Rick Warren, bestselling author and former senior pastor of Saddleback Church, is facing backlash after posting a tweet that critics claim distorted biblical truth. The post, which suggested Jesus’ position on the cross symbolized political centrism, was deleted following widespread criticism from conservative Christian leaders.
On Tuesday, Warren tweeted John 19:18—”They crucified Jesus with two others—one on each side & Jesus in the middle.” He then added, “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.”
The post quickly gained traction, amassing 3.5 million views before disappearing by Friday morning. While Warren has not explained his decision to remove the tweet, his silence has only fueled further criticism.
Christian Leaders Speak Out
Many theologians and commentators swiftly rebuked Warren’s interpretation. Attorney and podcast host Jenna Ellis, known for defending Pastor John MacArthur against California’s lockdown mandates, condemned the post.
“[Warren] has since deleted his embarrassingly theologically inaccurate post,” Ellis remarked Friday. She further criticized him, stating, “Jesus is not a moderate or ‘in the middle’ when it comes to truth. To characterize him as such simply because of the placement of his cross is perverting an historical fact into a symbolic meaning to serve your own ideological agenda.”
Daily Wire host Michael Knowles also took issue with Warren’s take. “Except that the thief to Our Lord’s right is in Heaven, and the thief to His left is in Hell. Not the best analogy for the point you wish to make.”
Allie Beth Stuckey, a conservative author and podcaster, called the tweet “possibly the worst Biblical interpretation I’ve ever seen, and that’s really saying something.” She added, “Jesus is not ‘in the middle’ on the murder of children, gender deception, the definition of marriage, or anything else, for that matter. In fact, I seem to remember Him having a particular disdain for the lukewarm.”
Joel Berry, managing editor at The Babylon Bee, mocked Warren’s argument, writing, “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.”
Theological Concerns and Warren’s Legacy
Warren has long been a divisive figure in Evangelical circles. His influence is undeniable—his X bio claims he has trained 1.2 million pastors across 171 nations—but many conservatives believe his approach has watered down biblical teachings.
“The fact that this is the pastor from whom millions of Americans found spiritual guidance for years explains a lot about the state of our theology,” remarked Daily Wire reporter and author Megan Basham.
William Wolfe, executive director at the Center for Baptist Leadership, pointed to the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) decision to remove Saddleback Church from its ranks in 2023. The move, prompted by Warren’s support for women in pastoral roles, was upheld despite his passionate defense.
“With every post, Rick Warren proves the wisdom of Southern Baptists in kicking him out,” Wolfe said.
The Larger Debate
Warren’s tweet has reignited a broader discussion on theology in modern America. Some see his comment as an attempt to appeal to a politically divided nation. Others argue it represents a deeper issue—what they call a trend toward moral and doctrinal compromise in the church.
Pastor and lawyer David Engelhardt summed up the sentiment: “Two sides of humanity came to Jesus on the cross: one hurled insults, demanding proof; the other, in broken humility, said, ‘Remember me.’ All will face Him at death—some in pride, some in surrender. Look to Jesus as the Good Thief did, for you, like me, are one.”
As of Saturday, Warren has not posted a follow-up statement. Whether he will clarify his remarks or let the controversy pass remains to be seen.
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