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Warren would clearly much rather be compared to Graham than Falwell. The 2002 publication of "The Purpose Driven Life" brought him great celebrity, which he has artfully cultivated to emerge as the face of moderate evangelism. His passions are global peace and fighting AIDS in Africa. No evangelical has forged so many alliances with liberals and non-Christians since, well, Billy Graham.

Still, Falwell's distinction is the crucial one: at the end of the day, Warren is a pastor, and very much of this world. He wears jeans and button-down shirts and peppers his speech with colloquialisms. His ministry has always been about engaging the culture, whether that means instructing pastors to infuse their services with contemporary music or helping to fight global AIDS. Once in the culture, it is hard for a pastor to go back, which is why, in October, Warren announced on his Web site that "if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8."

With the Inaugural invitation, and the subsequent controversy, Obama has assured conservatives that he respects their point of view. But the attention it has brought to Warren's views on homosexuality makes him look more like Obama's friend on the Christian right. This helps Obama, but it does not boost Warren's centrist appeal. "During the entire campaign season," says David Chrzan, Warren's chief of staff, "Pastor Warren only once addressed the Proposition 8 issue through a single internal communication in response to questions from his congregation the week before the election. His calling is as a paramedic—not a policeman—for the Kingdom of God, to preach the good news of grace, assist the poor and care for the sick. He has become a target not because he is the most vocal, but rather the most visible, among pastors defending the biblical definition of marriage."

Lost amid the controversy is a sad irony: Obama needs a Billy Graham. The last Inaugural invocation Graham delivered was for Bill Clinton in 1997. "We need your insight," Graham prayed. "We need your compassion." In this troubled moment, Obama needs Graham's message: that there are mysteries neither a pastor nor a president can fully comprehend.

© 2009

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Member Comments

  • Posted By: lightningz @ 01/20/2009 11:11:15 PM

    I have many gay friends & we have a mutual understanding of my beliefs in Jesus Christ. . You would be amaze at how many gay people are for Pro Marriage? Not all are the same.
    I don't think gays sould have marrage at all. Yes they got right to have sex but i how ever will never be frends with a gay person who whats to wed or thinks its okey because its NOT and the gov has no rights to even say *** about it. IF it come to it i will take this to count ITs not right and no matter what there fight is they or whating something that an't theres. Just due to people saying its okey don't make it okey what so ever . church and the gov sould stay aways from each other this is a fine point to pov it.

  • Posted By: yeswecan808 @ 01/20/2009 8:26:51 PM

    I have many gay friends & we have a mutual understanding of my beliefs in Jesus Christ. . You would be amaze at how many gay people are for Pro Marriage? Not all are the same.
    I enjoyed rick warren's prayer...hey if it is to build us why destroy it?
    This country not christian? Ignorant! Live with the taliban? You need to renew your mind & stop living in fantasty dwarf land. Come back to earth...come out of the land of OZ..LOL

  • Posted By: cntkaneeryah @ 01/17/2009 2:56:08 PM

    My apologies for typing in all caps. I will take the time to use proper punctuation in the future.

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