seed: "I have never heard or seen an exclusively pro-life political activist argue in favor of the war in Iraq."

I have. And I count the president among them.

And I still don't know who originally came up with the lie that hate crime laws are an affront to free speech, but no matter how many times it's repeated, it's still a lie. White supremacists have free speech. Anti-semites have free speech. Nothing in those laws prevent people from continuing to spew their bigoted views once hate crime laws are enacted.

And I wonder about your sense of balance too. You say a woman's choice was protected long before Roe v. Wade, yet women still died. But that does not surprise me, since to many "Christians" a wopman loses her individual rights the second she becomes pregnant.

SheQuon, I have to wonder about someone’s sense of balance when they use other people to gain leverage in order to excuse sin. You said: “They call themselves "pro-life" yet don't care if a woman dies having an illegal abortion…” Do you realize that the abortion mills are the least regulated and have very little oversight? I would be willing to bet that more teenagers have died having an abortion than giving birth to a child. Nevertheless, you are still arguing a non-issue; a woman’s choice was protected long before Roe v. Wade in regards to life and death situations.

“They call themselves "pro-life" yet don't care if…tens of thousands die in war.” This is a pretty bad argument. I have never heard or seen an exclusively pro-life political activist argue in favor of the war in Iraq. Now, numerous Christians that are pro-life do support helping to rebuild Iraq, since the overthrow of Sadam’s tyrannical regime that was responsible for executing somewhere around a million of his own citizens.

Regarding the supposed hate crime laws, they are anti-freedom of speech and are inherently “special” rights on the grounds of sexual behavior that is not only personally destructive, but culturally destructive, not to mention sinful. It is one thing to have struggles with sin and it is another to expect everyone else to modify their life so as to celebrate other’s sexual misconduct.

Rick Warren is controversial for numerous reasons, what of it? So is Billy Graham, Joyce Meyer and T.D. Jakes, big deal. It does not mean that abortion is right or that Warren favors it.

"Surely you haven't read the Bible, understand what it is to be a christian and still make remarks like this can you?"

I understand what it really means to be a Christian, unlike many who call themselves that, but their words and actions are the exact opposite of what Jesus would do or say. Also, putting "for the record" in front of a bogus statement does not make it true.

And progressive Christians could say the same thing about conservative "Christians." They could say that conservative "Christians" care more about biblical text than real people. They call themselves "pro-life" yet don't care if a woman dies having an illegal abortion. . . .?Isn't this an oxymoron...if we care enough about a child that has not been born yet...why would we not care about the girl that could die getting an "illegal abortion" how bout if she doesn't get an abortion at all?
or if tens of thousands die in war.?!?!?
surely you haven't read the Bible, understand what it is to be a christian and still make remarks like this can you?
They oppose hate crime laws, and then wonder why they're called haters or bigots.. . .For the record hate crime bills that are opposed have legislation in them which would deny broadcasters the right to say that what is a sin is a sin whether people like or not....and by the way gives you the same right to disagree with it publicly....can't have your cake and eat it too....

I hope by the use of the word "center" the author does not mean "straddle", as in "straddle the fence". Please read God's warning to the Laodicean church in Rev. 3:15,16.

calean001: "Progressives usually are pro-abortion, overwhelmingly anti-God, and rarely if ever follow any tenants of the the Word of God"

And progressive Christians could say the same thing about conservative "Christians." They could say that conservative "Christians" care more about biblical text than real people. They call themselves "pro-life" yet don't care if a woman dies having an illegal abortion, or if tens of thousands die in war. They oppose hate crime laws, and then wonder why they're called haters or bigots. Rick Warren is neither pro-choice or pro-gay, yet some "Christians" still say he's too liberal just for talking to people who have the opposite stances. Well, that just goes to show you how "Christian" they are.

"adoption of a more civil tone in relating to both Christians and non-Christians in conversation, according to Gushee."

This made me laugh. This must refer to the part where true believers refuse to compromise the message of the gospel versus trying to "bridge the gap" by compromising those very deeply held beliefs. Truly astounding, and what more, look at who this guy is cavorting with -

"Gushee is part of the group of evangelical leaders that launched last year the “Come Let Us Reason Together” initiative, in which evangelicals and progressives seek to end the culture war between the two groups and find common ground on polarizing issues such as abortion, gay rights, and the role of religion in public life."

What do Christians have in common with "progressives"? Progressives usually are pro-abortion, overwhelmingly anti-God, and rarely if ever follow any tenants of the the Word of God! While we should witness the saving message of Jesus Christ to them, these people by and large are unrepentant sinners and from "such people turn away" and "should not share in others sins."

One thing about this guy is right, and that is a lot of churches are moving more to the center and ARE compromising the Word of God to be politically and socially relevant and appease people, and are doing so at an alarming rate. Truly a sign of Jesus' return.

I am a bit confused about this week's label on Evangelicals. First there was "Red letter Christians or something to that effect." Now we are talking about "centrist evangelicals."

It is hopeless and quite foolish to include Rick Warren as a centrist evangelical. I agree that he has often spoken out against evangelicals....and has an agenda that does include some of the basic principles of the Bible or certainly the application of such.

I don't believe there is no such thing as a centrist evangelical....unless it is someone who has lost their way in a Midwest snow storm. You cannot box evangelicalism or put limits to what they stand for.

It is simply another way to fool the politicians into thinking that we are more organized than we really are. You have Dobson on the other extreme right calling for younger leadership, and now some very well respected leaders calling for a middle ground. Impossible.

We cannot please God and politicians - and if we try, we only confuse what we really stand for.

Besides if there were centrist evangelicals...Warren wouldn't be part of that group....and we all certainly know that Dobson & associates would not be a part....either. As much as we may want a centrist for a label....it is not defined or has not "evolved enough for this election cycle."

I don't think Dr. Gushee knows what he is talking about. Rick Warren has often spoken out against evangelic fundamentalism and is no friend of the evangelical community. TO say he is non political is a farce. This man has allowed his stage to be used by both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

For Dr. Gushee to state that the "left" believes in social justice and poverty and the like is also a propigandist lie. If Rick Warren represents the center I will still far right of him.