Question: Problems with Passion 2013

philskiiiii asked you:

What’s your opinion on blogs speaking on the “Problems at Passion 2013″? Would love to gain some insight from you.

I haven’t read those blogs — and I won’t waste my time on them. 

I’m aware you’re asking me out of curiosity so this is not to get at you, but please allow me the grace to go on a (pointless) rant here.

On a long enough timeline, anyone can complain about anything for any reason.

Maybe some of these blogs have legitimate concerns, but a conference like Passion is the very last thing that anyone should complain about, ever.

Should we have discernment about certain events like these?  Sure.  Should we understand what Christian conferences can and cannot do?  Yes.  Should we be careful about our doctrine and guard ourselves against emotionalism and big stages?  Of course.

But good folks like Louie Giglio have poured out their heart and sweat and blood to reach a younger generation with the Gospel — and I can guarantee that he and everyone else involved has contributed more for Jesus than any of these “Christian bloggers” will do in a lifetime.

I think we can afford a little grace for some secondary disagreements.

I remember last year people complained when the Passion speakers read the Book of Ephesians out loud.  They were accused of some silly charge called “Lectio Divina,” because somehow reading the Bible out loud to provoke a response is now a heresy.  Seriously. 

So 27 million slaves worldwide, over 26,000 children dead everyday of preventable causes, over 6000 people groups haven’t heard of Jesus — and THIS is the bullcrap that the Christian blogosphere is attacking?

We all need to relax on this one and quit the hyper-critical Pharisee stuff. 

We could pick our battles a little more wisely.

But while I’m still ranting, I’m going to be an idiot here and foolishly fight this one thing:

I know that some of these obnoxious Reformed Neo-Calvinists feel like they’re the gatekeepers of the faith.  I know most of them are also just scared of each other and need to look tough in front of their buddies and haven’t spent five minutes with another broken human being. 

So let’s cut the crap and get to the bottom line:

These bloggers only write like this to promote themselves and get their fanbase in an uproar and to increase page views.  They are preaching to their little ghetto-choir subculture in their isolated ivory towers behind their cowardly computer screens to cause controversy for the sake of attention and self-validation.

Come on.  Be real, son.  Stop playing.

I bet you my left foot that they’re checking their own blogs every few seconds to see who clicks “like” or “reblog” or replies or searches their tags.  And they don’t care if it’s praise or criticism: they just want eyes on them.

Not eyes on Jesus.  If they really wanted to glorify Him, they would stop writing that garbage.

So here’s a friendly reminder to you “Christian bloggers” who pull stuff like this:

- I understand some of you are more nuanced and thoughtful.  So if you have to criticize, be gracious and fair and offer some solutions looking forward.

- If you don’t like these Christian conferences, then start one yourself.

- Check your vanity.  You might not even know you’re doing it anymore, but you’ve become a glory-hogging, shameless self-promoter. 

- If you are Ken Silva or of a similar breed, you’re probably going to Hell.  I don’t say that to be cute: it hurts my heart for real.

- If you think you can write crap like this but somehow you’re okay because you still “serve the church” or feed the homeless or you have kids or whatever, you are NOT okay.  It doesn’t matter what good things you do to compensate, you are still splitting the church.

- I’m aware I could be doing the same thing you’re doing, but my heart grieves for people like you.  I don’t want another dividing line — I still love you, bro.

- You’re the reason why the church looks like a bunch of bitter, bickering, in-house fighting morons.

- Most of you need help.  I’m serious.  You need therapy, immediately.

- Please remember: no one actually cares what you think about a Christian conference.  Not the guy at work struggling to make his rent, not the sick single mother raising four kids and trying to pay hospital bills, not the suicidal college freshman who’s ready to end it all.  No one really gives a damn, so stop it.

- Please do something with your life that honors Jesus.  Something that preferably isn’t stamped with your name, your blog handle, or your own opinions.  Repent, turn to Christ, and go love people. 

Originally posted here on my Tumblr.

- Edit: In response to some of the comments on Tumblr:

There is some misunderstanding that I’m “shutting down” the conversation — but by all means, let’s be critical thinkers and have open discussion. That’s partially the point of this post and also the point of this blog: I am never against that.

Certainly we can talk about doctrinal differences and not simply go along for the ride. I also include myself in all criticisms.

But as already described, we can’t merely criticize: we need solutions looking forward. I’m afraid Christian bloggers are great at negativity, but not so great at productive, constructive conversation. Yelling that someone is shutting down an issue is also shutting down an issue.