"We will never save civilisation as long as civilisation is our main object. We must learn to want something else even more."
—C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The Bible tells us to always be ready "to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).
Rick Warren's willingness to appear on Colbert the most courageous act I've seen by an American pastor in years. So many Christians are scared to death to engage the culture on their territory. Instead, they hide inside their churches with self-righteous attitudes. Even worse ae the cowards who use blogs to attact and criticize other believers who risk building bridges to people Jesus died for. There's a name for religious people who lack love: Pharisees! The same self-righeous bunch hated Jesus for going to parties, having dinner with people of the world, and reaching out to lepers, taxcollectors and prostitutes. I can only imagine what bloggers would say about Jesus back then. Warren's one motivation is to reach sinners by befriending them. That's not silly or stupid. It's Christlike. Jesus as derisively called "the friend of sinners" by religious zelots, but I imagine Jesus consider4ed that an honor. Give the guy some credit for taking a risk in showing up where millions of people are having their values shaped.
bycOne difference (among many) between Rick Warren and Jesus and their "befriending sinners" is this: Christ actually was "witnessing" to them. For example, Jesus was explaining Everlasting Life to the woman at the well. He told Zaccheus that "The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost." I don't believe it was a courageous act by any means to go on Colbert and laugh about how some view Jesus. It's not courageous just to go on a TV show. It's courageous to go on a TV show and clearly share the Gospel.
I recently spoke with a friend whose boss was on Colbert. He mentioned that the actual interview was an hour to an hour and a half long; edited to five minutes or so.
I've not seen the video of Warren on Colbert, but take from the comments here that the gospel was absent or unclear. If that's the case, I hope it's a result of the editing.
I know I lack the focus and clarity to converse for an hour and a half without five minutes of material that would minimize the gospel and/or paint me in a poor light.
8 comments:
The Bible tells us to always be ready "to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).
I don't think Rick was ready.
Just my two cents.
Colbert tossed a slow one right over the plate and Warren decided not to swing.
On the bright side, Rick has the self-deprecating, God-deprecating belly laugh down pat.
Rick Warren's willingness to appear on Colbert the most courageous act I've seen by an American pastor in years. So many Christians are scared to death to engage the culture on their territory. Instead, they hide inside their churches with self-righteous attitudes. Even worse ae the cowards who use blogs to attact and criticize other believers who risk building bridges to people Jesus died for.
There's a name for religious people who lack love: Pharisees! The same self-righeous bunch hated Jesus for going to parties, having dinner with people of the world, and reaching out to lepers, taxcollectors and prostitutes. I can only imagine what bloggers would say about Jesus back then.
Warren's one motivation is to reach sinners by befriending them. That's not silly or stupid. It's Christlike. Jesus as derisively called "the friend of sinners" by religious zelots, but I imagine Jesus consider4ed that an honor.
Give the guy some credit for taking a risk in showing up where millions of people are having their values shaped.
Susan,
Two questions:
1. What would make you think this blogger is attacking Warren?
2. You imply that Warren's appearance on TCR engaged the culture. What did he engage the culture with?
Thanks.
bycOne difference (among many) between Rick Warren and Jesus and their "befriending sinners" is this: Christ actually was "witnessing" to them. For example, Jesus was explaining Everlasting Life to the woman at the well. He told Zaccheus that "The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost." I don't believe it was a courageous act by any means to go on Colbert and laugh about how some view Jesus. It's not courageous just to go on a TV show. It's courageous to go on a TV show and clearly share the Gospel.
I recently spoke with a friend whose boss was on Colbert. He mentioned that the actual interview was an hour to an hour and a half long; edited to five minutes or so.
I've not seen the video of Warren on Colbert, but take from the comments here that the gospel was absent or unclear. If that's the case, I hope it's a result of the editing.
I know I lack the focus and clarity to converse for an hour and a half without five minutes of material that would minimize the gospel and/or paint me in a poor light.
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