Rick Warren’s Controversial Tweet Sparks Debate Over Political Interpretation of the Crucifixion
Rick Warren, the well-known founder of Saddleback Church and a bestselling author, recently found himself at the center of a heated debate following a tweet that many interpreted as politically charged. The tweet prompted significant backlash, leading Warren to issue an apology for his comments.
The uproar began with Warren’s original tweet, which garnered 3.5 million views before he decided to delete it. In the tweet, Warren suggested that the positioning of Jesus’ cross between two thieves could imply a centrist political stance. He quoted John 19:18 and accompanied it with an image of the Crucifixion.
“They crucified Jesus with two others — one on each side & Jesus in the middle,” Warren had noted in his now-deleted post, urging people to find the #realJesus in the middle ground rather than at partisan extremes.
Following criticism, Warren apologized by tweeting, “I apologize. I wrote poorly. I don’t believe Jesus was a centrist. He stands far above it all. ‘My kingdom is not of this world…’ Jn.18:36 Jesus demands our total allegiance as the center of our lives.”
I apologize. I wrote poorly.
I don’t believe Jesus was a centrist. He stands far above it all. “My kingdom is not of this world…” Jn.18:36Jesus demands our total allegiance as the center of our lives.
— Rick Warren (@RickWarren) February 16, 2025
Prominent Christian figures responded with criticism, challenging Warren’s interpretation. Justin Peters, known for his expository preaching, remarked, “This is, sadly, typical of Rick Warren’s approach to scripture. This would have been laughed out of biblical hermeneutics on day 1.” He emphasized the importance of authorial intent in scriptural interpretation.
Others, like Jamie Bambrick from Northern Ireland, argued that Warren’s reading of John 18:36 was flawed, suggesting that it reduced Jesus’ teachings to apolitical terms. “Disinterested via-media peitism is not Christian,” Bambrick wrote, insisting that Jesus’ message is central to political life as well.
In an op-ed for The American Spectator, Robert A. J. Gagnon criticized Warren’s stance, arguing it was an attempt to apply divine authority to a politically neutral position. Gagnon described some political stances as not merely non-Christian but “demonic.”
Sean Davis, founder of The Federalist, accused Warren of succumbing to cultural pressures and misusing the crucifixion narrative to appease liberal elites. He claimed Warren’s actions inadvertently targeted conservative Christians.
The problem was not what you wrote, which you well know. You communicated exactly what you intended to communicate, which was a condemnation of conservative Christians who rightfully understand that God condemns and prohibits abortion, trans ideology, and the chemical and… https://t.co/FrmlWqNAxZ
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) February 17, 2025
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
