Rick Warren Comes to Washington

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Pastor Rick Warren is truly a man of God.

Ryan of WA 7:42AM November 18, 2009

That reverend Warren is a religious/political chameleon - Sort of a "New Age" Elmer Gantry. People like this have always been with us and are an anathema to Christianity - Groveling for power by sacrificing faith. "So then, because you are lukewarm - neither hot or cold - I will spit you from my mouth." It's probably a safe bet to consider Warren spat...
A couple of comments to atheists and other haters of Christianity. First, the mistakes made by Christians, in the name of God - are not God's. Look to the first centuries of Christianity to see its power and glory. Rome was toppled not by the sword, but by martyrdom in the Coliseum. Entire families went to their deaths rather than kiss the feet of a pagan idol and walk free. This, even before the Church compiled the New Testament. Tradition, letters, verbal teaching and apostolic succession guided the Church. Also, read the four Gospels and the words of Christ - You will find no fault in Him.
A final thought, the greatest obstacle to understanding God, and therefore life, is impenetrable skepticism and intransigent relativism. Both are taught from the pulpit of every school, college and university, and echoed in the halls of government - and so are difficult to overcome. However, unless we can accept that there is Absolute Truth, and that it can be known, all that remains is the dark and hopeless road of eternal subjectivity where all ideas, religions, opinions and philosophies are equal, and therefore, equally without meaning. If this road is followed to its end, past the blind tolerance of relativism, through agnosticism and past atheism the road ends in the blackness of nihilism - a meaningless void where nothing has purpose or value, and existence itself is called into question. The only way to avoid this road is to accept the reality of the alternative road and take the first step upon it. You will be sorely tempted to quit at every crossroad saying, "We can't really know which is the right road. I must return to the road more traveled" You can, and you must go on. Remember, logic, reason, perseverance, and conscience will take you far - these are the tools and compass provided to you by God - don't cast them aside and take the easy road. Follow the God given light to see the right.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 12:06PM November 17, 2009

I am sure Mr. Warren believes he's doing God's work - to an extent he is. However, Mr. Warren is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. This sums up his agenda rather succinctly.

Tom of SC 9:59AM November 17, 2009

"Religion" can't win with the journalists. If a pastor dare to condemn a political issue, like homosexual marriage, they scream separation of church and state. If an influential pastor doesn't want to talk about the gay issues, and they do, they harass
him and try to put him on the spot. His real message is lost in either case. In other words, they really aren't interested in anything of the transcendent nature, they are purely secularist and there is the rub. Why don't we fight for a "representative press".
Right now, they are anything but.

Mary Evans of MI 7:43AM November 17, 2009

Rick Warren is a popular pastor who has an extensive knowledge of what the Bible says but an inadequate understanding of what it means. The Bible is authoritative for the Christian believer but not a supreme authority as Jim of PA suggests. The Bible requires an interpreter authorized by Jesus Christ. He authorized the Apostles and their successors (Catholic bishops) to speak for Him. For example, Jesus told his Apostles: "He who hears you hears me." Without the authorized teaching authority of the Catholic Church, Protestant Christians are left to themselves to decide whom they should trust with their souls. If Rick Warren had spent any time reading the writings of the early church fathers of the first 4 centuries he would have seen Catholicism everywhere. The papacy, apostolic succession, the Eucharist, confession to priests, marian devotion, praying to saints, purgatory, infant baptism and other Catholic "inventions" were taught by the Apostles and found in sacred oral tradition. The only way to get accurate and complete information about christianity is to go to the Catholic Church itself. A great online resource is Catholic Answers at catholic.com.

Vince Perry of HI 11:42PM November 16, 2009

When someone complains about Christianity in Africa it is usually a Moslem. Bad part is that when Moslems rise to power in these countries the ones who get slaughtered are the Christians. Not so when the Christians are in power.
I wonder why that is? Not!!

Jeff of WI 10:03PM November 16, 2009

it's pretty telling that Rick Warren neglects to mention the reason why Christianity has exploded in Africa: more than a century of brutal colonialism at the hands of Europe's armies aided by "good" men of the cloth. the complicity of the Churches with the pillage of Africa is precisely why today poverty is such a huge problem on the continent.
but Warren has good allies in his fight -- people like former Hitler-youth member Joseph Ratzinger at the Vatican who thinks that condoms are a greater threat to people than AIDS.
and in this article we see that Rick Warren's ultimate aim - just like the colonialists - is "winning souls" -- dealing with issues of poverty are just tricks for him to convert more people into his celebrity death cult called Christianity.

sami of NY 9:41PM November 16, 2009

Popularity doesn't automatically confer sagacity. Warren is knowledgeable in certain areas, and he is wise to remain in his circle of competency. Thus, he shouldn't be expected to comment on all things. The thing that ultimately sets him at odds with his critics is his understanding of the Bible - for Warren, it carries supreme authority; for the critics, their own minds carry supreme authority.

Jim of PA 8:22PM November 16, 2009

Rick Warren thinks that compromise is the way to go. He came under fire from Christians for his milk toast opposition of prop 8. Look at past news articles if you want to know the history of his stand. Not just a blurb from Dan Gilgoff. Also this is the man who claims to be a part of the trilateral commission than later deny it. What is Warren? Your guess is as good as any there. Christian? That remains to be seen.

Jeff of WI 8:00PM November 16, 2009

Don't you know that Warren came out against Prop 8? That tells me that you see the word christian and become stupid, anything you have to say after that carries no weight. It also shows that the media does not know what a Christian is. At least they identified him correctly as a Baptist. This person Warren will one day have to explain his acceptance of homosexual behavior before "his" savior. You "Flex" are just too dumb to be able to comment!

Jeff of WI 7:49PM November 16, 2009