Zach, I loved your book and am now excited to read Brian's. If it looks and feels like fruitfulness and thriving, but a theology tells me that it is actually sin (or worse), that is toxic theology. It's disturbing how effectively the twistedness that Brian describes so vividly distorts reality and robs people of their intuition. When I don't trust what my eyes and heart are telling me out of fear that I'm being led astray by the devil, I will cling to the strong and clear voice in the room so that there is at least some holdfast to cling to. That's why people who are consciously (or unconsciously) seeking power over others find that fanning the flames of fear is the best strategy. Saving people's souls is then the perfect cover for greed, hubris, hate, etc.
Jesus is reduced to a powerful symbol - a means to an ends. It is heartbreaking.
This hit like a cleansing fire. A theology of hell that exposes how fear dressed itself up as love and called it salvation. You can feel the ache of all the Junes in the world who were cast out in the name of protection. That line about hell shaping love into something that feels like hate cut deep.
You both name what so many of us grew up breathing without realizing it. Fear first. Compassion later, if ever. Jesus flipped that order. His fire wasn’t about punishing people for sin but burning away the systems that create it.
What a gift to see hell reframed as what we build, not where we’re sent.
Zach, I loved your book and am now excited to read Brian's. If it looks and feels like fruitfulness and thriving, but a theology tells me that it is actually sin (or worse), that is toxic theology. It's disturbing how effectively the twistedness that Brian describes so vividly distorts reality and robs people of their intuition. When I don't trust what my eyes and heart are telling me out of fear that I'm being led astray by the devil, I will cling to the strong and clear voice in the room so that there is at least some holdfast to cling to. That's why people who are consciously (or unconsciously) seeking power over others find that fanning the flames of fear is the best strategy. Saving people's souls is then the perfect cover for greed, hubris, hate, etc.
Jesus is reduced to a powerful symbol - a means to an ends. It is heartbreaking.
This hit like a cleansing fire. A theology of hell that exposes how fear dressed itself up as love and called it salvation. You can feel the ache of all the Junes in the world who were cast out in the name of protection. That line about hell shaping love into something that feels like hate cut deep.
You both name what so many of us grew up breathing without realizing it. Fear first. Compassion later, if ever. Jesus flipped that order. His fire wasn’t about punishing people for sin but burning away the systems that create it.
What a gift to see hell reframed as what we build, not where we’re sent.
Oh my goodness! I can't wait to read the book! I'm going to look for it in my library, or try to buy it, maybe as a Christmas gift for myself
Many years ago as I was beginning to question evangelical motivations, I over heard a group of women discussing a ministry.
It sounded great but when they stated that this would lead them to Christ.
I wondered why they weren’t assigned to ministry, without expecting something out of it?
So long ago.
I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit was helping me to be sensitive to His wisdom!
For the long road ahead. ❤️
Zack, thank you introducing ne to Brian. The article was so helpful and a book that is now on my to read list.