Rick Warren Faces Backlash for Political Interpretation of the Crucifixion

February 13, 2025

Former Saddleback founder and pastor Rick Warren is drawing criticism for suggesting on social media that Jesus Christ would be a centrist today, due to the fact that he was crucified between two thieves.

Christianity Daily reports that Warren cited John 19:18 in a tweet earlier this week stating, “‘They crucified Jesus with two others — one on each side & Jesus in the middle. The guys on both sides were thieves. If you’re looking for the #realJesus, not a caricature disfigured by partisan motivations, you’ll find him in the middle, not on either side.”

A number of prominent Christian voices on X took issue with Warren’s interpretation of the scripture, saying it was questionable because there is no middle ground between evil and righteousness.

Babylon Bee managing editor Joel Berry responded, ““If you’re going to misuse the story this bad, you should also point out that the thief on the Right is the one that went to heaven lol.”

Author and podcast host Eric Metaxas described Warren’s tweet as “misleading posturing” and asked, “What does it even mean? Shall we be ‘in the middle’ when it comes to standing against killing babies or mutilating kids or corruption in our own govt? There is a time to be bold as lions against evil! That’s not ‘partisan.’ It’s the Lord’s will.”

William Wolfe, who serves as the executive director at the Center for Baptist Leadership wrote, “With every post, Rick Warren proves the wisdom of Southern Baptists in kicking him out.”

According to Christianity Daily, the removal of Warren’s Saddleback church was upheld by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2023 for permitting a woman to serve as a teaching pastor.

Photo: top, Credit: Screenshot/Rick Warren’s X page