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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2009 |

Q & A: Rick Warren

The megachurch pastor who faced backlash for praying at the President's inauguration talks to CT about politics, a new magazine, and the economy.

Interview by Sarah Pulliam | posted 4/08/2009 09:42AM

Rick Warren found himself in a hotbed of controversy when he accepted President Obama's invitation to pray at the inauguration in January.

Several gay and liberal activists decried the choice because Warren ...

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Common Loon

Posted: April 21, 2009 5:11 AM

This much seems clear to me: gays cannot be expected to reverse their orientation any more easily than conservatives can be expected to sit idly while the historic understanding of marriage is redefined. . Calling for a culture war ceasefire would be noble, but also unrealistic without a forum for respectful disagreement and dialogue. As I see it, the only way out of this briar patch is through the thorns. Our best option might be to actually sit down and have a sober conversation about the touchy stuff: sex, religion, fear and anger. Slogans and sound bites won't work in a thicket this tangled. . So with the pie-in-the-sky objective of civility in mind, I've come up with a few recommendations to help each side argue their case more persuasively (for a change): . http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-not-to-argue-abo ut-gay-marriage.html

nl	Posted: April 20, 2009 9:19 PM


I agree with Neta. Let's listen to his overall message and try to keep these petty politics out of the way. I also like to listen to Philip Yancey and thought this interview was helpful in seeing how the church can actually be a voice in the wilderness: http://www.hopeandhealing.org/contentPage.aspx?resource_id=2 84 Show the way forward.

Sam	Posted: April 20, 2009 1:09 PM


I am disappointed... I want to believe he is doing a great work but I think he is biting off more than he can chew.

rob	Posted: April 20, 2009 12:15 PM


I must have missed it!!! What did he flip-flop about and lie about?

Demetrice

Posted: April 20, 2009 11:05 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with Rick Warren. THe world is always looking to discredit preachers or anyone who stands up for God. If that's what he believes and it is backed up by scripture. Well that's what it is. We as beleivers ought not to get caught up in the foolishness. Homosexuality is wrong and for him to allow his congregation to vote based on present day propaganda is a sin. He is the shephard and shephard protects his flock. It is his job to make sure that his sheep knows how the law violates the word. THe decision is theirs.

lj	Posted: April 19, 2009 9:42 PM

Why someone would be criticized for accepting an invitation to pray publically at a milestone event of an individual's life is beyond my comprehension. I think if people were putting most of their energy to making the world a better place themselves, they would have little time for picking at other people and their business, I am tired of people labelling other people who have a different opinion than they do. Labelling people who believe God's Word sets guidelines for us as a parent sets guidelines for their children to benefit them as well as prevent us from consequences such as severe health issues is an extreme over reaction and is disrespectful. I am referring to people who quote what God says in His Word as Homophobic etc. etc. I happen to know good people who are homosexual and I am kind to them as well as treating like I would any other one of my friends but I still believe that God puts guidelines in His Word for our benefit as individuals and society. He created us.

Pruitt

Posted: April 17, 2009 8:50 AM


Rick Warren, as well as all other pastors, should preach scripture. This Bible says that homosexuality is a sin of great price because it violates the body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. However, God loved the sinner enough to send His own Son to die for us. So just tell the truth!

Dan	Posted: April 17, 2009 8:48 AM


He's compromising, and that is really sad to see.

Ifeanyi

Posted: April 17, 2009 6:16 AM


It is tough being a leader. I thank God for Rick Warren; but I believe no apology hould be made for a clear stand in faith. Shalom and Maranatha!

ify	Posted: April 17, 2009 3:06 AM

AMERICA HEED TO WORD OF WISDOM OR YOU WILL END LIKE SODOM AND GOMORRAH.GOD HAS SENT THE LIKES OF REV WARREN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH TO YOU ALL AND U ARE BUSY PERSECUTING HIM.THE WORD OF GOD STANDETH SURE AND WILL NOT CHANGE.EITHER YOU REPENT OR YOU PERISH.MARRIAGE IS BTWN MAN AND WOMAN AND ANYTHING SHORT OF THIS IS NOT THE WORD OF GOD.BE WARNED THE LORD IS CALLING AMERICA OUT OF SIN SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL

Dorohty

Posted: April 17, 2009 1:53 AM


It's good to work with inter-faith groups, but with clear convictions. There is no point in being wishy washy on important issues of the Bible. It amounts to compromise. Let Rick Warren be clear in what he thinks about an issue, viz., homosexuality, rather than just playing with the language and words.

Brother Tim

Posted: April 16, 2009 9:48 PM


OK,OK. People that have believed into Christ do not hate homosexuals, drunkenness, pride, etc. You can love the sinner but hate the sin. Understand where I am coming from? IF you read the bible, you will see very clearly that homosexuality is a sin. Read Romans please. Therefore how can any believer condone same sex marriage?

Karen

Posted: April 16, 2009 6:00 PM


Way to go Rick! How will we reach the lost unless we go to them? What good are we if we only see those in our church family? You are doing what Jesus has told us all to do.

Anil, US

Posted: April 16, 2009 5:30 PM


James, Can you give the definition of Christ's love? you are right in saying " Your purpose can become the Idol you worship" - thatz why the book! BTW have you read the book? "Todays church leaders in U.S try to please everybody" - Have you ever been in the US? How many of the leaders do you know? "Numbers in the church mean nothing" - they atleast mean that they werent in a Movie theather!

Ayodele Joseph

Posted: April 16, 2009 12:23 PM


Pastor Rick has truly been blessed in his ministry. however the focus must always be on Christ, for it is only through Him that we are able to do anything. Humility and complete reliance on the working of the Holy Spirit is what the Lord desires from everyone of us.

Lisa	Posted: April 16, 2009 10:30 AM


I have always thought highly of Rev. Warren and believe God is working through them to accomplish wonderful things for His Kingdom and I am thankful. However, it concerns me that he says 'we' did this and 'we' did that. It sounds like he's saying look what 'we' did instead of giving God the glory.

moses tumwesigye

Posted: April 16, 2009 9:26 AM


Sex can only be enjoye and a gift to married people when u take it out of marriage then the conqences will alway and ever be bitter,so its abstinace till marriage and faithfulness in marriage acording tothe one who gave us this gift of life

Richard Lee

Posted: April 16, 2009 4:20 AM


Warren's comments are an insult to any intelligent person. Not considering an older man with a younger woman to be a marriage? Apart from the biblical examples where such age-disparate marriages in fact existed, Warren should just shut up his damn mouth.

Celesta

Posted: April 15, 2009 11:44 PM


There is no way to finese what the Bible says about homosexuals. It is behavior Christians do not participate in. That doesn't mean we don't love homosexuals. We love alcoholics, too, but not alcoholism and we wouldn't let an alcoholic think it is okay to go on in his alcoholism.

Anonymous

Posted: April 15, 2009 9:42 PM

LK 13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. [2] Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." God calls the world to repent of our sins. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Rev. Michael

Posted: April 15, 2009 9:36 PM

As a Pastor and teacher of the word of God I am concerned by many of Pastor Warren's statements about gays, his "gay-friends" and his comment comparing gay-marriage with other relationships such as older men marrying younger women. I really don't see any comparison there. Pastor Warren should beware of becoming a "false teacher" and stick to the word of God in his statements and teaching. Many "baby-Christians" could get the wrong idea about gay relationships as they relate to God's word on the subject and be led astray, because of Rick Warrens statements. I suggest all readers of this article study God's word on the subject, in the Holy Bible, before jumping into any conclusions on this subject. I pray that Pastor Warren will realize his impact on innocent readers who may not be well-versed on the word of God. God and His word are unchanging, and the last time I looked, God wasn't giving His thumbs up on gay relationships. Marriage is between a man and a woman, according to God.

Sabirah

Posted: April 15, 2009 9:14 PM


Salam There is no doubt about it, Pastor Rick Warren is a great man, doing great works for soooooooooooooo many people and organizations. Why all the criticism? Human nature can be so set on criticism, and it is an illness.

Helen Kater

Posted: April 15, 2009 6:44 PM


I read this article with interest as I wasn't sure what all the commotion about Rick Warren praying at the inaugural of President Obama was about. However, I'm puzzled about his statement on apologizing to his gay friends.

beckinjerusalem

Posted: April 15, 2009 4:47 PM

The Bible is specific, marriage is a union between a man and a woman without ifs and buts. Rick Warren stated at one point this is so but recently he made a disavow about what he has stated in one of his interviews which I abhor as a christian and did not expect that from a pastor of a Mega Church. Warren's statement "I am commanded to love everybody. I can disagree with people, but I'm not free to not love them." Yes, Rick you can love them and bring them back to the LORD AND HIS COMMANDMENTS!!! If I was a pastor I will even welcome them back to the fold, the church so that they can mend their ways. If they are given this chance and they don't make the change then you have done your part. But to disavow the your previous statement is unimaginable, you are distorting what the Bible has made clear. If this is your position, you need to step down!!! The Bible is specific and definitive without if and but, no greys, no Adam and Steve...........

Mexico Observer

Posted: April 15, 2009 3:55 PM


I am glad some things were cleared up because of one article I got slammed Rick pretty bad. I have high admiration for him but I do not agree with him on everything. He has reached thousands for Christ and has a compassionate heart to help people.

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