If you watch this video: News & Views 10/23/2008 Part 3 (Prop 8 ) at about the 30 second mark you will hear the following.
“We support Proposition 8 and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8.”
If you read this transcript Interview with Pastor Rick Warren (Aired April 6, 2009) you read:
PASTOR RICK WARREN, DELIVERED PRAYER AT OBAMA’S INAUGURATION: Yes, you know, Larry, there was a story within a story that never got told. In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be.
During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never — never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going.
If you look around the web you will see articles with content that reflect the title of this one: Rick Warren disavows support for Prop. 8 However, a little further down the transcript we read:
KING: Did you not encourage your flock to vote yes on Proposition 8?
WARREN: Oh, yes. You know, I don’t think that the definition of marriage should be changed.
KING: So you did ask your people who worship with you to vote that way?
WARREN: Yes. I just never campaigned…
I don’t always agree with Rick Warren. In fact, our agreements probably make a much shorter list than our disagreements. In this case though the watchbloggers got it wrong. This attack on Warren seems a timely example given the recent blogging on watchbloggers such as: Evil As Entertainment which is answered somewhat in Established Elders [3] and more directly in Blogging, Watchblogging And Ministry and Turning a Blind Eye to Evil Is Evil, Too. All four good posts by fellow bloggers whom I respect and appreciate. The watchbloggers just got this one wrong about Warren lying.
However you look at it Rick Warren can’t win this one. On the one hand some Christians are now saying he supports gay marriage. Yet, on the very transcript above someone made a statement that Warren cannot tell his gay son who he can or cannot marry. So…which is it? I will say this, atleast Warren has an audience with some unbelievers. However, this audience actually gives way for the largest of criticisms. He needs to bring the Gospel even at times like the above appearance with Larry King.
If your deeds lack creeds how will anyone know true motivation? Getting involved in social orginizations to help people is not a bad thing. However, if you’re a Christian – especially a pastor, especially a popular pastor to whom controversy follows – and the Gospel is absent then how are you really helping by leaving Jesus on the sidelines? The Gospel is already offensive and since people are just waiting for the next offense to charge you with go ahead and let the Gospel shine!
Further Propositions…
Given that Rick Warren can’t win with the people in this battle I propose another one for him to bring out. Let’s get to the heterosexual side of things! The context and motivation could be taken from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (ESV – emphasis mine)
Let’s just take the sexually immoral and adulterers and submit a new proposition. We’ll call it Proposition S which states:
Only sexual relations between a man and a woman who are married to each other is recognized as legal in California. Sexual relations include viewing nudity and any type of sexual interaction for the purpose of sexual stimulation.
Of course, now you have everyone whose not a Christian or a highly moral person like a Mormon mad. It would be a very interesting discussion. Funny that though because even as you begin to examine and unpack the implications of my fictitious proposition you begin to see just how important marriage is.
For what it’s worth…
Mark
