Letter from the Vicarage

February 2009

Dear Friends,

President Obama’s decision to invite Dr Rick Warren to lead the prayers at his inauguration has proved to be controversial in some circles. One liberal Bishop in the American Church denounced it as being like a “slap in the face”. Another has said he was profoundly disappointed by the choice.

The controversy centres around the beliefs that Dr Warren holds, especially the traditional view that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Apparently Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire, commmented that the “God Nick Warren prays to is not the God I know”.

I personally think that the President’s choice was inspired. Rick Warren is not a narrow fundamentalist or an extreme right wing bigot, in fact he has frequently spoken out on global issues of justice and poverty. His traditional views on the family are probably far more in line with the views held by most Americans (and for that matter most Britons). Once again it is some of the American bishops who are in the minority.

Last Lent a number of parishioners in Scaynes Hill read Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life. The book begins with these words;

“It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far more than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

It’s helpful to keep this perspective, especially in these uncertain times. Dr Warren challenges the pervasive consumerism that has dominated our society and our attitudes for so long. His starting point is God. What really matters, he says. is God’s purposes for the world and for our lives. Perhaps it was because of these convictions that President Obama decided to ask this particular cleric to take part in the inauguration. The new President, maybe more than anyone, must he aware of his need for God’s guidance as he steers his nation through the minefield of today’s world. Above all he must take comfort from the knowledge that ultimately it is God’s world and that the weight of the world’s problems do not rest on his shoulders. I don’t know about you, but the God that Nick Warren prays to is certainly the same God that I know.

With all good wishes,

Mark

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