On the selection of Rick Warren for President-elect Obama’s inauguration
- Dec 22, 2008 - 27
I’m encouraged that President-elect Obama would select Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.
First, it is a signal that President-elect Obama is going to employ a big-tent philosophy in his administration’s approach to people who may disagree with them on some issues, but not others. His selection of Rick Warren indicates that people who disagree with the president-elect on sanctity of life issues are not automatically persona non grata at the White House in an Obama administration.
It also indicates that the president-elect is not buying the radical homosexual activists’ argument that anyone who opposes them on the gay marriage issue should be ostracized as a bigot.
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1 On Dec 22nd, 2008, at 2:54pm, lew wrote:
Dear Dr. Land…. I hope you’re right, but I do not think Obama is going to do anything but pay lip service.
2 On Dec 22nd, 2008, at 3:31pm, james e reeves wrote:
I see the president elect moving toward more votes and leveraging to position himself and his party for the future.
This may be a strategy of epic proportion to his credit and our dismay.
We all need to pray that God will use our government for His glory and for our leaders to acknowledge Him.
James
3 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 6:37am, Bill wrote:
Dr. Land… it would be hard to share the platform with President-elect Obama knowing that in the eyes of many it would equate to supporting him, and knowing that on his first day in office he would sign legislation allowing easier access to abortion. I guess we will just have to wait and see how he prays…
I am already bothered by Saddleback church because of their purpose for hosting the Presidential debate in the first place… providing a forum for civil discussion on the issues of the day… I thought the church was there to proclaim truth to the issues of the day?
I am growing increasingly more concerned by our denominational support of the political process, from our blind support of President Bush to our support of one of our own praying for President Obama. I do not believe The Gospel is spread by influence from the top down, ie, the political process, rather from the bottom up, as the Gospel is shared with individuals and their lives are transformed.
4 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 2:22pm, David wrote:
All I know, is that he is our President,whether we like him or not, WE NEED TO BE PRAYING For him! God is on a Rescue Mission- No one is off limits! He is big enough to work through the President elect despite his beliefs, despite the short comings of our country, and our own!
5 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 2:29pm, Karen wrote:
Its truly difficult to say presently how this action will play out. Time will tell and it will depend on how Rick Warren responds to all this. He doesn’t speak for “all” christianity. The One who does this is Jesus Christ himself.
Even if we don’t agree at all with President-Elect Obama which I’m one of them we are suppose to respect our president elect. This is God’s will.
6 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 2:52pm, Bob wrote:
What we need more than anything else in this country is for the president elect and others in high government offices to have a true conversion experience. If it takes a Rick Warren or another Christian to share the Gospel with Obama and others, then let us pray for Rick that the Holy Spirit will use him to lead Obama to the Lord. The only way that Obama and others will change their way of thinking is if they have a change of heart with Jesus in the center of it. We are in this world but not of it, let’s take every opportunity such as this one to witness to a man that needs the Lord.
7 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 3:09pm, Don Taylor wrote:
Remember the politics when Jesus was born? The great growth of the early church in the first three centuries was in spite of government hostile to Christianity. When darkness is great the light of God’s church and God’s people can shine the brightest. Our mandate is to be light in a dark world; truth is the midst of deception and hope for the hopelessness all around us. No one; absolutely no one gets anyplace without God’s approval. Hell’s Gates can never stand before God’s church moving in God’s power. Let the church stand up, speak up, and live up to our responsibility in these days. It will make a wonderful difference each day we do.
8 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 3:34pm, Jeff wrote:
I am happy that Warren is getting this opportunity to build a relationship with Pres. Elect Obama. I agree our country can only be changed one soul at a time, but we never know how great an influence one soul can have. Who would have thought a young kid name Billy Graham would be so influencial or a Dwight Moody. We never know how God is going to work through one soul to influence others.
Mr. Obama may be calculating a political move in all this but my Bible says that what one man intends for evil, God uses for God.
I pray for our leaders reglarly and i pray for those who might have a godly influence on them.
Thank you for your comments Dr. Land.
9 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 4:00pm, Wanda K wrote:
The comments are good, that maybe Obama is just giving lip service to these things. He may be. However, I disagree with the person who does not believe “the Gospel is spread by influence from the top down”. There was a missionary in China who went to the top leader and lead him to Christ. That way, the leader was able to influence his people to believe also. We really need to pray that Obama and his staff will proclaim the truth for us all. Otherwise, we need to protest. We no longer have those who will such as Dr. D James Kenndey.
10 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 4:27pm, Lamont wrote:
I may be wrong but I see this arrangement as nothing more than a political ploy. This is a dangerous time for the Church. We need to exercise biblical discernment. Our true enemy is cunning. He imitates God using people to accomplish his desires. We must walk by the Word.
11 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 5:05pm, Paul de Vries wrote:
AMEN, Dr. Land! We support cooperation without compromise. Pastor Rick Warren has not compromised, but instead has been a consistent voice for the Truth. By participating on January 20, he will have even more impact for the Truth. Besides, as a bonus, his praying gives the pro-gay crowd fits. Praise the LORD! Let us pray for and support our fellow Southern Baptist pastor.
12 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 5:49pm, James E Reeves wrote:
Bill… I believed just as you believe about the Gospel message before I started looking at the stark facts of insurrmountable evidence to the contrary. Kings, princes, queens, emperors, popes, mayors, congress, judges, and presidents have all taken oaths to defend, promote, and adhere to the same Christain Gospel message that Jesus is Lord.
If another agenda shows its ugly head then we must act accordingly but I see the Saddleback Church and pastor Rick performing God’s purpose for our great nation.
Your brother,
James
13 On Dec 23rd, 2008, at 7:46pm, Dr. Stephen wrote:
Dr. Land…Sometimes your analyses are dead-on target. Then others, like this one, appear as if you have no idea as to the direction this country is being drawn into.
Rick Warren has continuously demonstrated a worldly Christian perspective, which does nothing to glorify God. I have no cause to believe Obama selected Rick Warren for this high honor other than for strategic political leverage purposes, such as to help pacify Christian skepticism of Obama’s Christian faith and support. To arrive at your conclusions is probably wishful thinking, at best.
The Obama/Warren team will work like hand-in-glove in the future, but I don’t believe it will be for the glory of God, or for preserving our sovereign nation and its Christian heritage.
14 On Dec 24th, 2008, at 11:40am, David Fletcher wrote:
I think the move is a part of a stratgy for a two terms in office. I feel this will be an eight year ride . The mood of the nation has forgotten Pat Buchanan’
Republican grass roots values. Those under forty do not know the importance of European history and destiny. America’s multi cultrual doctrine’s will not play out in Obama.
15 On Dec 24th, 2008, at 5:08pm, Lilly Wilkinson wrote:
How can we agree with Obama, the most liberal pro-abortion candidate we have ever had and say we are following Christ. I am concerned about our Baptist leadership supporting someone like Rick Warren who “loves” Obama, but doesn’t say a word about central bible doctrines. When are Baptists and its leadership going to turn back to the central doctines of the bible instead of this watered down version of church worship that we role play? We are to be salt and light, not Bud and light. You cannot love the world and Christ…We are to be in the world, but not of the world…Remember? (Repent, now there is a word we don’t hear anymore.) Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me; in that order.
16 On Dec 26th, 2008, at 4:17pm, George wrote:
I too am encouraged by the PresidentElect’s choice of Rick Warren. Pushing back against my disappointment at his election and heeding your counsel, I added him to my daily prayers. My prayer has been & is that the Holy Spirit will influence his mind to change his convictions on the sanctity of life and marriage and that his decisions and those of his advisors will result in our country’s healing from the disunity and economic distress.
I will not be setting idly by and complaining about our goverance but rather contacting my congressional representatives and and the appropriate Department Secretaries to make my views known. Silence would only imply acceptance and marginization.
Thank you for your work.
17 On Dec 27th, 2008, at 8:58am, Dennis wrote:
Add my voice to the chorus of support for Rick Warren.
A professor in college (a Baptist school in NC) once said to me, “You Baptists talk a lot about Jesus, but you act more like Pharisees.” At the time, I bristled defensively. I’ve since realized that he was, too often, correct.
Have we forgotten that Jesus kept company with tax collectors and prostitutes? While I don’t know Rick Warren, I am willing to believe that his presence at and participation in the inauguration of Obama is a sincere attempt to influence others for the cause of Christ.
I would also insist that having a public forum on political issues is a great way to give truth a broader exposure to a larger audience. In centuries past, Baptists in America were committed to the free exchange of views because of our confidence that in a free market of ideas, truth’s value will be evident, and truth will prevail. Only under tyranny can truth be suppressed. Let us have no part in such tyranny.
DJC
18 On Jan 5th, 2009, at 2:34pm, lew wrote:
DJC… I don’t think people are against having a baptist pastor pray at a presidential inaguration. I know I’m not. I’m also not against a Baptist preacher presenting the gospel to sinners. I’m not against us going to the sinners of the world, since I am one! I’m not a pharisee.
What I (and I’m sure others too) have a problem with is that Mr. Land thinks this will actually do anything. Mr. Obama has stated uneqivually that he is going to foist anti-Christian doctrines. The cabinet he has or will install, has no inclination towards anything other than Obama’s stated preferences. More murdering of children, more homosexual marriage, more welfare, more bailouts, more Marxist social policies.
Add on top of that that the person giving the prayer is Rick ‘try Jesus for 60 days’ Warren, and no wonder people have problems with it.
Have we bailed so far away that Christianity an infomercial?
19 On Jan 5th, 2009, at 3:44pm, Karen wrote:
I agree that Obama will probably give lip service. In any case, before God we have to honor Obama as our president. This doesn’t mean that we agree with him. Personally, I don’t agree with Obama about anything - zero!
What do you mean by “try Jesus for 60 days” Warren? Is Mr. Warren the say a little pray type and things will be alright without truly living the christian walk? Is this what you mean DJC?
20 On Jan 6th, 2009, at 7:53pm, lew wrote:
I don’t say not to honor Obama as president. As unfortunate as it will be, he is the president and I will pray for him to change his spots. His appointment of Ms. Rice for UN shows where he is going to go.
http://www.lifenews.com/int1011.html
As far as Mr. Warren, please check out the link below.
http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?p=8186
21 On Jan 7th, 2009, at 4:49pm, James E Reeves wrote:
Lew: I know from experience that people fail but as I looked on the CIA information website concerning census reports on world religious beliefs, that Jesus Christ kingdom is still growing and is the largest professing faith group in the entire world.
Our prayers about pastor Rick and Mr. Obama can be effective, by the way pray for me too!
Brother in Christ
James
22 On Jan 8th, 2009, at 3:23pm, ;ew wrote:
I’ve at no point advocated not praying for BOTH of them, you, me or anyone else. That would also include Hamas, PLO, or any other rogue nation or person.
This article is about whether Rick Warren can and/or will be helpful, and Mr. Land’s thoughts that Obama is somehow changing or will change. I’ve nearly stated that his appointments are anti-christian, pro-abortion, pro-homosexual marriage, pro-welfare, pro-Marxist. That’s not improving, showing improvement or anything else remotely close.
I’m not much of a fan of Mr. Warren’s quite honestly considering his “try Jesus for 60 days”, Syria is a nice nation, and theological issues I believe are quite wrong.
And lastly, I believe Mormonism is the fastest growing cult in the US, while Xianity is doing well in 3rd world nations.
23 On Jan 8th, 2009, at 4:25pm, James E. Reeves wrote:
I’m throwing no stones.
The story of Balaam proves God will use extreme measures to warn people and encourage His chosen people.
I just want to be available to speak out or write in, in this case.
I do advocate prayer.
James
24 On Jan 10th, 2009, at 1:42pm, lew wrote:
And I pray that things will change as well. I just wonder where we are in the last of days.
25 On Jan 12th, 2009, at 5:02pm, James E Reeves wrote:
Lew I’m glad you asked that question because since the time Jesus ascended and sent the disiples His spirit on Pentecost to lead the rest of the Jewish people out of Judaism into Christianity to be temples of light to the nations, some people have asked the same lingering profound question.
It is my opinion now that the last days have to be identified as the “This generation” Jesus spoke of in Matthew1:1, 11:16, 12:39,12:42,12:45,16:4,17:17,23:33,24:34 and 23:36.
The Christocentric view says the end came to the old dark world(judaism)and shines in victory through the love of Christ alone. It is my humble hope and prayer that Christians will once again embrace anno Domino or A.D. as real ethical truth.
James
26 On Jan 13th, 2009, at 1:38pm, lew wrote:
Either I don’t understand what you’re saying… or Revelations would be a fairy tale.
Again… I still don’t hold up much hope for Obama as he again appoints another avowed socialist as his environmental czar yesterday.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/
27 On Jan 17th, 2009, at 2:18pm, James E Reeves wrote:
Lew, our hope is in Christ and as ethical believers we must embrace the last chapter in the Bible and the book of Revelation as Christocentric when taken in full content and context. All things are fulfilled in Christ Jesus the (root) now, instead of a future Jewish root that many today adhere to and even support.
Wellmeaning as pastors and leaders are in helping Jews take the lead on establishing God’s kingdom in Israel we as ethical students must contend verse 17 means Jesus’ spirit say come, and the bride say come and let him who hears say come did happened and we now can embrace A.D.(anno- Domini).
James