Big
Al Mohler and Big Rick
Warren, Revivalist Spartans, yeah, Mega-Apes fighting, are engaging in
a twitter-fight over Big Al’s tweet yesterday about megachurches as the new
platform for 19th-20th century liberalism. Big Rick wants an apology from Big Al. These two Anabaptist titans spar for
visibility, influence, numbers and market-shares.
We covered Big Al’s note at: http://reformationanglicanism.blogspot.com/2012/05/doctrinal-ignorance-megachurch-new.html. We believe Big Al has registered an excellent
and justified invasion into Big Rick's space. Big Rick doesn't like the "trespass" onto his sacred territory. He views the "invasion" as actionable. Big Rick apprehends harm from Big Al's reproach. Yet, is “Big Rick” known for his advocacy
of Biblical, doctrinal and historical literacy?
Perhaps personally, but not publicly. In contrast, at least Big Al is known for advocacy of literacy.
Big Rick has a notoriously thin skin
when it comes to criticism or a trespass onto or into his fiefdom wherein he rules. Big Rick is
a Pastorpreneur at his Starbuck's mega-mall. He gets sensitive when his
child and grandchildren, that is, megachurchdom, dumb-it-down-doctrinal Pastors,
Pastorpreneurs, numbers, visibility, and influence are put on report. Big apes pound their chests in displays of territoriality. At least Bill Hybels had the decency to note
that megachurchdom in his neck of the woods produced doctrinally illiterate
people.
Authoritarianism with Warren and some
of his followers has not always been afar off as some witnesses attest when
installing the “church growth model.” Challenge
“Big Rick’s” model and be prepared to be cut down. Twitter-critics of Big Rick are routinely blocked. Tim Challies has born
witness to the heavy-handed tactics of "church growthers" following Big Rick's model. So have many others.
Wait a minute, is it not disrespectful
to call these Christian leaders “Big Al” and “Big Rick?”
No, we do not believe it is. However, we will affirm the objection in part and deny the objection in part. In the denial, it is justifiable satire and useful truths that service a recalibration,
context and perspective. Compared to
church history, both are small. Ergo, the satire is suitable. Rick
Warren compared to John Calvin? Al
Mohler compared to Thomas Aquinas or Augustine?
Or, compared to the martyrs who died for the faith? Compared to Cranmer, Ridley, Latimer, Hooper, Rogers, Coverdale, Tyndale and others? Since, use of the terms "Big Al" and "Big Rick" are objectionable to some, we will affirm the objection. To satisfy the objection to the terms "Big Al" and "Big Rick," we will say affirmatively “Little Al” and “Little Rick.” Hence, we affirm in part and deny in part. These two, like all of us, are quite "small" as
Isaiah reminds us (Isaiah 40) as well as quite exalted, or high, being seated with Christ in the heavenlies (Eph. 2.4ff).
Here is the update on the
Twitter-Titans clashing, bashing, and mashing. On this score,
we must side with "Big Al" or "Little Al," as you deem best. The
megachurchers like "Big Rick" or "Little Rick" (as deemed best), we believe, are the new 19th and 20th
centuries liberals. We believe time will
vindicate this prophecy.
Here is the story from "Christian Post."
Warren
Asks Mohler to Apologize for Megachurch Headline
By Lillian Kwon
, Christian Post Reporter
May 2, 2012|6:22 pm
A prominent evangelical's recent
blog headline – "Is the Megachurch the New Liberalism?" – has irked
Pastor Rick Warren, who is calling for an apology for the
"sensational" title.
Warren, founder of Saddleback Church, sent a tweet to Dr.
Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, on
Tuesday, saying: "A TITLE questioning 1000s of churches' orthodoxy due to
size is unChristlike.U need to apologize to pastors Al."
In a blog post
Tuesday, Mohler described the emergence and growth of the megachurch
(which draw at least 2,000 in attendance) and acknowledged that they have
"helped to anchor conservative Christianity" in the United States.
At the same time, he noted that some megachurches have
adapted to the ever-changing American culture, abandoning certain biblical
truths.
Mohler went on to express concerns over a recent message
preached by Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta,
Ga. As he described the account of a gay couple, Stanley mentioned the sin of
adultery (one partner was still married to his wife) but did not affirm the
sinfulness of homosexuality.
"The inescapable impression left by the account was
that the sin of concern was adultery, but not homosexuality," Mohler
wrote, adding that he hopes Stanley will clarify his view on the issue.
"We must embrace the truth with the humility of a
sinner saved only by grace, but we must embrace it fully," he added.
"Once again, the megachurches are on the leading edge. We must pray that
they will lead into faithfulness, and not into a new liberalism."
Taking issue with the title of the blog, Warren commented:
"@albertmohler Would a sensational blog title 'Are THE Seminaries the New
Liberals?' be fair if 1 seminary pres. messed up?"
In response, Mohler tweeted back: "@RickWarren Glad to
hear from you, Rick. I would certainly not be offended by that title ... In
fact, I might use it. Megathanks."
Notably, both Warren and Mohler are megachurch pastors and
belong to the Southern Baptist Convention. They both affirm that homosexuality
is a sin.
While some have responded to Warren's tweets saying there
was no blanket accusation against megachurches in Mohler's blog, one researcher
did agree that the headline was unfair.
"As Rick Warren tweeted, it is unfair to paint all mega
pastors with the Stanley brush or for that matter, the Schuller, the Long or
the Osteen brush," Scott Thumma, who specializes in research on
megachurches, stated to The Christian Post.
"As a group, megachurches are a big target, but it
doesn't help the Christian cause either to accuse indirectly 1,500 faithful
pastors and 6-7 million attendees with the 'L' word on the basis of one
pastor's issue."
In the midst of debate over blog headlines, however, one
Shawnee, Okla., pastor said the issue of churches neglecting biblical truth
should not be forgotten.
"Yes, there are many pastors of megachurches who are
faithful to the Bible (as Mohler noted), but the reality is that there are
many, not just one, who are not. The pressures of the culture are making
doctrinal faithfulness too challenging for many. That was Mohler's point- and
one that should be well received," Dr. Todd Fisher, pastor of Immanuel
Baptist Church, wrote in a blog Wednesday.
Stanley delivered the account of the gay couple last month
during his 8-part message series titled "Christian." He told CP that
he may issue a statement on the matter but requested that people listen to the
entire series, which concludes this weekend.
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