[Hold My Own]

Great to know...that does help with some of my questions I've had about him

[DeathCab4LU]

We had long conversations about Osteen on FF a couple years ago. Osteen teaches "prosperity gospel" and lives extravagantly." Warren does not. Big difference.

that was the point I was making

[SumItUp]

Rick Warren = Joel Osteen

RW>JO and not just because he has sold more books.

Years ago, I regularly watched JO and enjoyed having my ears tickled. Over time, it became obvious that his message had NO depth or power. His ministry became irrelevant when he refused to take a stand on the authority of the Word of God and denied that Jesus Christ was the only way to redemption (Larry King interview). I'm not a RW fan nor am I a fan of the "emergent" church. RW lost credibility when he decided to sign on to the Global Warming Initiative, however, he still preaches that Christ is the Redeemer. However, the emergent church leads with a social gospel and the focus appears to be on what we can do to love and serve others that are less fortunate. Often times, the most obvious difference between a church in the U.S. and a business is the 501(c)3 status that they have. In the church, often times, we are unable to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit because we are too busy trying to figure out how to fund our budgets. Many who profess Christ as Savior have a very limited understanding of Scriptures. The industry of Christianity in the United States is booming. We have had more resources (books, audio, video), more Christian music, more conferences, seminars, meetings and camps in the last 30 years than any other time in history, yet we are theologically bankrupt. As Christians, we should temper our concern about a good pastor, RW, with lots of flaws (probably less than me), making a mostly symbolic (as viewed by the majority) prayer at the inauguration of our new President.

Fire away!

[Hold My Own]

Well I agree with everything you said...before Kel, I would stand by my = comment...but after hearing things he's seen then I see the point. I'm not closed minded!





Although!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JF>RW

[thepostman]

I don't have a link or anything, but I heard recently on tv that Rick Warren gives 90% of the book sale money from the purpose driven life to charity..as well as not taking a salary from his church as somebody has already mentioned on here

I have heard many people with the same opinions that hmo has and I don't quite understand it..he is a different kind of preacher then JF, that is for sure...but when he preaches he preaches the gospel...

the only thing I don't like about him is having to pay for his "free" book my freshmen year (that was a joke...only because it wasn't his fault...)

[Cider Jim]

HMO, when it comes to finances and Rick Warren, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man. From Wikipedia:

Warren no longer takes a salary from Saddleback and has repaid all of his salary from the last 25 years back to the church, due to the success of his book sales. He says he now "reverse tithes", meaning giving away 90% of his income and living off 10%.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Warren

[Hold My Own]

Here's an example....yesterday I saw a news clip of RW speaking to a large group...maybe church here's what he said:


"I love the gays!
I love the lesbians!"


And he said a few others....now knowing RW I'm sure he followed all that up with his beliefs but the way he set all that up it was allowing the media only to show that part. There is not one chance JF would have said I love gays without following it the very next sentence "But I hate their sin" b/c of the way RW put it I have no idea how he followed it up by b/c he phrased it in a manner that the media can use and exploit


again, not the best example but that happened just yesterday.



As far as that "free book" goes it takes two to tango

[Baldspot]

He was speaking to a group of Muslims and defending his role in the inauguration. Melissa Ethridge sang at the same gig and he quipped that he got her to sign an album cover for him and that he owns all of her albums.

[Hold My Own]

Yup your right b/c he mentioned muslims and other things like that...he got a huge roar after everyone he said he loved...but I never did hear what his thoughts on it was....did you get to hear the whole thing?




OK...and like this...

Melissa Ethridge sang at the same gig and he quipped that he got her to sign an album cover for him and that he owns all of her albums.

Was that really needed? From a pastor? I know parents that wont let kids help support someone they know is blatantly living in sin, and a pastor is condoning it?

[Baldspot]

I had just read about it on the following link:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

[Hold My Own]

I have got to hear this whole speech, b/c to that crowd it doesnt seem like he's going to follow it up with any of that being sin rather then it just being one huge gay/muslim pep rally


IF (huge emphases on if) it turns out that he doesnt say anything about any of those things being sin....does that not rub anyone the wrong way and spew the same stuff that everyone out there is doing now a days? Say just enough to make sure you know I dont completely agree with you but I'm not going to tell you exactly what it is your doing in hopes you'll keep coming back.

[Fumblerooskies]

He is delivering a PRAYER...not a sermon. It is a prayer for the country and for those leaders being sworn in. I simply do not see why everyone on both sides are getting all worked up. Since that's the case...RW is obviously the perfect pick.

[Hold My Own]

My current rants are not really about him going to pray...it's just about RW becoming America's next big cheerleader



I would loveeeee to know what preconditions Obama made him have before he agreed to have him come...you know there was some....will he keep it peprally'ish or will actually pray for the nation that he agrees is being lost one day at a time due to sin...keep in mind this is the one chance he'll have to speak to many of these people and this is their one chance to hear the truth, that is if it wasnt already a preconditioned compromise

[Fumblerooskies]

Would you rather have Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton doing it? or worse yet...WRIGHT??

The conservative religious right wing of the GOP pretty much is going to have to regroup...and if hanging our hat on RW is a START...then so be it.

[AZjonz]

I’m curious to see if he prays in “Jesus’ name” or if he keeps it pretty generic.

Thoughts anyone?

[thepostman]

As far as that "free book" goes it takes two to tango

yeah, that was so long ago its not really worth talking about anymore...it probably should have been confirmed to be free before announced...that whole week was pretty bad and chaotic...RA's were stressed out..and now super conference isn't required..

i know...off topic...

RW is RW..I don't personally find anything wrong with him and think he has done a lot of good...but I wouldn't go to his church

[Hold My Own]

I’m curious to see if he prays in “Jesus’ name” or if he keeps it pretty generic.

Thoughts anyone?

Thats what I'm saying, I'm thinking it's going to be a simple rah rah speech praying for his guidance...like I said before I'm sure it's already be discussed and pre-approved


Fumble...honestly yes I would rather have Jackson or Sharpton simply b/c you know what your going to get with them...I much rather have someone like them then have someone who the Christian community holds in high regard (yet has been wobbling as of late) compromise what has made him the person he has. Lets be honest this is not going to be the same prayer that you would hear at his church I'm sure therefore IMO he compromised who he was and his beliefs to be apart of something.

[Fumblerooskies]

Time will tell, HMO. AZjonz raises a great point and I will be interested in hearing the prayer. I KNOW JF would never compromise in prayer (or anything else for that matter), and I hope RW does not, either.

[TDDance234]

Ha.

The free $7-dollar book.

That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever been apart of. RA's were going crazy because people were bringing pillows and sleeping bags and just going to sleep.

[AZjonz]

Time will tell, HMO. AZjonz raises a great point and I will be interested in hearing the prayer. I KNOW JF would never compromise in prayer (or anything else for that matter), and I hope RW does not, either.

It's funny you brought up Jerry because I was thinking of him reading HMO's posts and when I asked the question. I agree with you on what he would have done.

[thepostman]

Ha.

The free $7-dollar book.

That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever been apart of. RA's were going crazy because people were bringing pillows and sleeping bags and just going to sleep.

haha i know...but looking back the whole thing is rather funny

[Hold My Own]

Time will tell, HMO. AZjonz raises a great point and I will be interested in hearing the prayer. I KNOW JF would never compromise in prayer (or anything else for that matter), and I hope RW does not, either.

It's funny you brought up Jerry because I was thinking of him reading HMO's posts and when I asked the question. I agree with you on what he would have done.

That's what I'm saying, I hate tying everything on here to him but its who we all know best...there is a reason why someone like JF (they still exist) were not asked but rather RW...yes, they have a previous relationship but RW has proven even in recent days that he can "tone down" (politically correct way to say compromise) his message for the crowd he's speaking to.


He is now been deemed by the media "America's Preacher" lol...I laugh when I hear that...that makes me think he's not doing his job if he media is considering him that.

[SumItUp]

He is now been deemed by the media "America's Preacher" lol...I laugh when I hear that...that makes me think he's not doing his job if he media is considering him that.

Billy Graham was often hailed as America's Pastor. He also led the nation in prayer at the Presidential inaugurations for many years. The unofficial title is not the issue. The question is why are they calling him that.

[DeathCab4LU]

Billy Graham was often hailed as America's Pastor. He also led the nation in prayer at the Presidential inaugurations for many years. The unofficial title is not the issue. The question is why are they calling him that.

Exactly! Just because america likes him doesn't mean he is doin anything wrong. Maybe just like Billy he is bringing the Gospel to the people in a way they can undestand (not watered down)

[thepostman]

Billy Graham was often hailed as America's Pastor. He also led the nation in prayer at the Presidential inaugurations for many years. The unofficial title is not the issue. The question is why are they calling him that.

Exactly! Just because america likes him doesn't mean he is doin anything wrong. Maybe just like Billy he is bringing the Gospel to the people in a way they can undestand (not watered down)

it seems to me from people I have talked to that don't exactly like RW is that the social activism rubs them the wrong way..they don't come out and say it, but it is what it appears to be...I will admit him signing off on the whole global warming thing is something I disagreed with, but I have never heard him watering down the message...I am not sure if he would be invited to TRBC as recent as a few months ago if Jonathan though RW was watering down the message...

With every leader there is something we can find to disagree with him on...I love JF, but I did not see eye to eye with him on all things...or how he approached some things, much like I don't see eye to eye with RW...

Billy Graham was loved by this country...and he never spoke much about the hot topic issues like JF did and some others...some people do not feel lead to do that kind of thing...and some do...its a personal thing between them and God and how they feel God wants them to run their respective ministries

RW is not Joel Osteen...there is no way RW would ever deny that Jesus is the only way to heaven if asked...