News-Record.com

I don't recall much of the past year that I'd call "inspiring," actually. Depressing news all around the world, plus the worst economic situation I've personally seen in my life ... they're pretty distracting.

where there is no vision the people die john.

Although I’m not a huge fan of Rick Warren for various reasons, I am not again’ ‘im; but there are important elements of the ecclesia lost with the mega church phenomenon. In his brief article about spiritual maturity, Warren mentions the typical evangelical maturity-makers: he cites: “. . . time spent with God, prayer, Bible reading and obedience to what He reveals to you . . .” with which I totally agree. Notably absent, however, is the Eucharist; which is generally given short shrift in evangelical circles. If done at all, it is usually done at the end of a service now and then. There is also the issue of Creed-less, watered-down contemporary worship. But these are internal debates, and do not divide us in Christ.

I have to admire his desire to expand the sphere of Christian witness and involvement into all areas of life, including those generally considered distasteful and “embarrassing,” such as AIDS. Actually, Christians have been working tirelessly in all areas of social concern, here and abroad, ever since the first missionary doctors and nurses were sent out. Organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, all denominational mission enterprises (Catholic Relief, SBC orgs., etc). It is not my job to judge Warren’s motives; and I can only applaud his caring about the suffering of real people in real circumstances around the world. AIDS is a huge problem that will require huge resources.

Nevertheless, it smacks of an ad hoc faith-based, government sponsored initiative; appealing and pragmatic on the surface, but deserving of careful scrutiny. But again, it’s not mine to judge motives. However, it IS our responsibility as orthodox Christians to assess any alliances with those who do not hold to sound doctrine and biblical standards. The liberal pretense to being Biblical, orthodox Christians is pervasive; and to lock arms with them is risky at best. There are plenty of doctrinally sound Christians to team-up without resorting to the likes of politician Obama. The lure of appearing “broadminded” and “avant-garde” could be the first step in selling-out on doctrine. Maybe.

But, as St. Paul declared: “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill . . . What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” Phil. 1.15-18

In other words, God is ultimate and sovereign, and nothing, and no one, can thwart His final redemptive plan. And the Gospel has an intrinsic and universal potency that cannot be utterly impeded by human frailty and error, be it televangelist hawker or liberal heretic. The best-case scenario of course would be total moral and doctrinal integrity in Gospel propagators; but that is practically impossible this side of heaven. We just have to place all in God’s omnipotent hands. But, to strive for truth and integrity is our duty as biblical Christians; and so I, personally, would defer “teaming-up” with Obama – or anyone that does not proclaim the true Gospel of grace and a consistent biblical worldview.