News flash, these are all grounded in the Christian worldview that he is trying so hard to distance himself from. They acknowledge that Christianity, The apostle Paul identifies his friend Demas as a fellow worker who was with him while imprisoned in Rome (Philem. Ray Comfort explains the reason why this happens so often with those who used to believe in Christianity.Visit https://www.LivingWaters.com to view more free Christian videos, articles, and to get tracts and other resources by Ray Comfort and the Living Waters team.FACEBOOKLiving Waters: https://www.facebook.com/lwwotmRay Comfort: https://www.facebook.com/official.Ray.ComfortINSTAGRAMLiving Waters: https://www.instagram.com/livingwatersofficialTWITTERLiving Waters: https://twitter.com/LivingWatersPubRay Comfort: https://twitter.com/RayComfort Home of #GMM, Rhett and Link, and everything else #Mythical @rhettmc @linkneal @mythicalstore @mythicalchef For more than a decade, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have made videos together under the name Rhett & Link, cementing their bromance as one of YouTube's most memorable partnerships.In a recent vlog, McLaughlin and Neal who have been buddies since the first grade took their friendship to another level. Whether it's Rhett and Link, who used their platform to honestly discuss their deconstruction and deconversion; or Abraham Piper, son of influential pastor John Piper, who's publicly deconstructing evangelical Christianity on TikTok; or . In Book VIII, Chapter IV of Confessions, St. Augustine relates the conversion of a famed Roman rhetorician, Victorinus, whose public conversion caused great rejoicing. But where did the first stuff actually come from? After having spent years in young adult ministry, Rhett and Link now call themselves "hopeful agnostics." Their shift away from Christianity, though, raises quite a few red flags, especially given so much of it seems to hinge on their own experiences and desire to embrace the LGBTQ community. Welcome to Ohio. Thats what pushed us out, in the end. But heres the thing; spiritual deconstruction is in many ways just spiritual puberty. Church is much more varied and diverse than you can imagine yet can all still As an apologist, my knee-jerk reaction was also to grab my computer and start typing refutations with the force of a thousand suns. And when I jumped ship, I didnt jump to another boat. 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. 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. He firsttells the story of how during college he fell in with a crowd of Young Earth Creationists who maintained that the universe is only 6,000-10,000 years old, give or takea perspective he would adopt for many years to come. Ive heard these things described dozens of times by now, but never before by guys I know my still-believing daughters have been watching for years. Hes the one whos established this entire universe. What does this obtain for you? I told him honestly that it could only lead to loss and pain, but that I didnt really have a choice. avenge the attack on Scarlett that day. Co-founder of @mythical. For Rhett, it started with questions relating to science, the age of the earth, and evolution. Rhett seems really reluctant to talk about it, so Scarlett doesn't ask more questions. Theres a lot of other people on it. That was the key for all of us, wasnt it? I was crushed. I might get a new episode once a week if I was lucky. But I dont think its the actual, people have found so persuasive. I want to hear MUCH MORE about this from Link and Rhett. 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. Rhett led off with his intellectual doubts and Link countered with an emotional appeal. 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. While their degrees and first jobs were in engineering, funny video production ultimately became their claim to fame. 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. Rhett and Link's collective spiritual deconstruction isn't ultimately a deconstruction of the Christian faith but of Christian subculture. Producer: Good Mythical Morning. Maybe the whole deconversion narrative is due for a bit of deconstruction. I cant help but notice the similarities. What am I gonna teach my kids? If it can make something, can it make everything? With guest appearances on, their stars have been rising for the past few years, swelling their net worth to an estimated $23 million. 1:24; Col. 4:14). As with most former evangelicals (henceforth ex-vangelicals), the majority of key turning points in Rhetts deconversion story coincide with changes in his relationship to the Bible, and to his own traditions reading of it. Hopefully, they also realize these accusations are shots fired out of fearfear that one day they may wake up to find that we are making at least as much sense as they are. Link Neal. Contents 1 The Early Years 2 Career 3 Personal Life 4 Kids 5 Appearances 6 What Link Neal Doesn't Like 7 What Link Neal Does Like 8 Trivia 9 References As far as Im concerned, Jesus was as real to me as he possibly could be without physically manifesting himself in my presence. Who do you think you are? people will say to them. Rhett & Link are celebrating their 10-year anniversary and the 21st season of their show, Good Mythical Morning Released on 01/27/2022 Transcript We should be pretty good at this. Our media fueled siloed communities dividing us in politics, religion, race, culture, and various interests meant I was totally oblivious to Rhett & Link despite their being YouTube comedy sensations with nearly 17 million subscribers. On the other hand, we need to be confident in our faith, so we need to listen to what non-Christians say about Christianity. ), and both have made it abundantly clear that they are 100% pro-homosexuality, and take serious issue with Christianity because of it (I mean it is the 21st century - Helloooo? Why do Rhett and Link homeschool? had a broader perspective on certain subjects it freed them to consider that Man, does that feel familiar! Mark Spence, a Christian, discusses some controversial subjects with a couple, and they leave once he brings up one topic in particular. Its the. While their degrees and first jobs were in engineering, funny video production ultimately became their claim to fame. Theres one thing I respect about the deconstruction stories of Rhett and Link. This was my LIFE. If the below fields are visible, ignore them. But the same timeworn skepticism the church has interacted with since its inception is given a fresh dose of potency when delivered to a whole new generation by cool and funny guys whove become a fixture of their childhood. Rhett and Link have never punched each other in the face. What would Rhett and Link stand to lose if they didnt capitulate to culture on an issue like same-sex marriage? Please help us to continue to make our videos and movies available on YouTube free of charge. It would appear that despite how destabilizing and difficult their deconstruction processes were, they no longer wanted Christianity to be true. But that is no way to live. As an actor playing a character on a TV show, my access was limited. Lauren Boebert And Marjorie Greene's Adult Christianity Was Never About Democracy, Anyway. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to trivialize this. But it wouldnt have shaken. 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. Through the deal, Mythical has expanded its busine themselves a Christian? The most recentand arguably most influentialone has come from entertainers and YouTube sensations Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal of the Good Mythical Morning channel and Ear Biscuits podcast. Its okay to have doubts. Really good analogy. Why were so many people rattled and even persuaded by them? If youve been taught your whole life that I'm super disappointed but also not surprised. I cant help but notice the similarities. When Scarlett was seen in Ashley's arms at the saw mill she knew. 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. Link is known to be awkwardly funny, a master of organization, the President of the Republic of Cheesistan, and prone to retching and gagging when introduced to strange or unfamiliar food. They loved not the things of the world, but repented of their sin and put all their hope and trust in him. They both felt a deep discomfort with biblical sexual ethics, which they perceived to oppress women and their LGBTQ+ friends. Would. The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics helps Christians show unbelievers the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel as the only hope that fulfills our deepest longings. Could it be that the cultural influences driving these, Rhett was careful to say he doesnt think these apologists are intentionally deceiving anyone. their abandoning their faith. She had a pretty nose, little girl's eyes, but her lips gave everything away. Youre gonna get through this. I imagine those types of responses will continue to roll in. Thats why leaving it is so damned scary. This! Can nothing make something? Rhett and Melanie eat:" {Mammy} could distinguish nothing except the clatter of silver on china, and the muffled soft tones of Melanie's voice." Rhett then goes to bed. ), but he cant escape the fact that he is an image-bearer of God, living in Gods world. 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. It's easy Christianity-it left Jesus out a long time ago. They loved not the things of the world, but repented of their sin and put all their hope and trust in him. Just over a month ago in two hour+ podcast episodes, Rhett and Link told their stories about how they came to believe that Christianity wasn't true. He cohosts the award-winning television program Way of the Master, which airs in 190 countries. If I wouldve found out he was a former Christian now identifying as agnostic, it would have broken my heart. And deal with them now, but dont exchange Christianity with doubts for an empty belief system made solely of doubts. We were in conversation. 2. Governor Bullock's presence at Scarlett's crush made Melanie feel. Rhett even invokes the Apostle Peters response to Jesus when Jesus asks if he will leave him to which Peter responds, Where would I go?. And so as I processed Rhett & Links stories I found 5 takeaways to suggest maybe they hadnt abandoned Jesus as much as their (many) critics suggest: When Jesus called his disciples he simply said, Follow Me. That tow-headed heartthrob took my breath away with every episode of the 1980s sitcom Silver Spoons. But it was Jesuss turn to be under the microscope next. The character is played by Mythical Crew member Jordan Morris, and is often portrayed as a creepy man who is obsessed with Rhett and hates Link. The younger generation is even more open about questioning their faith and leaving Christianity behind. How could so much of the history of Israel be made up? Only the dates and names were changed. With the help of the Holy Spirit, they became convinced that Christianity is true as they gazed deeply at Christs beauty. Again, the jumping ship lingo isnt mine, thats from him. 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? This implies that they are, in fact, deceiving people. Rhett mentions to Scarlett that he goes to New Orleans to visit a young boy who goes to school there, because Rhett is his guardian. At this point in his story, Rhett uses some of the exact same language I use when trying to explain what its like trying to look at the world through a completely different lensjust to see if things look any clearer. If youre new to Godless In Dixie, be sure to check out The Beginners Guide for 200+ links categorized topically on a single page. Since Rhett and Link were relatively deep into religiosity, having learned "Christianese" and the culture, it took them years to complete their pilgrimage to secularism. Before this week I did not, and now that I think about it, it explains A LOT. One of the metaphors I like to use for my own personal spiritual deconstruction and reconstruction is that of a supermarket. Try the whole world. After poking holes in Christianity, Rhett offered no plausible alternative to explain reality. Of course, I had never looked at the evidence for evolution. Im reasonably certain that you dont burn in hell because you were intellectual curious and honest. Jen's post about leaving Mythical! 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 Campus Crusade (now called Cru ). He suggested that if all these apologists and theologians were to recant their stories and change their opinions, their livelihoods would be at stake. Its like trying on a different head just for a little while. Its not like hes throwing out the baby with the bathwater, its like hes throwing out the tub and trying to keep the baby and the bathwater intact. Bingo! The youth-group kids left flustered and agitated by doubt mightve been entirely unperturbed had they heard those arguments from another source. First, I am right in the middle of teaching an Apologetics course for the Snowbird Institute, so my mind is already focused on reasons to believe in God. Love these mugs! 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). .What do you think happens after you die? The best chance I had of communicating with him was writing a letter to his fan club. And we dont have to wait a week for the next episodein many cases theres a new upload every single day. And thats no laughing matter. Do you think you know more than all these other brilliant people before you? Of course that knife cuts both ways, although the people who say this never do see how it should undermine their own confidence, as well. 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. your local one size fits all faith is THE faithwell, youre going to be in Lets keep this conversation going, please. Take Rhett, for example. It gives you something to hold on to. Help train Christians to boldly share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that clearly communicates to this secular age. They understand if you cease to believe in core tenets of the faithlike sin, the atonement, the resurrection of Jesus, and the reality of heaven and hellthen you shouldnt still identify as a Christian. Rhett said, , 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. Relocating with their families to Los Angeles around this time almost certainly made it easier for Rhett and Link to think through some of their questions, removed as they now were from the Christ-Haunted atmosphere of the Bible Belt. Alisa Childers is an American singer and songwriter who writes at alisachilders.com, an apologetics blog for doubting Christians and honest skeptics. Role. Most recently, of course, is the story of well-known pastor and author Joshua Harris, as well as the Youtube comedians Rhett and Link.. I've written on this phenomenon myself in a number of places, including my recent book, The 10 Commandments of Progressive Christianity, as well as my my article, "The . Doubt always accompany faith. Since the release of their stories, several apologists and scholars have offered sound rebuttals to some of the claims made by Rhett in particular. Leaving aside the irony of that accusation, I would simply say, as I always do, that certainty is the currency of fundamentalism. Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln's hosts are known for their comedic viral videos and have gathered an estimated net worth of 30 million dollars. It isnt the skeptics who crave constant assurances were on the right track. 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. Lori calls it guerrilla evangelism, and its a burden shouldered by everyone who knows Jesus. It still provides the stability and the community on which peoples lives depend. For exmaple, you decide you're hooked on a song. Evolutionary theory doesnt have a sufficient cause for the universe coming into existence out of nothing. Secondly, I have been preparing to teach John 6 where Jesus says in several ways that God draws people to Jesus, He saves them, and He doesnt lose any of them. 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. The youth-group kids left flustered and agitated by doubt mightve been entirely unperturbed had they heard those arguments from another source. Thats worse than a house of cards. you? I think Postman was on to something when he wrote, WhatOrwell feared were those who would ban books. My heart is breaking and my head is spinning in light of the so-called deconstruction of Rhett and Links faith. With every hit of the like button, the personalities weve subscribed to have become our authorities for truth. I Work for a Pastor with Low Emotional Intelligence, Split or Stay? What am I gonna teach them now? I hope theres something. YouTube is putting $ behind branding Rhett and Link as talk show hosts. Much of their appeal comes from their history together. Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rhett & Link are entertainers who primarily use the Internet to display their talents. What was scheduled as an hour-long chapel service last Wednesday has turned into a multi-day revival at Asbury University. As any parent will attest teenagers are difficult, children are much easier to control. To lose that community is a pretty scary thought. That is an excellent analogy. The reason Rhett and Link's deconstruction is so important is precisely because they are not scholars and neither are most members of their audience - which is no longer limited to Christians looking for wholesome entertainment. And the question that Ive gotten from some people who are close to me, who love me. What about the beginning? Francis Schaeffer once wrote about the fact that Christians need to have such a commitment to the truth that if it were proven to be false we would be the first to get out of line and join the rest of the world in their destruction. It doesnt really matter if it never reaches its destination. I laughed out loud when Rhett talked about engaging people on airplanes by spouting talking points from books byJosh MacDowell and Lee Strobel. Gods in control. the opposite is often true. This brings us to the salient question. After all, when someone is conversant in apologetics and theology, knows his Bible, and can anticipate my suspicions and objections, its difficult to simply pass him off as someone who never really understood Christianity. He feared that truth would be lost in a sea of irrelevance.. Listening to their podcast you hear the Did you know that these entertaining goofballs were once evangelical Christians who specialized in student ministry? Its far easier to dismiss this all with the wave of a hand, ascribing imperfect motives to us as if that changes the facts themselves in any way. Neil Carter is a high school teacher, a writer, a speaker, a father of four, and a skeptic living in the Bible Belt. With guest appearances on The TODAY Show, Live with Kelly, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, their stars have been rising for the past few years, swelling their net worth to an estimated $23 million.
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