(Guest post by Drew)
Apparently the homosexuals are mad because Obama has asked Rick Warren to pray at Obama’s innauguration. I wonder exactly what kind of preacher the homosexuals would like. Maybe an Episcopal preacher would be good. They’re nice and gay-friendly.
I’m straight myself, and this move angers me, too. As far as I know, Obama and Rick Warren have almost nothing in common, but Obama wants to appeal to Christians by palling around with Warren. Obama is using Warren, and Warren shouldn’t stand for it.
Indeed, there is very little for any Christian to admire about Barack Obama. He professes allegiance to God but simultaneously proclaims unchristian doctrines. He allowed infanticide in Illinois and implicitly endorsed gay marriage for California. He supports abortion, encourages covetousness, and plans to redistribute wealth (a.k.a. “stealing”). Exactly which part of this glorious platform does Rick Warren appreciate most? How could Warran lend his endorsement to any of it?
Christians need to stop condoning immorality in the search to save souls! Stand up for the truth, and stop compromising just to be nice. A lot of the time we get this crazy idea that our mere presence can mellow out the ruthless thugs of the world, that we can convert the godless without actually standing up to them. We mimick the naive protaganist from The Last King of Scotland, who thought he could be a positive influence on Idi Amin. But evangelism doesn’t work that way (Romans 10:14). If you stand for nothing, you do nothing to further God’s kingdom.
1 Corinthians 5:11 doesn’t explicitly mention “murder” or “stealing” or “blatant heresy,” but nonetheless…Warren should certainly hesitate before tolerating Obama’s gross immorality.
No offense, but regardless of whether we were supporters or bashers of Obama during the election, I think that the key thing we as Christians should highlight on in this instance is that a known Christian is praying for Obama.
I think we should follow suit. If all these concerns about his beliefs, character, and stance are based on his past actions are concerns to us, we should pray that that his presidency does not prove to be an un-Godly one.
Let’s consider the opposite, “Rick Warren publically refuses to pray for President Elect Obama.” Do you think that will encourage or discourage Obama from looking to christians and christian values for guidance during his presidency.
I received a forwarded email, originated from a McCain support who after the election listed several points that we should pray for Obama. He prefaced this points in saying that he was not a Obama supporter but feels it is important for us to pray for our leader regardless of our view of him.
Why not sow unity rather than discord? Obama’s not the perfect christian but who is.
Regarding Obama’s motives, I have decided that God knows the heart and I don’t. I’ll leave the judgments regarding another man’s thoughts up to God.
You make an interesting point about promoting prayer for leaders, but you have to admit that sharing a stage with Obama sends a horrible message. It would be one thing if Warren actually disclaimed his opposition to Obama or criticized some of Obama’s policies, but you know he won’t have the guts to do that.
The best thing to do would be to decline politely. We should pray that our leaders have wisdom, but we shouldn’t lend credibility to wicked leaders. And it’s obvious to astute observers that Obama merely wants Warren there to utilize Warren’s credibility.
I guess we could pray ourselves that Warren’s prayer is not a mushy namby pamby PC prayer. I don’t recall the exact occasion but I remember one public prayer when the pastor prayed for the nation to turn from it’s sin and for the stop to the killing of innocent lives through abortion. It was greeted with silence and the pastor of course was never invited back but he prayed a prayer of truth and power. I think someone heard it and repented. Who knows. If Warren prays a PC prayer that is bland in nature I will be greatly disappointed. I have to admit that the last couple of “state function” prayers I have heard have been great disappointments, one of them not even really Christian, it was a generic…. “oh god of the universe, god of many religions, god of everything” and nothing Christian about it. If Warren goes that route he has bowed to something other that Christ.