EVANGELICAL CO-BELLIGERENCE RUN A MUCK...when civility in the marketplace causes amnesia concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ

"Can't we all just get along?" No. Because there is an offense in preaching the cross of Christ inherit in faithful gospel proclamation.  Rick wants to be liked and accepted by gays ad straights; Muslims and Buddhists; Jews and Hindus; Dems' and Reps', etc.  If "Pastor" Warren was being faithful as a man of God preaching an uncompromised gospel, then those various political and religious groups wouldn't be applauding him, they'd want to stone him.

There is only one thing more sad than an elected official forgetting his constitutional charge and compromising his office for the sake of widening his own constituency and influence; and that is a pastor of the Lord Jesus Christ forgetting his biblical charge to preach the Word in season and out of season, dumbing down the gospel for the sake of widening his own constituency and influence.

How nice for Rick; both Obama and Etheridge really like him and accept him. Isn't that special... But mean while around the world Christians are being persecuted day and night, losing life and limb for simply saying, "I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Rick's not a bad guy, he's just forgotten his purpose. Any good books on finding your purpose that anyone could recommend to him? Here's a few that come to mind: the books of Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, the pastoral epistles, the gospels, Acts, Galatians, etc. (well, you get the idea). Remember beloved, a man doesn't go soft by reading his Bible; he goes soft by reading everything else but his Bible.

The Apostle Paul at Corinth
"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. -1 Cor. 1:18-25

"I sought to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." -1 Cor. 2:2

RICK WARREN AND THE SADDLEBACK FAITH FORUM - POWERFUL AND REVEALING...Obama was Postmodern; McCain was Presidential

In some past posts I have been very critical of Rick Warren for aspects of his Purpose Driven Life campaign; his environmental climate initiative, thinking he can cure world hunger, his convoluted 2006 conference on AIDS, and his more pragmatic approach to evangelism. BUT, when he gets it right I am not afraid to say so; and this past Saturday night he really got it right!

Rick Warren was absolutely brilliant. He was lucid, inviting and incisive in how he worded the questions; probed in follow up inquiries; and he kept the evening civil, uniform, and on point. I agree with Charles Krauthammer that this was the best political forum of two Presidential candidates that I have ever witnessed in any venue in recent American politics. The voters on both sides of the aisle were given an honest view of each candidate. I also appreciated that Warren allowed each candidate the freedom to express their convictions without he as the moderator coloring their respective ideological platforms to suit his own political views on the same issues he was asking. IOW, Warren purposely kept himself out of the way and let the candidates have their say. (PMSNBC, CNN, FOXNEWS, CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS were you going to school?)

My conclusion of the faith forum outcome? McCain knocked it out of the park (which I wasn't prepared for) and Obama was more the empty suit than I ever could have imagined. This was a clear case of truth over nuance. McCain was commanding, Obama was conversational; McCain was Presidential, Obama was post-modern; McCain knew the issues, Obama needed his TelePrompTer.

This post could be one of the longest I have ever written. But for the sake of time and thoughtfulness for you the loyal and discerning reader at COT, I have chosen instead to feature below two video segments from the faith forum - one from each candidate. And if you missed this forum, here is the transcript for your further perusal.

Be sure to VOTE; but then accept the results from the only true Sovereign God who is the One who will set men in places of power and leadership over the affairs of men for His own purpose and glory. Amen?

The Cross Waves Higher Than the Flag
Steve
Romans 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17


Obama was nuanced, postmodern and charming




McCain was straightforward, commanding and Presidential