I am sure you are hearing about sundry celebrities abandoning the faith. Some say it’s the contradictions in the Bible. Others believe the sexual revolution is causing people to choose between family members and traditional Christianity. Still, others argue that the allure of wealth leads people to drink from the mammon chalice rather than the eucharist chalice.
Well, let me address only the first quickly by stating that the supposed contradictions in the Bible have been addressed ad infinitum in the last 2,000 years of Church History. Contradictions only exist if someone denies that God is all-powerful and that the Spirit inspired men to write accounts that preserve their humanity’s integrity and perspectives on events. Presuppositions shape conclusions.
Assume someone says, “Hey, I can’t believe a man would live in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights. That’s just impossible.” In this case, he is denying that God is all-powerful. After all, if God created the world out of nothing, then for a sea creature to swallow a Hebrew prophet is actually a playground miracle in God’s repertoire.
If someone says, “But the Gospel accounts are different from each other.” In this case, they are denying the humanity of the authors. If these authors wrote identical accounts, then we should be skeptical. But they added their individual perspectives to the narratives, which prove indisputably that we are dealing with a reliable source.
I say all these things because when someone leaves the faith due to their perceived notion that Judas’ death in Matthew and Luke contradict each other, therefore bidding adieu to the Holy Trinity, they are actually using such silliness to justify some moral and ethical decision they have made or are eager to implement to their itinerary. The Bible is used as a scapegoat for their validation. I could claim they are all ignorant, but in these cases, it’s clear that they are only unaware of what they know to be true.
Ultimately, they want a way out of obeying God and following Jesus. The road to the cross can be difficult; self-control is hard; repentance is not for the weak. So, why not use the fallibility of God’s word to make a case for your fallible actions, they think.
These thoughts returned to me when thinking about Derek Webb’s forthright defense of his LGBTQ+ community in his chosen attire. How are the mighty fallen! Ironically, he dressed himself in a wedding dress to signal that he, too, was for them, that he wed himself to their cause. I say “ironic” because one of his most well-known songs tells how God rescues hypocrites. He argued in the song that we can put on the image of godliness by metaphorically wearing a beautiful wedding dress when in reality, we are whoring after false gods. Well, Derek, this time, you put on a wedding dress and become the god of your imagination.
I noted that he was one of the few singers who could speak boldly of the Church in the early 2000s and told the Gospel story with remarkable care but was now invested in “perfecting apostasy.” He thought this amusing and re-tweeted my note with a sarcastic retort that “perfect apostasy” would make a great album title. I replied that I would love to talk and even sent him a private note. But I expect nothing will come of it.
This entire departure from the faith is a play for control. Derek and so many others want to control the stories by downplaying the central claims of the faith. Their world will not produce meaning. But if they can tell a different story- one without God- they will dress themselves for the occasion. Then, and only then, will they comfort themselves.
Don’t be sucked into this chaos! Those who leave Jesus are leaving true life. They are walking contradictions. Our story is infinitely better and leads to the harmony of Father, Son, and Spirit.
