Rick Warren's Whole Bird - Why This Bird Can't Fly
By Michael Bresciani (04/08/07)
When Faith and Family's Dr. Richard Land was my pastor over thirty years
ago he once described his calling to preach the gospel. He said that the
call to preach the gospel was a higher calling than becoming the President
of the United States. After more than three decades of examination I have
never found reason to doubt what he said.
Like Dr. Richard Land I have also seen the importance of becoming involved
with the democratic process on every level. It is not as important as the
call to the gospel but it is folly to ignore political process. From the
single vote to full blown activism it is all too apparent that doing
nothing would be fatal to freedom to all that is right and in the end to
society and the church itself.
Unfortunately I have discovered that the church has a lot of folk who seem
to have little political savvy. Perhaps that is why Jesus said, “…for the
children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of
light.” Luke 16:8
A few Christians who are politically inept pose no great danger but for
those who rise to celebrity status it is a different matter. The sphere of
influence increases exponentially as does the responsibility. Hollywood
actors are best known for misusing their celebrity to make swelling
unsubstantiated and blaringly cockeyed statements. Reaching the heights of
success does not guaranty that what they say didn’t come from the depths
of hell. It is a common error that has become all too common among
Christians as well.
When asked if he is politically left or right, liberal or conservative
Warren often replies with his now famous retort “I’m for the whole bird.”
Some may think this is a reflection of a very large minded individual who
prefers to take in the full spectrum of the matter, yet others think the
bird is a chicken and the position is chicken too.
First analysis of Warren’s “whole bird” idea comes from Rick’s own bible.
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert
cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev 3: 15-16
Straddling the fence may work well in politics but it is particularly
abhorrent to the Lord when found in his people. It isn’t about taking
sides as much as it is about sending a clear signal. For if the trumpet
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1Cor 14:
8
Most of the criticism of Warren’ politics comes because Barack Obama was
invited to speak along with others in Warren’s conference on aids. Obama
is a left wing liberal who supports abortion rights and same sex
marriages. Warren is quick to remind those who question sharing the podium
with Obama that the subject was aids not abortion or same sex unions. I
would stand corrected if someone could show me that what we stand against
is just as important as what we stand for.
Compartmentalizing issues may also work well with politics but fails
miserably in Christianity. Not leaving this statement hanging in mid air
from nothing let’s look a bit further into the analysis.
No one would disagree that the spread of aids is a direct byproduct of an
age of permissiveness. Abortion is also a byproduct of the “me”
generation. It’s a play but no pay attitude that says, “My sex life cannot
not be threatened by anyone’s idea of morality but the life it may produce
can be ended with complete impunity.” Blaming society for causing the
spread of aids may not always be acceptable but taking personal
responsibility for our own actions is.
Although inverted the truth coming out of the whole analogy remains the
same. The promotion of abortion rights and same sex unions is connected at
the hip to the spread of aids. It’s like trying to sell a generation a
scam based on “play any old way and you’ll not have to pay” and no one
notices the scam until they get a bill in the mail marked “aids pay up or
die.”
Just because the term “consenting adults” has taken on an air of holiness
doesn’t mean it comes without consequences. We’re quick to warn children
not to play with matches but that doesn’t mean adults don’t get burned in
fires just as easily as children. Sexual freedom is like most all other
freedoms it is not free.
During the civil war a union soldier found himself separated from his
company. He knew he was near the Mason Dixon line and not wanting to get
shot by either side he wore blue pants and a gray shirt. As he crossed the
line the Yankees shot him in the chest and the Confederates shot him in
the pants. It worked! He didn’t get shot, he got shot twice! The bottom
line is that Warren’s bird cannot fly. One wing wants to go up while the
other wants to go down you can’t have it both ways.
Rev Bresciani
http://www.americanprophet.org
(Printer friendly version) Email: Michael Bresciani
