The Misguided Nature of the 'Truth is Offensive' Sermon
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This morning, as I browsed through my Instagram, I stumbled upon a video titled "The Truth is Offensive." Intrigued, I watched it, only to find myself quite upset by its content.
In the clip, a young woman, presumably in her twenties, stands at the church pulpit wielding a large sword reminiscent of a medieval knight’s weapon. This sword symbolizes the Bible, which she believes has been diluted to suit contemporary tastes. To amplify her point, she covers the sword with a pool noodle, making a dramatic statement about the perceived watering down of biblical teachings.
As she swings this absurd weapon, she passionately argues for a revival of fire-and-brimstone preaching, where truth is harsh and direct. She seems nostalgic for a time when sermons caused discomfort rather than upliftment, as if true faith is measured by the wounds it inflicts rather than the healing it offers.
If you're interested in the full video, here’s the link. Otherwise, here's a brief summary:
Here’s a full transcript from the video:
> “I’m okay if you feel offended by the word of God because that is the nature of truth. It does not tolerate your sin. It does not give you any room for excuses. The Bible is offensive in nature. It’s a sword. It’s there to pierce people’s hearts. So the only way really to make it unoffensive is just to cover it up so that it doesn’t hurt you so much. (Insert pool noodle) So, when someone comes and asks a Christian, “So, is homosexuality a sin?” And you cover up the Bible. And you’re like, “You know what, well… God is love, so just come as you are.” Someone asks you about abortion, and you answer, “Well, you know, everyone has a story.” And we cover up what the word of God would have to say so that it’s not offensive. The only problem is, I can’t pierce your heart anymore. Now, it can no longer do what it was supposed to do. It is now no longer sharp. It’s not cutting into the hearts of any person anymore. You are now making the Gospel ineffective. It was here to pierce people’s hearts. To call people to repentance. We need preachers who love people enough to call them to repentance and to speak the full word of God.”
Wow! There’s a lot to unpack here.
First, I’d like to apologize on behalf of Christ for the comments made by this well-intentioned yet misguided Christian sister. My hope is that she eventually recognizes the divisive nature of her poorly phrased rant and the harm it inflicts on Christianity’s credibility.
You might sense my frustration. I am far from impressed, and honestly, I’m angry.
Why?
In just a few sentences, this preacher encapsulates many issues plaguing modern Christianity. Let me clarify.
Confusing Offense with Truth
In her video, the preacher equates the Bible’s offensiveness with its authenticity, suggesting that a more confrontational message equates to greater truth. This is a dangerous oversimplification. While the Bible can challenge and convict, equating its offensiveness with truth creates a misleading dichotomy. Not everything offensive is inherently true, just as not everything comforting is false.
This notion overlooks the Bible’s complexity. Scripture also offers comfort, encourages love, and advocates for truth spoken in love—rather than wielding it as a weapon.
Using ‘Truth’ to Deflect Criticism
When Christians claim that non-believers are offended simply because they are sharing the “truth,” they effectively shift blame onto the listener. This excuse allows them to sidestep genuine reasons their message might be rejected, such as insensitivity, misunderstanding, or outright error.
This tactic reduces complex issues to a binary of righteousness versus opposition, enabling avoidance of confronting their own flaws. It prioritizes moral superiority over meaningful engagement, ultimately stifling potential dialogue.
Jesus was not particularly offensive to the average sinner; in fact, they loved him. It was the religious leaders who felt threatened by his message. Instead of using offense as a badge of honor, Jesus challenged the hypocrisy of those in power, leading to his crucifixion.
Her Version of Truth as “The Truth”
This preacher implies that her interpretation of scripture is the ultimate truth—one that should pierce hearts and inspire repentance. However, many educated biblical scholars would disagree with her fundamentalist view, but that seems irrelevant to her. She believes she holds the truth!
One of the most troubling attitudes among Christians is the belief that they possess the truth while others do not. This stance fosters a sense of superiority: “I am saved, and you are lost. I have the light, while you wander in darkness. My understanding of the Bible is the only correct one, and I will not be swayed.”
This young preacher embodies that mentality.
Not Love, but Coercion
In her perspective, compelling someone to follow Jesus through love is a “watering down” of the Gospel. Her message is stark: Believe in Jesus or face eternal damnation. But is this really a free choice? If someone is threatened with punishment, can they genuinely make a decision?
Introducing hell into the discussion shifts the focus from love to coercion. True followers of Christ should be motivated by love, not fear. Authentic faith stems from heartfelt commitment, not from a desperate attempt to evade punishment.
To cultivate true disciples, the message must center on love and grace, not high-stakes ultimatums. Only then can one determine if someone is genuinely following Christ.
Linking Homosexuality, Abortion, and the Gospel
The preacher draws a troubling connection between homosexuality, abortion, and the Gospel’s core message. She posits that these issues represent a diluted version of Christianity, suggesting one must reject compromise on these topics to embrace the true Gospel.
This tactic reduces sensitive issues to mere markers of faithfulness. Instead of approaching these topics with compassion, she turns them into tests of loyalty to her interpretation.
This is misguided. It alienates people and detracts from the inclusive and loving essence of Jesus's teachings. It transforms nuanced discussions into binary tests of devotion, neglecting the heart of the Gospel—love, grace, and redemption for all.
Hypocrisy in Her Message
On one hand, this preacher advocates for a strict adherence to biblical messages, regardless of how offensive they may be. On the other, a literal interpretation of scripture prohibits women from preaching. This presents a clear hypocrisy: she promotes rigid adherence to scripture while ignoring other biblical teachings that contradict her position.
If one is committed to a literal interpretation of the Bible, it must encompass all of it—not just the parts that align with personal beliefs.
She readily uses the Bible to condemn others, particularly the LGBTQ community, yet exempts herself from such scrutiny. She claims that the Bible should be understood in its original cultural context but applies this selectively.
I firmly believe in the capacity for women to lead and preach within faith communities.
Compassion for the Preacher
I completely disagree with this young preacher’s message and her coercive delivery. In fact, I feel it distances people from God rather than drawing them closer.
This situation deeply troubles me because I believe God embodies love, and I want others to experience that love—not judgment.
At the same time, I recognize my own past in this young woman. I too once preached with unwavering confidence and relied on fear-based tactics. I thought a literal interpretation of the Bible was the only valid approach.
I’m grateful for my journey away from a rigid faith towards one rooted in compassion. I hope she embarks on a similar path—from fear to love, from judgment to understanding. We all have our own journeys, and sometimes, our fervent beliefs are just the starting point for a deeper, more nuanced faith.
If your faith does not lead you to be more loving, compassionate, accepting, and capable of embracing differences, it may not be centered on Jesus.
Dan Foster is the author of “Leaving Church, Finding God: Discovering Faith Beyond Organized Religion.”
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