Preacher Questions

The Faith Forum Saturday night with Senator McCain and Senator Obama was notable for the absence of “preacher questions”. The forum was hosted by the Saddleback church in California and conducted by the church pastor Rick Warren. Warren is a novice at this sort of thing and after it was all over is amateurism was firmly intact.

  I would think the broad evangelical community would be interested in a few key positions of the candidates and the intensity and clarity they  articulate those positions. But Warren fed McCain and Obama some real softballs or even “mush” balls. Questions such as why are you running, and what is your biggest disappointment. He did ask when life begins, but permitted Obama not to answer the question.

  In order to get real answers to very important questions Warren should have adopted a more aggressive style.

EXAMPLE :                 

Senator Obama, when you see a pregnant woman and notice that her abdomen might move or pulsate, does that indicate a real baby resides there and that constitutes two bodies and not just one. And, if it is a real baby, is not it’s right to be born superior to any other right or perceived right?  How do you really feel Senator?

EXAMPLE:

Senator McCain you claim a pro-life position on abortion and may have won elections as a result of your stand. Can you tell us briefly what legislation you now author or endorse that will tend to reduce abortion and all the psycholigal guilt that goes with taking an innocent life?  Also Senator, how will you use the “bully pulpit” to help stem this holocaust?

EXAMPLE:

Senator Obama, lets talk about prepositions. The Constitution in it’s powerful wisdom grants it’s citizens freedom OF religion.  Senator, you are a graduate of Harvard law school and you should be able to answer my question. Is this freedom OF religion a full freedom? If not, how is it limited. For instance, in schools it seems we practice freedom FROM religion. Should religious exposure, be it literature, music, or worship have a venue in the public schools? Go ahead and expound on the “establishment clause” Senator.

EXAMPLE:

Senator McCain, I hear it said that religion is a private matter. In other words it is allright to have religious beliefs, but just don’t say that, etc. As that thinking goes Senator, high profile people such as yourself should withhold their personal religious convictions. Senator, how is this view reconciled with the spirit of Matthew 28:19 in the Bible, which says we are supposed to tell everybody?

EXAMPLE:

Senator Obama, many people say there are multiple routes to God. I think they call this Universalism. Tell me Senator, you being a Christian, how does that position mesh with John 14:6 that records Jesus saying, “no man cometh unto the Father but by me”.

  Brother Warren has a way to go before he develops the skills to ferret out meaningful information from seasoned politicans. He needs to brush up on some good “preacher questions”