At this point, the Rev. Rick Warren should really just assume the title The New Billy Graham. During the past few years, he has clearly transitioned from being just a megachurch pastor to an international evangelist, crusading for Christ and social justice in America and Africa. His “Purpose-Driven Life” is, I think, second in total sales to one book: the Bible.
Today we learn that Warren spring-boarded from this summer’s faith forum, hosted at Saddleback Church, to delivering the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration Jan. 20. Obama will be the first president since Harry Truman to
have someone other than Graham do the honors
not have a close relationship with Graham.
I’m not sure this will even register with conservatives and evangelicals; I’ve never before put any weight in the prayer given at the president’s inauguration. If I did, I’d really have to wonder what Graham said wrong at both of Bush’s. But if musings at The Reality-Based Community are any indication, liberals aren’t happy:
Can’t we have Jeremiah Wright instead?
In the above video, which I was already planning to post today before the inauguration news, Warren talks with Beliefnet Editor-in-Chief Steven Waldman about gay marriage, torture and his dark nights with God.
Christianity Today has something of a synopsis of the interview. It’s after the jump:
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