Christians NEED To STOP This…

So, I've noticed one So, I've noticed one thing: evangelicals on thing: evangelicals on thing: evangelicals on the Internet, especially the Internet, especially the Internet, especially American American American Christians, I have to Christians, I have to Christians, I have to say, often when say, often when say, often when someone leaves their faith someone leaves their faith someone leaves their faith or stops being a or stops being a or stops being a Christian, they give the Christian, they give the Christian, they give the most insincere, evil most insincere, evil most insincere, evil response to that response to that response to that person. And in this person. And in this person. And in this video, I just want video, I just want video, I just want to talk about it with a to talk about it with a to talk about it with a specific specific specific content creator whose videos, content creator whose videos, content creator whose videos, frankly, I frankly, I frankly, I find arrogant. find arrogant. find arrogant. The trend is towards The trend is towards The trend is towards deconstructing belief, and deconstructing belief, and deconstructing belief, and we've seen many we've seen many we've seen many celebrities celebrities celebrities deconstruct their deconstruct their deconstruct their views over the past views over the past views over the past few years. One few years. One few years. One of the ones that I think has been the of the ones that I think has been the of the ones that I think has been the biggest biggest biggest story is Rhett from story is Rhett from Rhett and Link, they've Rhett and Link, they've Rhett and Link, they've been YouTubers for what been YouTubers for what been YouTubers for what seems like literally seems like literally seems like literally forever. They were the forever. They were the forever. They were the YouTube duo YouTube duo YouTube duo behind "Good Mythical behind "Good Mythical behind "Good Mythical Morning," and both Morning," and both Morning," and both were raised in were raised in were raised in devout devout devout Christian families. Christian families. Christian families. But then he But then he But then he tells how, in his tells how, in his tells how, in his 30s, he began to 30s, he began to 30s, he began to doubt doubt doubt Christianity because Christianity because Christianity because he read other books he read other books he read other books and began to think, "Well, and began to think, "Well, and began to think, "Well, what if I'm wrong?" what if I'm wrong?" what if I'm wrong?" Something he often Something he often Something he often talks about is the talks about is the talks about is the realization that realization that realization that intellectual intellectual intellectual authorities he authorities he authorities he trusted, like trusted, like trusted, like pastors or apologists, pastors or apologists, pastors or apologists, could certainly be could certainly be could certainly be wrong, just like wrong, just like wrong, just like anyone else. anyone else. anyone else. So he thought, "Well, So he thought, "Well, So he thought, "Well, who do I know is who do I know is who do I know is right?" "How do I know right?" "How do I know who is right?" And in who is right?" And in who is right?" And in 2020, Rhett and Link 2020, Rhett and Link 2020, Rhett and Link publicly released a publicly released a publicly released a video called video called Rhett's Spiritual Deconstruction , which was followed by , which was followed by , which was followed by Link's own video of Link's own video of Link's own video of him doing the same thing.

him doing the same thing. him doing the same thing. Now Rhett describes Now Rhett describes Now Rhett describes himself as a hopeful himself as a hopeful himself as a hopeful agnostic, which isn't agnostic, which isn't agnostic, which isn't atheist, it's just atheist, it's just atheist, it's just like, "I don't know, like, "I don't know, like, "I don't know, and I guess that's and I guess that's and I guess that's fine with me." A fine with me." A video recently went video recently went viral of Rhett viral of Rhett viral of Rhett speaking. I speaking. I speaking. I will play it for you now will play it for you now . . . Hey, did you know that Hey, did you know that deconstructive Christians deconstructive Christians have abandoned the have abandoned the have abandoned the authority of God and made themselves their authority of God and made themselves their authority of God and made themselves their own own own authority, essentially authority, essentially authority, essentially becoming their own god? becoming their own god? becoming their own god? You may have heard You may have heard You may have heard this before. I definitely heard it this before. I definitely heard it because I thought because I thought because I thought and said it like that before. This was and said it like that before. This was and said it like that before. This was before I before I before I deconstructed my deconstructed my deconstructed my faith. My faith. My faith. My deconstruction didn't deconstruction didn't deconstruction didn't start with a decision start with a decision start with a decision to rely on my to rely on my to rely on my own understanding, and own understanding, and own understanding, and honestly, it honestly, it honestly, it felt very felt very felt very different. When I was a different. When I was a different. When I was a Christian, I, a Christian, I, a Christian, I, a guy with only a guy with only a guy with only a bachelor's degree bachelor's degree bachelor's degree who had read a few who had read a few who had read a few books, could books, could books, could conclude that all these conclude that all these conclude that all these people who had dedicated their people who had dedicated their people who had dedicated their lives to studying these lives to studying these lives to studying these topics were wrong. Or I topics were wrong. Or I topics were wrong. Or I could trust them, could trust them, could trust them, essentially relying on essentially relying on essentially relying on their understanding. their understanding. their understanding. And his whole point is that And his whole point is that And his whole point is that for him, for him, for him, deconstruction was deconstruction was deconstruction was not about trusting oneself not about trusting oneself not about trusting oneself instead of God, but about instead of God, but about instead of God, but about choosing to trust a choosing to trust a choosing to trust a different set of different set of different set of experts.

experts. experts. Well, I don't think that's even remotely Well, I don't think that's even remotely fair, because if fair, because if you actually look you actually look you actually look at Rhett at Rhett at Rhett McLaughlin's deconversion—and I would McLaughlin's deconversion—and I would McLaughlin's deconversion—and I would encourage people encourage people encourage people to watch the interview to watch the interview to watch the interview he gave to Alex he gave to Alex he gave to Alex O'Connor—he O'Connor—he O'Connor—he talks about how he didn't talks about how he didn't talks about how he didn't want it to be want it to be want it to be true. He came across true. He came across true. He came across things that he things that he things that he wished shouldn't have wished shouldn't have wished shouldn't have existed, but they existed, but they existed, but they did. And I think it's did. And I think it's very un- Christian to dismiss someone's sincere search in that way, you know, to Christian to dismiss someone's sincere search in that way, you know, to Christian to dismiss someone's sincere search in that way, you know, to say, "Oh, yeah, he just say, "Oh, yeah, he just say, "Oh, yeah, he just happened upon happened upon happened upon a few experts." a few experts." a few experts." The thought that he The thought that he The thought that he could just could just could just give up his give up his give up his love for Jesus, love for Jesus, love for Jesus, his place in life his place in life his place in life just because he just because he just because he read a few read a few read a few experts, and completely experts, and completely experts, and completely change his views. change his views. change his views. Obviously, everything is Obviously, everything is Obviously, everything is much more complicated. And much more complicated. And much more complicated. And I don't think that in his heart I don't think that in his heart I don't think that in his heart he wanted that to he wanted that to he wanted that to happen. He did not want happen. He did not want happen. He did not want to abandon his faith. He didn't to abandon his faith. He didn't to abandon his faith. He didn't want to leave want to leave want to leave the community and the community and the community and face face face negativity just because of negativity just because of negativity just because of what? Because what? Because what? Because I listened to some I listened to some I listened to some experts. I find experts. I find experts. I find this very disingenuous. this very disingenuous. this very disingenuous. The church is like that. So he's kind of The church is like that. So he's kind of The church is like that. So he's kind of putting it this way: "I'm putting it this way: "I'm putting it this way: "I'm replacing one replacing one replacing one authority with another." authority with another." authority with another." The difficulty here is that The difficulty here is that I'm sure I'm sure I'm sure many people have gone through the many people have gone through the many people have gone through the same or same or same or similar path as him, similar path as him, similar path as him, but he has a huge but he has a huge but he has a huge audience that audience that audience that was predominantly was predominantly was predominantly Christian. And this Christian. And this Christian. And this caused a lot of caused a lot of caused a lot of concern among concern among concern among many Christians many Christians many Christians who said, "This is so who said, "This is so who said, "This is so sad." That he left the sad." That he left the sad." That he left the faith. And other people who faith. And other people who faith. And other people who wanted to wanted to wanted to deconstruct deconstruct deconstruct their own faith felt their own faith felt supported or perhaps supported or perhaps validated.

validated. validated. Yes, she says that, but Yes, she says that, but Yes, she says that, but the idea is that when the idea is that when the idea is that when someone goes from being an atheist to being a someone goes from being an atheist to being a someone goes from being an atheist to being a Christian, they Christian, they Christian, they become a kind of become a kind of become a kind of symbol of symbol of symbol of Christianity. The same will Christianity. The same will obviously obviously obviously happen in the happen in the happen in the opposite case opposite case . I mean, . I mean, . I mean, let's face it let's face it let's face it . That's how the . That's how the . That's how the world works and world works and world works and that's how our that's how our that's how our own prejudices work. I do own prejudices work. I do own prejudices work. I do n't think that's n't think that's n't think that's something that something that something that Rhett can be blamed for or Rhett can be blamed for or Rhett can be blamed for or seen as seen as seen as destructive, because destructive, because destructive, because he's seeking the truth, and I he's seeking the truth, and I he's seeking the truth, and I think that's worthy of think that's worthy of think that's worthy of respect, wherever it respect, wherever it respect, wherever it takes him. So I takes him. So I takes him. So I completely disagree with what completely disagree with what completely disagree with what she says there. she says there. she says there. Confirmation that Confirmation that Confirmation that they made they made they made the right choice because the right choice because the right choice because someone they were someone they were someone they were following did the same thing following did the same thing following did the same thing . The problem with . The problem with . The problem with progressive progressive progressive Christianity, Christianity, Christianity, which is where which is where which is where a lot of these a lot of these a lot of these people come from—they people come from—they people come from—they deconstruct the faith of deconstruct the faith of deconstruct the faith of progressive progressive progressive Christianity, like Christianity, like Christianity, like Lexi Goode or where Lexi Goode or where Lexi Goode or where Rhett is— Rhett is— is that you is that you is that you replace biblical replace biblical replace biblical authority with culture authority with culture authority with culture or academia or academia or academia . And so What . And so What . And so What I...you are replacing I...you are replacing I...you are replacing biblical authority biblical authority biblical authority with academic authority. I with academic authority. I with academic authority. I mean, the idea that the mean, the idea that the more you more you more you delve into science, delve into science, delve into science, the more the more the more research you read, the research you read, the research you read, the more different more different more different views there are from different views there are from different views there are from different scientists on a scientists on a scientists on a Bible verse or Bible verse or Bible verse or something like that.

something like that. something like that. The idea that this is supposedly The idea that this is supposedly The idea that this is supposedly unbiblical is unbiblical is unbiblical is madness, because the essence of the madness, because the essence of the madness, because the essence of the scientific approach is to scientific approach is to discover what the discover what the original purpose of original purpose of original purpose of something was. Just something was. Just something was. Just look at what look at what look at what the evangelists say the evangelists say the evangelists say about Revelation. about Revelation. about Revelation. Just look at what Just look at what Just look at what they say about Genesis they say about Genesis , and it will tell you , and it will tell you , and it will tell you everything you need to everything you need to everything you need to know about know about know about how how how important scientific important scientific important scientific work really is. The idea that work really is. The idea that work really is. The idea that this is something harmful this is something harmful this is something harmful or anti-Christian or anti-Christian is absolutely is absolutely is absolutely ridiculous. ridiculous. Look at the Look at the very first people very first people very first people during the Reformation during the Reformation during the Reformation or the Enlightenment, or the Enlightenment, or the Enlightenment, people who were killed people who were killed people who were killed so that others could see so that others could see . You know, their scholarly . You know, their scholarly . You know, their scholarly work, their work, their work, their dedication to making sure dedication to making sure dedication to making sure everyone understood everyone understood everyone understood the Bible and what it the Bible and what it the Bible and what it really said. really said. really said. This was not a matter for the This was not a matter for the This was not a matter for the rich and rich and rich and powerful. powerful. powerful. Look, as I Look, as I Look, as I said, at William said, at William said, at William Tyndale, who was Tyndale, who was Tyndale, who was burned alive at the burned alive at the burned alive at the stake. And, you know, it was the stake. And, you know, it was the stake. And, you know, it was the Catholics who Catholics who Catholics who tried tried tried to kill him. Not that I'm to kill him. Not that I'm to kill him. Not that I'm saying Catholicism is saying Catholicism is saying Catholicism is wrong, and I think there's wrong, and I think there's a lot to admire about Catholicism a lot to admire about Catholicism , but it's , but it's , but it's fair to fair to fair to say that they've had say that they've had say that they've had some trouble getting some trouble getting some trouble getting ordinary people ordinary people ordinary people to know what the to know what the Bible actually says. And thanks to Bible actually says. And thanks to scientific scientific scientific research, we research, we research, we have learned the truth, and have learned the truth, and have learned the truth, and it is being revealed more it is being revealed more it is being revealed more and more.

and more. and more. We have archaeological We have archaeological We have archaeological discoveries that discoveries that discoveries that change our knowledge change our knowledge change our knowledge about a certain place at a about a certain place at a about a certain place at a certain time, about something that certain time, about something that certain time, about something that maybe maybe maybe Luke or Luke or Luke or someone else was referring to, someone else was referring to, someone else was referring to, you know? It has you know? It has you know? It has its impact, and I think its impact, and I think that simply dismissing that simply dismissing that simply dismissing it as unbiblical it as unbiblical is effectively is effectively is effectively claiming that being a claiming that being a claiming that being a Christian means Christian means Christian means being being being anti-intellectual, anti-intellectual, anti-intellectual, which I find deeply which I find deeply which I find deeply offensive because I sincerely offensive because I sincerely offensive because I sincerely believe that to be true. And believe that to be true. And believe that to be true. And she says here that she she says here that she she says here that she equates academic equates academic equates academic knowledge with knowledge with knowledge with anti-biblical anti-biblical anti-biblical narratives, but I narratives, but I narratives, but I think they go think they go think they go hand in hand, and I think hand in hand, and I think hand in hand, and I think that closing yourself off from the that closing yourself off from the that closing yourself off from the academic world academic world is madness. is madness. Well, you keep Well, you keep calling it calling it calling it Christianity, but Christianity, but Christianity, but now instead of now instead of now instead of an authority like the an authority like the an authority like the Bible, which is Bible, which is Bible, which is proven to be true proven to be true proven to be true , it's proven to be , it's proven to be , it's proven to be true. What the hell does true. What the hell does true. What the hell does that mean? I that mean? I that mean? I mean, what a mean, what a mean, what a ridiculous statement ridiculous statement . The Bible has been . The Bible has been . The Bible has been proven to be true. I proven to be true. I proven to be true. I mean, Noah's mean, Noah's mean, Noah's Ark has not been Ark has not been Ark has not been proven to be true. proven to be true. proven to be true. Genesis has not been Genesis has not been Genesis has not been proven to be true. There proven to be true. There proven to be true. There are a lot of books in the Bible are a lot of books in the Bible are a lot of books in the Bible that are poetry, or, I that are poetry, or, I that are poetry, or, I don't know, mythohistory, don't know, mythohistory, don't know, mythohistory, or apocalyptic or apocalyptic or apocalyptic literature. What does it literature. What does it literature. What does it mean—the Bible mean—the Bible mean—the Bible is proven to be true?

is proven to be true? is proven to be true? It's like saying that It's like saying that It's like saying that Narnia is proven to be Narnia is proven to be Narnia is proven to be true. This is just true. This is just true. This is just madness. Listen, madness. Listen, madness. Listen, are there things in the Bible are there things in the Bible are there things in the Bible that really that really that really happened, that happened, that happened, that really took place? really took place? really took place? 100%. Do I place 100%. Do I place 100%. Do I place great importance on great importance on great importance on the Bible and what the Bible and what the Bible and what it says? 100%. But it says? 100%. But how can we claim in general that the Bible is true? 66 books of different how can we claim in general that the Bible is true? 66 books of different genres—and are they all genres—and are they all genres—and are they all true? What a true? What a true? What a crazy statement this is. How, crazy statement this is. How, crazy statement this is. How, how can you how can you how can you say that? There are nuances, there are say that? There are nuances, there are say that? There are nuances, there are mistakes. Let's not mistakes. Let's not overdo it, overdo it, you know? And I assume you know? And I assume you know? And I assume she believes that the she believes that the she believes that the Bible has no errors at all Bible has no errors at all Bible has no errors at all . I wonder if . I wonder if . I wonder if she's read she's read she's read any scientific any scientific any scientific literature at all. I wonder literature at all. I wonder literature at all. I wonder if she's listened to if she's listened to if she's listened to anyone she anyone she anyone she disagrees with even slightly disagrees with even slightly , like an , like an atheist scientist. I'm almost atheist scientist. I'm almost atheist scientist. I'm almost certain that it's not, because certain that it's not, because certain that it's not, because making such statements is making such statements is making such statements is simply ridiculous. I am not a simply ridiculous. I am not a simply ridiculous. I am not a scientist. I'm just a scientist. I'm just a scientist. I'm just a guy who makes guy who makes guy who makes YouTube videos in my YouTube videos in my YouTube videos in my bedroom, but I would bedroom, but I would bedroom, but I would never say that never say that never say that the Bible is proven to be the Bible is proven to be the Bible is proven to be true. That's an true. That's an true. That's an incredibly bold incredibly bold incredibly bold statement.

statement. statement. And it has so much And it has so much And it has so much contextual contextual contextual analysis that it's like the analysis that it's like the analysis that it's like the most, one of the most, one of the most, one of the most proven most proven most proven books of all time. Is there a books of all time. Is there a books of all time. Is there a Most Proven Most Proven Most Proven Book? Proven in Book? Proven in Book? Proven in what? I mean, what? I mean, what? I mean, you're probably going to say the you're probably going to say the you're probably going to say the same thing I just same thing I just same thing I just said about said about said about contextual contextual contextual analysis. Look at the analysis. Look at the analysis. Look at the contextual contextual contextual analysis of the Quran with its analysis of the Quran with its analysis of the Quran with its endless endless endless hadiths. Incredible research has been hadiths. Incredible research has been hadiths. Incredible research has been conducted conducted conducted on this on this on this topic. Although I don't think that topic. Although I don't think that topic. Although I don't think that makes it makes it makes it true. I don't believe true. I don't believe true. I don't believe that Islam is the truth. I do that Islam is the truth. I do that Islam is the truth. I do n't believe that Muhammad n't believe that Muhammad n't believe that Muhammad was who he is was who he is was who he is called in Islam. called in Islam. But if we're already But if we're already playing in the field of playing in the field of playing in the field of contextual contextual contextual analysis, then they have it analysis, then they have it analysis, then they have it pretty good, as well as pretty good, as well as pretty good, as well as text preservation, to put it text preservation, to put it text preservation, to put it mildly. So I'm not mildly. So I'm not mildly. So I'm not sure what sure what sure what her point is, and her point is, and her point is, and it's incredibly it's incredibly it's incredibly weak. And what weak. And what weak. And what amazes me about amazes me about amazes me about authors like her is that authors like her is that authors like her is that this video has 29 this video has 29 this video has 29 thousand views, and thousand views, and thousand views, and she has such she has such she has such support online. support online. If you say If you say something confidently on something confidently on something confidently on the internet, people will the internet, people will the internet, people will just believe it. They will just just believe it. They will just just believe it. They will just believe what believe what believe what you say. If you you say. If you you say. If you say, "Yes, no, it say, "Yes, no, it say, "Yes, no, it definitely happened. Genesis, definitely happened. Genesis, definitely happened. Genesis, yes, it definitely happened yes, it definitely happened ." If you speak ." If you speak convincingly enough and convincingly enough and articulate your articulate your articulate your thoughts well, so many thoughts well, so many thoughts well, so many people will believe it.

people will believe it. This is madness. I was thinking of This is madness. I was thinking of doing an doing an doing an experiment online: experiment online: experiment online: posting some posting some posting some nonsense and nonsense and nonsense and seeing if seeing if seeing if it could go viral, it could go viral, it could go viral, just to prove it just to prove it . But I don't want . But I don't want . But I don't want some stupid thing to go some stupid thing to go some stupid thing to go viral, but yeah. there is so viral, but yeah. there is so viral, but yeah. there is so much much much research on this that research on this that research on this that you are just replacing you are just replacing you are just replacing it with culture as another it with culture as another it with culture as another authority, which is authority, which is worrying worrying because it is because it is because it is constantly changing, constantly changing, constantly changing, never the never the never the same, and not a same, and not a same, and not a good basis for good basis for good basis for truth. Since it is truth. Since it is truth. Since it is constantly changing, constantly changing, constantly changing, how can something be how can something be how can something be true if it is true if it is true if it is constantly changing? constantly changing? constantly changing? It's just another It's just another It's just another religion with the same religion with the same religion with the same name. And you still... name. And you still... name. And you still... Well, I mean, would Well, I mean, would Well, I mean, would she say that she say that she say that biblical biblical biblical Christianity people Christianity people are abolitionists who are abolitionists who are abolitionists who used used used Paul's letters to Paul's letters to Paul's letters to justify keeping justify keeping justify keeping slaves? I guess she would slaves? I guess she would slaves? I guess she would n't mind a change in n't mind a change in n't mind a change in that, would she? She would that, would she? She would that, would she? She would n't be opposed to n't be opposed to n't be opposed to developing different developing different developing different interpretations of, interpretations of, interpretations of, you know, William you know, William you know, William Wilberforce or Wilberforce or anyone else who anyone else who anyone else who used it to used it to used it to focus on focus on focus on abolishing slavery. I abolishing slavery. I abolishing slavery. I mean, I think mean, I think mean, I think she wouldn't mind she wouldn't mind she wouldn't mind that type of change, but that type of change, but that type of change, but if it's a certain type of if it's a certain type of if it's a certain type of change, then it's change, then it's change, then it's too much, my friend. This is too much, my friend. This is too much, my friend. This is too much.

too much. too much. still a slave to religion, still a slave to religion, still a slave to religion, just a different one. And this is not just a different one. And this is not just a different one. And this is not news. This has been happening for news. This has been happening for centuries. Because I've heard centuries. Because I've heard obvious resistance to obvious resistance to obvious resistance to biblical biblical biblical Christianity: like, Christianity: like, Christianity: like, don't you choose your don't you choose your don't you choose your own version of own version of own version of Christianity? Like Christianity? Like Christianity? Like I mean, I mean, I mean, simply put, you simply put, you simply put, you choose your own choose your own choose your own religion. I religion. I religion. I mean, what's there? 4,000 mean, what's there? 4,000 mean, what's there? 4,000 denominations? denominations? denominations? Orthodox, Orthodox, Orthodox, Catholics, Quakers, Catholics, Quakers, Catholics, Quakers, whatever. You whatever. You whatever. You differ on a differ on a differ on a number of issues, on a number of issues, on a number of issues, on a number of biblical number of biblical number of biblical interpretations. So, interpretations. So, interpretations. So, this is your type of this is your type of this is your type of Christianity, right? You Christianity, right? You Christianity, right? You may think you have it may think you have it may think you have it figured out. You figured out. You figured out. You can play, but you're can play, but you're can play, but you're not at all, my friend, you have not at all, my friend, you have not at all, my friend, you have n't figured it out. n't figured it out. n't figured it out. OK. OK. OK. conservative conservative conservative Christianity or Christianity or Christianity or old-school or old-school or old-school or traditional traditional traditional Christianity. Christianity. Christianity. You see, this is also what You see, this is also what You see, this is also what annoys me when annoys me when annoys me when people say " people say " traditional traditional traditional Christianity," Christianity," Christianity," because the word "tradition" because the word "tradition" because the word "tradition" means something that is means something that is means something that is preserved from preserved from preserved from the past. However, if the past. However, if the past. However, if something in the past something in the past something in the past is interpreted is interpreted incorrectly through a modern lens, then it is not incorrectly through a modern lens, then it is not tradition. And that's what tradition. And that's what tradition. And that's what really annoys me, really annoys me, really annoys me, especially in most especially in most especially in most arguments around, arguments around, arguments around, say, say, say, homosexuality.

homosexuality. homosexuality. Because if Paul Because if Paul Because if Paul is referring to something is referring to something is referring to something that is not a voluntary that is not a voluntary that is not a voluntary male male male monogamous monogamous monogamous relationship, if, relationship, if, relationship, if, you know, in the Old you know, in the Old you know, in the Old Testament with Sodom and Testament with Sodom and Testament with Sodom and Gomorrah, that is Gomorrah, that is Gomorrah, that is referring to referring to referring to homosexuality in a homosexuality in a homosexuality in a completely different realm and is completely different realm and is completely different realm and is about something about something about something completely different. If completely different. If completely different. If when Jesus speaks when Jesus speaks when Jesus speaks of a certain relationship, it would be of a certain relationship, it would be of a certain relationship, it would be culturally culturally culturally insane for him to insane for him to insane for him to speak of speak of speak of deviation from it. deviation from it. If it turns out If it turns out otherwise, then you otherwise, then you otherwise, then you cannot say you cannot say you cannot say you have a tradition, because you have a tradition, because you have a tradition, because you would by nature would by nature would by nature have a modern have a modern have a modern interpretation. And that's the interpretation. And that's the interpretation. And that's the beauty of history. This is the beauty of history. This is the beauty of history. This is the beauty of beauty of beauty of science. And it's science. And it's science. And it's difficult. It's not easy. difficult. It's not easy. difficult. It's not easy. To present it in such a To present it in such a To present it in such a light, in my opinion, is light, in my opinion, is light, in my opinion, is humiliating for the very humiliating for the very humiliating for the very words, because I would words, because I would words, because I would call myself a fairly call myself a fairly call myself a fairly traditional person. traditional person. And my view of And my view of Scripture is focused Scripture is focused Scripture is focused on tradition, but on tradition, but on tradition, but also on truth. also on truth. also on truth. For example, what did For example, what did the authors really mean, the authors really mean, you know? When Genesis you know? When Genesis you know? When Genesis was written from that was written from that was written from that Babylonian Babylonian Babylonian view of creation view of creation view of creation , what did that mean , what did that mean , what did that mean in that context? How do in that context? How do in that context? How do we truly understand what the we truly understand what the books of the Bible were really about? And this is books of the Bible were really about? And this is tradition. This is a search for tradition. This is a search for tradition. This is a search for truth. And not just truth. And not just truth. And not just using the words " using the words " liberal", " liberal", " conservative". Because a conservative". Because a conservative". Because a conservative—you conservative—you conservative—you want to preserve something, want to preserve something, want to preserve something, right? I would say right? I would say right? I would say I'm a conservative, right I'm a conservative, right I'm a conservative, right ? But I'm sure I would ? But I'm sure I would ? But I'm sure I would fit into her fit into her fit into her worldview within that worldview within that worldview within that . But yeah, I . But yeah, I . But yeah, I just thought it was just thought it was just thought it was worth adding.

worth adding. worth adding. or whatever denomination you or whatever denomination you or whatever denomination you choose. Why is this choose. Why is this choose. Why is this any different any different any different from progressive from progressive from progressive Christianity? And this Christianity? And this Christianity? And this happened literally happened literally happened literally 500 years ago. The 500 years ago. The 500 years ago. The Reformation, the Reformation, the Reformation, the Protestant Protestant Protestant Reformation, was Reformation, was Reformation, was about this: "Hey, I think about this: "Hey, I think about this: "Hey, I think we've strayed from what we've strayed from what we've strayed from what the Bible the Bible the Bible intended the church to be." intended the church to be." intended the church to be." So this was an attempt So this was an attempt So this was an attempt to get back to what the to get back to what the to get back to what the early early early church was supposed to be like. They did not church was supposed to be like. They did not church was supposed to be like. They did not reject Scripture, the reject Scripture, the reject Scripture, the Reformers. They did not Reformers. They did not Reformers. They did not reject the church. reject the church. reject the church. They reformed it. They reformed it. They reformed it. That's why it's That's why it's That's why it's called reform, called reform, called reform, not formation, because not formation, because not formation, because creating something creating something creating something new is formation. new is formation. new is formation. Reformation. Reformation. Reformation. This is an interesting point. I This is an interesting point. I This is an interesting point. I give her credit. give her credit. give her credit. She, you know, it's good She, you know, it's good She, you know, it's good that she mentions this, that she mentions this, that she mentions this, but the problem is but the problem is but the problem is that she acts as that she acts as that she acts as if 500 years if 500 years if 500 years ago there was complete ago there was complete ago there was complete consensus about consensus about consensus about who Jesus was, about the who Jesus was, about the who Jesus was, about the atonement, atonement, atonement, Christianity, and all these Christianity, and all these Christianity, and all these theological questions theological questions theological questions about whether Jesus was about whether Jesus was about whether Jesus was God or man, and the God or man, and the God or man, and the very idea that there very idea that there very idea that there was any was any was any unanimity and unanimity and unanimity and agreement among Christians agreement among Christians agreement among Christians and Jews—that's and Jews—that's and Jews—that's crazy. That was not crazy. That was not crazy. That was not true. There were many true. There were many true. There were many different Christians who different Christians who different Christians who didn't even mention the didn't even mention the didn't even mention the resurrection.

resurrection. Look, for example, Look, for example, at the apocryphal books: at the apocryphal books: at the apocryphal books: there were early Christians there were early Christians there were early Christians who thought very who thought very who thought very differently than we differently than we differently than we Christians do today. Christians do today. Look at the Look at the Dead Sea Scrolls. I Dead Sea Scrolls. I Dead Sea Scrolls. I find it very disingenuous find it very disingenuous find it very disingenuous when people act as when people act as when people act as if everything was if everything was if everything was uniform, everything was uniform, everything was uniform, everything was Christian, everything Christian, everything Christian, everything was in one place. was in one place. was in one place. Then some Then some Then some problems arose, they problems arose, they problems arose, they changed it a little, and it became like this changed it a little, and it became like this changed it a little, and it became like this . And you're like, " . And you're like, " No, that's not true at all No, that's not true at all No, that's not true at all ." The story is not ." The story is not ." The story is not simple. And look, I'm simple. And look, I'm simple. And look, I'm also not saying that I'm also not saying that I'm also not saying that I'm some saint in my some saint in my some saint in my views, because I'm learning and I'm on a views, because I'm learning and I'm on a journey myself. I discovered journey myself. I discovered things that things that things that shook my faith. shook my faith. shook my faith. I used to think about the I used to think about the I used to think about the history of Christianity the same way history of Christianity the same way history of Christianity the same way she does, but she does, but she does, but the more I learn, the more I learn, the more I learn, the more I think, "Oh, the more I think, "Oh, the more I think, "Oh, wait, wait, wait, it's actually not as clear-cut it's actually not as clear-cut as I'd like to as I'd like to as I'd like to think." It wasn't as think." It wasn't as think." It wasn't as black and white as I black and white as I black and white as I imagined. imagined. imagined. In fact, everything is In fact, everything is In fact, everything is incredibly complicated. incredibly complicated. incredibly complicated. In the beginning, there were In the beginning, there were In the beginning, there were many Christian many Christian many Christian sects. People believed in sects. People believed in sects. People believed in things that things that things that seem like seem like seem like complete complete complete nonsense to me today. However, nonsense to me today. However, nonsense to me today. However, it happened, and I it happened, and I it happened, and I can't pretend it didn't happen can't pretend it didn't happen can't pretend it didn't happen . So I . So I . So I invite you to just invite you to just invite you to just read the history read the history read the history books, you know, books, you know, books, you know, look at the look at the look at the actual actual actual research on research on research on early Christianity early Christianity early Christianity and, you know, Judaism and, you know, Judaism and, you know, Judaism during the Second Temple period.

during the Second Temple period. during the Second Temple period. Just take a look at Just take a look at Just take a look at this, because it's really this, because it's really this, because it's really fascinating. It's fascinating. It's fascinating. It's fascinating, and the fascinating, and the fascinating, and the deeper I dive, deeper I dive, deeper I dive, the more I fall in love the more I fall in love the more I fall in love with Jesus. And, you know, with Jesus. And, you know, with Jesus. And, you know, seek the truth with a seek the truth with a seek the truth with a sincere heart, and life sincere heart, and life sincere heart, and life becomes much more becomes much more becomes much more fruitful. fruitful. fruitful. I think it I think it I think it goes back to what the goes back to what the Reformation standards were supposed to be, what Reformation standards were supposed to be, what Luther and Luther and Luther and many others thought the many others thought the many others thought the church was supposed to be—the early church was supposed to be—the early church was supposed to be—the early church. And the church has church. And the church has church. And the church has gone through different gone through different gone through different stages from the early stages from the early stages from the early days to today days to today days to today where it where it where it would get off track in some way, and would get off track in some way, and would get off track in some way, and then they would say, " then they would say, " Oh, I guess we Oh, I guess we Oh, I guess we missed something in what missed something in what missed something in what the Bible says the Bible says the Bible says about this." So the goal about this." So the goal about this." So the goal should always be to have should always be to have Christianity that is as biblical as possible, because that Christianity that is as biblical as possible, because that should be our should be our should be our authority. And authority. And authority. And progressive progressive progressive So, whatever it is, So, whatever it is, So, whatever it is, biblical biblical biblical Christianity is Christianity is Christianity is the authority. So I the authority. So I the authority. So I guess it has to guess it has to guess it has to be very be very be very focused on focused on focused on the rich, the powerful, and the rich, the powerful, and the rich, the powerful, and all those things that all those things that all those things that Jesus was really Jesus was really Jesus was really talking about. What did talking about. What did talking about. What did n't Jesus talk about? He n't Jesus talk about? He n't Jesus talk about? He never talked about never talked about never talked about homosexuality. homosexuality. homosexuality. He never talked He never talked He never talked about the many issues about the many issues about the many issues she talks about all the time she talks about all the time she talks about all the time . Yet she . Yet she . Yet she talks about those talks about those talks about those issues, but the talk is issues, but the talk is issues, but the talk is about money, about power, about money, about power, about money, about power, about how the rich about how the rich about how the rich cannot inherit cannot inherit cannot inherit the Kingdom of God…How the Kingdom of God…How the Kingdom of God…How convenient: when Jesus convenient: when Jesus convenient: when Jesus talks about this, he talks about this, he talks about this, he uses uses uses metaphors, and the metaphors, and the metaphors, and the early church fathers early church fathers early church fathers changed the meaning because changed the meaning because changed the meaning because they wanted people to they wanted people to they wanted people to pay them money. How pay them money. How pay them money. How convenient that all those things convenient that all those things convenient that all those things turn out to be turn out to be turn out to be metaphorical, and the things that metaphorical, and the things that metaphorical, and the things that Jesus never Jesus never Jesus never mentioned, like mentioned, like mentioned, like homosexuality— homosexuality— no, no, that's biblical. This is no, no, that's biblical. This is no, no, that's biblical. This is biblical. I think this is

biblical. I think this is biblical. I think this is crazy and I see crazy and I see crazy and I see such hypocrisy in the way such hypocrisy in the way such hypocrisy in the way Christianity Christianity Christianity talks about this. talks about this. talks about this. Look, I'm not saying Look, I'm not saying Look, I'm not saying that if you think that if you think that if you think homosexuality is a homosexuality is a homosexuality is a sin, I have sin, I have sin, I have some objections, and some objections, and some objections, and I think someone I think someone I think someone like Pope Leo has said like Pope Leo has said that he thinks it's a sin, that he thinks it's a sin, that he thinks it's a sin, but he also says that but he also says that but he also says that it's not a it's not a it's not a salvation issue. He also salvation issue. He also salvation issue. He also says that there is says that there is says that there is too too too much emphasis on this. And I much emphasis on this. And I much emphasis on this. And I completely respect that completely respect that completely respect that position, completely. Um, position, completely. Um, position, completely. Um, I have no problem if I have no problem if I have no problem if someone morally in someone morally in someone morally in their heart, their heart, their heart, looking at the evidence, looking at the evidence, looking at the evidence, believes that believes that believes that homosexuality homosexuality is a sin, right? However, is a sin, right? However, is a sin, right? However, if they if they if they focus on focus on focus on that, if they that, if they that, if they keep talking keep talking keep talking about how about how about how bad it is, if they bad it is, if they bad it is, if they look at it through a look at it through a look at it through a magnifying glass, I magnifying glass, I magnifying glass, I think it's pointless, think it's pointless, think it's pointless, because they're silent about a lot of because they're silent about a lot of because they're silent about a lot of other things that other things that Jesus actually talked about. And Jesus actually talked about. And what does that what does that what does that tell you? This is not even tell you? This is not even tell you? This is not even remotely remotely remotely biblical biblical biblical Christianity. Christianity. Christianity. This Christianity is not This Christianity is not This Christianity is not biblical biblical biblical Christianity. They Christianity. They Christianity. They disagree with most of the disagree with most of the disagree with most of the Bible. And Bible. And Bible. And this whole this whole this whole deconstruction thing, deconstruction thing, deconstruction thing, instead of instead of instead of saying, "I'm going to saying, "I'm going to saying, "I'm going to deconstruct maybe the deconstruct maybe the deconstruct maybe the abuses or the things abuses or the things abuses or the things that weren't that weren't that weren't biblical in what biblical in what biblical in what I was taught, and I was taught, and I was taught, and go back to the Scriptures go back to the Scriptures go back to the Scriptures to reform myself"...

to reform myself"... to reform myself"... Well, I Well, I Well, I like that. I like that. I like that. I mean, you could mean, you could mean, you could say that say that say that homosexuality homosexuality is something that has been is something that has been is something that has been harmful to harmful to harmful to many Christians, many Christians, many Christians, to people who are gay to people who are gay , who love someone of the , who love someone of the , who love someone of the same sex. I same sex. I same sex. I guess she would guess she would guess she would take it as, "Oh, no take it as, "Oh, no , it's kind of a choice." , it's kind of a choice." , it's kind of a choice." "Or something like that." But this is "Or something like that." But this is "Or something like that." But this is harmful. I'm sure harmful. I'm sure she wouldn't she wouldn't she wouldn't agree with that, with that agree with that, with that agree with that, with that type of biblical type of biblical type of biblical Christianity. You know, Christianity. You know, Christianity. You know, um, but maybe I'm um, but maybe I'm um, but maybe I'm confusing confusing confusing concepts here. ... concepts here. ... to respond to Scripture, to respond to Scripture, to respond to Scripture, they say: "Well they say: "Well , I was insulted, and they , I was insulted, and they , I was insulted, and they told me this, that, and told me this, that, and told me this, that, and that." "So I'll just that." "So I'll just that." "So I'll just pick whatever I want pick whatever I want pick whatever I want and call it and call it and call it Christianity." "I'll Christianity." "I'll Christianity." "I'll keep the parts keep the parts keep the parts I like I like I like and then just add a and then just add a and then just add a bunch of extra stuff." "And this..." bunch of extra stuff." "And this..." I find this way of I find this way of looking at looking at looking at human development very human development very human development very dishonest. Um, dishonest. Um, dishonest. Um, because I could because I could because I could say the same thing about say the same thing about say the same thing about your views. your views. your views. For example, her view For example, her view For example, her view of truth and of truth and of truth and certainty, I believe certainty, I believe , is quite , is quite , is quite unbiblical. I don't unbiblical. I don't unbiblical. I don't think Jesus was even think Jesus was even remotely talking about this. Yet she remotely talking about this. Yet she has such, um, has such, um, has such, um, authority in the way authority in the way authority in the way she talks about it. she talks about it. she talks about it. And I just find And I just find And I just find that generalization of that generalization of that generalization of people leaving the people leaving the people leaving the faith so faith so faith so disgusting and so disgusting and so disgusting and so un-Christian.

un-Christian. un-Christian. act. And I had act. And I had act. And I had problems in my problems in my problems in my church, and I'm going to church, and I'm going to church, and I'm going to make another video make another video where I talk about it. where I talk about it. where I talk about it. But, you know, I find it But, you know, I find it But, you know, I find it so weak. And so weak. And so weak. And if I were someone who was if I were someone who was if I were someone who was trying to find trying to find trying to find evidence that questioned the evidence that questioned the resurrection or certain resurrection or certain beliefs about beliefs about beliefs about Christianity and Christianity and Christianity and came across this came across this came across this video, it would make video, it would make video, it would make me renounce my faith. me renounce my faith. You know, I would think, "Oh my god, well, that's god, well, that's god, well, that's actually not true." actually not true." actually not true." People just spout People just spout People just spout nonsense on the nonsense on the nonsense on the internet. And there is too much of that in internet. And there is too much of that in internet. And there is too much of that in Christianity now Christianity now Christianity now . And you know, . And you know, . And you know, maybe I spend a little maybe I spend a little maybe I spend a little too much time too much time too much time online, online, online, but I see people like this all the time but I see people like this all the time but I see people like this all the time , and I , and I , and I definitely want to definitely want to definitely want to make more videos about it make more videos about it make more videos about it . But thank you very much for . But thank you very much for . But thank you very much for watching. I love watching. I love watching. I love each and every one of you. Likes and each and every one of you. Likes and each and every one of you. Likes and subscriptions mean a lot to subscriptions mean a lot to subscriptions mean a lot to me. And I me. And I me. And I hope it didn't hope it didn't hope it didn't seem like I was seem like I was seem like I was judging her. I just judging her. I just judging her. I just think her words think her words think her words here are incredibly here are incredibly here are incredibly hurtful and hurtful and hurtful and unconscionable regarding unconscionable regarding unconscionable regarding the deconversion of Rep. the deconversion of Rep. the deconversion of Rep. McCollum and other McCollum and other McCollum and other people who are leaving the people who are leaving the people who are leaving the faith, because we have to faith, because we have to faith, because we have to act with love, act with love, act with love, you know? After all, love is what you know? After all, love is what changes and changes and changes and moves the world. And if we moves the world. And if we moves the world. And if we don't talk about things don't talk about things don't talk about things with love, then, you know, it's with love, then, you know, it's with love, then, you know, it's no wonder people no wonder people no wonder people leave the faith. But leave the faith. But leave the faith. But yeah, God yeah, God yeah, God bless bless bless you all, and I'll see you in the you all, and I'll see you in the you all, and I'll see you in the next video next video next video very soon. Peace be upon very soon. Peace be upon very soon. Peace be upon you.