Rick Warren Issues Apology After Backlash Over ‘Jesus in the Middle’ Tweet
After Rick Warren went viral last week for a tweet describing “Jesus in the middle” on the cross between two thieves as a symbol for political parties, Warren issued an apology on X today, writing:
“I apologize. I wrote poorly. I don’t believe Jesus was a centrist. He stands far above it all. “My kingdom is not of this world…” Jn.18:36 Jesus demands our total allegiance as the center of our lives.” – Rick Warren (@RickWarren)
The original tweet set off a firestorm of commentary online, prompting Warren to delete it and clarify his stance. The now-deleted post read:
“John 19:18 ‘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.” – Rick Warren (@RickWarren)
Backlash and Controversy
Warren’s original tweet was widely criticized, with many arguing that it suggested a form of political centrism that diluted biblical truth. Among the most notable responses was The Babylon Bee’s managing editor Joel Berry, who countered Warren’s statement with a pointed theological remark:
“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.” – Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry)
Berry’s response quickly gained traction, as many conservatives and theologians pointed out that Jesus was never neutral when it came to issues of sin and righteousness. Critics accused Warren of promoting lukewarm Christianity and failing to take a firm stand on moral issues like abortion and gender ideology.
Adding to the criticism, commenter David Biddle emphasized the importance of unwavering biblical truth:
“Jesus is the truth. The truth is not any type of middle ground. The truth is concrete. There is no middle ground on good and evil. There is no middle ground on what God says is holy and what God says is sin. Jesus was firm on everything and this type of preaching is why so many ‘churched’ are lost.” – David Biddle
Warren’s Course Correction
Warren clarified that Jesus is not a centrist but rather transcends political and worldly divisions. His statement that “Jesus demands our total allegiance” was seen by some as a much-needed correction, while others questioned why he had made the original statement in the first place.
The controversy highlights the stand most Christians are taking against the left’s misguided and morally depraved positions on key issues including abortion, and transgenderism.
Regardless of where one stands, the rapid backlash and Warren’s retraction show the weight that public Christian leaders’ words carry—and the importance of clarity when addressing theological issues in a divided world.
What do you think? Was Warren’s apology sufficient, or does this controversy reveal a deeper issue in modern Christianity? Share your thoughts below.
