Please don't put men on a pedestal

(or women, for that matter)

America achieved its independence and freedom in the 18th century in large
part because colonial pastors stood up for biblical principles, preached them,
lived them and refused to back down from them – even in the face of death.

The American War of Independence has been accurately called a "pulpit
revolution" for this reason. It was inspired by great men of God who recognized
evil and called it by its right name.
What a difference two centuries,
combined with affluence and the corporatization of the 501(c)3 church culture
has made.

A good example of this was on display on CNN's "Larry King Live" this
week, as "America's Pastor" Rick Warren did a soft shoe act on his role in the
same-sex marriage battle over Proposition 8 in California.

"You know, Larry, there was a story within a story that never got told," he
said. "In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I
never have been, never will be. During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never
once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never – never once even
gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going. The week before the – the
vote, somebody in my church said, Pastor Rick, what – what do you think about
this? And I sent a note to my own members that said, I actually believe that
marriage is – really should be defined, that that definition should be – say
between a man and a woman.

"And then all of a sudden out of it, they made me, you know, something that
I really wasn't," Warren continued. "And I actually – there were a number of
things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends – the leaders that I
knew – and actually apologized to them. That never got out. There were some
things said that – you know, everybody should have 10 percent grace when they
say public statements. And I was asked a question that made it sound like I
equated gay marriage with pedophilia or incest, which I absolutely do not
believe. And I actually announced that. All of the criticism came from people
that didn't know me. Not a single criticism came from any gay leader who knows
me and knows that for years, we've been working together on AIDS issues and all
these other things."

What are we to make of such mealy-mouthed, wishy-washy, namby-pamby hokum?
It's a great illustration of America's most prominent church leader
equivocating and backtracking and saying almost nothing coherent so that he will
offend no one.

Let me lay it on the line: This is not the way Yeshua talked or behaved. It
is not the example of the one whom Rick Warren claims to emulate and worship.
There is nothing prophetic or biblical or courageous or principled about this
kind of Christian witness.