I admit, Warren's comment about giving Jesus a "60-day trial" made me squirm. But, I was impressed that Warren found a very loving way to affirm the Christ, and Christ alone, is the way of salvation.
Sometimes the Lighthearted Calvinist becomes a little curmudgeonly. This is one of those times. And yes, I did not take my anti-sarcasm meds today.
As they say on the sports news shows, "Let's go to the highlights!"
Partial transcript of the interview, with my comments in italics:
COLMES: Well, what about those people who don't — you know, I happen to be Jewish. Not everybody — and Jesus, by the way, I have a lot in common with. Same religion.
WARREN: Absolutely.
What? "Same religion?" "Absolutely."
COLMES: So not everybody necessarily goes that route.
WARREN: The thing is, Alan, I believe Jesus Christ came for everybody. I don't think he came for Christians. The Bible says take this good news to the whole world.
I don't care whether you're Baptist, Buddhist, Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, or no religion at all. Jesus Christ still loves you. You still matter to God.
COLMES: True, and I think that's a wonderful message. But if you don't accept Jesus, if you're not something who goes that route religiously...
WARREN: Yes.
COLMES: ... can you find your way to heaven? Can you still be — go to the same place when it's all said and done?
This would certainly appear to be a foundational question. One that will offend many (inside AND outside the church) if answered biblically. We do have warrant, though, to answer by saying, "I believe..." or "I believe the Bible, which says, ...." (see YouTube for any of John MacArthur's appearances on Larry King). Does Dr. Warren say that....?
WARREN: I'm not the authority on that, but I believe Jesus is. And everybody's betting their life on something. Jesus said, "I am the way." I'm betting that he's not a liar. I'm betting that he told the truth.
"I'm not the authority on that." What!?!?! He has a doctorate from Fuller T.S., right? Then what IS his area of expertise? Other than marketing, that is.... Can he not SPEAK with authority? Does he not have the biblical charge to preach the Gospel and to equip the saints for ministry? If he's not an authority, then how can he stay in the office of shepherd/overseer/pastor? Perhaps he should step aside until he becomes an authority on the Gospel before he goes on national television to represent all Christians. (Which is another burr in my saddle for another day) He's "betting" Jesus told the truth? Scripture is nothing more than something one wagers on as to its truth claims? Is not the Gospel a command to be obeyed, not a mere offer or, in essence, a piece of spiritual junk mail with no consequences for the denial of it?
COLMES: What about — what does it say for all those people who do not accept Christ as their personal savior?
WARREN: I'm saying that this is the perfect time to open their life, to give it a chance. I'd say give him a 60-day trial.
A 60-day trial. Colmes' response is classic and the right one, if that's all this Gospel is, when he says:
COLMES: Like the Book of the Month Club.
WARREN: Give him a trial. See if he'll change your life. I dare you to try trusting Jesus for 60 days. Or your money guaranteed back.
COLMES: Really? You're going to give me the money back?
WARREN: Absolutely. Direct to me, Sean Hannity, FOX News Channel.
Is that all the Gospel is? An offer with no true inherent difference than the Book of the Month Club? Warren's humanistic Gospel also comes through here. "See if he'll change your life." Paris Reidhead's definition of humanism keeps ringing in my head, where he defines humanism as "the end of all being is the happiness of man." Warren, Osteen and their ilk present a Gospel that is not God-glorifying. Their Gospel does not address sin and repentance and submission and obedience. If their Gospel doesn't do that, is it really a Gospel at all?
Right now a lot of people's definition of a better life would be to have their mortgages caught up and some assurance they'll have a job tomorrow. That "better life" can be obtained without the Gospel. The "better life" proposed by Dr. Warren, Joel Osteen does not address the true spiritual realities of the Gospel. They are really doing fallen people no favors by presenting the Gospel as they do.
The Gospel is not something one should be cracking wise on national television in order to help sell more books (what's good for Dr. Warren is good for the parent corp. of Fox News (NewsCorp.) since NewsCorp owns Zondervan, Dr. Warren's publisher, as well). The eternal destinies of men and women are not to be trifled with (including Alan Colmes, who states above he is Jewish). Paul wasn't real tickled with those who got the Gospel wrong in Galatians, was he? So we should take all due care in getting it right. Even pastors of megachurches.
Thanks for providing the transcript. I did NOT catch the part when he said Judaism was the same religion as Christianity. That clearly is false (though I don't think Warren would deny that Jews need Christ to be saved). But still, an unfortunate statement on Warren's part.
I do agree the "60-day trial" idea was thoroughly humanistic. Had that not been said, I probably could have lived with the "bet" comment and assumed it was just a colloquial expression.
Sometimes the Lighthearted Calvinist becomes a little curmudgeonly. This is one of those times. And yes, I did not take my anti-sarcasm meds today.
ReplyDeleteAs they say on the sports news shows, "Let's go to the highlights!"
Partial transcript of the interview, with my comments in italics:
COLMES: Well, what about those people who don't — you know, I happen to be Jewish. Not everybody — and Jesus, by the way, I have a lot in common with. Same religion.
WARREN: Absolutely.
What? "Same religion?" "Absolutely."
COLMES: So not everybody necessarily goes that route.
WARREN: The thing is, Alan, I believe Jesus Christ came for everybody. I don't think he came for Christians. The Bible says take this good news to the whole world.
I don't care whether you're Baptist, Buddhist, Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, or no religion at all. Jesus Christ still loves you. You still matter to God.
COLMES: True, and I think that's a wonderful message. But if you don't accept Jesus, if you're not something who goes that route religiously...
WARREN: Yes.
COLMES: ... can you find your way to heaven? Can you still be — go to the same place when it's all said and done?
This would certainly appear to be a foundational question. One that will offend many (inside AND outside the church) if answered biblically. We do have warrant, though, to answer by saying, "I believe..." or "I believe the Bible, which says, ...." (see YouTube for any of John MacArthur's appearances on Larry King). Does Dr. Warren say that....?
WARREN: I'm not the authority on that, but I believe Jesus is. And everybody's betting their life on something. Jesus said, "I am the way." I'm betting that he's not a liar. I'm betting that he told the truth.
"I'm not the authority on that." What!?!?! He has a doctorate from Fuller T.S., right? Then what IS his area of expertise? Other than marketing, that is.... Can he not SPEAK with authority? Does he not have the biblical charge to preach the Gospel and to equip the saints for ministry? If he's not an authority, then how can he stay in the office of shepherd/overseer/pastor? Perhaps he should step aside until he becomes an authority on the Gospel before he goes on national television to represent all Christians. (Which is another burr in my saddle for another day) He's "betting" Jesus told the truth? Scripture is nothing more than something one wagers on as to its truth claims? Is not the Gospel a command to be obeyed, not a mere offer or, in essence, a piece of spiritual junk mail with no consequences for the denial of it?
COLMES: What about — what does it say for all those people who do not accept Christ as their personal savior?
WARREN: I'm saying that this is the perfect time to open their life, to give it a chance. I'd say give him a 60-day trial.
A 60-day trial. Colmes' response is classic and the right one, if that's all this Gospel is, when he says:
COLMES: Like the Book of the Month Club.
WARREN: Give him a trial. See if he'll change your life. I dare you to try trusting Jesus for 60 days. Or your money guaranteed back.
COLMES: Really? You're going to give me the money back?
WARREN: Absolutely. Direct to me, Sean Hannity, FOX News Channel.
Is that all the Gospel is? An offer with no true inherent difference than the Book of the Month Club? Warren's humanistic Gospel also comes through here. "See if he'll change your life." Paris Reidhead's definition of humanism keeps ringing in my head, where he defines humanism as "the end of all being is the happiness of man." Warren, Osteen and their ilk present a Gospel that is not God-glorifying. Their Gospel does not address sin and repentance and submission and obedience. If their Gospel doesn't do that, is it really a Gospel at all?
Right now a lot of people's definition of a better life would be to have their mortgages caught up and some assurance they'll have a job tomorrow. That "better life" can be obtained without the Gospel. The "better life" proposed by Dr. Warren, Joel Osteen does not address the true spiritual realities of the Gospel. They are really doing fallen people no favors by presenting the Gospel as they do.
The Gospel is not something one should be cracking wise on national television in order to help sell more books (what's good for Dr. Warren is good for the parent corp. of Fox News (NewsCorp.) since NewsCorp owns Zondervan, Dr. Warren's publisher, as well). The eternal destinies of men and women are not to be trifled with (including Alan Colmes, who states above he is Jewish). Paul wasn't real tickled with those who got the Gospel wrong in Galatians, was he? So we should take all due care in getting it right. Even pastors of megachurches.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing the transcript. I did NOT catch the part when he said Judaism was the same religion as Christianity. That clearly is false (though I don't think Warren would deny that Jews need Christ to be saved). But still, an unfortunate statement on Warren's part.
I do agree the "60-day trial" idea was thoroughly humanistic. Had that not been said, I probably could have lived with the "bet" comment and assumed it was just a colloquial expression.