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Faith Isn't About What You Feel. It's About What You Believe.

8/21/2019

9 Comments

 
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As you’re undoubtedly aware by now, there’s a growing chorus of believers concerned about the so-called “dumbing down” of Christianity and the “falling away” of some prominent evangelical icons. It should be noted — particularly for the sake of blunt honesty — that by “some icons” we’re really only talking about two specific people: Joshua Harris, author of the renowned “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” and Hillsong singer-songwriter, worship leader and musician Marty Sampson. Both men released public statements to their followers essentially stating that they had become disenchanted with Christianity and were leaving the faith. The secular news media and Internet trolls have done their usual bang-up job at making the whole thing sound far more broad sweeping than it actually is. Contrary to popular belief, there is no epidemic of hoards of Christian leaders committing apostasy throughout America within the last week. And, to be fair, Sampson did subsequently walk back his statement and position, saying that “he hasn’t renounced the faith.” 

That being said, I do think it’s important to address what is happening with these popular Christian figures and to touch on a disturbingly common trend among the church culture of elevating young leaders simply because they look cool, sing well, or speak eloquently. Let’s tackle the latter first. 

You might be surprised to know — or you might not — that the Apostle Paul warned against this in chapter five of his first letter to Timothy: “Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22, NLT) Some translations use the expression “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily” (NAS) and indeed the original Greek refers to “the laying on of hands.” While this phraseology might be citing the early custom of laying hands on a penitent sinner, it’s also possible — and more likely — that it is referring to laying hands on a man in order to ordain him to a position or install him in an office of the Church. 

It should go without saying, but apparently it must be said, that there is an inherent danger in promoting or advancing a leader before he’s qualified. You wouldn’t put a 21-year-old White House intern in charge of the nuclear launch codes. That’s a really good way to accidentally blow Greenland to smithereens. You wouldn’t replace the CEO of McDonald’s with the lady who just got hired yesterday as a cashier. That’s a really good way to destroy an entire fast-food corporation. By the same token, you shouldn’t expect a young or inexperienced man to be able to tend to the souls of the bride of Christ or to be a shining example of the faith. That’s a really good way to lead an entire church flock right over a cliff to meet their death on the rocks below. Paul’s admonition to Timothy is to avoid making the mistake of promoting or designating a leader unless that man has proven himself to be mature, proficient, and equipped. I don’t know for certain that this is what happened in the case of Harris or Sampson, but it’s certainly possible and therefore worth mentioning. 

Before I start getting hate-mail, allow me to clarify that this is in no way a jab at “young” pastors or worship leaders. Some of my best friends became pastors in their late 20’s and early 30’s. My own father was licensed to preach at 20, but spent many years accumulating experience and gleaning insight, advice, and wisdom from godly men before serving in a full-time pastoral capacity. 

As for this notion of “falling away from” or “out of” the faith, this is all terribly worded and often misconstrued. If Harris and Sampson are truly saved, then they are not “unsaved” simply because they suddenly find themselves struggling with doubts or questions. The very nature of God’s grace and forgiveness supports this. Of course, in the case of someone like Harris, who publicly renounced Christianity, openly declared that he is no longer a believer, separated from his wife, and apologized to the LGBTQ community, you could certainly make a theological argument that he’s intentionally rejected the Holy Spirit. Sampson, on the other hand, still seems to be hanging in there, albeit on “shaky ground” by his own admission. 

But, rather than get bogged down in the theology of it all, I’ll close by mentioning what I think happened with these two guys, and has indeed happened with many in my generation in particular: Their faith was or became more about emotion than truth. One of the biggest problems we face in the modern church culture — and American society in general — is an environment where feelings reign supreme. In the church, this has sadly taken the form of Christians who love to worship and listen to sermons, but fail to realize that the essence of genuine worship and the pulse of sound teaching is reflected by a humble obedience to an almighty and infinite God and an unwavering belief in solid doctrine. Faith isn’t just a momentary emotional or spiritual high. It’s a daily lifestyle that values the truth of the Word over our emotional, and often childish, whims, wants, and desires. The truth of what we believe doesn’t change just because our feelings about it change. Unfortunately, Harris and Sampson seem to have indulged in their emotions and chosen their feelings over their faith. This is truly a travesty. 

To any Joshes or Martys who may be reading this: I empathize with your struggles, the disillusionment, the disenchantment, the exhaustion that stems from trying to reconcile the Christian faith with the current modern American culture. I write about it all the time. I know it can be discouraging and disheartening. Even as a pastor’s son, I’ve wrestled with comprehending the nature of God in the wake of the moral decay happening around us. I’ve questioned, I’ve doubted, I’ve studied. And while I certainly can’t identify with the pressures faced by so-called “evangelical celebrities,” I can offer this encouragement to fellow believers: Hang in there. Tough it out. Endure. Don’t give up. Yes, there are some things about our faith, and about this life, that we will never understand until we enter Eternity, but the promise of Jesus is worth so much more. And I don’t know about you, but…

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold. I’d rather be His, than have riches untold. 
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land. I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. 
Than to be the king of a vast domain and beheld in sin’s dread sway. 
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.” 

NOTE: If you're reading this post in your e-mail inbox and would like to comment, please feel free to reply via e-mail or click on the post title above and leave a comment on my site. Also, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
9 Comments
Andréa McCray
8/22/2019 12:42:31 pm

I have seen people raised up to leadership positions too quickly more times than I'd like to count, to the determent of the congregations and more sadly to the individual's spiritual walk. I've seen brand new converts placed as Sunday School teachers and worship leaders based on their talents rather than their spiritual maturity. I have seen young men raised up too young as pastors and leaders in the church, not mature enough to handle the problems or the ego temptations that come with the position. A careful study of the Bible reveals that the Apostle Paul, for all his knowledge of the scriptures and his dramatic conversion, did NOT enter into the ministry immediately, rather he was discipled and taught for years.
I don't know about the Hillsong young man but my thought years ago when I first heard that Joshua Harris was given the pastor position of a large church at such a young age, that they were setting him up for a fall. I was saddened the way that he stepped down from the pastorate when a scandal rocked that church that was beyond his maturity. I was even more saddened when he started back peddling on his beliefs. I am deeply grieved that he walked away from Christ but sadly not surprised.

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Josh Givens link
8/22/2019 01:07:49 pm

Well said, Andréa. Thanks for reading.

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Carolyn Hilt
8/22/2019 02:18:30 pm

Amazing article, but in this age of needing emotional "highs," I can truly understand the disenchantment with organized religion. As a songwriter, I believe, this young man got burnt out to constantly having a need to produce better and better music that gave people, "holy Spirit" bumps. How many times has someone left a service and commented, "well that was a dud." Based on what criteria. If you didn't get chills, or felt compelled to jump up and down, or rush forward for an altar call...then was the service a "dud?" We are living in a time, where there must be a snack bar set up in the foyer, coffee and drinks served before and after the service, and some new hype to compete with the fellowship of believers down the street. I believe the Lord is weeding out those who have burnt themselves out on the hyper activity of the "church" and they need to be like Jesus and get away to a quiet place and focus solely on Him, His love, His grace, His forgiveness. There does not need to be an activity to occupy every service that brings in the sheep. There needs to be a place of quiet rest. I went to an "old-fashioned Presbyterian church. There was no snack just pure quiet and worship. As people sat down, the piano and organ played a quiet prelude and softly a bell rang which signaled to still your hearts before the Lord. I left refreshed. Yes, some might call it "old school" but after a hectic week of rushing around, I needed quiet and calm not jumping up and down. I needed peace and meaningful words from a pastor, not loud drums and shouts. Maybe that is just me, but my soul was restored. Be blessed, in your ministry. There are many looking for that place of repose as they fellowship with other believers. My jumping days are over and it is in my heart that I now leap in joy for the Lord.

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Josh Givens link
8/22/2019 04:23:11 pm

Well said, Carolyn. Many churches (i.e. believers) today have indeed chosen to cater to and focus more on emotionalism rather than focus on Scriptural truth and engage in discipleship. This is a tragedy and one that I believe is intertwined with and reflected by our American culture in general. May God give us all, and our churches, the strength and courage to endure as we seek to elevate Christ and His Word above our own selfish wants and desires. Thanks for reading.

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Gary
8/23/2019 11:20:00 am

Truth matters. Investigate. Look at the evidence. Read the books of leading Christian apologists and leading skeptics. If Christianity is true, it will withstand the scrutiny.

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Josh Givens link
8/24/2019 11:11:56 pm

A good point, Gary. Personal investigation, education, and scrutiny is indeed crucial. Thanks for reading.

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Gary
8/25/2019 10:58:06 am

I would encourage everyone to read the following books in their investigation of the truth claims of Christianity:

Christian authors:
–“The Resurrection of the Son of God” by NT Wright
–“The Death of the Messiah” by Raymond Brown
–“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh and Sean McDowell

Skeptic authors:
–“Misquoting Jesus” by Bart Ehrman
–“The Outsider Test for Faith” by John Loftus
–“Why I Believed, Reflections of a Former Missionary” by Kenneth W. Daniels

Sheryl
8/25/2019 08:24:52 pm

Great article and great comments, I would say the "great falling away" is at work here, Satan is attacking prominent young figures and making them feel like they need to make these very public proclamations to justify themselves and to influence more young people away from the Lord. In addition to the inexperience of young leaders is also their "busy-ness." People are very busy with "ministry" while not continuing to grow their walk with the Lord. In the case of Sampson, if nobody was ever giving him answers or teaching him external evidence for biblical events (as he claims never happened), it could be he also never took the time to study it himself.

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Josh Givens link
8/26/2019 05:20:41 pm

Great point on the busyness factor, as well as the issue of needing to take personal responsibility for our own faith walks as believers. Having worked alongside my dad in the ministry for much of my adult life so far, I have sadly seen both of those travesties happen more times than they should. Thanks for reading.

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