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Welcome, Friend and Guests
By Jeremy | May 7, 2007
Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." Isaiah 1:17-19Welcome to my new Friend and guests referred from Slice of Laodicea, Christian Research Network, and More Books and Things. Although some would try to divide us, I'd prefer to try to get to know you, at least to the extent blogging permits such things. Judging from Friend's comments it seems to me we can agree on some fundamentals: all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, but a loving God became flesh and blood and paid the price for our sin so that we can be restored to relationship with him. This God invites us to love him back with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves; and further empowers us by grace to accept that invitation. Those who follow him he instructs to make disciples of all nations even as we work out our own salvation. Assuming we can agree on these (and perhaps other) basics, how does Friend's personal attacks on Rick Warren reflect love and grace? I am not a Rick Warren apologist, and perhaps even disagree with him on aspects of methodology. But isn't it possible to disagree agreeably? Or, assuming RW to be the horrific sinner Friend claims, to extend abounding grace where sin abounds (Romans 5:20)? Why, for example, accuse RW of "openly glorifying himself" (Friend's complaint #1)? Friend, how can you presume to judge the intent of RW's heart? RW's testimony is compelling, and he shares it with everyone who will listen. How is this different than, say, what Paul did when he boasted of his accomplishments before acknowledging that he was the least of sinners apart from God's grace? Why, for another example, spread slander and innuendo as if it is fact (#2 and #5)? Friend, regarding your mysterious missionaries who avoided non-Christians (#3), what of the Christ model of ministry? Didn't Jesus degrade his divinity by cloaking himself in human flesh and blood and dwelling among us (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; see for example, John 1:14)? Friend, I'd love to hear your reflection on this portrayal of Christ as an at-risk youth. As for RW's call for a reformation of deeds (#4), how is that different in substance than say, James claiming that faith without works is dead, John writing that we should lay down our lives for others (1 John 3:16), and even Jesus urging us to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, etc? Challenging people to rediscover God's heart for the poor and marginalized and our responsibility to care for orphans and widows hardly strikes me as an impardonable offense. Friend and guests, kindly help me understand.
Topics: evangelical, fundamentalism, rick warren, theology | No Comments »
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