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Fixing a Frankenstein Faith: Ten Distortions of Scripture and How to Correct Them
In yellow lamplight I stayed up late the other night talking with my wife, burdened about another church gone to seed in Texas. The sect looks so much like my former church in Maine, a Bible cult which maximized suffering and overlooked grace. The platitudes and sermons coming from the group sound so familiar they […]
Whelp, there it is: 15 Signs of False Humility
The leader of a Texas sect once wrote a letter to me in which he said that he wished he could open a vein for me in order to save my soul. That sounded quite nice, though I already follow Jesus—a point I had (fruitlessly) made in several private Facebook messages back and forth with […]
When Abusers Act Like Victims, Victims Get Abused
Abusers of all types act like gods in their houses of horror. But when they get dragged blinking into the light, they often act like victims. I recently read an article about Ariel Castro and his jaw-dropping denial and self-pity. It turned my stomach. But it also sounded familiar. Almost every victim of abuse–whether verbal, […]
Why We Tolerate Psychotic Pastors
Put down your pitchforks. This blog is not about bashing pastors—please hear me. There are many fine Christian leaders who have a pastoral gifting and who live out their lives in sacrificial service to God’s people. They are called by God, recognized by the people of God, sustained by the Spirit, and often endure great […]
Why Do People Get Involved in Unhealthy Churches or Cults?
Cults are bad even when they lead you to Jesus. I came to know God in a church which turned out to be a Bible cult. I was raised in this church and I stayed until I was thirty years old. Early on, I had no other experience of what church could or should be […]
Stones of Help and Remembrance
An “Ebenezer” is a stone of remembrance–literal or figurative–which someone sets up in order to remind themselves of God’s faithfulness. The concept comes from 1 Samuel 7:12, where Samuel set up a stone pillar and said, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” This month serves as an Ebenezer for me and my family. I […]
Why Do Some Christian Leaders Ignore Abuse?
The following is a link to an excellent article by Carolyn Custis James: http://www.whitbyforum.com/2013/06/this-can-of-worms-must-be-opened.html In her post, “This Can of Worms Must Be Opened,” James says: “We get all worked up (as well we should) about bullying that takes place among school children. But are we as outraged about the bullying that is inflicted under the […]
6 Reasons Why Christian Leaders Respond Inappropriately to Tragedy
I have watched with interest the response of several well-known evangelical figures to the recent tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Some have responded with great compassion to the suffering of the people. Others have taken the opportunity to express doctrinal truth in the moment of crisis. The responses have been as varied as the leaders themselves. […]
Personality Disorders in the Church: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (Part 3 of 5)
This is the third in a five-part series on personality disorders in the church. 1.) A Sensitive Topic: Personality Disorders in the Church (Part 1 of 5) 2.) Personality Disorders in the Church: Narcissistic Personality Disorder (Part 2 of 5) 3.) Personality Disorders in the Church: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (Part 3 of 5) 4.) Personality Disorders in […]
Liberty for Captives 