If Rick does read, I want to tell him God has used him in my life and I’m grateful for that.  He actually sent me a hand written note a few years ago.  Rick thanks for ignoring those who want to stop God’s work and keep leading people to Christ.

Why do you find the need to take swipes at other people when reporting a story on Rick Warren? Do you think this fosters unity and much needed reconciliation among the body of Christ? Your hypocrisy shows when you continue to use the same methods that the supposed ODMs use.

Why are these comments necessary:

Todd:  (This will make the watchdoggies go wild as they parse every word for heresy and error)…

Peter:So now Ken Silva can add me to the list of heretics who don’t hate Rick Warren’s teaching

Are you wanting to pick another fight or stir up another hornet’s nest like the lack of grace displayed on the whole Abanes/Silva discourse.

And dont say, “Well they did it” Rise above it. Stop throwing stones at others. Use kind words and maybe others will take rebuke and reproof in a better light when necessary instead of losing credibility when you take petty shots at others.

In the article Rick Warren said,

“"Although public service can be a noble profession, and I believe it is our responsibility to vote, I don’t have much faith in government solutions, given the track record. It’s why I am a pastor, not a politician. None of my values have changed from four years ago, but my agenda has definitely expanded.”

So obviously the best thing to do is host a political debate in church.

Job,

No contradiction there I see. Rick says he thinks it’s “our responsibility to vote”. So he hosts this event (not an out-and-out debate as it’s been described), makes sense to me.

In case people don’t subscribe to Time magazine, you can read the article at http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1830147,00.html .  I didn’t see a link in Todd’s post, so I thought I’d include it.

I’m reading it now.  I’ll chime in later.

--
CS

I liked the article.  Presented RW well without pandering.

Tony,

Please stay away from the fear-mongering (using Obama’s middle name to equate him with the “evil” Muslims).  It’s not helpful.  I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest RW fan, but I have confidence he will be fair to both sides.

To Fred Johnson - read your own post!

I’ve said it before, but here goes…

I find myself increasingly thankful that my name is not Rick Warren or Billy Graham.

Not because I disagree with them (I don’t!), but because I’d get tired very quickly of having a huge target painted on my back, just waiting for other “Christians” to take a shot.

Remember that great song from way back when - “They will know we are Christians by our hateful, mean-spirited attacks on each other, by our hateful, mean-spirited attacks on each other, they will know we are Christians by our hateful, mean-spirited attacks on each other...” (Everybody!  They will know....")

I dare anyone to show me which part of the fruit of the Spirit is displayed in rants against other brothers.  Don’t bother - you won’t find it.

Disagree with RW all you want (as if you needed an invitation!), but at least ACT like a grown-up when you talk or write about him, not a whiny child who’s upset because another child has his favorite toy.

Brian L.

Hi Everyone:
Years ago (1999) God used the venue of the Saddleback Pastors’ conference to change my life forever.  I was so discouraged that I thought I would never go back to Pastoral ministry.  On the last day of the conference, Rick Warren invited anyone to come up front and kneel down and pray.  No one grabbed me and talked to me.  I went forward and I discovered the Holy Spirit wasn’t done with me yet.  I have never been the same since.  I appreciated Rick for providing a setting where God’s touch could revitalize a wounded laborer!!!  I am forever grateful.

Too bad so many have so much time on their hands to ridicule and tear down.

Todd you said: “Just check the recent post here about the discernment websites.  Almost 300 comments.” in a comment to Fred, you might also tell Fred that about half of those nearly 300 posts (262 at last check) were from Richard Abanes which is par for the course where Richard is involved.Leonard where is the name-calling in Tony’s post?Lesson in what humility is for those who protest that Pastor Rick is very humble: This from a post titled Marks of a Christian: Humility Luke 14:7-11 at http://brandonweb.com/gbt/sermonpages/luke28.htmI. The Meaning of Humility.

A. Definition:

1. Not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; a spirit of deference or submission.

2. It is recognizing that God and others are responsible for the achievements in my life.

3. Note: 1Co. 4:7

B. Humility is a modest estimation of one’s self.

1. Note: Ro. 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think...” II. Examples of Humility.

A. The Apostle Paul.

1. He boasted about one thing and one thing only: the Cross of Christ.

2. He certainly could have boasted in his heritage, and in his service for Christ.

3. He said little about what he had done for Christ, but much about what Christ had done for him.

B. The Lord Jesus Christ.

1. He was the central figure in heaven, but He humbled Himself and took upon Himself the form of a servant.

2. On the night before He died He taught His disciples a tremendous lesson of humility as He began to wash their dirty feet as a servant.

3. His ultimate expression of humility is seen as “...He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.” cf Ph. 2:8
If you have ever heard an interview of Rick Warren you would more than likely hear of how influential he has been or is, how widely used PD materials are and what he plans on accomplishing through the use of churches to resolve the worlds woes, woes which have taken precedence over the preaching of the gospel as a direct result of trying to harmonize or ecumenize religions that are anti-biblical, anti-Christ or anti-God. To not pay attention to this aspect of his PEACE plan is to ignore the things Christ and Paul called us to pay much attention to. How tragic that is.

We are all instructed to be discerning. Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing because He knew they would come in to devour the flock.  Satan is a deceiver.  He doesn’t come in with a sandwichboard that states “I am the devil!!” He is subtle and good at it.  For anyone to search Scripture and see that someone teaches a gospel other than the one given to us by our Father is wise and should not be criticized.  Fidelity to Scripture should be our priority and something to be desired by the lost who look in.  When we change the message to suit the lost we make ourselves higher than the Almighty because it is the foolishness of HIS message that He uses to save those who would believe. When we cease to hold our church leaders to the high standards of Scripture then we become religious and, much like the catholics, mormons, JW’s, 7th day adventists, and muslims, blind followers of the teachings of men.

I don’t hate Warren but the fact is he doesn’t have a clear understanding of Christian doctrine, including the gospel. I remember, in particular, the comment that “God isn’t mad at you; He’s mad about you!” There goes Romans 1, then the doctrine of propitiation, and if we logically unpack that statement, then the doctrine of hell. If God is not mad at us, then why would Christ have to suffer on the cross? Does he mean subsequent to the cross God is not mad at us? But he doesn’t appear to me to get to that siimple level of sophistication.

First,

Wyeth, you’re right, I had not business “stirring the pot”. Me culpa.

I really appreciate that Rick is one of the few prominent Christian leaders these days who really takes loving the least to heart and is willing to do MUCH to try and DO it. Katrina writes [Fidelity to Scripture should be our priority and something to be desired by the lost who look in.] I agree, but fidelity to the WHOLE of Scripture, including Matthew 25. Loving the least is something we need more people to stand up and do. Thanks Rick!