Bill Hybels can invite anyone he wishes to his conferences,that is a given, but maybe it would be wiser if those conferences were help some place other than Willowcreek Church. One can have conferences at a hotel, civic center etc and invite whomever without it appearing that Willowcreek is backing Jimmy Carter or whomever. This appears to not be a wise action. But it is their church and they can do what they please. They just should not be surprised when they others are critical of the decision. Much the same thing happened when Rick Warren invited Obama, who is pro-choice. Having the confernece and inviting Obama to speak from the church pulpit does appear to be saying that Saddleback approves of being pro-choice when I am sure most of the members are not.IMHO, it is just a very unwise decision. But then and again, it the church of those members and they may do as they please, but do not be surprised or hurt when other are critical. Laura
You guys just don't get it. Give up the notion that this is political and embrace the idea that the motivation and objective here is to learn what this man has to say from a humanitarian perspecive. Bill Hybels is not going to let the discussion veer off in some direction as to cause controversy. He has a specific purpose for the Carter interview and will stay on track with that. My first hand experience is that the attenders of the conference will be gracious and will be there with the mind set of "what can I learn that will help our church reach out to those in need and pain?" They are not going to reject the information just because it will come from someone who has a different political viewpoint. I attended the conference when Clinton was on stage for an interview. While I wasn't a huge proponent of Clinton at the time, I respected the man enough to hear what he had to say. This interview will be no different.
Debbie, that is the difference here, Carter does not deserve the respect or the spotlight. Evertime he is afforded the public spotlight, he supports terrorists and their the governments and continues his anti-Israel rants.
Stop being naive.
Laura, everyone knows Rick Warren supports the agenda of the left Coast. He knew what Obama stood for and invited, a quasi-endorsement of his platform.
As for Hybels, this is damaging his reputation.
The movement of so-called Christians to support such anti-Biblical activities as abortion, the ordination of homosexuals, and the support of terrorist groups is a great abomination to this land. If you declare yourself a Christian, you must FOLLOW Jesus and obey Him. Rick Warren is not ignorant and placing Barack Obama on his pulpit was a horrible mistake. As to the point this is a "left coast" issue, it is occurring all over this country as Christians, like Laura, naively believe that politics are a separate issue from your Christian values. While Jesus did say render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, He did not support, in any way, sin no matter where He found it. When you invite a person to speak at a humanitarian conference who has openly supported terrorists who have killed thousands of Jews in their own homeland cannot be considered an expert in any area of humanitarian effort. Mr. Carter belongs in a home for the mentally challenged, not speaking at a humanitarian conference.
It will be a pre-recorded interview, only pertinent material will be aired. There is no sharing of the spotlight. There hasn't been anything distasteful at any conference I've attended. I expect the same caliber of experience this time.
As repugnant as Jimmy Carter's political views are, his theology, reportedly, is even worse. Check out the reported conversation he had recently with Rabbi Michael Lerner on the left coast. And his recent Newsweek interview.
I support Bil Hybels and former President Carter. I also support his worl with the bringing together of Baptists next January. I plan to be there!
Cheers!
Ralph Starling
The apostasy of the last days is in evidence fulfilling prophetic word in Scripture.
Carter's spotlight ego-appetite and Biblical ignorance energize his need to build bridges of humanistic-error to the enemies of the Lion of Judah.
He, and his defenders, need to do some heavy reading...
Joel 3:14 kjv
vincit veritas
semper fidelis
I stand firm with the nation of Israel! Since God promises to "curse those who curse you" (referring to the Israelites) then I choose not to bring curses down on my house by supporting a man whose ideas are diametrically opposed to mine and God's.
Our former president has played the "christian" card to death. He is unwavering in his support of those nations and factions that oppose Israel. He supports groups hostile to christian beliefs and values.
I think it is a conflict of interest for any christian church to have an individual with these beliefs speaking from the pulpit. The pulpit is the position of authority, a position from which the shepherd of the congregation speaks... methinks the congregation would be better served were Mr. Carter a parishioner rather than a speaker.
Jason,
Thank you for keeping issues like Carter at Willow Creek before us. People, Christians, do not understand that when you ask anyone to speak in a conference or church many will consider this an endoresement of the person and their ideas. If it were in a debate format, that might be different. Maybe Willow Creek will change their mind, but it may be a matter of pride at this point. I think that having Carter speak would be a mistake for a church and pastor that I have respected and looked up to for many years.
Andy et al,
Thanks for the comments. Debbie, a pre-recorded sermon from a former president who supports a terrorist group, is no more comforting than those pre-recorded missives sent out by Osama bin Laden.
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