An open letter to Rick Warren
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 | 
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Posted by John under: Innocent Blood
Editor’s note: The following is a column adapted from a letter Joseph Farah wrote to Rick Warren last week about his agreement to offer the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama on Jan. 20.
“And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.”
—2Kings 24:4
I’m writing to share my profound and abject revulsion at your agreement to offer the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as president Jan. 20.
I understand you want this to be a time of “healing” for our nation. I understand you consider Obama to be your “friend.” I understand your desire to bring “civility” to our society.
However, when we read the Bible, we see there are times for men of God to stand up to leaders, like Nathan did to King David, and confront them with the absolute truth of God’s word and His laws. That’s what all Christians should do when confronted with leaders embracing evil.
Evil?
That’s a strong word.
But I use it advisedly.
Let’s focus on just one of Obama’s evil policies, though there are dozens more we should consider.
Barack Obama is opposed to any and all restrictions on the killing of unborn children and has pledged to work against the few that remain. In fact, as a state legislator in Illinois, he pushed a law that would require the killing of babies born alive after unsuccessful abortions. You know he will also open the floodgates to the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund abortion overseas through groups like Planned Parenthood and agencies such as the United Nations Population Fund. You should note the U.N. supports forced abortions and sterilizations in China. He has even promised to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act, which would make illegal even peaceful efforts to persuade mothers from aborting their babies. In essence, Obama holds and has pledged to enforce, a radical pro-abortion position that will curtail free speech, freedom of religion and ensure that many more innocent lives will be destroyed.
I call that evil.
I would hope you, a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, would also call that evil.
I’m trying to imagine Jesus giving an invocation at the inauguration of such a man. I think you will agree, it’s unimaginable.
So why are you ready, willing and eager to do this thing?
I ask you, as a brother in the Lord, to examine your heart, your mind and your soul as to your motivations for offering this prayer.
Yes, we are commanded to pray for our leaders. But there is no suggestion in the Bible that we are ever to be used as political pawns by praying at their events – especially when they are promoting the wholesale slaughter of innocent human beings.
I understand your yearning for civility.
I yearn for it, too.
But civility begins with the understanding that we are all made in the image of God. It begins with the rejection of the shedding of innocent blood. It begins with the church standing boldly upon its absolute convictions in the Word of God and in His laws.
I’m sure you would not want to invoke God’s blessing on the inauguration of a figure like Adolf Hitler, whose rise to power brought the destruction of millions of lives.
So, in principle, you agree there is a time for believers to stand up to elected leaders and rebuke them – even publicly. Apparently, you don’t believe that time is now – that the deaths of untold numbers of born and unborn babies is not justification enough for such a stance.
I disagree.
I want you to know that.
God will not bless the Obama administration’s plans for murder, no matter what you say on Jan. 20. It’s time for Rick Warren to decide whether he stands with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob or if he stands with the world and his “friend,” Barack Hussein Obama.
Shannon says Comment posted on December 22nd, 2008
What an amazing stance for the Lord God Almighty! This man who wrote this letter to Rick Warren is absoultly correct. We as christians, who truly love the Lord, need to speak up for what we believe in because you see where it has gotten us not to speak up. The Lord has been taken out of schools, taken out of court rooms, taken out of christmas come on people WAKE UP there is no christmas without CHRIST! He is the reason for the season and yes I agree we need to pray for our leaders but we do not need to agree or condone such awful and sick behavior.
Ernest Gregoire says Comment posted on December 22nd, 2008
The bible is clear on agreement with evil. Amos 3:3 says it all.
Mike and Carol says Comment posted on December 22nd, 2008
Why is Joseph Farah assuming that Rick Warren is a “pastor” of the true biblical gospel of Jesus Christ? There is nothing that Rick Warren says or does that even slightly indicates that he is a follower of the true Jesus of Nazareth, so why is this so surprising that he is walking with “evil”?
YeshuaAgapao says Comment posted on December 23rd, 2008
Rick Warren wants to be the next ‘president’s pastor’ like Billy Graham. He is willing to compromise on anything to attain that power and status, including kissing Obama’s butt.
Shehab says Comment posted on December 23rd, 2008
Absolutely true. I pray for wisdom, I pray for understanding, and I pray that our savior Jesus may help the many people that are lacking in truth, Find it.
Please understand that I also ask this for myself.
I ask Jesus for his guidance everyday.
He is the only way and Jesus asks us, YES US , to be like him, He asks this of his flock. He wants us to take up our own crosses and walk beside him, He is our example.
I know what you may think, that no one can be like Jesus, And thats true he is flawless.
But you must understand that Jesus himself will help you to be like him.
He gave us the HOLY SPIRIT so that we might have the strenght of Jesus.
I brought this up because, If Barack Obama calls himself a Christian, then why does he support the death of unborn children?
Not just the horrible murders of unborn children is acceptable to him, but he wants to pass a law that even supresses people to protest peacefully against it?
Why so much passion for killing the most innocent people in this world?
BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is not the only issue which I have with our President Elect.
Why does Mr.Obama get away with everything and doesnt have anyone even notice his actions and if they do notice it, they quickly overlook the problem and move on.
1)No one really pays attention to the fact that he traveled through Europe during the campaign against McCain and Spoke about having a ONE WORLD GOVERNTMENT, which obviously he would be in control of because that is what he was suggesting. (also he said that it isnt something we should consider but it is an end result because of the way the world is.)
2) ALL this talk of CHANGE, is making me think, what do you want to change to? In a pres conference obama and biden agree that since we are short on a national police force, that he will be bringing in the national guard to patrol our cities? (Please keep in mind that there is a law in our UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION THAT SPECIFICALLY entails that Each state is incharge of its own law enforcement, yet I havent heard any objections about having the US GOVT. come and setup a military police force in each state now.
THIS IS MARTIAL LAW WHICH IS BEING FORCED UPON US AND WE DONT EVEN HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Please everyone WAKE UP TO WHAT IS HAPPENING to our world.
Slowly we are being nudged into a direction which will mean our destruction, but I understand why this is happening everyone.
Look to the BIBLE and you will see also, start off by reading all of Revelations.
THIS IS WHAT IS NEXT TO COME:
Obama will create a one world government in the name of peace and prosperity, so that this whole economic downfall never happens again. And the people will blindly follow.
Obama will make a pact for Jerusalem and the Arab Nations so that there might be peace in the middle east, and he will be a success in establishing this covenant.(Don’t you find it odd that in the middle east, Both Jews and the Arabs love Obama being president?)
Obama will establish an international id card or chip which he will demand we all take it because it will mean the saftey of all the nations, no one will be able to hide or scam or buy or sell without having this I.D. Obama will say it is necessary to recieve this MARK!!! so that we might be better suited in protecting the innocent people of this world. (MARK OF THE BEAST)
Any one who doesnt take this I.D. chip will be considered an enemy of the world because we are trying to avoid being apart of the world economy and thus we are traitors to the world!!!!!!!!
BUT I TELL YOU THIS, IF YOU TAKE WHATEVER MARK WHICH OBAMA IS SURELY TO IMPOSE ON US, YOU WILL BE A TRAITOR TO GOD ALMIGHTY.
I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE A TRAITOR TO THIS WORLD, BECAUSE THIS WORLD IS FLEETING, AND JESUS OUR SAVIOR IS ETERNAL……………………
Obama Will make war against the ones who refuse to be apart of the world by refusing his mark.
And that is when this so called loving and understanding president of ours will show his true colors.
________________________________
Most who read what I have written will most likely be skeptic, But I wanted you to just keep an eye out on what I have said, and more importantly keep and eye on the BIBLE>
I believe in my heart this is what is coming and I am glad it is coming in our age.
This means JESUS is coming back everyone,
and if that means we have to put up with the Anti christ,
Then I say BRING IT ON, I have Jesus holding my right hand and my life may be taken away, but my savior has a hold of me.
SO BRING IT ON OBAMA, DO YOUR WORST, I KNOW WHO IS REALLY INSIDE YOU.
YOU WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING!!
BRING THE PEACE THAT YOU WILL BRING, BUT IT WILL LAST ONLY FOR A SHORT WHILE, AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WAY WITH THE SAINTS WHICH BELIEVE IN JESUS,
YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS ONLY UP UNTIL JESUS COMES BACK AND SENDS YOU BACK DOWN TO YOUR HOLE.
YOU ARE DESTINED TO LOSE OBAMA,
JESUS HAS YOUR NUMBER AND YOU GO AHEAD AND SQUIRM ALL YOU WANT, BUT THAT WONT CHANGE THE FACT THAT YOU WILL LOSE IN THE END….
TO ALL MY BROTHERS IN CHRIST,
PLEASE STAND FIRM AND HOLD TO THE WORDS OF JESUS, FOR HE WILL PROVIDE.
Ernest Gregoire says Comment posted on December 23rd, 2008
This comment section is a breath of fresh air. I love to hear true Christians wisely divide the word of God. They take is seriously and reverently. They contend for the faith.
They are not door mats. Many people expect Christians to be door mats and not stand up for their faith, and they love to trot out an old horse called,”Do not judge!”
This is not the case with the majority of Christians in America today. If discernment were dynamite, they could not blow their own nose!
A neighbor couple invited an other couple that I did not know to my place for a campfire tonight. The neither couple had a clue about Warren, and the other couple likes Joel Osteen. From the conversation, I deduced that this new couple thought the Rick Warren Debunkers were picking on him because he was successful and the debunkers were jealous.
The new couple wanted to argue “King James Onlyism” and became argumentative about denominations. Not scripture mind you, but “In House,” issues. I call folks like this skimmers. They only “Skim” the surface. They want others to do their research for them and present them with the facts instead of reading scripture themselves.
They don’t know the bible well enough to spot a phony preacher when they hear one.
I finally told them to go home when they refused to stop interrupting me as I tried to answer their questions. They were not intersted in hearing what I had to say, but in silencing me.
This kind of behavior is typical of someone who is emotionallly vested in their belief rather than soundly based in good biblical doctrine.
The emerging church, of which Rick Warren is a leading guru, is well vested in emotional things, not doctrine and scripture.
justanother says Comment posted on December 23rd, 2008
The man hasn’t even been sworn in yet, and he has destroyed the world already, No premature judgement here! I am hesitant to take anyone who voted for Bush seriously when it comes to judgement and /or discernment. Fool me once…
Larry LA says Comment posted on December 24th, 2008
There is NO Christmas PERIOD! Yeshua (Jesus) was born in the Fall (October) on the Festival of Tabernacles, God tabernacle-ing with man. Christmas is a pagan carnival of the winter solstice, of pagan gods like Tammuz, Mithra, Saturn, of drunkenness and frivolity and of I’m entitled to this and that gift. Pork and lots of it is the main food attraction both at Christmas and Easter, which is an abomination before the Lord. Easter, another pagan festival, is the celebration of Ishtar, fertility goddess. The painted eggs were red originally because of the blood of sacrificed babies; eggs, pagan symbol of fertility. The only “Holidays” in the Holy Bible are the Seven Festivals of the Lord, Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. The Bible also says that the Antichrist will change the times, already the spirit of the Antichrist has changed the Holy Festivals of the Lord and replaced them with pagan feasts. I pray that we all wake up soon and worship the true Savior, the living Torah (=teachings and instructions) of the Lord, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), not the paganized blue-eyed, blond hair, pork-eating version of Him.
Remnant says Comment posted on December 30th, 2008
Larry LA
If Yeshua was born during the Festival of Sukkot, He would have been born in Jerusalem as his parents were Torah observant. Sukkot is the last of the Shalosh R’galim (three pilgrimage festivals). Like Passover and Shavu’ot, Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Agriculturally, Sukkot is a harvest festival and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif Chag Ha-Asif (in Hebrew), the Festival of Ingathering.
Lev. 23:33 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev. 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
Lev. 23:35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
Lev. 23:36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
Lev. 23:37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
Lev. 23:38 Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.
Lev. 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
Lev. 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
Lev. 23:41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
Lev. 23:42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
Lev. 23:43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Lev. 23:44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.
The myth that Yeshua was born during this feast is perpetrated by many Messianic “Rabbi’s”(Matt. 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.) and those who are enamored with the ungrounded teachings of “oh-wow theology.”
Even the Mighty Caesar Augustus would not have decreed a tax during this time, his adviser’s would have cautioned him of revolt by Zealous Torah observers.
Larry LA says Comment posted on January 05th, 2009
Remnant:
What kind of remnant are you? You don’t have teachers (Rabbis)?? Who teaches you? The Messianic Movement has its own problems, even heresies, especially small offshoots from it that blast the Messianic Rabbis and their teachings. I attend a Messianic Synagogue, but also Churches, it keeps it fresh. I don’t subscribe to Oral Torah, Sages, Kabbalah, Talmud, and too much tradition (especially when it’s against the Torah) that many Messianic congregations teach.
Nice copy/paste there, “perfect”, just like from a great book, but without spirit. The point was that Christmas is a pagan carnival and has nothing to do with God, Yeshua, Bible, etc. and that we should wake up and worship the true Savior. Many Messianic Rabbis don’t even talk about when Yeshua was born, but there are clues in the Bible that it was not winter, but some time in the Fall, close to Sukkot. Those Rabbis who speak of when Yeshua was born, say it was most likely Sukkot, they don’t say it for sure. You didn’t really disprove Sukkot as Messiah’s possible birth time and you can’t, so you can’t call this a myth. I still don’t see the problem with it being Sukkot and still don’t get what point you were trying to make.
Shalom
Remnant says Comment posted on January 06th, 2009
Dear Larry LA
The point is quite simple, Joseph and Mary being observant would have observed Sukkot in Jerusalem as required. Sukkot being one of the 3 feasts celebrated by pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Caesar Augustus or his representatives would not have decreed a requirement for the Jews to do anything that would have given them reason to revolt, There were already problems at that time already. While I do not claim to know when Jesus was born, by careful study of Torah, The Bible, and History I believe it is safe to eliminate certain times and dates for the birth of our Messiah.
While I also have attended Messianic Services, and attend a Calvary Church, I don’t just buy lock stock and barrel what anyone tells me but search the scriptures to verify what is taught.
Of the 3 main Messianic Synagogues in the Phoenix area I have observed 3 distinctly different doctrines and teachings. one is Hyper-Charismatic, another seem to make up doctrine as they go along, with conflicting results, another is quasi-dual covenant.
I believe that even though the are groups like the UMJC, OMJRA and others whom ordain “rabbis” [Matt. 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. ] . The Messianic “movement in the United States is rather young and has not had the time to really set up accountability groups for it’s leadership, which creates many problems for them.
There are many myths and or false doctrines, throughout established denominations as well. For myself I require straight Bible teaching out of the Bible, with scripture backing up scripture.
I sit under a man who encourages his congregation not to take his word for anything but to read the and study for ourselves. If we find a discrepancy he is accessible to discuss it.
Over the years I’ve checked out many Churches and “religions all were wanting. After finding a Bible teaching Church, I don’t have either the time or the inclination to church hop.
I cut and paste Scripture as I show the Scripture I am making my point from. In that I could mis-key what I have written and change a word or interpretation. Also not to include Scripture to back my point, my point could be misinterpreted.
As for what kind of remnant I am, G_D will be the judge.
In Messiah
Remnant