Rick Warren and Proposition 8

Rick Warren is the author of the popular book, The Purpose Driven Life, and pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California.  He stated on Larry King Live, April 6, 2009, that "never been and never will be" an "anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist."  He said he regretted supporting Proposition 8 (a California Proposition to ban gay marriage).  He also said,

"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," he admitted.  "Additionally, Pastor Warren said he did not want to comment on or criticize the Iowa Supreme Court's decision last week to legalize same-sex "marriage" because it was "not his agenda."

What is wrong with Rick Warren?  Isn't he aware of what the Bible says about homosexuality?

1. 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
2. Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, ²⁷and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. ²⁸And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

We are not to be violent against homosexuals (Lev. 20:13) since the old theonomic, covenantal system has been done away with (Heb. 8:13).  We are not supposed to hate them.  Instead, we are to be kind to them  (2 Tim. 2:24-25), but the moral condemnation of homosexuality still stands -- as is clearly taught in 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and Rom. 1:26-28.  Contrary to the homosexual community's hateful actions of labeling anyone who opposes homosexuality as homophobes and bigots, we can still love those trapped in homosexuality and still believe that their lifestyle is not godly.

Rick Warren has no right to compromise on the word of God by backtracking on this issue.  He needs to politely, lovingly, and firmly condemn homosexuality as a lifestyle that is not morally acceptable.  If he has already done this, then fine.  But if so, why would he apologize for supporting a California Proposition defining marriage between a man and a woman?

Rick Warren, stand on the word of God.  Do not listen to the philosophies of man.  Set an example to both the secular and sacred worlds based on God's word.  That is what a pastor is supposed to do.  So, Rick, do it.

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