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Rick Warren Cut from Presidential ‘A List’?

Orginally published on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 6:56 AM
by Todd Rhoades


According to the New York Times, President Obama has been without a pastor or a home church ever since he cut his ties to the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. in the heat of the presidential campaign. But he has quietly cultivated a handful of evangelical pastors for private prayer sessions on the telephone and for discussions on the role of religion in politics.

Among the President's 'fav five' are, according to the NYT:

All are men, two of them white and three black — including the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., a graying lion of the civil rights movement. Two, the entrepreneurial dynamos Bishop T. D. Jakes and the Rev. Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, also served as occasional spiritual advisers to President George W. Bush. Another, the Rev. Jim Wallis, leans left on some issues, like military intervention and poverty programs, but opposes abortion. None of these pastors are affiliated with the religious right, though several are quite conservative theologically. One of them, the Rev. Joel C. Hunter, the pastor of a conservative megachurch in Florida, was branded a turncoat by some leaders of the Christian right when he began to speak out on the need to stop global warming...

Why do you think Rick wasn’t included in this mix?


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  There are 28 Comments:

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    Because Rick is smart to not want to be.

    Rather, I’d like to know when was the last time Obama went to church (with exception of the media-blitzed “prayer services") with his wife and kids. Obviously he’s not the “believer” some thought he is, and he doesn’t see a need for it (God). Based on his actions for the past few weeks, he needs a LOT of prayer - but then so do we for the mess we’re in.

    If we don’t speak up and call things as they really are and point to the Word of God, aren’t we according to scripture just as bad?

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    Never heard of 4 of them but TD Jakes?  This man is not a Christian and believes that God is not Triune. Just goes to show you that Obama has no discernment nor does he know the Word of God. I don’t know what’s worse....preaching from TD Jakes or Jeremiah Wright.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 8:24 AM

    Wendi,
    We’re not to put our trust or confidence in man… but we’re to point man to God…

    in all consideration, do you really thing Obama or any president could truly worship God at any particular church without the super star syndrome being present? If we’re to be honest, if the president was to show up at many of our congregations on any given Sunday more attention would be given to him then to God… how many preachers would preacher the true Word of God without watering it down because the president is in their pressence?

    I could imagine it’s hard for the president to go to church without causing some type of media blitz…

    The Bible teaches us to pray for all our world leaders regardless of how we feel about them… let’s pray for our president and world leaders…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Rev K:

    “in all consideration, do you really thing Obama or any president could truly worship God at any particular church without the super star syndrome being present? If we’re to be honest, if the president was to show up at many of our congregations on any given Sunday more attention would be given to him then to God… how many preachers would preacher the true Word of God without watering it down because the president is in their pressence?”

    There’s the rub.  If people truly acted like Christians in the first place, it wouldn’t matter if it was a bum in the pews or if the President was sitting next to someone.  People would be there to glorify and worship God.  And if we had preachers who acted like preachers, the audience would not dictate the level of preaching.

    And I agree with Wendi’s statement:  “Obviously he’s not the “believer” some thought he is, and he doesn’t see a need for it (God).” I have a real tough time believing that Obama is a Christian at all.

    --
    CS

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 9:29 AM

    You GO! Wendi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    Katrina & Wendi…
    I’m so glad it’s not left up to man to decide who is or who’s not a Christian… the Bible teches, If we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the finished work of Jesus Christ then we are saved… the area many of us forget is there’s different levels to Christianity… there are babes as well as mature Christians… many are trying to hold Obama accountable like preachers are to be held accountable… Obama isn’t a preacher… he’s a politician… there’s no doubt, he needs to mature in certian areas in his relationship with God…

    I wonder how many would have called Peter a Christian after his denial of knowing Jesus?

    once again, the Bible teaches us Christians to pray for our leaders… not to bash them.... we’re no different from sinners when we take such actions… the Bible says, “let the wheat and tares grow together… in the end God would do the seperating...”

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    There appear to be two of us “Wendi’s” who spell our names the same.  Not too common, but wanted to distinguish myself as my views differ from the first Wendi who posted in this thread.  I have no trouble believing that Obama is a Christian, even though I differ with him on many political issues.

    No surprises here.  Joel Hunter is a solid man who is to be greatly respected, has been blasted by right-wing evangelicals and took the high road.  Very honorable.  I also have great respect for Kirbyjon Caldwell.

    The other Wendi

  • Posted by Max
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    Rev. K.  With all due respect, it sounds like your just making excuses for President Obama, when it comes to his church attendance and his faith.  I am sure that if attending was a priority for him he could make it work with out it being a major distraction.  For crying out loud he is the president of the United States, if he can’t manage this issue we are in major trouble. 

    Furthermore, these pastors who voted for President Obama, and now advise him and support him are a huge disappointment to Christ followers everywhere.  To ignore Barack Obama’s egregious and deplorable positions on abortion is inexcusable.  Yes, I hear many people try to rationalize or justify their vote and support for Him and his aggressive position on the murder of the unborn , but lets be honest its just that rationalization.  These great preachers who I have had tremendous respect for over the years, have certainly diminished their credibility, and on a personal level I have lost a lot of respect and trust in them.  There message has now become tainted with their terrible judgment and rationalization.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    Max,
    I’m not trying to give an excuse for Obama… the Bible teaches us not to judge anothor man’s servant… far too many are majoring in the minors… the truth of the matter regardless of his view on political, social, economical, or other topics.. it all boils down to his confession of faith… the strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak… I wonder if we cast out others in our congregations because they don’t believe or think like we? the Bible teaches us that we’re becoming like Christ… we’re not there yet, but we’re all in the process and all are on different levels… sanctification is a process not a overnight job…

    I do believe it’s harder for him to attend a regular church service… just because he is Obama… “condemned if he do and condemned if he don’t...” when he was attending regular church service he was condemned because he was under a preacher who preached the unadulterated Word of Truth…

    there’s far too much hypoctirical tolerance within many of believers…

    it’s not a religious thing… it’s become a race thing…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Rev K.  The Bible also says that we will know them by their fruit.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM

    Tom,
    which fruit are you referring to? are we lookig at him as another brother or sister in the faith, or, are we looking at him as the president? when I look at him, i see another brother of the faith who needs to be strengthened in certain areas of theology… it would be different if he was a pastor or seminary professor who’s making these acclaims… but, he’s not… he’s just another brother in the faith… not an deacon, not an missionary, not an envangelist, not a preacher… if he held office within the church then we expect his belief to be different...but he’s not, he’s just another brother in the faith… therefore, we’re to pray for our fellow brother… that God would enlighten him to the truth in the areas he’s weak in…

  • Posted by Brian L.
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:56 AM

    The president, no matter who it is, can’t simply saunter into a worship service or any public gathering.

    Not only is the personality distraction there (CS, in a perfect world I would agree that it shouldn’t matter who is in the pew next to you - but we don’t live in a perfect world), but can you imagine the security necessary to ensure the protection of the president and the congregation?

    If the president of the United States is assassinated, it has world-wide implications, and the security needs are just too great.

    I would think, however, that private services could be arranged at the White House.  But even that brings with it security and clearance issues.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    throughout history there’s many great men who made mistakes along the way… Peter denied Jesus Christ… C.S. Lewis denied the authority of the Bible… Karl Barth denied the cannocity of the Bible… Charles Spurgeon didn’t teach Lordship Salvation… John Calvin denied man having free will…

    are these people true Christians? did they produce fruit before leaving this world?

    just because Obama has different views, that doesn’t make him less of a Christian as it didn’t make those mentioned above less of Chrsitains…

  • Posted by Brian L.
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    As for the topic of the thread, I think Rick is probably happily relieved that he is not considered a “spiritual advisor” to the president.

    Just the criticism from the Church would be enough to not want the job, but I’m sure he prefers to focus on those things God has called him to do.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    Brial L.
    amen...amen...amen…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    AND AMEN!

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Jesus does state “you will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16 & 20). We do have the responsibility to evaluate ourselves, but we are also our “brother’s keeper” in that we may need to challenge someone who claims to be a Christian, but there is a disconnect between their claim and their lifestyle. And just because there is a question raised about an individuals claim to Christianity and a disconnect in his or her life is not bashing them. It is challenging that individual to take another look at characteristics of a follower of Christ. Yes, we do grow in our Christian walk, but that also means we are open to instruction rather than just declaring “it’s above our pay grade” and then continuing to do what we want to do.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    To be our brothers keeper, means we’re to have communication with our brothers… how many have tried to reach out to Obama? the Bible teaches us to take our differences one to another and iron them out… for those who aren’t following God’s instructions… fall into rebellion against God… as stated, we are our brothers keepers… try and reach out to our brother and continue to pray for him…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    Pastor K, How would you suggest that we “reach out” to President Obama since those who have much better access than we do have already been rebuffed?  The gatekeepers won’t allow us to do that. It isn’t as if these concerns haven’t been shared with the President already. Do you have contact information that you can share that would help in this process where we can actually reach out personally with President Obama? We certainly should be praying that God would change his heart and grant him insight, especially in the moral/ethical arena as well as grant him wisdom to lead this country.

    Qualifier: I certainly understand that salvation comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ alone and not through works, or proper understanding of all doctrine and application (thank God!). My point is that there has to be growth beyond profession to indicate that it is genuine - James which speaks of “dead faith” and Jesus statement, “why do you call me Lord and not do the things that I say.” (Luke 6:46, et. al.)

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    DP…
    I agree there must be growth… but growth based upon who’s scale? Man’s or God’s? just because we can’t see the growth that doesn’t mean it’s not being done… just like you didn’t hear the tree fall, doesn’t mean it didn’t fall… babes grown in stages… we’ve only heard this man speak pubilically for about a year… and to say we know him persoanlly based upon that is immature on our behalf…

    to know whether a person is growing, we have to constantly be around that person to witness it… that’s what James were referring to… there are some areas in each one of our lives that we have matured in over the past year… but those who’s not in company with us won’t be able to see or witness these areas…

    let’s keep praying for our brother… that his faith would be strengthened…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    I don’t think I’ve ever heard Jim Wallis referred to as a pastor.

    And President Obama did find enough security to attend a Chicago Bulls game recently.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    Dear Rev. K… (and others...)
    I would like to know just how one goes about contacting mr obama… I hardly believe that anyone of a “conservative” persuasion could get a personal hearing… We are to be warned of those who “name” the name of Christ and do not “know” Him… Remember the “tares” entangle the wheat and choak it…
    I hardly see that he sat under sound teaching if you call radical/racism as that taght by jerimiah wright… It takes guts to stand up for Biblical truths, values, and virtues…

    It’s a sad day when one individual in a community, state or nation, can overrule my religious freedoms and the government supports them. . And yet that’s what is happening at every turn from the president down… It’s indeed a sad day…

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    I think the statement “according to the NY Times...”

    I would imagine that even if Rick Warren were on the list, they wouldn’t say so.

  • Posted by
    Monday, March 16, 2009 at 5:21 PM

    who cares!

  • Posted by
    Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    Because it’s not about Rick.

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