Breaking: Rick Warren to Offer Inaugural Innvocation
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, December 18, 2008
- Viewed 121
- (42) comments so far
What do you think?
We’ll have a short, free, unmoderated video conference on this subject later this morning, if you’d like to come and listen or share.
Just come to ChurchStaffBreakRoom.com at 11:00 a.m. EST. We’ll see who all shows up…
(You don’t need to, but if you haven’t already checked out TokBox, go there and sign up for a free account. That’s the technology we’re using to bring the chat your way.)
According to the New York Times, Barack Obama has selected Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, a role that positions Warren "to succeed Billy Graham as the nation’s pre-eminent minister and reflects the generational changes in the evangelical Christian movement".
The Times continues: "The choice of Mr. Warren, pastor of a megachurch in Orange County, Calif., is an olive branch to conservative Christian evangelicals. Mr. Warren is an outspoken opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage — litmus-test issues for Christian conservatives. In fact, his selection set off a round of criticism by gay rights groups angered by his support for California’s ban on same-sex marriages."
Matter of fact, many liberal blogs are on fire today, very upset that Obama picked an anti-homosexual to deliver the prayer. And, I assume that there will be many conservative Christians (haven't checked Slice yet today) that will take a ride on Warren for his acceptance to deliver a prayer for a pro-abortion president...
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.
shane on Fri, December 19, 2008
Leonard & Peter I find it amusing as well that Christian conservativves and homosexuals are lined up on the same side against RW, who is on record as being AGAINST abortion and gay marriage…hhhhmmmm? http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
I am still not getting or understanding the outrage by Christians & some on this forum against RW and his willingness to give the invocation. No one has even heard the prayer yet, the words that God ( I believe) will lay upon RW heart to say that day, and yet many of you are angry?????????
Sorry Katrina, but it sounds to me that you “knowing” the character of RW allows you to judge him and the words/prayer he has not even prayed yet. I do not “know” RW personally, I do not agree with everything RW says, however once again, I will WAIT to hear him give the invocation before criticizing!
PhilO on Fri, December 19, 2008
Timothy says we are to pray fro kings and all those in authority. Are we forbidden to do that if we are asked? Peter says to honor the king. He said that about an emperor that eventually executed him.
We seem to forget that this is not a party for Obama. It is our nation inaugarating our president elected by our democratic process. He is now our president and our responsibility to pray for him. I didn’t believe the liberal media that said Obama would bring change. I don’t believe the consrevative bloggers that say he will bring us to the pit of hell.
This is our chance as conservatives/evangelicals to prove we have more character than the liberals who villified and ridiculed Bush. Was choosing RW a political move? Sure. But Obama also kept his promise to reach out. Let’s be the loyal oopposition and judge the man by his actions, with respect to his position.
Pat on Fri, December 19, 2008
All, Rick Warren will be interviewed on Dateline NBC tonight and from the excerpt that I saw, he does speak out rather plainly against homosexuality if that helps those of you who don’t think he’s outspoken enough about sin. I’m not a fan, but he does seem to not mince words in this interview.
CS on Fri, December 19, 2008
PhilO:
“Timothy says we are to pray fro kings and all those in authority. Are we forbidden to do that if we are asked? Peter says to honor the king. He said that about an emperor that eventually executed him. “
You’re right, but when the desires of the king are for evil purposes, things that go against God’s standard, we also have an obligation to speak out about those actions and to not support those measures. Kind of like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah not bowing down to a statue per the law of the king.
Consider, for a moment, Obama’s position on abortion (murder). He says that he wants to reduce the number of abortions in America. And, to facilitate this goal, he has promised that one of the first pieces of legislation that he would sign would be the, “Freedom of Choice Act,” which would repeal all state limitations on abortions, including late-term ones. Wait, huh? Sense a little cognitive dissonance or hypocrisy here?
I would offer a sort of prayer like Tony “The Law Man” Miano wrote up, calling for repentance.
Also, at what point should our prayers get imprecatory for God to remove someone? That’s something we should also weigh as we seek God’s desires in this matter.
—
CS
Leonard on Fri, December 19, 2008
The scripture tells us to fear god and honor the king. We get this backwards too often. We tend to fear the king… Obama is not our enemy anymore than Nero the enemy of Paul or Peter. For Rick Warren to Pray for the inauguration of a president is actually kind of cool to me. I mean for someone who has been outspoken against abortion and same sex marriage to be able to stand there and pray for God’s best to happen.
Maybe the bible is true and the Holy Spirit does hear the prayers and greenings of his kids and maybe the Holy Spirit does translate that to the Father. Could it be that God is still Sovereign? Rick was asked to pray not preach. Do not confuse the two.
Sam on Fri, December 19, 2008
I thought that what Albert Mohler wrote is a good read on this:
http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3023
Mohler concludes:
“Would I deliver the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States? Well, I have not been asked, but I can imagine that it would be difficult to turn down this invitation. After all, the inaugural ceremony is a national event, not a personal ceremony. Yet, in the end, the context of this inaugural ceremony would not allow me to accept. President-elect Obama has pledged to sign legislation including the Freedom of Choice Act, which would affect a pro-abortion revolution in this nation. He has also pledged to sign executive orders within hours of taking office that will lead directly to a vast increase in the destruction of human life. In particular, he has promised to reverse the Bush administration’s policy limiting federal funding of human embryonic stem-cell research. Sources inside the transition office have advised activists to expect a flurry of executive orders in the new administration’s first hours and days.
Knowing the intentions of this President-elect, I could not in good conscience offer a formal prayer at his inauguration. Even in the short term, I could not live in good conscience with what will come within hours. I could not accept a public role in the event of his inauguration nor offer there a public prayer, but I will certainly be praying for this new President and for the nation under his leadership.
I was interviewed about this question by The Wall Street Journal, and the article appears in today’s edition of the paper [see here]. From the article:
Some on the right were unhappy as well. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he wouldn’t deliver the invocation for a president who supports abortion rights.
“It certainly doesn’t help the pro-life movement to…participate in this kind of public way in the inauguration for one who holds to a very radical pro-abortion position,” he said
Leonard on Fri, December 19, 2008
Sam, thanks for the link. I understand hi position, but if I were asked I would do it. I think the rhetoric over at slice and a few comments here are what frustrate me more than Ric doing this.
Dave Z on Fri, December 19, 2008
Good point regarding how “conservative” Christians and gays are in agreement. Rick must be doing something right.
I also agreed (at first) that “changing their ways” is not what the gospel is about - instead we need to encourage a relationship with Jesus. But then I remember John the Baptist’s call to repentance, which IS a “changing of ways.” And Jesus’ instruction to “leave your life of sin.” Hmmm.
Sam on Fri, December 19, 2008
Dave Z,
A point of distinction. People can change their ways without Jesus. There are moral Mormons, Muslims, etc. who have all changed their ways.
Leonard,
why would you do it in light of Eph 5:11 and 2 cor 6:14-18
Yes, we are to pray for our leaders. But there is a difference between private prayer for our leaders which often includes praying for a change and repentenance in them and praying in public at a political event. I do not see where a pastor is called to publicly pray for a leader in such a venue as the inauguration. Especially a leader who holds to the murder of the unborn.
Dave Z on Fri, December 19, 2008
Imprecatory prayers against Obama…how does this align with the clear scriptural teaching that ALL authority is established by God? As I see it, God made his choice. Are you questioning God’s decision?
As a contrast, when Paul wrote those first few verses of Romans 13, the Roman Emperor was Nero. And don’t forget he was writing to believers in Rome. Now before Nero had been Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. Read up on those guys sometime. We in America have seen nothing like the decadence that was so pervasive in Rome at the time Paul wrote. Yet we don’t find imprecatory prayers against the Roman Emperors in Paul’s writings.
Pat on Fri, December 19, 2008
Sam: “I do not see where a pastor is called to publicly pray for a leader in such a venue as the inauguration.”
Sam, where do you see in Scripture where it says exactly how we are to pray for these leaders (private vs. public)? I think the Scripture leaves many instances like this open so that we have to exercise our God-given wisdom and discernment. All the Scripture says is to pray for our leaders. It is left to us as to the way that we think is appropriate and that would best honor God. If this is what Rick Warren chooses to do, so be it. I believe that one can pray for someone and still be disagreement with them on fundamental issues. I don’t see the prayer as a blessing of Obama’s policies. I guess the only real way to answer this is to ask Warren himself what his goal is. Other than that, we’re speculating on his intent. God help us if we’ll only pray for those who agree wtih us….
shane on Fri, December 19, 2008
Pat-well said!!
After reading some of these posts it has hit me on why once again so many want nothing to do with Christianity!! If someone does not completley agree with you they are wrong. I actually saw a bumper sticker on a car today on my way into the church office and it said-“I love Jesus, but please do not ask me to your church”, (I assume a take from Dan Kimball’s excellent book). Many of you are proving this point. I did not vote for Obama-actually have never voted for a Democrat in my 22 years of being able to vote. But I see this as a great opportunity for all Christians, that we support RW why? I believe it shows that we disagree with your policy however we are willing to converse and pray with you and for you. I see nothing positive from RW declining the invitation, we once again would be labled as being close minded.
I believe one can pray for somone/something and still disagree with them, I do it every Sunday when I look out before the people before me. I know that many of them are invovlved in porn, have drinking problems, lie, cheat, steal, support a woman’s right to choose (abortion) yet I love them and I pray for them. Should I say, sorry can’t pray for those of you who are here today and support Obama, support gay rights, support abortion. Only once you agree with me and you are fully obeying God’s Word will iIpray for you, if that’s the case none of us are worthy of prayer because we are all sinners, well at least I am…...I once was far from God-a drunk, a womanizer etc…thank God I had people who prayed for me regardless that I would CHANGE, not sure if some of you would have from the sounds of it…......
Jeremy on Fri, December 19, 2008
Once again American Christians confuse nationalistic affiliations with their true calling as citizens of the Kingdom.
People are harping on the President-Elect as if he should be acting as a pastor, not a politician.
As the POTUS, Obama is called to lead and serve EVERYONE in the United States, not just the Christians that happen to live there. The CHURCH is called to be holy, not the United States of America. In fact, I don’t remember the good ol’ USA mentioned anywhere in Scripture. Maybe I need to re-read Paul’s letters, but I think I remember him calling CHRISTIANS and the CHURCH to be holy and also not to judge those outside the church.
Trust me, this nation would be a lot of different if Christians would quit trying to make America into a giant church through politics and instead start working for the Kingdom with an exilic mindset. And just because RW is praying at the inauguration, doesn’t mean that he is advocating for all of Obama’s views. In fact, I just saw a released statement from RW saying that he was impressed that Obama asked him to pray, because they differ so strongly on quite a few issues.
Please quit confusing your American citizenship with your real one, and trying to disguise it as psuedo-piety. It makes non-Christians hate us and it’s truly unBiblical.
Joseph on Fri, December 19, 2008
It’s supremely interesting how the left is angry with Obama for giving the gay-hating Rick Warren a platform, while the right is angry with Rick Warren for appearing with the baby-killing Obama.
Rick Warren is equivalent to the KKK, according to a post I just read somewhere else, and here I find that Obama is Nero.
I have read more hate (and I use that word deliberately) being spewed by gays and evangelical Christians in the last two days than during the entire election.
Why? Because one man is joining another man to say a prayer for the nation.
God save us.
Sam on Fri, December 19, 2008
Joseph,
careful, do not confuse disagreement with hate. Christians can have disagreements without hating one another. It stops all fruitful discussion when you start throwing out labels such as “hater” just because 2 christians disagree with one another. I think there are legitimate questions that Christians should be asking one another about biblical passages like Eph 5:11 and 2 cor 6:14-18.
In the Bible we see disagreements among the apostles. Paul chastised Peter. Paul and Barnabas disagreed but later Paul commended him. We, as christians, are not a monolithic people. We need to have serious discussion void of labeling one another as haters, Pharisees, Fundamentalists. liberal, etc.
The concern for me at least is not that RW is praying for Obama because i hope that we all are but it is the format in which he is doing so and the implications of that.
Page 2 of 3 pages < 1 2 3 >
Post a Comment