Abandon all hope, Christians [an open letter from "Losing My Religion" author William Lobdell]

Since my memoir, “Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America — and Found Unexpected Peace,” was released last week, I’ve received scores of emails and phone calls assuring me that God hasn’t given up on me and that I’ve been put on various prayer lists around the world. So far, it’s not working.

“Losing My Religion” details my journey from a gung-ho evangelical Christian who became a religion reporter for the Los Angeles Times (I thought God had answered my prayers) to a reluctant atheist because of what I saw in eight years on the faith beat. Because the book isn’t a rant against religion — it’s more a story of a love found and lost — I’m seen by many as re-convertable. And if I returned to the fold, my testimony would be a valuable commodity within the evangelical community. Several Christians boldly predict that my next book will be “Finding My Religion Again,” or something along those lines. To that end, I’ve been sent a small mountain of Christian books, pamphlets, DVDs, CDs and workbooks that the senders promise will hook me back up with God.

This super-popular approach is problematic. First, I’ve studied the Bible quite a bit, so it’s not like there’s a passage I haven’t read that will instantly restore my belief in God. And more to the point, I no longer believe the Bible is the Word of God, so passages of scripture no longer hold supreme meaning for me; they’re fascinating from a sociological or literary perspective, but they’re not history. Sending me a Bible passage would be like a Latter-Day Saint sending you — an evangelical Christian — a passage from the Book of Mormon to prove Mormonism is true. It just doesn’t work.

As a Christian, I’ve spent two decades reading the best Christian works throughout history. Like you, I hope, I’ve read Augustine, C.S. Lewis, Thomas Aquinas, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, G.K. Chesterton, St. Theresa of Lisieux and others. If those giants can’t convince me God is real, no other author will.

This is another standard tactic, filled with Christian love. The emailers are usually succinct, writing something along these lines: “I hope you’re prepared for an eternity in hell.” I’m not sure whether I’m headed for hell, but do know that someone can’t magically believe in Jesus just because they are threatened.

“Left Behind.” “Facing the Giants.” “One Night with the King.” Do you understand how awful popular Christian movies are? Any film in that genre would tend to reinforce my atheism. Stop sending them to me.

Asking me to have lunch or to attend a specific church It took me four years of investigation, study and internal struggle before I could finally admit to myself that I had lost my faith. Ninety minutes over a cheeseburger with your pastor isn’t going to bring it back.

Look, Christian apologists (defenders of the faith) can be very intelligent. So can Christian critics. Generally, debate in this area changes no one’s mind. Having read the arguments on both sides, I put in with the critics. For me, there’s no point in rehashing it all — unless someone comes armed with a new argument or evidence.

Perhaps you can sense a double standard here. An army of Christians is trying to pry me away from atheism by any argument necessary, with no invitation or apologies. (An email just landed in my in-box with the subject line: “I have all the answers to your questions.”) But you wouldn’t expect to see a high-profile Christian bombarded by atheists trying to ruin his faith. Unless provoked (conservative Christians’ influence on politics and society sparked the recent New Atheist movement), atheists have a live and let live mentality. Christians can learn from them.

But wait, my Christian friends say. We believe Jesus has commanded us to bring lost sheep back into the fold. It’s our duty. If that’s the case, I’d suggest you follow the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

In other words, make Christianity attractive to outsiders through your actions. And retire the rest of your conversion material.

for a self-described "gung-ho evangelical," it's interesting that there was not a single evangelical or Bible-believing Protestant on his "giants" reading list.

Lobdell first joined Mariners Church, an evangelical megachurch pastored by Kenton Beeshore. He later switches to St. Andrews Presbyterian, pastored by John Huffman. Eventually he finds himself drawn to Catholicism, and he and his wife enroll in catechism classes.

He was on his way to becoming a "cafeteria Catholic" (his description of himself, not mine) when the editor of the LA Times orders him to do some investigative reporting into the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Orange Diocese, involving Father Michael Harris.

Lobdell became disheartened at the way the church hierarchy covered for abusive priests and vilified their victims, using what he called "strong-arm legal tactics" to silence them. He was also appaled by how congregations rallied to the side of the abusive priests rather than to the side of the children those priests had molested. As he began reporting on clergy sexual abuse in other dioceses, Lobdell saw the same pattern of cover-up, vilification, and strong-arm legal tactics play out over and over again. This pattern delivered a “spiritual body blow” to Lobdell’s faith, which never recovered. And despite completing catechism, Lobdell decided not to join the Catholic church, though he continued to attend mass for years.

Later he decides to do some investigative reporting into television evangelists and considered most of them sinful. He studied statistics on evangelicals and was discouraged to find that "Christians, as a group, acted no differently than anyone else, including atheists."

The corruption in the Catholic church, combined with the sinfulness of television evangelists, is the main reason he offers for his loss of faith. He raises additional objections based on the problem of evil, the ineffectiveness of intercessory prayer, and some stories of the Bible which he found hard to believe.

In my opinion this is a case of seek and you shall find. He sought out what was wrong with Christianity and found his faith too weak to withstand the evil that permeates even the church. Perhaps had he not decided to become a Catholic at the same time that he was ordered to report on clergy abuse, the story may have ended differently.

His final thought:

“In other words, make Christianity attractive to outsiders through your actions. And retire the rest of your conversion material.”

Being friendly but not doing anything else is not how people develop a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

How can a Christian be friends with a person like this and not share anything else about God or what it takes to be saved, and be a true friend to that person? It is not possible.

He just wants to have ‘friendly’ people around him that won’t ever bring up anything about God, Christ or salvation. Be my friend, but don’t mention anything that could possibly save me. It’s nonsensical.

It’s as weird as saying “I want you to be my friend, just don’t tell me anything about your personal life and don’t ask me anything personal.” It just don’t work like that.

Oh yeah, the russian commies and the chinese commies have been so successful showing how ‘live and let live’ works. They’ve just moved millions around whether they want to be moved or not, they’ve killed tens of millions of their own citizens in purges and ‘re-education’ and work camps.

Oh yeah, let’s look to the atheists for ‘live and let live’, the very same people who can’t help but bring lawsuits against Christians for having a monument somewhere or having a slogan on the money. Much less in our Declaration of Independence.

That's (in part) because the Left Behind series was heavily padded to increase its length after the first couple of volumes came out. It was originally intended to last for only six books, not the sixteen+ that it ballooned into.

Don't forget the kid's book series. Or the prequels. Or the computer game (pray, and shoot at the AC's Hope&Change thug squads). Or the movies. And didn't they go with more movies straight to video after the first 2.

In the 5$ bin, at fine Walmarts everywhere.

They showed LB1 in a Sunday School class I was in (on the Apocalypse. Standard dispensational stuff.). I laughed out loud at the cliche moments. The car blew up at just the expected moment.

Back on topic: Don't, Do Not, show Mr. Lobdell the Left Behind movies.

Lobdell first joined Mariners Church, an evangelical megachurch pastored by Kenton Beeshore.

Mariner's Church. Name's familiar. I looked into it a bit when our church started to use materials put out by them in small groups. Looks like your cliche megachurch.

He later switches to St. Andrews Presbyterian, pastored by John Huffman. Eventually he finds himself drawn to Catholicism, and he and his wife enroll in catechism classes.

From there, to a PCUSA church, and then into Roman Catholicism. That tells me what kind of evangelical he was -- one that likely didn't pick up much in the way of substantive teaching along the way.

I would guess that along that way he heard mostly law of one sort or other. He may never have heard the gospel.

II Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentence.” (NIV)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, THAT WHOSOVER believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life”.

That’s everyone, and God did not leave anyone without the freewill choice to believe. period. There was no discrimination in God. We choose life or death, curses or blessings.

II Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentence.” (NIV)

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, THAT WHOSOVER believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life”.

That’s everyone, and God did not leave anyone without the freewill choice to believe. period. There was no discrimination in God. We choose life or death, curses or blessings.

I apologize for duplicating, as I did not know there were more people who did not know they could choose to believe. I could have lumped you together in same answer..lol

“The Bible I read locates this in the time when Jesus was teaching the weight of the Law, “

I amazed that you think the teaching of Christ would not apply to you - as a Christian. Isn’t that a bit nonsensical, just on it’s face?

No, The New Testament begins with Matthew, ends with the revelation and applies to all Christians.

The requirement to live a righteous life is the same in both Testaments. What has changed between the OT & NT is how one is able or empowered to live that righteous life. In the NT, the power to live righteously comes from the Holy Spirit and faith.

He's right about Christians quoting Bible verses though.

I agree with his point of view, I just don't see the point in repeating the same ideas we've seen over and over.

I, too, don't understand people who quote the Bible at me. They quote from a book I don't believe in to prove why I'm wrong not to believe in it?

I respect the impulse of some who try to lure me to Christianity, but I don't respect the "You're a lowly sinner, now believe in the God I believe in or you're going to Hell" attitude, which is rampant. I tune out on that.

Yes, those certainly are scriptural statements. Now the question remains, “Have you and I understood them correctly?” You quickly have moved to the concept that this means everyone is able to choose that destiny they wish. But, I am holding back from concluding that too quickly.

Here’s why: Beginning with the second verse you quote, please notice that it does not prove your point. It clearly says “whosoever”, but that is a statement, rather than what you are claiming...an offer. It says, “Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish...” but that is not the same thing as saying, “and anyone can believe in Him.” Notice it does not add that. But, it does add the restriction later in John’s gospel. Twice, as a matter of fact. John 6:44 “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws Him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” Now, if Jesus is stating that anyone drawn will be raised up on the last day, He must be referring to believers here, and not just everyone in the world. And if they are those that have been drawn, then you and I (if we are believers) have been drawn by God. It was not your will that brought you to Him, but His will. You were made alive from the dead and believed.

The second appearance in John 6:65 Jesus states again, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father.” This emphasizes just how privileged a place those who believe hold in God’s heart. He has set upon you to believe, and you believed. But, not because you finally came to your senses and became more noble than the guy in the original post. He has been excluded, hardened if you will (just like Pharaoh), until now. Maybe that will change, but apparently not yet.

No question we are to choose life. The question is, “Did that choice originate with you or with God’s tender drawing of you to Himself. Inescapably, Irresistibly.?”

But, this is not a laughing matter, my friend.

You may be amazed, but I would surmise that you believe the same thing. Let me explain...

When Jesus began the three years of teaching the Gospel, He began with teaching the Law to the Jews. Look at Matt. 15:24 and you will find Him telling us the we are not included in His initial mission. That’s what He means by, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

In the Sermon on the Mount, He is teaching how the Jew can be perfect and holy. How? Just keep the Law. But, notice it is a lot harder than they thought. And in the so-called “Lord’s prayer” He ends with the caution that in that economy only those that are perfectly forgiving can be forgiven themselves. Do you believe that is the Gospel you are called to? Conditional salvation. Come as you are, except you must forgive all others exactly as you want forgiven. If that is what you think, you are then claiming you forgave at the level you have been forgiven. This is an enormous claim.

The “New Testament” (the New Covenant in His blood) as Paul calls it, began at the cross, my friend. That is where the Gentiles were grafted in and the Jews lost the Law. Read Ephesians carefully. You were “...at that time excluded from...” the benefits of being a Jew. Now, the wall (the Law) is down, and we can be one man...Christians. No Jew, No Gentiles.

Check that out. The requirment to “...live a righteous life” is, indeed the same. Be perfect or find another solution. That solution for the Gentile is to be among the elect, chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:1-4). Really...go read it. The Gospel is a picture of you being laid hold of, long before you knew you were going to be rescued.

Recall, Jesus saying, “I chose you, you did not choose me.”

I’ve been a christian for at least 30 yrs, and I’ve been an intercessor for more than 28 yrs of that. There are lots of souls to my account in heaven, and although we should take advantage of every opportunity to witness, it is clear that sometimes the choice has already been made. Being pious and religious is not my style, and my relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is quite wonderful.

Now, that said, it should have been obvious what the “lol” was all about, it had to do with two questions about the same issue, but I didn’t see them at the same time in post comments, so I copied the same answer to both...hence my lol about it. The “lol” had to do with the copy and not with the content.

“Go ye into ALL the world and preach the gospel”;

II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us-ward, not willing that “ANY” should perish.”

YOUR COMMENT:
“But, it does add the restriction later in John’s gospel. Twice, as a matter of fact. John 6:44 “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws Him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” “

My answer: When we hear of salvation it is our time of choice, and with God’s help of drawing us we respond either yes, I believe or No, I refuse. God draws many often not just one time, although some respond yes the first time; until he knows they will not respond yes.(God’s spirit will not always strive with man”) So yes, God draws us at the time of our decision, however that does not mean we do not use our freewill to choose, for we do choose to believe or not believe. Some say yes,and later fall away to unbelief. However none of those things change the fact that it is our choice, at the time of his “drawing”.

The argument of Paul’s in Romans 9 would mitigate against this interpretation of your choice.

No question we should preach. The question, which your verses do not address is who manages the man to belief? Man himself or God? Check Ephesians 1 and notice that you have been laid hold of since the foundation of the world.

Happy you have been a believer for so long. That is perhaps the same as my own experience. Again. who is responsible for your rescue? You or God? The Scripture would tell us that it was God bringing you to Himself. “While we were yet dead in our trespasses and sins, God made us alive in Him.”

One must admit...if it is God, you would likely be a lot more grateful that He rescued you. If it is just you finally deciding to take Him up on His offer, then you both need congratulating.

First of all you know nothing about me or my gratefulness, which is of great magnitude.

Second, ALL of Ephesians Chapter One needs to be acknowledged as a whole, not a part.
Ephesians 1:12 “in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (13)And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. HAVING BELIEVED, you were marked in him with a seal ,the promised of the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance , until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory”(NIV)

Now, “predestined” is more than just predetermined, but that God “foreknew”, in advance, who would choose Christ. That has to do with “GRACE”, in that salvatin cannot be earned, but is available to all who repent of their sin, and choose to believe when called.

JESUS SAID in Mathew 9:13 “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

And later in Scripture Romans 3:22, 23, 24 (22)”This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, (23)for “ALL” have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24)and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

My point is we aren’t zombies, and God does deal with us (calling) to accept Christ, but if we choose not to accept him, then he allows us to choose hell. I believe he does all he can, but not all answer the call...we are free agents to sin or not...to choose or not.

It wouldn’t be godly to argue about it, but we must take the whole gospel, and not just part of it. God calls, and we choose, and that’s what I believe.

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