I started writing a post last spring when Warren Wiersbe and Rachel Held Evans died within a few days of each other. To say their lives ended up being radically different is not an overstatement. I wrote a bit and then set it aside since I did not think it was the right time. Generally when this happens I discover later there is a reason. I think that reason is because there was more to say, but we hadn’t gotten there yet.
But now I do have some thoughts to share about not only Wiersbe and Evans but also some of the other Famous Christians who have announced with great public fanfare that they are no longer Christians or have radically changed their views to put them outside of historic orthodox Christianity.
There has been a steady trickle of them, but I’m not going to address each one individually because of time and space constraints. However, I do think they all have a few things in common. For this post, I’m going to focus on Wiersbe and Evans because I think they give a good example of what is happening.
Warren Wiersbe’s Lifelong Faith
Warren Wiersbe died two weeks short of his 90th birthday. He was a pastor, seminary professor, and prolific author. If you’ve ever been in a Christian church that teaches the Bible, you’ve probably been influenced by him many times. His books on the Scriptures are widely used by Bible-believing pastors, Bible study leaders. etc. I have some in my personal library that I’ve used when teaching Bible studies.
Wiersbe committed his life to understanding the Bible and helping others do the same. After he passed away, I saw nothing negative written about him – and I looked. By all accounts he was a kind man who loved Jesus, loved people, and loved writing about the Bible and Christian faith. His entire life was spent pointing people to the Bible and Jesus.
When I read about Wiersbe’s death, my first thought was, “Oh, it’s too bad he didn’t make it to 90!” My next thought was of how he had run the race, used his gifts, and was now able to rest from his work. From all I can observe, there was nothing complicated or concerning about his legacy. This summary of Wiersbe’s life (with some great stories from his life) shows that he followed Jesus, preached repentance and salvation from sin available in Christ, and taught the Bible. He was committed to giving God the glory.
Wiersbe finished well, something I have thought a great deal about in recent years.
Rachel Held Evans’ Deconstruction
Rachel Held Evans is a bit more challenging to describe. She was raised an evangelical and her father is a well-liked Christian professor. She was in her mid-thirties, from all accounts happily married to a good man, and the mother of two small children. (Her daughter was less than a year old when Evans died.) Her death was tragic, in part, because she was relatively young and left behind a husband and children.
Her death was also tragic because she leaves behind a confusing and troubling legacy. Evans’ legacy as a leading and vocal Progressive Christian is sobering. Instead of calling people to repentance from sin and salvation in Jesus according to the teachings of the Scriptures as Wiersbe did, she spent much time and energy calling the Scriptures into doubt.
Evans started out a number of years ago asking valid questions about things that many Christians through the centuries have wrestled with. But over time the questions became less and less about understanding the Bible and her faith and instead about leading people down the path to rejecting the authority of the Scriptures, doubting the goodness of God based on things in the Bible she did not like, and, ultimately, pointing people to a version of what she would call Progressive Christianity that does not fit the historical orthodox faith. Her books will stand as a lasting testament of her journey to deconstruct and remake her faith into something more comfortable.
When she died, there was a tremendous amount written about her – including her eternal state. I have no idea the state of her salvation and that’s way above my paygrade (and everyone else’s, for that matter). What I can see is what she wrote, what she did, what she rejected, what she embraced, and her willingness to embrace a view of Christianity that does leave me sincerely concerned regarding not only her eternal state, but the eternal state of those she claimed to try to reach with what she claimed was love compelled by her faith.
Unlike Wiersbe, I personally cannot write that Evans finished well. As a Christian, I find her legacy confusing, sad, and concerning regarding what she left her followers with in terms of her teaching. I wonder that if she knew that one of her tweets (for she was a prolific tweeter) was going to be one of her last if she would have chosen to implore people to repent of their sins and come to Christ instead of fretting about missing Game of Thrones. We will never know. Some people have an opportunity to leave the world with a last message. She did not.
The Public Response to Their Deaths
The reactions to the death of Wiersbe and Evans were interesting because there was a huge outpouring of grief and angst over Evans’ passing and barely a mention of Wiersbe. Now some of the grief over Evans was certainly warranted. It is tragic when a young mother dies, period. By comparison, Wiersbe had lived a full life span and so his passing seems less tragic despite the fact that it, too, is a loss to his family and loved ones.
But the online responses regarding Evans were honestly kind of crazy. Her followers were angry and vicious toward anyone who said anything that wasn’t 100% praise. They pressured a prominent Christian magazine to remove an online article written by someone who knew her because it wasn’t full of effusive praise and had the audacity to suggest that Evans wasn’t perfect. Even U.S. presidents have lengthy articles written when they die that point out their successes and failures. This was not to be with Evans. She was made a saint almost instantly. Her followers told people to “keep her name out of your mouth” if you don’t know her personally or don’t have anything positive to say. The responses to her death by both those who claim Christ and those who freely declare themselves non-believers, atheists, and many other things would make a fascinating psychological study. It was almost cultish in some ways and I don’t use that term lightly.
The coverage was also ironic given their status as authors. Evans received so much coverage at her passing because she was a prominent New York Times best-selling author and darling of the media due to her willingness to speak against traditional and orthodox Christianity. However, I’m confident that Wiersbe probably sold many, many more books than Evans ever came close to selling.
When Christians Cross the Line Into Error
I wrote A Wise Woman Builds Her Home on my other website several weeks before Wiersbe and Evans died. In that post I was reflecting on how people who get so much right about the Christian faith end up going so wrong in the end. I wrote:
It was when I realized that, far more often than not, women who allow their spiritual pain or abuse they suffer(ed) to significantly impact their beliefs almost always end up going wrong theologically.
I also realized that far more often than not, people who obsess about their sin almost always end up going wrong theologically.
There is a line a person crosses where they allow the event, abuse, or pain to become greater than the truth of the Bible. They view everything through a lens of abuse or pain instead of viewing their pain through the lens of Scriptural truth. For others, they view the Christian faith through the eyes of a prominent speaker or pastor who betrays their trust in him/her. When that line is crossed regarding the event, abuse, or pain, all bets are off as to how far the person will fall into error.
There is also something about living constantly in the thoughts of sin that warps a person’s theology and seems to make them open to other errors that our culture is rife with right now.
This is where I believe people are getting it wrong, especially those who claim to be “deconstructing their faith” as a way to become what they think is a more enlightened Christian.
This is where I believe Wiersbe got it right and Evans got it wrong.
A Christian must start with the Scriptures and the faith handed down through the centuries. Then you try to understand your life and your situation through the truth that our brothers and sisters in Christ have faithfully passed down through the ages. If you start with your pain and try to cram the faith into your life around your pain, you will eventually go wrong.
Wiersbe studied the Scriptures and tried to help people understand them and follow them.
Evans was seemingly increasingly consumed with the things in the Bible she found uncomfortable and the tragic stories of broken people, especially those who had been hurt by those who claimed to be Christians. In the process, I believe she tried to remake the Scriptures into something that made her feel comfortable. That truly is Progressive Christianity in a nutshell.
Truth and Love, Brutality and Hypocrisy
In closing, consider this well-known Warren Wiersbe quote:
“Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.”
Progressive Christians like Rachel Held Evans like to point out the failing of Bible-believing conservative Christians to love well. It is a constant refrain from Progressive Christians like Evans that other Christians are too full of legalistic rules and hate. Too much focus on sin and not enough love. Well, we do fail to love consistently. I’ve been on the receiving end of some massive failures to love by churches, church leaders, and other Christians. I’ve failed people as well. But it’s not as bad as Evans wanted us to believe. And it certainly doesn’t mean I walk away from Jesus. Humans will always fail us. The truth of the faith will not. A Christian or church failing to love well will never be a valid excuse for anyone choosing to reject Christ.
But loving without truth? Is it right for Christians to “love” people and not tell them the truth? Wiersbe called it hypocrisy. If you love someone, you will tell them the truth. This is what troubles me about Evans. She thought she was loving everyone, but I’m not convinced she told them the truth. Reading the tributes to her by atheist publications and reading tweets about how Evans basically freed people to continue to live unrepentant lives or even live confidently completely without Christ is deeply troubling. Will I call her a hypocrite? No, because I think her intentions were good. But I think she was wrong. If she was wrong, she was dead wrong in terms of failing to preach biblical repentance to her followers and leading them away from a true saving knowledge of Christ.
If I’m going to pattern my life after someone, it will be Wiersbe – loving Christ, loving people, and teaching people the amazing message of freedom from sin and redemption in Christ found in God’s Word.
May the Lord give you courage and wisdom as you follow Him.
I spent all morning chasing rabbit trails starting with Josh Harris and ending up here …I could not read all you have written here right now…I am exhausted !! LOL I wonder if it is a cultish “christiany” going on in some home school , evangelical , missionary groups. So our family just got involved in meeting some of these people from some of these groups, and I notice a legalistic bent mixed with a bit of prosperity gospel mixed in ( stay pure= perfect marriage)etc .( sort of like the secular belief of ” if I find my soul mate = perfect marriage) I also have certainly met people from all these groups who seem to know scripture well and are not legalistic /prosperity driven. I think maybe it is a danger of some people raised in Christianity to believe they are Christians just by family association . What I have read of Josh Harris I wonder if he ever understood the Bible? Karen
Hi Karen,
There is a lot here. I’ve been thinking about these topics for months and it took me all afternoon yesterday to write this. I feel like I barely scratched the surface. There are so many layers to it all. But hopefully it gives a good foundation and starting point for people who want to understand these topics more fully.
Josh Harris is an adult and he’s responsible for the choices he’s making. That said, I think he had a lot of things not working in his favor from the time he published his first book. His situation is so complicated with so many pieces that it makes it hard to put it all together. Again, he’s a grown man so he is responsible for his choices. But as an outside observer it seems to me that so many adults failed him in his late teens and twenties. Seriously failed him as spiritual mentors. It’s tragic.
Legalism and works have been a challenge in Christian circles forever. I think they are something most Christians struggle with and deal with at some point both personally and in dealing with other believers. We all need to be aware of it and guard against it in our own lives.
Thanks for your good comment!
Sallie
I spent all morning chasing rabbit trails starting with Josh Harris and ending up here …I could not read all you have written here right now…I am exhausted !! LOL I wonder if it is a cultish “christiany” going on in some home school , evangelical , missionary groups. So our family just got involved in meeting some of these people from some of these groups, and I notice a legalistic bent mixed with a bit of prosperity gospel mixed in ( stay pure= perfect marriage)etc .( sort of like the secular belief of ” if I find my soul mate = perfect marriage) I also have certainly met people from all these groups who seem to know scripture well and are not legalistic /prosperity driven. I think maybe it is a danger of some people raised in Christianity to believe they are Christians just by family association . What I have read of Josh Harris I wonder if he ever understood the Bible? Karen
Hi Karen,
There is a lot here. I’ve been thinking about these topics for months and it took me all afternoon yesterday to write this. I feel like I barely scratched the surface. There are so many layers to it all. But hopefully it gives a good foundation and starting point for people who want to understand these topics more fully.
Josh Harris is an adult and he’s responsible for the choices he’s making. That said, I think he had a lot of things not working in his favor from the time he published his first book. His situation is so complicated with so many pieces that it makes it hard to put it all together. Again, he’s a grown man so he is responsible for his choices. But as an outside observer it seems to me that so many adults failed him in his late teens and twenties. Seriously failed him as spiritual mentors. It’s tragic.
Legalism and works have been a challenge in Christian circles forever. I think they are something most Christians struggle with and deal with at some point both personally and in dealing with other believers. We all need to be aware of it and guard against it in our own lives.
Thanks for your good comment!
Sallie
Totally unrelated to your post, but how did you get that table of contents?
On the topic of your post:
1. This recent spate of big name people has been fascinating to watch, and sad at the same time.
2. I knew of the Skillet musician, but had never suspected him of this depth of thought, it’s been amazing how many people I knew who shared this post.
3. It doesn’t fit the narrative the media wants us to know to hear they became Christian, nor does it fit their narrative for us to hear there are more Christians, they want us marginalized and quiet. Not to sound paranoid.
Okay, just got a chance to read the article on YRR, there were parts of that article I agreed with, but there were parts I think were off. He (assuming author was a he) seemed to state you have to completely reject all of media and culture, and that I don’t agree with.
Re: the article about the YRR… That is from the church Spurgeon pastored in London (Metropolitan Tabernacle) and I do believe they put an emphasis on separation from the world to a greater degree than many Christians would. I lean more toward separating from the world than probably many of my readers so I find a lot of value in what they write.
That said, the article is spot on in many ways. The “hipper” members of the YRR have, I believe, ALL ended up in serious sin, being removed from ministry, being accused of mistreating church members/staff, etc. I’m not going to get into the sins of each one in a comment because it would take multiple posts to cover each one. But, as the article says, they talked about the Puritans and Calvinism and the like but wanted none of the associated commitment to piety and consecration and not being conformed to the world. Some of them basically mocked it. Driscoll’s profaneness was well-known and the New Calvinists struggled to even confront him on it.
That said, my personal belief is that while we do not have to reject all media and culture, it’s getting more and more difficult to find much out there that isn’t profane and outright blasphemous.
Sallie
Hi Ticia,
The WordPress plugin is called Easy Table of Contents by Steven A. Zahm. It’s very easy to use!
Re: the media narrative. You’re not paranoid. You’re informed and aware.
Totally unrelated to your post, but how did you get that table of contents?
On the topic of your post:
1. This recent spate of big name people has been fascinating to watch, and sad at the same time.
2. I knew of the Skillet musician, but had never suspected him of this depth of thought, it’s been amazing how many people I knew who shared this post.
3. It doesn’t fit the narrative the media wants us to know to hear they became Christian, nor does it fit their narrative for us to hear there are more Christians, they want us marginalized and quiet. Not to sound paranoid.
Okay, just got a chance to read the article on YRR, there were parts of that article I agreed with, but there were parts I think were off. He (assuming author was a he) seemed to state you have to completely reject all of media and culture, and that I don’t agree with.
Re: the article about the YRR… That is from the church Spurgeon pastored in London (Metropolitan Tabernacle) and I do believe they put an emphasis on separation from the world to a greater degree than many Christians would. I lean more toward separating from the world than probably many of my readers so I find a lot of value in what they write.
That said, the article is spot on in many ways. The “hipper” members of the YRR have, I believe, ALL ended up in serious sin, being removed from ministry, being accused of mistreating church members/staff, etc. I’m not going to get into the sins of each one in a comment because it would take multiple posts to cover each one. But, as the article says, they talked about the Puritans and Calvinism and the like but wanted none of the associated commitment to piety and consecration and not being conformed to the world. Some of them basically mocked it. Driscoll’s profaneness was well-known and the New Calvinists struggled to even confront him on it.
That said, my personal belief is that while we do not have to reject all media and culture, it’s getting more and more difficult to find much out there that isn’t profane and outright blasphemous.
Sallie
Hi Ticia,
The WordPress plugin is called Easy Table of Contents by Steven A. Zahm. It’s very easy to use!
Re: the media narrative. You’re not paranoid. You’re informed and aware.
An amazing post, especially the reference to a previous one from “A Wise Woman Builds Her House”. Thank you for the time, thought, and research that went into writing this. Oh, to finish well! That’s a great desire of my husband and myself. . .
Thank you, Vickie. I’m glad you found it helpful. Turning 50 made me start thinking a lot more about finishing well. That and seeing so many people being led astray or choosing to walk away. It’s sobering and a good reminder to run the good race to the very end.
Sallie
An amazing post, especially the reference to a previous one from “A Wise Woman Builds Her House”. Thank you for the time, thought, and research that went into writing this. Oh, to finish well! That’s a great desire of my husband and myself. . .
Thank you, Vickie. I’m glad you found it helpful. Turning 50 made me start thinking a lot more about finishing well. That and seeing so many people being led astray or choosing to walk away. It’s sobering and a good reminder to run the good race to the very end.
Sallie
Well done Sallie. There are two things I’m remembering now.
1) Josh Harris said(6 years ago) that he was a victim of child sexual abuse. There’s a story here that I can’t access https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2013/may/as-appeal-is-announced-in-sovereign-grace-case-joshua.html
2) Years ago @1997-2001, Josh Harris was being interviewed on Radio – I think if was with James Dobson on Focus/Family but it could have been Family/LifeToday, and Josh stated “Christianity is not going to survive another generation of believers/teens who ‘just want to fit in'”.
As a young homeschooling mom of young children, and being bombarded with the rise of an overse*ualized culture, and being still a baby in the faith, not having studied the Bible deeply, that statement appealed to me and fed a few years of walking the fence between grace & legalism. I remember where I was when I heard it – driving in the car, with my kids on a certain stretch of highway on the way home from my husband’s work conference in late October. I memorized it (pre-Siri, ha!) and wrote it down later. I wonder if I will find that paper when I de-junk my home over the next several months… Anyway, in hindsight, it shows how easily I, as an adult, hung on the words of a teenager that I didn’t really know. Having studied the Word, I know that the admonition of Paul to Timothy of “not promoting a leader before his time/before testing” far too often goes unheeded. 1 Timothy 3: 1-13
Finally, our Pastor- a mature believer, +Seminaryteacher of 35+ yrs, and a man known for preaching grace & truth, said yesterday that what he noticed when meeting/talking with Josh Harris over the years, was Josh’s intensity and sense of legalism.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I agree that we give too many young people big platforms and responsibilities far too early. Vision Forum also comes to mind in terms of the young people they had promoting the ministry/company view and merchandise. That has not turned out well for so many of them either. It’s very sad.
I’ve also observed that intensity and a propensity toward legalism can often go hand in hand. Even in my own life.
Good to hear from you!
Sallie
Well done Sallie. There are two things I’m remembering now.
1) Josh Harris said(6 years ago) that he was a victim of child sexual abuse. There’s a story here that I can’t access https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2013/may/as-appeal-is-announced-in-sovereign-grace-case-joshua.html
2) Years ago @1997-2001, Josh Harris was being interviewed on Radio – I think if was with James Dobson on Focus/Family but it could have been Family/LifeToday, and Josh stated “Christianity is not going to survive another generation of believers/teens who ‘just want to fit in'”.
As a young homeschooling mom of young children, and being bombarded with the rise of an overse*ualized culture, and being still a baby in the faith, not having studied the Bible deeply, that statement appealed to me and fed a few years of walking the fence between grace & legalism. I remember where I was when I heard it – driving in the car, with my kids on a certain stretch of highway on the way home from my husband’s work conference in late October. I memorized it (pre-Siri, ha!) and wrote it down later. I wonder if I will find that paper when I de-junk my home over the next several months… Anyway, in hindsight, it shows how easily I, as an adult, hung on the words of a teenager that I didn’t really know. Having studied the Word, I know that the admonition of Paul to Timothy of “not promoting a leader before his time/before testing” far too often goes unheeded. 1 Timothy 3: 1-13
Finally, our Pastor- a mature believer, +Seminaryteacher of 35+ yrs, and a man known for preaching grace & truth, said yesterday that what he noticed when meeting/talking with Josh Harris over the years, was Josh’s intensity and sense of legalism.
Hi Susan,
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I agree that we give too many young people big platforms and responsibilities far too early. Vision Forum also comes to mind in terms of the young people they had promoting the ministry/company view and merchandise. That has not turned out well for so many of them either. It’s very sad.
I’ve also observed that intensity and a propensity toward legalism can often go hand in hand. Even in my own life.
Good to hear from you!
Sallie
Sallie – A friend recently loaned me a book by Rachel Evans. I had never heard of her so read the book. I’m so glad to read your comments because throughout the book, I kept thinking that this is wrong! I thought she had some very strange ideas and I disagreed with most of it. You have explained very beautifully why I was so bothered by the book. I also had read what the musician from Skillet had said and thought he was right on several topics. Thank you for this article. Hopefully, people won’t be taken in by all of the crazy “falling away” of people who seem almost proud that they have “discovered the truth” that the rest of are too blind to see. The Bible is all we need.
Hi Nancy,
I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! If you weren’t familiar with Evans before reading her book, I can imagine it would be a strange read.
Thank you for letting me know this post was helpful. It’s always encouraging when I receive feedback like this.
Sallie
Sallie – A friend recently loaned me a book by Rachel Evans. I had never heard of her so read the book. I’m so glad to read your comments because throughout the book, I kept thinking that this is wrong! I thought she had some very strange ideas and I disagreed with most of it. You have explained very beautifully why I was so bothered by the book. I also had read what the musician from Skillet had said and thought he was right on several topics. Thank you for this article. Hopefully, people won’t be taken in by all of the crazy “falling away” of people who seem almost proud that they have “discovered the truth” that the rest of are too blind to see. The Bible is all we need.
Hi Nancy,
I’m so glad this was a timely post for you! If you weren’t familiar with Evans before reading her book, I can imagine it would be a strange read.
Thank you for letting me know this post was helpful. It’s always encouraging when I receive feedback like this.
Sallie
Thank you for your reply. I look forward to reading other things that you have written! Nancy D.
Thank you for your reply. I look forward to reading other things that you have written! Nancy D.
Excellent article!!!
My daughter and I have had many short (for she does have five kids) conversations about some of the most influential women writers in the church today. It seems those who get the most publicity and have the most Amazon bestsellers are progressive. Which is sad and unsettling.
I know who Skillet is because I once had a teenage son (who will soon turn thirty!) and he loved Skillet. Like many ADD teens, he found louder music to actually help him study better. I even liked their quieter songs. I had heard about his response and after reading it again here, it struck me that most Evangelical parents would let their teens listen to Hillsong worship music but not the more edgy Skillet music.
I liked Harris’ parents and never found them truly legalistic. So much of what I read about Josh included people guessing he came from a legalistic family. I never saw that in their Delight Directed Learning information at the time. His dad was co-founder of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, which has helped legalize homeschooling in many states. I’m more inclined to think that the seeds of rebellion in Josh, like Frank Schaeffer, came from early fame themselves and growing up with well known parents… and all that was a part of that.
Anyway… great article!!!
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for the encouraging words and insights.
I agree that it seems progressive Christian women are who is generally pushed in publishing. I think there are a number of reasons for that including the publishing companies desiring to sell books to as broad an audience as possible (translate = $$$$$$$$) as well as conservative/traditional Christian leadership being reluctant to give women a platform unless it suits their bigger agenda (such as Rosaria Butterfield). I’m not trying to be cynical, but truthful.
Good to hear your perspective!
Sallie
Excellent article!!!
My daughter and I have had many short (for she does have five kids) conversations about some of the most influential women writers in the church today. It seems those who get the most publicity and have the most Amazon bestsellers are progressive. Which is sad and unsettling.
I know who Skillet is because I once had a teenage son (who will soon turn thirty!) and he loved Skillet. Like many ADD teens, he found louder music to actually help him study better. I even liked their quieter songs. I had heard about his response and after reading it again here, it struck me that most Evangelical parents would let their teens listen to Hillsong worship music but not the more edgy Skillet music.
I liked Harris’ parents and never found them truly legalistic. So much of what I read about Josh included people guessing he came from a legalistic family. I never saw that in their Delight Directed Learning information at the time. His dad was co-founder of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, which has helped legalize homeschooling in many states. I’m more inclined to think that the seeds of rebellion in Josh, like Frank Schaeffer, came from early fame themselves and growing up with well known parents… and all that was a part of that.
Anyway… great article!!!
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for the encouraging words and insights.
I agree that it seems progressive Christian women are who is generally pushed in publishing. I think there are a number of reasons for that including the publishing companies desiring to sell books to as broad an audience as possible (translate = $$$$$$$$) as well as conservative/traditional Christian leadership being reluctant to give women a platform unless it suits their bigger agenda (such as Rosaria Butterfield). I’m not trying to be cynical, but truthful.
Good to hear your perspective!
Sallie
I didn’t know either had passed. Wow! Your discernment nailed it with both Evans and Wiersbe. This is a great article. Thank you for writing and sharing. I enjoy your messages so much.
Hi Michele,
I’m glad the post was helpful. I appreciate your encouraging words!
Sallie
I didn’t know either had passed. Wow! Your discernment nailed it with both Evans and Wiersbe. This is a great article. Thank you for writing and sharing. I enjoy your messages so much.
Hi Michele,
I’m glad the post was helpful. I appreciate your encouraging words!
Sallie
I just want to cry. I found out that a woman I have known online for many years appears to have fallen away from the faith in some extremely profound ways. I don’t want to say much more because it would give too many details. Suffice it to say, if I shared what I knew you would agree with me if your Christian beliefs are orthodox and even remotely like mine regarding salvation.
I just want to cry, throw up, and rage. I’m so sick of the damage that has been done.
As I said:
“There is a line a person crosses where they allow the event, abuse, or pain to become greater than the truth of the Bible. They view everything through a lens of abuse or pain instead of viewing their pain through the lens of Scriptural truth.”
I am just so so sad. I can’t even express how sad I am tonight about this. It’s like seeing someone die.
I just want to cry. I found out that a woman I have known online for many years appears to have fallen away from the faith in some extremely profound ways. I don’t want to say much more because it would give too many details. Suffice it to say, if I shared what I knew you would agree with me if your Christian beliefs are orthodox and even remotely like mine regarding salvation.
I just want to cry, throw up, and rage. I’m so sick of the damage that has been done.
As I said:
“There is a line a person crosses where they allow the event, abuse, or pain to become greater than the truth of the Bible. They view everything through a lens of abuse or pain instead of viewing their pain through the lens of Scriptural truth.”
I am just so so sad. I can’t even express how sad I am tonight about this. It’s like seeing someone die.
Sallie, I have been reading your posts from few days and I would say they are very encouraging and helpful, Thank you for your efforts.
Sallie, I have been reading your posts from few days and I would say they are very encouraging and helpful, Thank you for your efforts.
Here is another example that falls into this category. Not as extreme as Rachel Held Evans (at this point, anyway), but tending in that same direction. As the author of this post says:
“My second motivation is the good of Mrs. Byrd—that she would correct her errors and remember the better things of her earliest books. Readers who have taken the time to consider fairly what I have said will know that I have not written disrespectfully or in a sinfully disparaging manner. The reviews have been especially critical of three of her five books, noting a shift after the second. My hope is that she will turn from this trajectory, for it will lead to shipwreck (1 Tim. 1:19).”
http://heritageopc.org/2021/11/16/summary/
Here is another example that falls into this category. Not as extreme as Rachel Held Evans (at this point, anyway), but tending in that same direction. As the author of this post says:
“My second motivation is the good of Mrs. Byrd—that she would correct her errors and remember the better things of her earliest books. Readers who have taken the time to consider fairly what I have said will know that I have not written disrespectfully or in a sinfully disparaging manner. The reviews have been especially critical of three of her five books, noting a shift after the second. My hope is that she will turn from this trajectory, for it will lead to shipwreck (1 Tim. 1:19).”
http://heritageopc.org/2021/11/16/summary/
Aimee Byrd
https://protestia.com/2022/08/01/discerning-presbyterians-vindicated-after-aimee-byrd-preaches-sermon-gives-church-benediction/
Aimee Byrd
https://protestia.com/2022/08/01/discerning-presbyterians-vindicated-after-aimee-byrd-preaches-sermon-gives-church-benediction/
Beth Moore
https://protestia.com/2022/08/08/beth-moore-is-guest-preacher-at-baptist-megachurch-husband-falls-asleep-during-her-sermon/