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You should stop blogging

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Stop BloggingEvery so often I get an email from someone who has been reading this blog and hates it.

So they send me an email to tell me how wrong I am and how I should just do everyone a favor and stop blogging.

Here is one such email I got last week:

I’ve looked through your site and on the one hand appreciate some solid material but then I’m puzzled how you call all of it into question by stating you are NOT sure what you believe concerning some fairly basic and clear theological positions. While that may feel open minded and courageous in the today’s environment of wishy-washy watered down Christianity, the things which you cast doubt on totally undermine those things you say are true. In fact, while you give what amounts to a weak nod to a few “Jesus” things, the overall message is clear: you don’t know what you believe yet you profess to be a Christian teacher/author, a teacher of the very Bible you claim to not grasp.

You say the things about Jesus are true, but clear doctrines found in the Book His Father gave us are still in question.  It’s not a matter of interpretation… the foundational tenets of the faith are clear, concise and easily understood. You do yourself and your readers a disservice by casting doubt on them in a day and age of deception when clear and confident Shepherds are needed to guide lost and confused sheep.

By writing and teaching publicly, you declare yourself a representative of God’s Word and teacher, and as such will be held to a much greater standard by God, accountable for every word you write, every person you influence. I would beg you to reconsider your “I’m not sure what is true” approach. It doesn’t build faith, it cracks it. You are questioning things that are abundantly clear in Scripture. What you are doing is casting doubt on the entire Bible in front of a world that rejoices when some Christian teacher “courageously admits” that God’s Word can’t be plainly interpreted.

You are proclaiming your doubt about pretty clear doctrines, but that’s between you and God. The only counsel I have for you is that you might considering not teaching because God holds you accountable for whatever you teach, whatever doubt you cultivate in other Believers.

If you aren’t sure what you believe, why would you try to teach? A Shepherd is not a shepherd if they are not sure about tending the flock.

There is no reason for anything clear in Scripture not to be clear to anyone. The reason they are clear, is because they are clear.  God didn’t write a mystery we cannot discern, or words that can be interpreted (with honesty) in just any old way.

There is not a doctrine you stated on your page that you doubt that is not communicated and written in clear and unambiguous language in the Bible. Don’t let the world, politics, academics or skeptics steal the simple truth from you. Life is too short to live in doubt when God did His part by making sure His word was preserved clear and true for us to know.

This is actually one of the more gracious emails I have received. Usually the emails have more name-calling, Scripture quotations about apostasy and hell, and WRITING IN ALL CAPS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS TO GET THEIR POINT ACROSS TO ME!!!!!!!! Thankfully, this email had none of that. I will give this man credit. He showed more grace than many of the emails I get, and didn’t call me any derogatory names.

But to be honest, one of the reasons I blog is because of people like this.

No, I don’t expect them to read this blog, or to be persuaded by anything I write.

Stop BloggingBut when most people think of “Christians” they think of people who insist that everybody else believe and behave exactly like they do, and not ask any questions or express any doubts. And while this kind of Christianity is comforting to some, it turns most people off.

Furthermore, I don’t think this kind of Christianity accurately reflects the love, grace, and acceptance we see in Jesus Christ. This kind of Christianity does not look like Jesus.

So one of the reasons I blog is because I want to show people that there is another way to follow Jesus.

I do have firm beliefs. I hold to essential doctrines. But I am not afraid to let people ask hard questions, or to ask them myself. I do not run from doubt.

I am open to the fact that there are many areas where I am wrong. It is not that I might be wrong, but that I am wrong. And the only way to discover those areas where I am wrong, is to express my beliefs to others, and let others ask hard questions and even challenge my beliefs.

This is an open, loving, interactive, communal, humble Christianity, which reflects the life of Jesus Christ, and which invites other people to join in, whatever background, beliefs, or behavior they might have. This is the kind of Christianity I have, and the kind of Christianity I try to exemplify on this blog. I might fail at it sometimes, but that is all part of the journey as well…

When you run into Christians like this who insist that you should either agree with them or sit down and shut up, what is your response? How should we interact with other Christians who are like this? Is meaningful interaction possible, or just a waste of time?

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  • Ian

    The ‘closed minds’, strike again! The church has been managed and controlled by them for centuries! Every new move of the Holy Spirit is derided by those still building their platform on the back of the last one! They major on telling you what to think because ‘their Holy Spirit is bigger than yours’! For the record; your work is cutting edge, insightful, thought provoking, interesting, Spirit filled, challenging, Theologically brilliant, accurate, Etc, Etc. Keep on keepin on, bro. Love it!

    • Clive Clifton

      I have been reading the stuff Jeremy writes for a long time and the reason i keep reading it is because I don’t know everything. I have always found it encouraging, challenging and educational.

      I also think it costs Jeremy to keep doing it especially when he receives rather negative feed back.

      The titles sometimes make me annoyed then when I read on I realise their purpose is to make us get of our buts and think.

      Let him who has ears to hear let him hear, and eyes to see let him see.

      I pray that those who criticise are able to receive any rebuttal. I personally struggle with a rebuttal as I felt at the time what I have said to be correct, however I have got a taste for Humble Pie as I have eaten a lot over the years, it is ‘possible’ I may have been incorrect with my assumptions.

      In His Love Clive X

      • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

        Clive,

        I have really enjoyed your input over the last several years. I appreciate your always thoughtful comments, and how you always seek to point me (and others) back to the love of Jesus. This has been your constant them in your comments, and I need the constant reminder. Thank you!

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Thanks, Ian. I think your praise was a little over the top, though. Ha! Just kidding.

      I am grateful for all who read and interact with me about some of these ideas. Thank you very much!

  • Ardbegtam

    interesting that the epistles are full of people disagreeing with each other and having to learn how to love and live together despite their differences…. I enjoy meeting someone who thinks differently from me as it challenges me to rethink what I hold dear – and maybe hold dear in error

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      I agree. I love talking with people who disagree. It is inspiring, because it either forces me to strengthen my own position, or change my view. If I am wrong, I want to know!

      • WARD KELLY

        Unfortunately the spirit of openess and dialogue are not present in our culture today. If people don’t agree with your opinions, they either tell you to shut up, or put you on ignore. It is sad they we can no longer have interactions of mental jousting without someone being hurt.

  • Swanny

    When I interact with this type of mindset it seems to be a waste of time (from my experience), but I keep chugging along in a loving manner.

    Swanny

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Brian,

      Yeah, you get some negative feedback too. It is wise, as you suggest, to just keep moving forward.

  • http://coolingtwilight.com/ Dan Wilkinson

    For what it’s worth, I definitely think you should keep blogging!

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Thanks, Dan! I plan to. Thanks for reading.

  • http://mickholt.com/ mickholt

    Everything else aside, I think he did the exact right thing by brining his concerns to your attention. While firm, it seemed to me that there was an intent to instruct and love. As you pointed out he did not call you names and was not overly HARSH – you do not have to agree with his assesment. The other thing that he did not do was take his issues public. He followed scripture and did not argue, “to the subverting of the hearer,” with you openly. So many people take to blasting on in the comments section and while some are trolls unfortunatley many are not. With this guy, at least, you might be able to have a dialouge.

    As far as being able to talk to people like this…well, it’s like anything else, if the person is level headed you could talk to him – if they’re angry about everything in their life already, it is unikely they’d listen. They would just yell until you submitted – thus proving that they’re right.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Mickholt,

      You are probably right. If he disagrees with me, he probably did the “Matthew 18″ practice of taking your disagreement to another brother privately. Maybe I am error here by widening the circle and “making it public.” Hmmm… something for me to consider….

      • http://mickholt.com/ mickholt

        Oh, I did not mean to say you were in error. Sorry if it seemed that way.

        • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

          Not at all! Thanks for the comment.

  • Sam

    You do seem to attract the “heretic hunters”. Hmmmm – Some people really, rrrrreally need a strong sense of absolute certainty. That is their security blanket.

    Problem is, you could taken a dozen of these folks, all of whom are certain they understand the clear, one and only meaning of Scripture (make that a dozen folks from different parts of the country, different church denominations, who don’t listen to the same preachers and teachers), and discover that they do not all see/interpret Scripture the same way. So which of the dozen is correct about the clear and correct understanding of Scripture?

    We appreciate your blog. Make us think. Challenge us with crazy ideas from time to time. If that shakes some people, then they need to follow someone like Mark Driscoll who can tell them the one and only way, because God told him (apparently God didn’t tell other folks, so Mark has to tell them).

    Sometimes we have to ignore some folks, or better yet – challenge them to get their butts, off their Bible study chairs and go do what Jesus said. Ya know, it is possible to sing those worship songs you just love while you’re on your way to take tarps to the homeless because heavy rain is expected tonight.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Sam,

      I love every one of your comments! That last paragraph made me laugh! It truly is possible!

      By the way, because of what YOU are writing, my wife got together 4 other ladies in our neighborhood this past weekend, and they put together 50 bags for homeless people, filled with food items, clothing items, and some basic hygiene items. Thank you for being an inspiration!

      • Missy

        Thanks for the idea here! I’m just one person, but now you got me thinking I should do something like this. Times are still good for my family in this downed economy. I think each payday I should do a little something to pass it forward.

  • doc10250

    As I research my books, I engage with folks every day from staunch Evangelicals to avowed Atheists, and everything in between. I find that, as you have, I’m not going to change their minds any more than they will change mine. I debate using debate format, with mutual respect for each person in the fray. I as have you are inundated with chapter and verse, many times proving my point exactly. When someone sinks into name calling and blather, I simply remind them that their points are as valid as are mine, and please keep it civil. As my soon to published next book’s title became known, obviously so too did the banter with the intent of talking me out of such a “blasphemous” thought. Shoot, I kind of like the title myself: “Christianity is NOT a religion”! and so my friend blog on! We both have valid opinions, and just because someone else does not see things the way we do, does not make them or us “evil”. It simply means the we are unique in our approach to these matters. Blessings and Peace my friend.

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      That sounds like a fantastic book! I just looked it up on Amazon, and added it to my “wish list.”

      You are right about how to approach disagreements. We need to keep it civil and respectful.

  • WARD KELLY

    I am new to Jeremy’s blog…and I love it! I like that he is willing to stand as Jeremiah did and tell the preachers, prophets, and leaders that God’s will is not what they think. Ok, maybe a tad of hyperbole there but you get the point. I think God gave us all brains to think, and a spirit of curiosity to question dogmatism. The pharisees could not understand Jesus because they were wedded to religious doctrine to the point they wanted to kill him. I wonder if the Christian church in America does not contain the spirit of the pharisee? Why did the e-mailer not give any examples of what they considered as your egergious sins? I applaud their spirit of confrontation but their content was a bit lacking. I love your blog! Keep hitting the dogmatic pinata…some of us like the candy that falls out!

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Jeremiah is my namesake after all… Ha!

      Thanks for the creative and colorful comment! You write with good imagery! Do you blog somewhere?

      • WARD KELLY

        No blog…I just like to read others and comment…but thanks!

  • Missy

    This just happened the other day between me and my father. He brought up something about there is going to be a second millenium after Jesus comes. I said, “Really? I’ve never, ever heard of that. Maybe you can give me some verses in the Bible to check that out.” Whether we both believe that part or not, I believe will be irrelevant to either one of us going to heaven or hell. We both do believe in Jesus and he is, indeed, coming!

    I thoroughly enjoy your writings. I’ve NEVER read writings that were so clear and engaging! Love it! Love it! Love it!

    • http://www.tillhecomes.org/ Jeremy Myers

      Thank you, Missy! That is very encouraging to hear….

      You are right about the irrelevance of some doctrines. You answered properly!