In last year's California election, Rick Warren urged a YES vote on Proposition Eight, the measure which had the effect of negating a California Supreme Court ruling which legalized same-sex marriage. This measure garnered a majority of the vote in California, sparking great protests among pro-homosexual groups. Warren mailed out a video to all 22,500 members of Saddleback Church.
However, on Monday, April 6, Rick Warren declared on Larry King Live that he was not a proponent of Proposition Eight and that he had apologized to gay leaders for any impression that he had supported Proposition Eight. Furthermore, he stated that he had not supported the Proposition and did not wish to be known as opposing same-sex marriage. More information is found Warren Waver on Prop 8 stuns leaders this Washington Times article. Lest we be accused of misrepresenting a Christian brother, please check out the transcript of Larry King's interview with Warren.Let's cut Dr. Warren some slack. Rick Warren is primarily an evangelist and an encourager of Christian growth. Had Warren chosen not to take on this fight, we would certainly understand. Each of us must choose our battles, as led by the Holy Spirit.
But Rick Warren was on record supporting Proposition Eight and now, when homosexual leaders attacked Warren, this Baptist leader now crawfishes on his support for an amendment to negate recognition of same-sex marriage. We will not question his motives and we wish to be careful in evaluating his heart-felt decisions.
But at best, Warren seems to be making an effort to appear non-offensive with a scriptural position. Herein lies the problem that many wise individuals have expressed with Warren's ministry. We must never refuse to stand biblically, even if the issue creates opposition and loses good-will.
Frankly, this writer has taken criticism in defending some of Rick Warren's past positions. We find, however, no defense of this tremendous compromise of truth.
4 comments:
Perhaps the REAL Rick Warren has stood up and revealed himself.
Even before this, I would have chosen to worship in the church of a certain Baptist minister in Maytown, AL, than in Warren’s mega-church in California.
Waltern Nunn's son in law had pretty good take on Warren today at www.ethicsdaily.com
There will be a chance for Bob Terry to get right with Jesus, him and Rick Lance and Charles Pickering next April in Birmingham; then again many of you missed the Baptist Covenant in January.
More later.
What did you make of the lineup for Frank Paschall's eulogies
Ed Young
Jim Henry
Lloyd Elder
Its unfortunate that a young 21 year old girl from California had more guts to stand up when the spotlight hit her than did Warren and his staff. Having been a long fan of Warren and his Purpose Driven ideas, it is very disappointing to see the equivocation. I am proud of Miss Prejean and her standing up for traditional marriage; even when the liberal blogs and others try to dig up trash. Let's rush to her support in light of the old photos that recently popped up. It is an obvious attempt to discredit her, and even if not appropo, who among us as a 18-19 yr old didn't do something STUPID. I know I did my fair share, and just glad there aren't videos or pictures around of all of it. DW
Disappointment doesn't best describe my feelings about Warren's NEW statement about this issue. My problem with his change in philosphy is that too many times I have seen Christian leaders jump on the band-wagon of this isssue, by being "politically correct", and concluding that in this day age it OK for homo-sexuals to marry. You CANNOT convince me, that, anywhere in the bible is their anything that gives an OK for homo-sexuals to marry, or, to be that way in the first place. It does say that we should love all, as God does, in cluding the homo-sexual. ( I personally have friends that are homo-sexual, but I will never agree with their lifestyle choice.) Being politically correct and being polite are two different things, and I will never be politically correct. If the majority of Christian leaders acted as Warren has done , condoning issues that clearly contradict the teachings of the Bible, it would the leave the religion itself as useless and irrelevant as the United Nations.
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