More on Rick Warren and North Korea

After reading some of the comments on the other entry on Rick Warren going to North Korea I decided to see if there was any other news concerning his visit and I found a few interesting things.  I'm sharing this because North Korea oppresses and persecutes  Christians and I think some of what is being said about Warren's visit is interesting.  So I'm not posting this for controversy sake, but purely for more information on the subject.

In an article by Hannah Elliot from abpnews.com it is being reported that Warren will most likely visit North Korea the week of July 10th, which as you know, is next week.

In this article, Rick Warren acknowledges that his visit to North Korea may be used for propaganda purposes, but he insists it is worth the risks.

His visit is not without some criticism.  Case in point, one radio talkshow host said the following

"Ingrid Schlueter, producer and co-host of a Christian talk show on the VCY America Radio Network, called Warren’s visit a “massive propaganda event in promotion of the world's most brutal and oppressive regime." In a July 4 column for the right-wing Christian Worldview Network website, Schlueter said Warren won't "call the communist faithful to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" because he preaches a “man-centered, counterfeit gospel.”

“Not for a moment do these leaders worry that they will have a Christian revival on their hands by letting Mr. Warren speak," she said. "Rick Warren is loved and feted because his message is absent the cross and Christ's call to die. That's why he is popular and politically useful.”

Meanwhile members of Saddleback, Warren's church, are celebrating the opportunity for him to go to North Korea because they see it as a victory for religious freedom.

Which raises the question, "How much do the members of Saddleback actually understand and know about Christian persecution in North Korea or other parts of the world?"

I also have a question regarding how Pastor Warren will "use" North Korea if he knows they are using him for propaganda purposes.

Maybe we'll be lucky enough to get a report from him afterwards.