Easter at the Megachurch

What’s the Big Idea?

As a celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, Easter is the most important day of the Christian liturgical year. This spring, megachurches are doing it up in style. 

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow will deliver the Sunday sermon at the Celebration Church in Austin, TX. The church is building bleachers to accomodate the 30,000 people expected to attend, though parking will not be provided.

Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church (the eighth largest in the United States) will oversee  the “Easter Entertainment Experience” at Saddleback. Last year’s act will be a hard one to follow: it was the Jonas Brothers. It’s rumored that Warren plans on bringing in Justin Bieber this Easter. 

The countdown is over: Easter Sunday is here. The pageantry may be fun, and a little ridiculous, but the draw is clear. Warren passionately believes that everyone in the world has a purpose, that we’re all meant to be here.

What’s the Significance?

In our interview with Warren, we asked him, are faith and reason compatible? Warren is an evangelical minister who has the rare distinction of having hosted both Senator McCain and President Obama at his church.

Watch the video:

There’s no contradiction, Warren said. In fact, “the most reasonable thing to do is to have faith.” He argues that for 2000 years, most scientists were men and women of faith. Does he believe that atheists are all irredeemable sinners? No. But he does find meaning in Christianity.

“The truth is, if you don’t believe in God, your life doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t. There’s no reason for it. There’s no purpose. And so just live; be intellectually honest with your commitment.”