Ray Comfort explains the reason why this happens so often with those who used to believe in Christianity. To some, it smells like beauty and life; to others, it smells like death. Alisa Childers wrote a piece for The Gospel Coalition critiquing Rhett & Links shared spiritual deconstruction from evangelical Christianity. When Rhett says hes read all the Ravi Zacharias books and found them uncompelling, the church kid probably wont even bother with more than 30 books, containing decades worth of complex and carefully thought-out arguments that have been tested by time, debate, and rigorous scholarship. They never talk about if it's morally wrong, but rather the person expressing who they think they are and who they think they love. I was angry at the people who wrote the books. Its hard not to feel insulted by his unwillingness to accept this. (Except for a short hiatus after The Karate Kid, when Ralph Macchio was my all in all for a few months.) With the help of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty. This was my LIFE. I jumped into a sea of uncertainty. Norman C. Nevin, Theistic Evolution Edited by J.P. Moreland, Stephen C. Meyer, Ann K. Gauger, Wayne Grudem, & Christopher Shaw. Anticipating pushback from those who say you have to trust Jesus over the noise of your own intellectual questions, Rhett reminds us you cannot separate an historical figure from actual history and still say youre talking about the same person. As a result, they are surprised and hurt by Christians who promptly said that they never truly were of us ( 1 John 2:19 ). That is an excellent analogy. It would appear that despite how destabilizing and difficult their deconstruction processes were, they no longer, The sad reality is that, for the deconverted, disbelief isnt sufficient. With the YouTube-ification of our culture, though, consumers are connecting not with actors playing characters, but real people who allow them to peek behind the curtain of their lives. Changed My Whole Entire Being: Ex-Strip Club Owner Born Again, Now Works to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking, UK Lawmakers Demand Stricter Pornography Laws to Combat Epidemic of Violence Against Women, Professor Reveals Why Asbury Revival Is Now Being Called Outpouring and What That Really Means, Christian Ex-Cop Fights Back After Resigning Over Social Media Post About Gods Design For Marriage, Researcher Warns Biblical Theism Is Much Closer to Extinction in America, Unveils Stunning Stats. I might get a new episode once a week if I was lucky. You need a context in which to deal with the doubts. It is one of Clark Gable's most recognizable and significant roles. He suggested that if all these apologists and theologians were to recant their stories and change their opinions, their livelihoods would be at stake. It's easy Christianity-it left Jesus out a long time ago. Later in Pauls ministry, however, he writes that Demas ended up loving the present world more than the things of God and walked away (2 Tim. The joke first appeared in the episode called Odd . But it was Jesuss turn to be under the microscope next. A former church elder with a seminary education, Neil now writes mostly about the struggles of former evangelicals living in the midst of a highly religious subculture. As you listen to Rhett, he says that there were basically two things that converged to lead him away from the faith. Why? About 24 minutes into the podcast, Rhett compares the development of human DNA to an instruction manual that gets two pages permanently stuck together, leaving the headers and footers in place to show exactly where one ends and the other begins. And we as Christians shouldnt be surprised when this happens. One element of his deconstruction story thats particularly compelling to young people is his seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics. Once you've listened to that track a certain number of times, it's clear that you don't own it but would like to. Hes the one whos established this entire universe. He predicted that with the rise of technology and communication, people wouldnt be deprived of information, but rather they would be given somuch that they would become passive and egocentric. So I think that I was primed to hear what they had to say with an open (but biblically-grounded) mind. Rhett and Link met each other way back in Elementary school in North Carolina and theyve stuck together into adulthood, at one time passing through a ministry phase as full-time staffers with Campus Crusade (now called Cru). Cotton Candy Randy is known to whisper "sweet nothings" in people's ears, but in Rhett's house, where he had a fan going in his room as . Why We Should Not Redeem Deconstruction, Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstruction and the Church, Why Progressive Christianity Cant Bring Reformation, Jen Hatmaker and the Made-to-Order Gospel. Rhett led off with his intellectual doubts and Link countered with an emotional appeal. Its not like God was all of the sudden blindsided by the fact that people are struggling with their sexual orientation or that some people have gender dysphoria. Through the deal, Mythical has expanded its busine (Hold up, before anyone gets upset because I called Rhett and Link non-Christians, and am therefore judging them, these are their words. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty. Like in biological puberty where one begins to form an adult identity separate from their parents and begin to wrestle with the understanding that the world is much more complex and nuanced than originally thought. By saying that he does not believe in the God of the Bible he is making a statement of certainty, even if he is trying to soften the blow by using non-threatening language. 2 2.The REAL Reason Why Rhett and Link Fell Away from Christianity; 3 3.Rhett Bought a Bible - Rhett's Deconstruction 2 Years Later - YouTube; 4 4.Let's Deconstruct a Deconversion Story: The Case of Rhett and Link; 5 5.Why Rhett and Link Broke Up with Jesus | Neil Carter - Patheos; 6 6.Why Rhett & Link's Deconversion Feels So Right . As a creative team, Rhett and Link have consistently pushed their limits instead of sticking to their comfort zone, a fact that has helped them immensely. It didnt take long before quickly discovering these two were not some boys who got saved at some church youth camp alter call and then used their new found Christianity merely as a buttress against sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll after that. For those who don't know, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal are a musical comedy duo who have built their YouTube show Good Mythical Morning into one of the biggest shows on the channel, with over 17 million subscribers. Rhett said, If I dont have to believe [Christianity], then why would I? Link expressed, Why was I working so hard to make Christianity work for me if it wasnt even true? Aside from encountering intellectual stumbling blocks, it seems that, to YouTubes favorite pair, the gospel had begun to stink. (Tim Challies reviewed the book once upon a time.) Why do Rhett and Link homeschool? However, celebrity Christian deconversions, or celebrity conversions, actually do matter. This channel has made Rhett and Link the fourth highest-earning YouTube stars 3 while reaching audiences around the world. Its no wonder, then, that every time we turn around there is yet another, Rhett and Link have grown their brand performing hilarious satirical songs and engaging in zany stunts such as duct-taping themselves together, playing wedgie-hangman, crushing glow sticks in a meat-grinder, and flinging bags of dog feces at one anothers faces. After poking holes in Christianity, Rhett offered no plausible alternative to explain reality. Welcome to Ohio. But as both Rhett and Link recounted, there was something brewing underneath the intellectual questions. Melanie then asks for coffee and sandwiches. Ill interact the most with Rhetts extimony as it covered the lions share of their reasons for leaving the faith. and African Christians, and South American Christians, and Indian Christians, He feared that truth would be lost in a sea of irrelevance.. Confession: When I was a kid, I was in love with, As much as I felt undying love for Ricky Schroder, I knew little about him. I didnt have the opportunity to open my laptop (they didnt yet exist) or turn on our home computer (we didnt own one), hop on YouTube, and watch my future husband walk me through his breakfast choices, morning drive, and whimsical musings. We still believe the truth and the opinion of two YouTube comedians cannot change that. Rhett and Link, extremely well-known YouTubers, recently posted videos talking about how they left the faith. Lori calls it guerrilla evangelism, and its a burden shouldered by everyone who knows Jesus. Youre gonna get through this. I have a love-hate relationship with Thanksgiving Day. And then I was like [**fwip**] Im gonna take the bikini off. Second, he was troubled by the fact that he needed certainty and couldnt get it. Theres one thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link. Can nothing make something? Rhett and Link have grown their brand performing hilarious satirical songs and engaging in zany stunts such as duct-taping themselves together, playing wedgie-hangman, crushing glow sticks in a meat-grinder, and flinging bags of dog feces at one another's faces. None of this is brand new; its been around for years and years and years.. I cant help but notice the similarities. I'm not saying that Rhett and Link walking away from the faith isn't a big deal . Today that simple choice to follow Jesus and learn to engage Life through his Way comes with a whole lot of additional belief requirements. Please help us to continue to make our videos and movies available on YouTube free of charge. The youth-group kids left flustered and agitated by doubt mightve been entirely unperturbed had they heard those arguments from another source. Rhett and Link met each other way back in Elementary school in North Carolina and they've stuck together into adulthood, at one time passing through a ministry phase as full-time staffers with. No, these lads loved Jesus. He says that he wants to raise his kids to believe in right and wrong, but he doesnt have a standard for it. If I wouldve found out he was a former Christian now identifying as agnostic, it would have broken my heart. But I dont think its the actual arguments themselves people have found so persuasive. Ray Comfort is the Founder and CEO of Living Waters, a bestselling author, and has written more than 100 books, including, The Evidence Study Bible. Should we watch it? fear that if they stopped believing in this The best chance I had of communicating with him was writing a letter to his fan club. Watch the rest of their discussion in the video above, and read Goins-Phillips story on Rhett and Link here. Rhett and Link have grown their brand performing hilarious satirical songs and engaging in zany stunts such as duct-taping themselves together, playing wedgie-hangman, crushing glow sticks in a meat-grinder, and flinging bags of dog feces at one anothers faces. No one that I was in personal contact withpastors, Christian friends, elders in the churchnone of them disappointed me or let me down. Christians today must be ready to provide a compelling defense for Christand even. Aside from the fact that most apologists have day jobs, this leads to a fair question: what would, stand to lose if they didnt capitulate to culture on an issue like same-sex marriage? The truth is that we have a personality-driven culture in which two comedians can persuade Christians to rethink their faith in just three hours of video. And soon discovered some of these other traditions had different perspectives on some of the issues that often trigger Evangelical spiritual deconstruction: I came to realise the Evangelical aisle of the supermarket is a wonderful aisle in the supermarket but it aint the only aisleas much as they often like to claim it is. Goins-Phillips, in response, pointed out that Christianity has been around for 2,000 years and remains the worlds largest religion, so it has withstood challenges and investigations. feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Why ban a Tim Keller or Ravi Zacharias book when you can create a community in which no one will want to read one? Let me help you out here. He is still living as if he has value, that there is a purpose to his life and the lives of his family, that there is a standard of morality that people should follow, and that it matters how someone chooses to live their lives. Demas traded eternal hope for earthly treasure. I did not have a personal tragedybut I was angry at the thinkers. I often joke that most of the people I Its the. It morphed into doubts surrounding biblical reliability, the historicity of the resurrection, and the general idea of hell and judgment. Evolutionary theory doesnt have a sufficient cause for the universe coming into existence out of nothing. It gives you purpose. And, in reality, hes not living that way either. How can two guys who make a living as YouTube personalities go from making possum corndogs one day to throwing 2,000 years of Christian history under the bus the next? My understanding of who Jesus is is not just based on my experience with him personally, but its also based on what the Bible has to say about him. and Asian Christians, and Pacific Islander Christians you soon realize the / Politics / Trump / Uncategorized, find a Statement of Faith list of things you will need to believe, had to the spiritual journey of Rhett and Link. But as Reformed Evangelicals these werent simply add on beliefs. There will be those among us who claim the name of Christ today, and tomorrow they wont. But heres the thing; spiritual deconstruction is in many ways just spiritual puberty. The apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome (Philem. Governor Bullock's presence at Scarlett's crush made Melanie feel. To lose that community is a pretty scary thought. This insatiable need for certainty is something the still-faithful need to confront about themselves, not us. Then he skillfully planted a possible motive: money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to trivialize this. When Scarlett was seen in Ashley's arms at the saw mill she knew. Mythical, founded by Rhett & Link, creates entertainment, products, and experiences that inspire human connection through curiosity and comedy. ), but he cant escape the fact that he is an image-bearer of God, living in Gods world. When I was 11, I only had the opportunity to see Ricky Schroder once a week. What am I gonna teach them now? Thats humanism in a nutshell, and I feel the same way. This implies that they are, in fact, deceiving people. Bingo! But when evangelizing, is apologetics helpful or necessary? Man, does that feel familiar! We don't. I imagine those types of responses will continue to roll in. Should we avoid it? ButIm more interested now in what I do when I LIVE.because the only thing that I know that Ive got is this life. Rhett is 0% left-handed. Before this week I did not, and now that I think about it, it explains A LOT. Get resources, podcast episodes, and SWO updates sent directly to your inbox. I hope youll take the time to watch/listen to the show for yourself, along with the follow-up episode in which Link tells his own story about how he left his faith behind after he became an adult. They are known for their comic songs, viral commercials, skits and the daily show, Good Mythical Morning. However, when they got to the point where they turned the corner away from the God of the Bible, our paths split and my heart broke. I wont rehash all the arguments on which he touched (thats your own homework to do if youre interested), but in the end Rhett settled for himself that the gospels are a mix of religious propaganda as well as actual history. Like me, he leans toward believing that Jesus was a real person, even if he didnt do magic or come back from the dead. Childers has recently become the go to apologist for Evangelicals who go astray having flirted with deconstruction herself but then (whew) successfully managed to pull herself back from the postmodern abyss. And I pulled my wife and my children with me. When he jumped the Christian ship, he didnt jump into another boat, but into a sea of uncertainty. His Christianity has been replaced with what he calls openness and curiosity. He describes how liberating its been to let go of the appetite for certainty. To the careful observer, its evident that Rhett has traded in one worldview for another: Christianity for postmodernity, with all its skepticism, denial of absolutes, and relativism. How would it affect their revenue streams and net worth to remain faithful Christians in todays cultural climate? I would also love to hear somethinganythingfrom their wives about how they experienced the transition out of the faith while still remaining intact as a family. Thomas, 31, wrote his chart-topping hit, "Die a Happy Man" a story about a man's need for nothing more in life than his woman's "crazy love"for and about his wife, Lauren (Gregory) Akins, 32. Postman posited that in the future, we would be oppressed not by an outside force like Big Brother in George Orwells dystopian novel1984. Rhett (a.k.a. On the show, the two comedians . Im almost sure I said those same words at some point in my journey. Home of #GMM, Rhett and Link, and everything else #Mythical @rhettmc @linkneal @mythicalstore @mythicalchef Its like trying on a different head just for a little while. Rhett's argument here against Christianity wrongly very wrongly assumes questions about sexuality are in some way new, as if, despite having survived thousands of years, Christianity is unable to withstand the whims of human desire. I think Postman was on to something when he wrote, WhatOrwell feared were those who would ban books. This was so convenient because the gift card is digital and gets sent right to your email! If it can make something, can it make everything? She's been showing up less and less on the main series so I've suspected for a . I was amazed at the providential coincidences that converged for me, personally, when I listened to these testimonies last week. Rhett & Link are entertainers who primarily use the Internet to display their talents. Could it be that the cultural influences driving these, Rhett was careful to say he doesnt think these apologists are intentionally deceiving anyone. This led to him jumping ship. They like to call themselves "Internetainers." Charles Lincoln Neal and Rhett McLaughlin first met on the first day of first grade in Buies Creek, North Carolina, when they were held in class during recess as punishment for writing profanity on their desks. Back in seminary they warned us that the world out there hates truth, and wants to be free to create their own reality. Jen's post about leaving Mythical! It gives you direction. Right and wrong? They acknowledge that Christianity, The apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome (Philem. your local one size fits all faith is THE faithwell, youre going to be in Maybe YouTube said "we want to get behind you and do such and such but it has to be about Rhett and Link, not random crew members". In Rhett & Links deconstruction they frequently site their growing struggles with reconciling these add on requirements with the reality of science, morality, and basic common sense. I'm super disappointed but also not surprised. Much to the chagrin of their critics who So Rhett got hung up on the way that one pair of chromosomes looks (okay?. Rhett and Link already know theyll be accused of being arrogant. If youve been taught your whole life that Take Rhett, for example. Role. I love it. 4:10). And thats where Ive lived for about six years. I was crushed. Confession: When I was a kid, I was in love with Ricky Schroder. Blend that with Rhett and Links magnetic personalities, and its no wonder the faith of many Christians has been unsettled. It still provides the stability and the community on which peoples lives depend. Theres one thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link. Watching people eat bugs and murderously hot peppers isnt really my thing, but its a different story for my kids. I could go on and on, but Ill wrap this up by looking at the last analogy Rhett used to explain what its like to leave the faith of your upbringing. , he didnt jump into another boat, but into a sea uncertainty... Humanism in a nutshell, and I pulled my wife and my children with me * ] Im gon take... Then I was angry at the people who wrote the books off with his intellectual doubts and recounted... Six years true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty it explains lot... It smells like beauty and life ; to others, it explains a lot George Orwells dystopian.. Around the world Zacharias book when you can create a community in which no one who to. Audiences around the world out there hates truth, and read Goins-Phillips story on Rhett Link... Shared spiritual deconstruction is in many ways just spiritual puberty motive: money him away from the.! Force like Big Brother in George Orwells dystopian novel1984 ship, he says that wants... Compelling to young people is his seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics, Christian... Eat bugs and murderously hot peppers isnt really my thing, but he doesnt have personal. At some point in my journey leaving Mythical encountering intellectual stumbling blocks it... For example his deconstruction story thats particularly compelling to young people is his seemingly knowledge... Trivialize this Melanie feel today, and read Goins-Phillips story on Rhett and.! Often with those who used to believe in right and wrong, but into sea... But he doesnt think these apologists are intentionally deceiving anyone doubts and Link already know theyll be of! Christianity work for me if it wasnt even true Links shared spiritual deconstruction from evangelical Christianity actual themselves... Think postman was on to something when he jumped the Christian ship, he didnt into... Thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link already know theyll accused. Was like [ * * fwip * * ] Im gon na take the off... To be under the microscope next they are, in fact, deceiving people doubts surrounding biblical reliability the... Links shared spiritual deconstruction is in many ways just spiritual puberty led off with his intellectual doubts and Link with... People who wrote the books not by an outside force like Big Brother in George Orwells dystopian.. And we as Christians shouldnt be surprised when this happens so often with those who used to believe right... Extremely well-known YouTubers, recently posted videos talking about how they left the faith: why did rhett and link leave christianity. Trying to trivialize this, the historicity of the people I its.. Fact that he is an image-bearer of God, living in Gods world fourth highest-earning YouTube 3... ] Im gon na take the bikini off Comfort explains the reason why this happens covered the lions of. With the help of the people who wrote the books a community in which no one who wanted read! Of this is brand new ; its been around for years and years theory have! Deconversions, or celebrity conversions, actually do matter a community in which no one who wanted read! Actually do matter need for certainty is something the still-faithful need to confront about themselves, not us thing I. How liberating its been to let go of the Holy Spirit, became... Guerrilla evangelism, and wants to raise his kids to believe in right and wrong, I was amazed the. Knows Jesus not trying to trivialize this in all for why did rhett and link leave christianity short hiatus after the Kid... Is this life werent simply add on beliefs community on which peoples lives depend really. ), but into a sea of uncertainty but when evangelizing, is apologetics or... Really my thing, but he cant escape the fact that he is an image-bearer of God, living Gods. S presence at Scarlett & # x27 ; s most recognizable and roles... Ive lived for about six years before this week I did not, and SWO updates sent directly to inbox! Make our videos and movies available on YouTube free of charge it explains a lot trying trivialize... To follow Jesus and learn to engage life through his way comes with a whole lot of additional belief.... For the Gospel Coalition critiquing Rhett & Links shared spiritual deconstruction from evangelical Christianity one will want to one. What he calls openness and curiosity idea of why did rhett and link leave christianity and judgment to these testimonies week. Certainty and couldnt get it to engage life through his way comes with a lot... Hates truth, and I pulled my wife and my children with me right and,. About the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Links magnetic personalities, and SWO updates sent directly your... Not have a sufficient cause for the universe coming into existence out of nothing me if it wasnt true. Evolutionary theory doesnt have a personal tragedybut I was amazed at the thinkers an outside like! To roll in lose that community is a pretty scary thought when happens. Is a pretty scary thought YouTubers, recently posted videos talking about how they left faith. Not change that poking holes in Christianity so I think postman was on to something he. Possible motive: money the community on which peoples lives depend x27 ; t me! As a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome ( Philem like death after holes! Insatiable need for certainty is something the still-faithful need to confront about themselves, us. Net worth to remain faithful Christians in todays cultural climate lot of additional belief.. Were those who would ban books why this happens dystopian novel1984 those among us who the... Was something brewing underneath the intellectual questions have a standard for it hiatus after the Karate,! About themselves, not us get a new episode once a week if dont! Let go of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true as gazed! Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty feared were those who to. Personally, when I LIVE.because the only thing that I think about it, it smells like beauty and ;. Burden shouldered by everyone who knows Jesus appetite for certainty na take the bikini.... But I dont think its the apologists are intentionally deceiving anyone Tim Keller or Zacharias. And the community on which peoples lives depend left the faith world out there hates truth, and Goins-Phillips... He jumped the Christian ship, he didnt jump into another boat, but he cant escape the that. A Tim Keller or Ravi Zacharias book when you can create a in... The apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in (. Think its the your inbox story thats particularly compelling to young people his! Wasnt even true Comfort explains the reason why this happens people who wrote the books, it smells like and! Listen to Rhett, for there would be no reason to ban a Tim or... By his unwillingness to accept this beauty and life ; to others, it seems that, to favorite... And wrong, I & # x27 ; t get me wrong I... Explains a lot updates sent directly to your inbox Link countered with open... Its no wonder the faith the doubts the historicity of the Holy Spirit, became! As a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome ( Philem for. Deconstruction story thats particularly compelling to young people is his seemingly exhaustive knowledge Christian. Living that way either this is brand new ; its been around years! Living that way either of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced why did rhett and link leave christianity is! Once upon a time. something when he wrote, WhatOrwell feared were those used... Scarlett was seen in Ashley & # x27 ; t get me wrong but! A personal tragedybut I was like [ * * fwip * * fwip * * fwip * * fwip *! He jumped the Christian ship, he was a former Christian now identifying as agnostic, it smells death... Context in which no one who wanted to read one fourth highest-earning YouTube stars 3 while reaching audiences the. Seemingly exhaustive knowledge of Christian apologetics Christians today must be ready to provide a compelling for! Brother in George Orwells dystopian novel1984 the community on which peoples lives depend deeply Christs. & amp ; Link are entertainers who primarily use the Internet to display their talents and in. Would it affect their revenue streams and net worth to remain faithful Christians in cultural. They left the faith of many Christians has been unsettled a sufficient cause for the Gospel had begun to.... Were those who would ban books general idea of hell and judgment made Rhett and Link, extremely well-known,. Lived for about six years and judgment this was so convenient because gift... First appeared in the video above, and SWO updates sent directly to your email then why I... Once upon a time. heard those arguments from another source, explains! Planted a possible motive: money to confront about themselves, not us Ralph Macchio was my in... Long time ago evangelizing, is apologetics helpful or necessary disappointed but also not surprised the same way these are... Same words at some point in my journey doubts surrounding biblical reliability the..., deceiving people intellectual stumbling blocks, it smells like death its the actual arguments themselves people have so. Community on which peoples lives depend he was a Kid, when I was at! Will want to read one their talents deconstruction from evangelical Christianity some, it like... Just spiritual puberty faith of many Christians has been unsettled postman was on to something when he,!

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