Apologists Concerned About Rick Warren's Alignment With 'Holy Father'

Charisma News ^ | 12/3/14 | Mark Andrews

[marshmallow]

"Christian unity" is one of those terms that stir up a whole spectrum of—sometimes emotional—opinions.

On the one hand, we know that Jesus prayed to the Father concerning future believers "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you" (John 17:21a, NIV).

On the other hand, charismatics know it is almost pointless to discuss the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12, 14) with Baptists or most anyone else from a mainline denomination. And Protestants of just about any stripe get riled up when they hear Catholics talking about papal infallibility or their adoration of the Virgin Mary.

It's on this latter point that Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and successful author, has waded into a hornet's nest of controversy by telling a Catholic News Service interviewer that Protestants and Catholics "have far more in common than what divides us" and that Catholics do not "worship Mary like she's another god."

Regarding Warren's view that Catholics do not worship Mary, Matt Slick, writing on the website of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, goes into great detail with material from Roman Catholic sources that say Mary is "the all holy one," is to be prayed to, worshipped, that she "brings us the gifts of eternal life" and she "made atonement for the sins of man."

If that's not putting her in the place of Christ as a god-like figure to be worshipped, then what is it?

"We believe in Trinity, the Bible, the resurrection, and that salvation is through Jesus Christ. These are the big issues," Warren says. "But the most important thing is if you love Jesus, we're on the same team."

To Warren's point about being on the same team, Slick.....

[CynicalBear]

>>not is she the object of worship<<

No they just venerate her right?

Venerate - to honour in recognition of qualities of holiness, excellence, wisdom, etc.- from Latin venerārī, from venus love]

Synonyms - adore, deify, glorify, revere, reverence, worship

[ealgeone]

No, it’s really true. Protestants will all deny it, but it’s what they believe. I call on all Protestants (you, metmom, CynicalBear, iscool, etc.) to renounce the baby-eating practices that your churches all teach.

Dude, you been hitting the communion wine a bit much today??

You know what they say on the playground....put up or hush up.

[metmom]

FOTFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!

I think your tinfoil is wrapped a little too tightly.

[Resettozero]

If any reader has an idea what he is talking about, please post for my benefit. Thank you.

[CynicalBear]

Documentation of that assertion please. Maybe even a comment where that could be extrapolated. Surely a Catholic priest wouldn’t want to be considered as spreading falsehoods.

[metmom]

There is no way to bear the God-man and not be the mother of God.

Well, since Mary bore JESUS, then she is not the mother of God.

I'm glad that you finally cleared up that the Mary of the Catholic church is not the Mary of the Bible.

Women give birth to persons, not natures. Mary gave birth to ONE Person - Jesus, God

Then that is a denial of the humanity of Jesus.

[CynicalBear]

>>that your churches all teach.<<

Documentation of that assertion please.

[MamaB]

I think I missed that Bible lesson where it says to pray to Mary and other dead people. Doggone it! Where was I on that day? Jesus is the only One we need.

[CynicalBear]

>>He is ONE<<

Is there only one God or three?

[boatbums]

Kinda hard to believe you are what you claim in your profile:

"I am a Catholic priest. I am much nicer than, but not so smart as, Arthur McGowan. I welcome communication from FReepers, especially those with sincere religious, moral, or philosophical concerns."

Would you call these "facts" sincere, moral or "nice"? Because they sure aren't true...but you probably already know that, right?

[Syncro]

When you say, “”I say Mary bore Jesus, not GOD,” you’re saying that Jesus and His divinity are two separate persons. Jesus is not two people. He is ONE. Women give birth to persons, not natures. Mary gave birth to ONE Person - Jesus, God.

Oops, one person, Jesus, God?

There are three persons which comprise the One God.

The third you left out.

The Holy Spirit.

So to be completely accurate, Mary gave birth to the Holy Spirit also.

How interesting to give birth to the Person that caused you to be with child.

[metmom]

It’s desperation.

When all else fails, make something up.

[metmom]

Or there’s something in that incense.....

[CynicalBear]

Snorting holy water?

[CynicalBear]

>> Jesus is the only One we need.<<

Amen to that!!

[geologist]

NONSENSE!!

Do not believe such nonsense.

[metmom]

[Syncro]

Wow post 1291 was posted by a Catholic Priest?

First I heard that Catholicism taught that.

Sounds like the Muslims saying the Israeli’s eat babies.

Arthur, is my last sentence Catholic dogma also?

[Resettozero]

It’s desperation.

When all else fails, make something up.

Whatever that was, was warped to the max. Still have no idea what the poster was trying to have intimated sub rosa.

Perhaps you're right, metmom; doesn't mean diddly.