The ripple effects of Josh Harris’ announcements of divorce and walking away from Christianity are still reverberating. I have seen the various reactions to the news and much of it I found disheartening. There are some giving explanations on why Josh was “never of us” others attempting to give there answer to “why” this happened, ushered into the ministry too soon, lack of education, he was part of the Young, Restless and Reformed crowd, their dropping like flies and so on and so on.

I have been meditating on all of this for days now, honestly I have been pretty down because Josh’s family and ours went to the same church when we were in Oregon, we had some brief interactions, so I am saddened by the news. But honestly I am also saddened by the reactions to the news and attempts to decipher the inner workings of Josh Harris, both to the news of his divorce and his walking away from Christianity.

I understand this is very public and in the public eye. I also understand apostasy should be confronted and people who walk away should be talked to and warned. But should that come from all the people on the sidelines and should it be ungracious and calloused. We live in a culture which needs explanations, answers, and desires to know the why. As Christians who share the fallen human experience many of us know better, we know internal struggles can be dark, confusing and trying times. I thank God for the people who have comforted, encouraged and lifted me out of those times. I am also glad people were not hurling labels of apostasy and letting me know I was never part of the community of faith.

It is difficult to see Josh Harris walk away, it is difficult to see anyone walk away from the Gospel. The difficulty lies in the fact that the Gospel is not just a set of beliefs but it is a person, it’s Jesus and it is what unifies all of us who believe.

So what do you do when someone walks away?

When I was younger my reactions may have been some of what has been floating around social media. But as I have grown in my faith, matured and counseled with some who have walked away and have come back to love the God they left my reactions have changed. I still hurt for people who lose their faith, but my reactions are different now.

So what should we do when someone walks away?

1. Love them

We must continue to love them as Christ loves them. There is a reason Jesus said the world will know us by our love, it is our love which should stand out all the more to a person who walks away because they need to know it is ok to come back. We as the church are the visible representation of the father from the Prodigal Son parable, sitting, waiting, and ready to love those who are having a crisis of faith.

2. Warn Them

There is room for warning of the dangers of walking away, but as I strolled through the many social media posts reacting to Josh Harris’ statement, I thought “wow, and we are to be people of grace, love and truth, seasoned with salt.” People who walk away should be warned but they should be warned by a community of people who love them, who are close to them and are aware of the personal nature of their story. Which is why I loved seeing the response by friends of Josh in this TGC post. It wasn’t click bait, it was a group of friends who were concerned, loving and trying to help.

3. Give Them Space

By give them space, I don’t mean to abandon or cut off communication. What I do mean is every conversation does not have to be about them walking away from the faith. Sometimes people need to wrestle with their doubts, struggles, hurts etc. Give them the room and space to wrestle. Our job is to love them, be a friend to them and pray for them and when the opportunities come up point them to Christ.

4. Trust God

What I found interesting is many of the responses of those from the Reformed circle, who champion eternal security, the power of God to keep those who are his. We as Reformed people are quick to kick out of the family those who walk away from the faith. As my family have been talking about this topic of people who walk away from the faith, I reminded my family and myself that the story isn’t over, it’s still being written. We need to trust in the power of God to save and keep those who are his children. While the situation looks bleak, so did Peter’s when he denied Christ three times, cursing and shouting “I don’t know him”, but we have the blessing of knowing Peter’s whole story, we know of his restoration. My prayer is that those who walk away are restored one day.

5. Pray

Last but not least and quite honestly should be first, we should pray for those who have walked away. Pray for God to bring them back and restore them. God is in the business of taking broken lives, hearts, dreams and restoring them.

Until Next Time

Solo Deo Gloria

Here is your daily round up.

Daily Wisdom

Worth The Read

Don’t Assume White Is ‘Normal’

At times I’ve felt like Pavlov’s dog, with the mere mention of the word church prompting a sense of dread instead of delight. What hurtful comment will someone make to me today? Many times, I’ve wished I could go to worship as a white person and experience the freedom of just existing without the inevitable questions. Why wouldn’t people get to know me beyond trying to figure out my “exotic” skin tone and dark curly hair? Why couldn’t I just be . . . “normal”?

Pray Against the Devil When You Pray for Your Kids

So let me ask this: Would you stand idly by if an evil person were plotting to destroy your child? Would you tolerate an impostor actively working to deceive your child? Would you allow someone to condemn your baby?

Don’t Trust in Your Christianity

I’m afraid many find themselves in a similar predicament of pretense after growing up “Christian,” developing “Christian” habits, and embracing “Christian” ideals—all without any real knowledge of the truly narrow road that leads to eternal life. People have come to believe that a Christian-looking life is ample assurance of salvation. And such self-deception is dangerous—perhaps the most dangerous deception of all.

The Cross Wasn’t Just About God’s Love

Propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, means that God poured out on Jesus the righteous anger he had toward us. And contrary to Young’s opinion, God’s righteous anger toward sin is not a contradiction with his love. It is, in fact, a necessary corollary to it.

True Happiness Begins with Knowing God

Despairing people everywhere thirst for gladness, trying to derive it from sources that cannot ultimately satisfy. They eagerly drink from contaminated water surrounded by huge signs with neon letters flashing, “Fun and Happiness!”

How Disney+ Compares to Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime

On the lighter side, Disney is trying to take over the cord cutting world. “Disney+ will be available in a standalone package for either $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually. However, Disney will also be offering a bundle that includes Disney+, ESPN Plus, and the basic ad-supported Hulu service for $12.99 a month, which is several dollars cheaper than subscribing to each separately. It’s also roughly equivalent in cost to Netflix’s HD subscription tier and Amazon Prime’s monthly payment option, but includes three services instead of just one.“

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Daily Wisdom

Worth The Read

White Nationalist Terrorism and the Gospel

White nationalism is not just another ideology, in a world filled with competing opinions. White nationalism is a manifestation of an ancient evil that we as Christians, of all people, ought to recognize immediately. White nationalism emerges from what the Bible calls “the way of the flesh.” This is a form of idolatry that exalts one’s own creaturely attributes, making a god out of, for instance, one’s ancestral origins or one’s tribal culture. 

Jesus, Deliver Us from This Racist Evil Age

Racism is antithetical to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who willfully live to gratify the sinful desires of racism “will not inherit the kingdom of God” because they reveal they might be still enslaved to the present evil age and to its seductive powers (Gal. 5:17, 19-21), instead of being freely enslaved to love by the power of the Spirit as those redeemed by Christ and bound for the promised land of new creation.

Peculiar Passages: The Case of the Bloody Bridegroom

This strange incident has been pored over by both Hebrew, Muslim and Christian scholars for centuries. Why would God want to kill Moses? Why is he saved by having his son’s blood on his feet? How did Zipporah know what to do? What did she mean by the curious phrase “Bridegroom of Blood”?

Bible Study Leaders Should Not Have All the Answers

No Bible study leader can have the answer to every question. After all, leaders are finite and there are a myriad of potential questions, both relevant and—ahem—less relevant.

But even though leaders can’t logistically have all the answers, I don’t think that should even be a goal. As an ambition, that’s harmful for at least two reasons.

8 Ideas for Deploying Students on Mission

Training comes to life when you schedule a deployment. This single act (of calendaring a challenge) turns teaching into training. It doesn’t take much to activate what you’ve been teaching your kids or students. You don’t have to take a week-long excursion to give your young people a reason to study and take their Christian faith seriously.

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The God’s Word For You Series is on sale 50% off, very helpful series. Check it out at The Good Book Company

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Here is your daily roundup of wisdom, articles and kindle deals.

Daily Wisdom

The Proverbs 31 Man

There has been much made about the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31, but did you know there are actually nine verses which go before those? And those nine verses, I believe, are helpful in thinking about the type of man that God calls us to be.

Dear America, You and I Have a Complicated Relationship

I enjoyed this excellent piece of writing, I hope you do to. “You, my country, are complicated. But so is life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in a fallen world.“

Songwriting for Your Movement

The reality is that if you want to write songs for your movement, then you need to have clarity in mission and purpose, allowing freedom to succeed and fail. Songwriting is not a science, but an art, so it’s comforting to know that the greatest works of art oftentimes resulted from hundreds of failed attempts.

“If I Parent Correctly, My Children Will Turn Out Right.”

God Himself was the perfect parent. His children were righteous and holy like Him. He never sinned against them and provided everything they could ever need for their lives. But they still rebelled against Him.  

Moms, How to Take and Give Shame-free Criticism

Our freedom in Christ means we don’t have to be crushed by criticism. But we can still grow from it. God often uses others to show us our blind spots. When criticism comes our way, the gospel helps us respond humbly and confidently at the same time. 

But not all criticism is the same. Sometimes it is true and helpful, and other times it is untrue and hurtful. How do we respond to these two kinds of criticism?

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A couple of kindle deals and some articles to start your week.

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Once we see that books have this profound and mysterious power to transform us by allowing us to see the world through others’ eyes, we gain a new perspective on the fact that God’s special and redemptive revelation of himself and his work comes to his people through books. 

When we read the Bible we are getting to see the world through the eyes of the human authors like Paul and Moses, for example. But also, thanks to the inspirational work of the Holy Spirit, in a creaturely way we are getting to see the world through God’s eyes.

Make Sunday Mornings Uncomfortable: Three Rules of Engagement at Church

We live a culture where seeking to be comfortable is a value, even as a church member. This article gives three reason why you should seek to be uncomfortable on Sunday morning at church. “This was one of many opportunities my husband Bryan and I have had to connect with not-yet-Christians inside our church building. We have very little else in common. I’m an extrovert; he’s an introvert. I’m from England; he’s from Oklahoma. I’m into literature; he’s an engineer. But God drew us together around a shared sense of mission, and Bryan recently expressed that mission in three rules of engagement at church. These rules make our Sundays less comfortable, but more rewarding. If you’re tired of comfortable, you might want to give them a try!“

Recommended Resources on Transgender

Transgender is one of the most prominent topics in cultural discussion and debate at the moment. It’s also one of the most complicated. Christians who want to partake in the conversation well must engage with theology, biology, psychology, philosophy and politics, all the while keeping in mind that this it is ultimately a topic about people created and loved by God many of whom are experiencing considerable distress. While society has moved very fast, Christians have been somewhat slower to understand and respond well. There are, however, a growing number of useful resources. Here are my top recommendations.

Poll: 27% of Millennials Say They Have No ‘Close Friends’

There is a mission field here for the church. “In fact, when asked about their own personal relationships the research found that 27 percent of millennials said they have no close friends. More than 20 percent said that they had no friends at all, and 30 percent said they don’t have a “best friend.”

Three Ways to Lay Down Your Privilege

In one statement, Jesus flips the world’s relationship with power upside down. Everyone who possesses power, in this world or God’s kingdom, possesses privilege. Those in the world use their privilege for their own benefit. Those of us in God’s family, however, have the privilege of laying down our power for the benefit of others.

Some reading to start your weekend.

On Caution and Keeping: Friends Reflect on Joshua Harris’s Deconversion

We’ve known Josh for almost 15 years. We’ve been with his family. We’ve been in his home. We’ve been to his church. At one time, we were fairly close, as a group of us (then) young men gathered semi-regularly for prayer, for encouragement, and for just hanging out. While we don’t know what Josh might think of us—it’s been several years now since we were closely in touch—we remember Josh as perpetually friendly, warm, engaging, and sincere.

Black and White Together: An Unusual Church Merger in Iowa

This is an encouraging read. “That’s because healthy churches don’t merge together. Especially not if they’re both growing. Especially not if one is white and one is black. Especially not if both senior pastors are planning to stay.

It’s been 18 months since their first service. The transition has been relatively smooth. Both pastors share the leadership equally. They’re still growing. And the congregation seems happy.

That’s maybe the oddest part. In a small, predominately white Iowa city, the approval to merge was 98 percent—at both congregations.“

6 Steps to Become an Effective Witness for Jesus

I recently took an evangelism course. Not knowing what to expect, I imagined quirky evangelistic techniques coupled with age-old, gospel-sharing recipes guaranteed to bring about soul-winning results.

Much to my surprise, the course was less like a course and more like a worship service. The professor passionately preached “the story” from beginning to end.

10 Practices That Will Help You Grow in Christ and in Your Ministry

As you begin your ministry keep in mind that first of all you are a child of God, to be a living testimony of grace, godly character, and Christlikeness to the glory of God. The following items to practice and keep in mind will greatly assist in your walk with God:

On Becoming More Christian, Not Less, In Our Politics

New Testament Christians were routinely marginalized, persecuted and even put to death by the Roman state. Even in this climate, honoring, respecting, cooperating with and praying for Roman officials was part of being a disciple. The Apostle Peter, who would later be executed by Rome for his Christian faith, said that in all circumstances, Christians must honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). The Apostle Paul, who would also be martyred by decree of the Roman Caesar, said every Christian must submit to and pray for governing authorities (Romans 13:1).

In today’s political climate, it is hard to find Christians who embrace this line of thinking. Instead, many have been drawn into partisan spin and rhetoric. In so doing, these well-intended but misguided Christians have become more like the world than like Jesus.