglass and carpet pulpits each week. The evangelical movement is opportunistic and knows that the Dems may be the party in power for a while. Reminds me of Josephus and the rebelling Jews aligning with Rome in the 1st century because it was practical. We all know how that worked out. Too many Joel Oesteens and Robert Shullers and not enough Brother Andrews, CS. Lewis and Oz Guinesses. Most of us Christians are not left with much, our mainstream denominations are heretical, the evangelicals are heretical and hypocritical and the culture is sinking into depravity and complacence.
Whoops. I just read my own post and realized that didn't come out right. I meant to say: "Here's a page on Obama and the issues.
Never mind the tylenol and water; I put my copy (given to me) right in the wet garbage bag and sealed it so no one could EVER read it. Ever.
ping
Agreed.
At first I hoped this story was similiar to Falwell inviting Ted Kennedy to speak at his university... so the kids could hear the other side.
But IMO this is over the top.
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