Brother Warren has a good purpose in life
I’m going to make quick business of this next issue. A lot of fuss was made over Rick Warren’s selection to give the invocation at Obama’s inauguration, particularly among evangelicals who questioned Warren’s beliefs. In a word, it was much ado about nothing. One might not like the man, one might object to certain aspects of his theology, one might even resent his meteoric rise to fame, but Warren is no heretic. He is plainly a confessing Christian whose commitment to Jesus is unquestionable and whose moral character is unvarnished.
I had not followed Warren’s career until the inauguration. Previously, some friends had expressed concern over certain theological sentiments, but I had neither the energy nor the interest to research the matter. However, I did read Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. Expecting the worst, I found a gem. At no point does The Purpose Driven Life depart from the fundamentals of Christian faith. I found the text engaging, even demanding, though I did find his somewhat frequent use of proof-texts annoying (but not damaging).
My mother read the book a number of years ago, and testifies that it greatly encouraged her faith. I, too, felt encouraged, and I would recommend the text to any new Christian or any person going through great change in life.
What is disappointing about this episode is that no one really ever presented a case against the man. Rather, the controversy seemed to devolve around perceptions. That always proves discreditable.
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