The Christian media has been all abuzz this week about Joshua Harris. He shot to prominence in the Evangelical world as a single young man with his book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” and followed it up with other books that have been helpful to many, as well as becoming the pastor of a large congregation in Maryland. Last week he announced a divorce with his wife. This week he has renounced the Christian faith altogether. His exact words: ‘By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian’.
That is so sad.. so very sad! It is a devastating and discouraging blow for sure. Bear in mind, we are talking about real people who are greatly affected by this. Firstly, Joshua himself… then his wife, his children, but included in this are all who love him and all who ever looked to him as a safe guide and Christian pastor. Lets be praying for all impacted.
In all this, how are we to understand apostasy biblically? While much could be written on this point, John Hendryx reminds us of the purpose of the warning passages we find in Scripture:
The warnings in scripture given in the context of the visible church are directed at both the regenerate and unregenerate, both wheat and tares, both sheep and goats. These kind of warnings serve two purposes:
1) The elect (sheep) hear his voice in the word and take heed.
2) The non-elect (goats) do not hear his voice and fall away.
In other words, the warnings serve as a means of grace (or hardening). – when the elect hear warnings in scripture it causes them to persevere. When the non-elect hear it, their heart hardens over time and they fall away completely, revealing that they have been trusting in something other than Christ alone for salvation.
That is extremely helpful! Grab hold of this truth and much of the Scripture will open for you in understanding.
Also, here is something I wrote some time back on the subject of apostasy that may be both an explanation and encouragement to you.
I pray so.
Let us provoke one another to love and good works…. following Christ, participating in the means of grace, and not in any way shrinking back.
Heb 10:35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; And IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.
Jude:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Much love dear ones,
Pastor John