I enjoyed reading this explanation of what’s happening with big name pastors.
I relate. I know some pretty shady characters in previous churches that I attended. Something that I can’t wrap my brain around is how can a person lead a “double life” and preach a seemingly great sermon?
Oof, yeah, I hear you! That can be really disorienting as a church member. Narcissistic leaders are great at crafting an image and soaking up adoration. It feeds their ego and props up a false sense of self.
One thing I always ask myself when listening to a sermon is, “Are they telling on themselves right now?” A lot of people project their own shame and self-hatred under the guise of a “passionate sermon.” It can sound really convicting—but often, they’re just exposing their own wounds.
I laughed SO hard, Haylee--and then I was suddenly sobered. You have such a way of speaking truth without bludgeoning. You know, the way the people on your list beat people over the head! You are amazing. We need you.
As for another idiom I'd love to see you deconstruct: "Love the sinner, hate the sin.:" Y'know, "sins" that actually aren't sins. It smacks of, "Who you are is hateful, but I still love you." What?!
Can you deconstruct, “God is in control,” if you haven’t already; “God has a plan,” and “The Lord will provide”?
In 2008, when I expressed fear about the election outcome, two people immediately chorused, “God is in control.” I felt shut down and invalidated.
Someone told me, “God has a plan,” when I talked about my infertility issues. (I eventually had a son, he is now 26.)
Some time back, in an online discussion where the question was, should I take a job where I have to work on Sundays? there was a person who was adamant: No, Sunday is the Lord’s day. When asked, what if the only job you can find is one where you have to work on Sunday? the person answered, “The Lord will provide.” Um, maybe that WAS the way he provided, by giving you a job where you can work on Sunday?
One more: “I can only go by what Scripture says.” Heard that response two times. One, when a man proclaimed that abortion was wrong in EVERY circumstance. When I asked, even in cases of ectopic pregnancy or when the mother’s life is in danger? I was told, “Take it up with God! I adhere to Scripture.” The other time, “Women can’t preach/teach in church, the Bible says ‘they need to ask their husbands at home’. “ I asked, What if the woman doesn’t have a husband? Response: “I’m sorry, I can only go by what Scripture says.”
I despise Christianese these days, I’m very suspicious of “Christian” media and those involved in it, and I no longer trust male leaders in Evangelical Christianity. If they don’t abuse people, they support the abusers.
I enjoyed reading this explanation of what’s happening with big name pastors.
I relate. I know some pretty shady characters in previous churches that I attended. Something that I can’t wrap my brain around is how can a person lead a “double life” and preach a seemingly great sermon?
Oof, yeah, I hear you! That can be really disorienting as a church member. Narcissistic leaders are great at crafting an image and soaking up adoration. It feeds their ego and props up a false sense of self.
One thing I always ask myself when listening to a sermon is, “Are they telling on themselves right now?” A lot of people project their own shame and self-hatred under the guise of a “passionate sermon.” It can sound really convicting—but often, they’re just exposing their own wounds.
I laughed SO hard, Haylee--and then I was suddenly sobered. You have such a way of speaking truth without bludgeoning. You know, the way the people on your list beat people over the head! You are amazing. We need you.
As for another idiom I'd love to see you deconstruct: "Love the sinner, hate the sin.:" Y'know, "sins" that actually aren't sins. It smacks of, "Who you are is hateful, but I still love you." What?!
Can you deconstruct, “God is in control,” if you haven’t already; “God has a plan,” and “The Lord will provide”?
In 2008, when I expressed fear about the election outcome, two people immediately chorused, “God is in control.” I felt shut down and invalidated.
Someone told me, “God has a plan,” when I talked about my infertility issues. (I eventually had a son, he is now 26.)
Some time back, in an online discussion where the question was, should I take a job where I have to work on Sundays? there was a person who was adamant: No, Sunday is the Lord’s day. When asked, what if the only job you can find is one where you have to work on Sunday? the person answered, “The Lord will provide.” Um, maybe that WAS the way he provided, by giving you a job where you can work on Sunday?
One more: “I can only go by what Scripture says.” Heard that response two times. One, when a man proclaimed that abortion was wrong in EVERY circumstance. When I asked, even in cases of ectopic pregnancy or when the mother’s life is in danger? I was told, “Take it up with God! I adhere to Scripture.” The other time, “Women can’t preach/teach in church, the Bible says ‘they need to ask their husbands at home’. “ I asked, What if the woman doesn’t have a husband? Response: “I’m sorry, I can only go by what Scripture says.”
I despise Christianese these days, I’m very suspicious of “Christian” media and those involved in it, and I no longer trust male leaders in Evangelical Christianity. If they don’t abuse people, they support the abusers.