Pastor Gabriel Hughes said that Warren needs to “repent” for what he posted. “The ratio and the responses have been amusing. On a serious note,” Hughes said, “Warren needs to repent for this—personally before God, and publicly for twisting Scripture, putting his politics above God’s word and above people.”
Worship leader and activist Sean Feucht wrote, “I refuse to be found ‘in the middle’ or even worse—disengaged—on the gleeful slaughter of the unborn, the mutilation of kids or trafficking of 300k children across the Open border.” Feucht added, “While this theological approach to politics may have worked in the 90’s, it fails to account for how openly demonic the Left is today.”
Pastor Shane Idleman said, “Rick, Jesus hanging on the cross is not about politics. This post is a clear support of the Left and your distain for the Right.”
“It’s sad when Trump Derangement Syndrome hits the pulpits of America,” Idleman continued, “as we see here and as we also see in pastors who have to apologize from the pulpit for posting something political. God give us courage again, and men filled with the Spirit.”
Justin Dean, marketing director for Tithe.ly and former communications director at Mars Hill Church, expressed his admiration for Warren but shared that he didn’t agree with his post. “Love you Rick,” Dean said. “But this is a bad take and twisting of scripture to fit your narrative.”
Carl Hargrove, who is a pastor on staff at Grace Community Church and associate professor of pastoral ministries at The Master’s Seminary, described what Warren wrote as “hermeneutical foolishness.” Hargrove said, “Hermeneutical foolishness driven by @RickWarren’s desire to appease the crowds, which is so unlike the Jesus to whom he refers. Just when one thinks they’ve heard it all…”
Pastor Greg Locke called Warren’s words “unbiblical” and said, “No matter what ‘side’ someone is on, THIS IS SO UNBIBLICAL IT’S NAUSEATING. This is one of the most ridiculous things you’ve ever said. Revelation 3 says the total opposite.”
Former Trump campaign lawyer Jenna Ellis said that Warren’s post “is an example of proof texting scripture so badly that you should be embarrassed to call yourself a pastor.” Ellis, who also defended John MacArthur and Grace Community Church in their dispute with the state of California over COVID-19 gathering restrictions, went on to say that “Jesus is not a moderate or ‘in the middle’ when it comes to truth. To characterize him as such simply because of the placement of his cross is perverting an historical fact into a symbolic meaning to serve your own ideological agenda.”
Pastor Tom Buck described Warren’s post as an “abuse of scripture,” saying, “From the man who thinks Daniel 1 gives instructions on nutrition and 1 Timothy 2:12 allows for women pastors. Now Jesus falls victim to Warren’s abuse of Scripture.”
Instead of commenting of Warren’s words, retired NFL star and author Benjamin Watson criticized the image Warren posted, saying, “Posting about the #realJesus with a picture of a fake Jesus. 😂 This can’t be life.”
ChurchLeaders reached out to Warren for comment and will update this article in the event of a response.
