November 29th , 2010, Former President George W. Bush appeared at Saddleback Church with pastor Rick Warren to discuss his memoir, "Decision Points" on Rick Warren's "Civil Forum." IT was an hour and a half long question and answer session between Rick Warren and George W. Bush.
It's a nice idea, Christians need to be informed on important issues; but really, do we all need to think like Rick Warren on political issues? No. We do need to think like each other in regards to our Christian Faith and that faith needs to be in Christ.
While Rick Warren continues to fail in regards to pointing his listeners to Jesus directly it is interesting to note that he devotes such time and effort in politics and getting his congregation (and the other pastors who look to him for leadership) involved in his favorite political issues. Maybe he is hoping that they will think like him, or that those who are not Christian will be thinking that he is representing all of Christianity when he speaks, particularly when he is bragging about how he has such a large church.
This political stuff is very curious.
The church, as a whole "church" certainly believes and cares about important issues, just like Rick does, but in hosting these Civic Forums, like this one, or in the many opportunities he takes to be in the public view, Rick Warren neglects or fails to mention and talk about some important Christian things, such as how it is that Jesus Christ died for sin and those who believe on him will go to heaven because their sins will be forgiven in Christ. As he gets political and hold these Civic Forums, one just has to wonder, "Why?"And then too we wonder why it is a "former president" is even there, at Rick Warren's "church.
Bush has always represented himself as "Christian," a man of faith and prayer. So, is this a political maneuver? Is he running again for something somewhere and need the Christian population to vote for him? No. He is there to get Rick Warren in the news media again, and to sell his book.
Bush will most likely sell lots of his books, that is, and this at the invitation of Pastor Rick. In fact, George Bush told the audience he was "shamelessly peddling" his book. Books with autographs are $35 .00, without autographs, $20.00, a special price!)
It's not that his book is not valuable, but why do pastors utilize the congregation for selling merchandise, wither their own or someone else's? It could be that his remark only a jest or a joke, (about "Why he was there?) Maybe it was only humor. After all, this civic forum was to be about "leadership", and "service."
Since they are talking to Christians, here is a QUESTION: How does this apply to Christians in their Christian faith and practice? Isn't Jesus the center and head of the whole Christian Church?
The "about you" (not about you) part of this comment sure sounds like Rick's famous book, ( about living your life with PURPOSE as your focus) and how he begins by making sure YOU know, " it's not about YOU" (This, even though Jesus did live and die for YOU to be saved and for YOUR sins to be forgiven.)The Christian life, the Christian faith is about Jesus, it is all about Him..... and it was Jesus on the cross who said those famous and Biblical words,, "It is finished."
What is being taught is that leaders know they are good leaders or not when they are willing to let someone else, not them, finished the work they begin... meanwhile the Bible says, God who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Not only that, but it was Jesus who said, (as he took our sin upon himself,) "It is finished." It goes without saying that if Christians don't give thought to what they are hearing, the true biblical teachings will be made null and void in their minds as they believe the thing things being said by such "inspirational" leaders instead of believing what the Bible says.
Rick Warren wants his people (whoever that means) to hear from "great leaders" but where, oh where, is Jesus? Isn;t Jesus the one who spoke with all authority? Isn't he the one Christians are supposed to follow
Yes, where is Jesus in all of this?.....
Is he hiding in the talk of "prayers" and "daily Bible reading" between these two men in this discussion? Is he hiding in their talk of leaders having "a vision" or in the discussion of the importance of "personal values" and talk of "religious disciplines?" Where is Jesus?
He is not in there. It's a lot of religious talk, a lot of talk about being leaders, how to be a leader, and who the "great" leaders of men are, but no Jesus.There is not talk of Jesus, no talk of following him.
Pastor Warren ended the session with George Bush by reading a portion from the President's book, "Decision Points," which he called an "MBA course in decision making."
"Mr. President, that's an MBA course in decision making if I've ever heard one." said Rick.
MBA.. THAT sounds important!
Yes, you want to be sure to be smart and get the information in this book!
Perhaps the idea here is that if you have an MBA, (from reading this book and listening to the wisdom of these men,) you will know how to make good decisions!
Concluding the forum, Rick Warren remarked, "And that is what made those decision points of your presidency so important. Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for loving us. We love you."
