People pounce on Rick Warren for tweet about Jesus: “you’ll find him in the middle”
Rick Warren, the well-known author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” recently found himself at the center of controversy after a post he made on social media stirred up a storm of backlash. In the post, Warren referred to the two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus, stating, “If you’re looking for the #realJesus, not a caricature disfigured by partisan motivations, you’ll find him in the middle, not on either side.”
Warren, who along with his wife Kay founded Saddleback Church in 1980, has always been a prominent figure in the Christian community. However, his Feb. 11 post generated thousands of replies and garnered over 3 million views, with many people expressing their disagreement with his interpretation of Jesus’ stance.
Among those who criticized Warren’s post was Seth Dillon, the CEO of the Babylon Bee, who sarcastically remarked, “Yeah, because if there’s one thing Jesus was known for, it was his desire to meet in the middle and compromise on the issues that matter most.” Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey also weighed in, stating, “Jesus is not ‘in the middle’ on the murder of children, gender deception, the definition of marriage, or anything else, for that matter. In fact, I seem to remember Him having a particular disdain for the lukewarm.”
Brad Klassen, a professor at The Master’s Seminary, pointed out the dangers of discarding the authorial intent of a biblical text, stating, “What happens when the authorial intent of a biblical text is discarded? The text becomes a wax nose, bent according to our own intent. Case in point.” David Limbaugh, the brother of the late conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh, also chimed in, calling Warren’s post “meaningless mush.”
Despite the backlash, Warren continued to share his thoughts on social media, with his most recent tweet emphasizing the importance of following Jesus rather than getting caught up in worldly distractions. It remains to be seen how this latest controversy will impact Warren’s standing in the Christian community.
In conclusion, Rick Warren’s recent post has sparked a heated debate within the Christian community, with many questioning his interpretation of Jesus’ teachings. As a prominent figure in the world of Christianity, Warren’s words carry weight, and it is clear that his statements have struck a nerve with many. Only time will tell how this controversy will shape his legacy moving forward.
