Pentecost Remix?

I'm no expert on Rick Warren or the ministry of Saddleback Church. I've read a couple of his books and found them unremarkable. He seems to have the facility that many American megachurch pastors have—he can condense the complex and incomprehensible mysteries of God into concise formulas and communicate them clearly, outlining simple pathways for people to follow. He puts the cookies on the bottom shelf.

Then of course, his organization has all the bells and whistles of a superb megachurch. He is committed to missions and making the world a better place. He has also used his well-built platform to garner nationwide public respect through a more moderate and civil approach to evangelical politics. Rick Warren is the epitome of a successful American entrepreneur Christian leader.

But...if you want to get a taste of the kind of shameless marketing, promotion, and religious salesmanship used by Warren and Saddleback, just read Pastor Rick's latest edition of his News and Views. Stand amazed at the church's latest effort to—yes, you heard it right—stage a second Pentecost. Apparently, if enough people will just take four easy steps and become members of Saddleback, divine history will be repeated!

When you read Pastor Rick's upbeat appeal, can you find...

• An extremely truncated Gospel message?
• An instant catechism (discipleship) process? (In fact, if I read it correctly, on this day only you even get a "discount" on the normal time required for the membership class!)
  
• Horrendous sacramental theology that focuses on rebaptism of those already baptized in other Christian churches?
• A "pastor" who is apparently such a celebrity that only on rare special occasions is it possible for the hoi polloi to meet him? (On this day, you can even have your picture taken with him!)
  
• Free giveaways?

It's history! It's fun! You're the greatest! You can do it all in one Saturday!

Sigh.

Huh?

I have great respect for anyone who would put himself or herself in a position of prominent public service in our country. The scrutiny these folks are under is incredible. Everyone gets to watch, evaluate, and criticize their work. Each misstep is splashed all over the media for the public to see. Sure there are perks, but I simply could not imagine myself wanting to be that out front, that naked, that vulnerable. The limelight, the spotlight, the interrogation light--not my cup of tea.

Even so, with regard to those who choose this vocation, there is something I simply can't grasp. What's the deal with all these people in public positions not paying their taxes?

Is this a besetting sin for political leaders and other public servants? How can people whose job day in and day out not only depends upon taxes, but also deals with government and its fiscal programs all the time miss this? Is this like the evangelical pastor who never reads his Bible, the shoemaker who walks around with his soles flopping, the president of GM driving a Honda?

The Bible tells me, a humble Christian, that the bottom-line in being a good citizen in my society is paying my taxes (Romans 13.7). And I belong to another kingdom!

C'mon Mr. Geitner! C'mon Mr. Daschle! C'mon all of you who would have no patience with me failing to pay my fair share. Pay attention and pony up! For everyone's sake, can we please just get a few basics right?

I'm Speechless...

This one gets a gigantic, "Huh?"

Read this post and see if you can make any sense of it. I sure can't.

It actually sounds like one of Jesus' parables, you know, those stories that so often shamed the religious folks by pointing out that "sinners" were acting in a much more godly manner than the "righteous."