Rick Warren Extends Olive Branch to Gay Bishop

[Marcia]

I wasn't sure where to put this. I am not trying to bash anyone, I just want to know what people think of it. Maybe I should have put this in the General Baptist Discussion forum?

The Rev. Rick Warren.....has extended an olive branch to Bishop V. Gene Robinson.

Robinson, an openly gay Episcopal bishop, had reacted angrily to the selection of Warren, who opposes gay marriage, calling it a "slap in the face." But then Robinson was selected this week to give the invocation at the inaugural opening ceremony at the Sunday afternoon concert on the Mall.

Today, Warren issued a statement praising Obama for selecting Robinson, saying the president-elect "has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."

Source
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/01/14/rick_warren_reaches_out_to_gen.html

Is this "olive branch" showing a good Christian response to anger, or does it mean compromise? I myself am not sure.

What do you all think? (No matter what you think - be nice! If anyone gets nasty, I will report it to a Mod).

 

[Martin]

Is this "olive branch" showing a good Christian response to anger, or does it mean compromise? I myself am not sure.

What do you all think? (No matter what you think - be nice! If anyone gets nasty, I will report it to a Mod).

==I think Mr. Warren means well but I would not have said any such thing. The only olive branch I would offer to the openly gay Episcopal bishop Robinson is his need for true repentance.

That is about as nice as I can be when it comes to Mr. Warren and Mr. Robinson. Ask the people in my Sunday school class, I am no fan of Rick Warren. :wavey:

 

[LadyEagle]

I pray the Holy Spirit will convict Rick Warren in such a way that he will step down instead of compromising to the gods of sodomy and political correctness. I pray the Holy Spirit will work on Rick Warren all weekend. Christians are in the world, we are not supposed to be of the world, according to Scripture.

 

[Revmitchell]

It shows the compromise he is so well known for.

 

[hillclimber1]

==I think Mr. Warren means well but I would not have said any such thing. The only olive branch I would offer to the openly gay Episcopal bishop Robinson is his need for true repentance.

So right on... This Mr. Robinson is perceived by many to represent Christ, and that's a shame....

 

[KenH]

I applaud Rick Warren for his statement and for being nice as a Christian should be. I see no compromise in his statement as his statement is not dealing with any Biblical issue at all. President Obama will be the president of all Americans just as all of our presidents have been.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

The inauguration is an event for all Americans. If we are going to have a preacher there, he should be inclusive. That doesn't mean compromising his personal integrity or beliefs...just that he can reach out to everyone in the context of this event.

 

[windcatcher]

This is easier said than done: Sometimes the best response is to say nothing. That neither applauds nor judges what was in another man's power (BHO) of choice.

Making a comment, even trying to be neutral, is like affirming the other person and what he represents.

Also, if is easy to sit here in front of a computer and have time to think of these issues as opposed to being high profile and answer to the unexpected. ......So in the light of all the publicity of both sides... RW's being gracious was perhaps the better..... if he could not be silent... rather than attack or defend.

 

[LadyEagle]

I'm glad Jesus wasn't silent to the moneychangers.

 

[Magnetic Poles]

I'm glad Jesus wasn't silent to the moneychangers.

Maybe, but it has no bearing on the topic.

 

[Lagardo]

I have spent a while away from the Baptist Board, and as I come back, I remember why.

Some folks will have a hard time in heaven. Some of the folks that are favorite fodder on this website just might be there.

By the way, last I checked the "accuser of the brethren" job is taken, although I am baffled as to why any true Christian would want it.

Which may be the key to the problem. If someone is so zealous for the work of Satan, they are most likely not a Christian.

 

[LeBuick]

Is this the olive branch?

Today, Warren issued a statement praising Obama for selecting Robinson, saying the president-elect "has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."

 

[windcatcher]

I'm glad Jesus wasn't silent to the moneychangers.

Me too LE! Now that was authority and power in action mixed with grace!:love2: There was no doubt where he stood nor why, yet he hurt no one but spole the truth with love, even with his anger!








I find it difficult for anyone who has read what this VGR has said, to believe that he represents the Christian God and the perversion of his own selfish lifestyle. Inclusion of all citizens.....yes, but inclusion of all perversions and behaviors, or heresies and beliefs.....no way

 

[KenH]

As much as we may dislike the behavior the government has no business excluding homosexuals from public functions.

 

[tinytim]

I will take a different route here....

I will disagree with LE... in this:

I am praying that RW's prayer will convict the homosexuals and all other sinners that here it.

Read Habakkuk ... Habakkuk prays to God asks him why, why, why.. do these things happen in Israel...God answers and says he is sending the Babylonians to overthrow Israel...
Habakkuk then questions God how God can use people that are not as righteous as Israel to judge Israel... God then tells Habakkuk to be patient.. God will eventually destroy Babylon. The book ends with Habakkuk accepting God's judgments...

How does that apply...

America is going to Hell in a handbasket. Although there are a lot of good Christians here, the country will be destroyed by people who are not holy.
We as Christians need to be patient.. and accept God's judgments.

God is in control.. He chose Obama for President. He also knew who would be at the inauguration.. both holy and unholy... He has placed RW there as a witness. When he prays, the Holy Spirit will work.. he will sow seeds, water seeds, and possibly harvest some. The name of Jesus is sooooo powerful...

And when RW says "in the name of Jesus I pray" I am praying that the Holy Ghost will use Jesus' name and burn the hearts of those that are against God.

If RW doesn't pray "in the name of Jesus" I will be the first to complain about RW!

Franklin Graham had the best insight I saw...

If a person asks a Christian minister to pray, they should expect him to pray in the name of Jesus...

If a person asks a Muslim to pray, they should expect to hear "allah"

Don't ask a person to pray, and then strip them from their religion.

I just pray for a safe inauguration... I am sooo worried that Biden may be the next President... or worse.. Pelosi!
I don't like Obama... but I wouldn't want him dead...

I am curious as to what kind of prez he will be.. and I hope 4 yrs from now, I can look back at my posts last fall, and declare I was wro.... wro...uh...

NOt that right!!! lol

As to the OP.. I couldn't have done what RW did... but who knows, RW now has an inroad into Obamas administration.. God may use RW to influence Obama for right.

 

[LadyEagle]

I do not disagree entirely, Tiny. But now I am not expecting RW to pray in the Name of Jesus. I hope I am wrong, I truly do. I suppose I will watch the inauguration (wasn't planning to) now just to see. I am repulsed over the whole thing, all of it. And yet, if it is God's Judgment, then I will accept it, knowing that God is Gracious and has withheld His Judgment on this nation for a long time, but has given us warning signs that if we don't repent as a nation, Judgment is coming. I expect the next 4 years to be a bumpy road unless I hear the trumpet sounding before long.

 

[KenH]

And yet, if it is God's Judgment, then I will accept it

I doubt that this is God's judgment. I sincerely believe that the election of Barack Hussein Obama is a blessing from God for the United States of America. :godisgood:

 

[LadyEagle]

I know you sincerely believe that Ken, there is no doubt as to what you believe.

 

[tinytim]

I doubt that this is God's judgment. I sincerely believe that the election of Barack Hussein Obama is a blessing from God for the United States of America. :godisgood:

Not all of God's Judgments are bad Ken... We veiw "judgment" as bad... but one day when we believers stand before God to be judged, we will be rewarded...

Obama has been appointed by God to be our President.. that was a judgment call by God... Only God knows if it is to punish America or to bless us. But one thing I do know... what ever God decides to do in my life, it is because He loves me and wants to make me more into the image of Christ...

So good or bad, I accept it.

Obama will be my president... I will pray for him.

 

[KenH]

Obama will be my president... I will pray for him.

As will I...just as I have been praying for President Bush.