United Liberty

I have shifted between anger and humor at the recent outcry from liberals concerning the invitation issued by President-elect Obama to Pastor Rick Warren to lead in prayer at the Obama inauguration. Consider that Presidents of both parties traditionally asked Evangelist Billy Graham to lead in prayer at their respective inaugurations. Graham was long considered America’s Pastor and one might wonder if Rick Warren might be assuming that same role.

The issue of Pastor Warren leading in prayer has risen due to Warren’s support of Proposition Eight in the recent California election. Proposition Eight (which passed by a 52-48 % margin) would have limited state recognition of marriage to a union of one man and one woman. Homosexual activists have loudly objected to Warren’s presence on the Inaugural program.

I find humor in this matter because we have heard numerous discussions that question Pastor Warren’s conservatism. Already, Joseph Farah of World Net Daily in his Open Letter to Rick Warren has challenged Warren for going to bless Obama and his “evil” philosophies. Farah compared Warren’s appearance to a German minister in pre-WW II Germany praying at the inauguration of Adolph Hitler. David Cloud of Fundamental Baptist Information Service used Warren’s appearance on a platform with Obama as example of Warren’s compromise.

Conservative critics of Warren’s appearance need to remember Paul’s admonition to pray for those in authority ( I Timothy 2). Frankly, Warren is bearing witness to the sovereignty of God as he appears in a public venue to pray for wisdom and to close the prayer in Jesus’ Name. As a pastor, I have often prayed before gatherings of officials, some of whom have been convicted for bribery. These officials need prayer and I am glad that an evangelical preacher like Rick Warren is able to keep a relationship with Barack Obama. Prayer, public and private, is in order for our new President.

However, the left-wing charges anger me. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! calls Rick Warren a Christian Radical for his views on abortion and gay marriage. At the outset of this defense, keep in mind that I am not blindly supportive of Rick Warren’s philosophy on every subject. However, in observing Rick Warren, the only point at which Rick Warren is a radical is Warren’s radical interest in evangelism. While a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Warren read every book in the library on Evangelism and was a protege of Dr. Roy Fish, long recognized as the academic authority on evangelism. Fish has always been noted as a scholar with a fire to win souls to Christ. Fish mentored Warren, who has used every means possible to win people to Christ there in Saddleback, CA.

Mind you, I am not offering a defense of every position taken by Rick Warren. Nonetheless, Warren is not a James Dobson or a Jerry Falwell on the issues, but an evangelist who is determined to win people to Christ. Rick Warren could never justly be called an anti-gay crusader. One might note that four years ago, George W. Bush scheduled Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, to pray at his inaugural. Franklin Graham has been quite outspoken on the moral issues of the day. One might expect that Franklin Graham might continue the pattern of Billy Graham praying at inaugurals. This editor surmises that Franklin Graham was too controversial and that the Obama planners likely considered Warren a kinder and gentler version of evangelical. However, even a nicer version of Bible-believer is not good enough for these militant humanists.

Goodman even attacked Warren’s AIDS initiative in Africa, saying that Warren used this effort to win converts to Christ and establish churches. Yes? Help people with AIDS medically, showing the love of God and leading them to faith in Christ—-are you actually surprised that this is what an evangelical minister does?

Warren is not a moral crusader and has demonstrated kindness to AIDS patients, including many homosexuals. No honest person could accuse Rick Warren of promoting hate.

For years, liberals have enjoyed tagging conservatives as bigots. I simply ask, who are the real bigots?