Let’s Be Clear, Joshua Harris Is Anti-Christ In His All Encompassing Announcement of Apostasy & Far Reaching Promotion of Evil
Friday, August 23, 2019 at 5:55PM I’ve known Joshua (“Josh”) Harris since he moved into C.J. Mahaney’s basement to be discipled in 1997. I counseled him on his relationship with C.J. after he became the senior pastor of Covenant Life Church in 2004. For three years, I appealed to Josh to address C.J.’s long term patterns of sin with the help of his staff. He refused due to cowardice as he later told me. Instead he enabled C.J. When I resigned from the Sovereign Grace Board of Directors in 2007, he was rewarded by C.J. and picked to replace me. He was a “yes” man.
Later, when I sent out The Documents in 2011 exposing C.J., Josh refused to discipline and remove him from ministry. Instead, he commended him to plant a church in Louisville. When the lawsuit came out in 2013 regarding the conspiracy to commit and cover up the sexual abuse of children, Josh had a fraudulent internal investigation done at Covenant Life Church to disavow its claims. He too played a major role in the conspiracy not to report known perpetrators to law enforcement.
I’ve seen Josh cower and compromise; lie and deceive for many years. He’s “backslidden” state has now led to his willful apostasy. Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered (Heb 5:8). Josh learned disobedience through the things he refused to suffer. He was a sensual Christian.
I’ve worked on this article for weeks. I hope it is used to reach Josh and others who are following his example. I also want to provide a documented history that can be preserved. There is much to learn from Josh’s dreadful example and from Scripture which exhorts us to perseverance. I’d appreciate any financial support you can provide so I can continue my work.
The announcement of separation by Josh and Shannon came first, then the announcement of divorce and apostasy by Josh, and then Josh marching in a gay-pride parade. I am going to cover them in that order.
The Announcement of Separation - “We are separating and will continue our life together as friends.”
July 17, 2019
Josh & Shannon announced their decision on Instagram with a scripted narrative and staged photo.
Nine months earlier, the Harris family was celebrating their newfound status as permanent residents of Canada.
From: Joshua Harris
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 7:09 PM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: my wife’s a rock star and I’m an unpublished author 😝
Finally, we are half-Canadian! Well, to be more precise we just became Permanent Residents of Canada. We’re really grateful to be in Vancouver, BC, and be welcomed here. (The pic below is of the family on the day it became official...gotta celebrate with ice cream!
Josh owns a marketing company. He is putting a positive spin on this heartbreaking development. He says, “We are moving forward with this decision “ “with sincere love for one another” and “will continue our life together as friends” and “hope to create a generous and supportive future for each other.” All good! To be honest, I thought of the manicured announcement of divorce put out by Jeff Bezos on Twitter this past January. He is the founder, chairman, CEO, and president of Amazon.com, Inc.
So why are Josh and Shannon ending the marriage if they love each other, are friends for life, and want to generously support each other? Here’s their explanation. “In recent years, some significant changes have taken place in both of us.” What changes?
It is very possible Josh now believes he is a homosexual male rather than a heterosexual male and in order to pursue this course he must renounce Jesus Christ and his teachings on sexuality. More shortly. Whatever the case, the “understanding of our unique story as a couple” is the justification for ending their marriage.
In this announcement they use the word “separation” not divorce. In British Columbia you must physically separate for a year before you can legally divorce. Therefore, they are no longer living together.
They close with this remark. “Thank you for your understanding and for respecting our privacy during a difficult time.” It must be a difficult time for their three teenage children. Josh and Shannon don’t ask for prayers. They don’t express any desire to pursue reconciliation with each other. “We are moving forward with this decision.”
They do ask for understanding. Often times, people ask for understanding (i.e., acceptance of their sin) when they really need reproof. That is especially true of Josh.
And they ask people to respect their privacy. I guess that means they want to stay out of the limelight. Hardly! Not Josh. He is about to make international news and draw extraordinary attention to himself. That is all by design. He is an advertising wizard. He knows exactly what he is doing. He has a message to get out Clear and Loud (the name of his company)!
The Announcement of Apostasy – “By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.”
July 26, 2019
The separation announcement was made on July 17. The divorce and apostasy announcement was made nine days later on July 26. In the New Testament, apostasy is the abandonment or renunciation of Jesus Christ and the normative doctrine he and his apostles taught. It is the willful falling away from Christ and rooted in rebellion against God. It is described throughout the New Testament and believers are warned to protect against it by paying close attention to their lives and doctrine and persevering through hardships and afflictions.
I’ve typed out the announcement below and added comments after each paragraph which are separated by ##. Once again Josh stages a photo of himself apparently designed to convey a contemplative scene in the grand scheme of things or perhaps the serene and majestic start in his life without Christ. The dramatic flair adds to the announcement of apostasy. He knows the photo and script will garner greater attention than the script alone. People will be drawn to the photo and read the announcement.
Instagram
harrisjosh My heart is full of gratitude. I wish you could see all the messages people sent me after the announcement of my divorce. They are messages of love though they are saddened or even strongly disapprove of the decision.
Comment: Josh clarifies that his announcement of separation was really an announcement of divorce. The Lord knows why he didn’t make this clear in the first place. He puts a positive spin on how people responded. His “heart is full of gratitude” for the “messages of love” though some “strongly disapprove.”
##
I am learning that no group has the market cornered on grace. This week I received grace from Christians, atheists, evangelicals, exvangelicals, straight people, LGBTQ people, and everyone in-between. Of course there have also been strong words of rebuke from religious people. While not always pleasant, I know they are seeking to love me. (There have also been spiteful, hateful comments that angered me and hurt me.)
Comment: Josh does not know the meaning of “grace” any longer. Grace is not the acceptance of sin. Grace is the power to overcome sin. “It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions” (Tit 2:12). Josh has turned grace into a license for sin. And he has no concern for the teaching of Jesus. “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matt 19:6).
We begin to see Josh’s true colors when he says, “There have also been strong words of rebuke from religious people.” He sees grace and rebuke as opposites but biblical rebuke is an expression of love. “Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed” (Prov 27:5). Who are these “religious people”? Probably men and women who are holding him to the teaching of Scripture. For instance, old friends from Covenant Life Church. I am concerned Josh is the one who is hating. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you” (Prov 9:8). What he labels “spiteful, hateful comments” may not be the case.
##
The information that was left out of our announcement is that I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus. The popular phrase for this is “deconstruction.” The biblical phrase is “falling away.” By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian. Many people tell me there is a different way to practice faith and I want to remain open to this, but I’m not there now.
Comment: Josh got everyone’s attention with the separation announcement. Now he drops the bombshell. He is no longer a Christian. But what does he mean? He tells us. “I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus.” The problem is not the Church or institutionalized Christianity. The problem is what he formerly believed about Jesus Christ. Josh “deconstructs” Jesus and chooses to fall away from the Son of God revealed in Scripture.
He says, “By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.” Here is the most important measurement in Scripture.
Matthew 16:15-17
15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
Josh has made himself the judge of Jesus Christ and put himself above the Word of God. In his arrogance, he renounces the one and only Son of God and the Bible as the inspired Word of God.
He even says, “Many people tell me there is a different way to practice faith and I want to remain open to this, but I’m not there now.” This “different way” is something other than Jesus who said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)
It appears Josh is an agnostic. He doesn’t know what he believes if anything.
##
Martin Luther said the entire life of believers should be repentance. There’s beauty in that sentiment regardless of your view of God. I have lived in repentance for the past several years – repenting of my self-righteousness, my fear-based approach to life, the teaching of my books, my views of women in the church, and my approach to parenting to name a few. But I specifically want to add to this now: to the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say I am sorrow for the views I taught in my books and as a pastor regarding sexuality. I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry. I hope you can forgive me.
Comment: The attribution to Martin Luther is reprehensible. Luther is talking about turning from sin, not renouncing the faith once for all delivered to the saints. It a good thing Luther is not alive. Josh would be in big trouble!
Josh claims he has “lived in repentance for the past several years.” Not repentance towards God! His supposed “repentance” has led to his renunciation of Jesus Christ. How repugnant for him to use this biblical word to describe his falling away.
Josh refers to six areas of repentance. I comment under each of them.
1. “My self-righteousness”
Anyone who believes they are righteous in themselves is deceived. We have no self-righteousness. We are counted righteous in justification. We are gradually made righteous in sanctification. Both are gifts of grace. I don’t think this is what Josh has in mind, however.
Scripture constantly talks about God righteousness versus man’s unrighteousness and sound doctrine versus false doctrine. It is not “self-righteous” to proclaim the truth of God’s Word. For instance, that Jesus is the only way by which men can be saved from God’s justified wrath.
Acts 4:12
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Josh no longer holds to the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ or the normative teachings of the Bible. I think he considers it “self-righteous” to say Jesus is the only way or homosexuality is sin.
I hope he repents of his self-righteousness that claims he knows better than God and doesn’t need God.
2. “My fear-based approach to life“
I don’t know his exact meaning but I think his “fear-based approach to life” includes his former belief in hell and the wrath of God which necessitated the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross as payment for our sins.
3. “The teaching of my books”
This underscores the all-encompassing nature of his apostasy. He is not making corrections to his doctrine. He is repenting of everything he taught in his six books. Those books are excellent because they are built upon Scripture. Each is thoroughly orthodox. Here’s an overview.
The Books that Brought Joshua Harris Fame and Fortune
Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 11:17AM
4. “My views of women in the church”
Josh was still a Council Member on The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) in 2015. I don’t know when he resigned or was removed. He affirmed the Danvers Statement which states in part, “Some governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men.” It appears Josh now believes in the ordination of woman as pastors and teachers.
5. “My approach to parenting”
I don’t know his exact meaning but I suspect he now advocating an approach that downplays the authority of parents to direct their children and the necessity of children to obey their parents. In the same way, he has likely forsaken the teaching of Scripture on corporate punishment.
6. “My approach…to the LGBTQ+ community”
This is major. It demonstrates how far Josh has fallen. It deserves a separate section.
##
To my Christian friends, I am grateful for your prayers. Don’t take it personally if I don’t immediately return calls. I can’t join in your mourning. I don’t view this moment negatively. I feel very much alive, and awake, and surprisingly hopeful. I believe with my sister Julian that, “All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Comment: I hope Josh returns calls to men that can help him repent but that is doubtful. Right now, he is gleeful and contentious. “I can’t join in your mourning. I don’t view this moment negatively.” He exalts in his renunciation of Christ. “I feel very much alive, and awake, and surprisingly hopeful.” Josh has hardened his heart. He is in rebellion against the living God.
Hebrews 3:12-13
12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
He refers to “my sister Julian.” Oh my! That is a reference to Julian of Norwich. She was a medieval Roman Catholic mystic who based her heretical doctrine on 16 supposed visions while on the verge of death. An anchoress was a woman who was walled into a cell to live a life of prayer and contemplation.
According to Julian’s book Revelations of Divine Love, at the age of thirty, and when she was perhaps an anchoress already, Julian fell seriously ill. On 8 May 1373 a curate was administering the last rites of the Catholic Church to her, in anticipation of her death. As he held a crucifix above the foot of her bed, she began to lose her sight and feel physically numb, but gazing on the crucifix she saw the figure of Jesus begin to bleed. Over the next several hours, she had a series of fifteen visions of Jesus, and a sixteenth the following night. Julian completely recovered from her illness on 13 May. She wrote about her “shewings” shortly after she experienced them.
She wrote, “For I saw no wrath except on man’s side, and He forgives that in us, for wrath is nothing else but a perversity and an opposition to peace and to love.” She wrote that God sees us as perfect and waits for the day when human souls mature so that evil and sin will no longer hinder us. “God is nearer to us than our own soul,” she wrote. This theme is repeated throughout her work: “Jesus answered with these words, saying: ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.’ ... This was said so tenderly, without blame of any kind toward me or anybody else.”
My Posting on Facebook: “Joshua Harris Renounces Jesus Christ“
I posted the following statement on my Facebook page the day after Josh announced his “falling away.” I received over 600 comments the next 24 hours. Most condemned me. Some were vile and vulgar. They were deleted. I had to end comments to get other work done.
Brent Detwiler
July 27 at 2:20 PM
Joshua Harris has forsaken Jesus Christ and renounced the most basic teaching of the Bible. He is now an enemy of the Christian faith in his apostate condition. I hope he quickly returns in repentance. People may leave a leader, a church, or a denomination – that’s okay; but a Christian never leaves Christ.
This is a willful determination by Josh to pursue his own selfish agenda by getting rid of his professed Lord and Savior. This abandonment cannot be blamed on anyone but himself. No one caused this or made it happened. Joshua wants to be his own god now. I’ll be working on an article over the coming days.
I’ve posted three articles below [here and here – the third is gone]. They are helpful but none get at the real issues in Joshua’s heart. No one should empathize with him. He has decided to renounce Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world and he plans to propagate his unbelief and false doctrine at large which amounts to an attack on biblical Christianity. Joshua has become a Judas. He has betrayed the One who loved him and gave up his life for him.
Many people have blamed Josh’s apostasy on everyone and everything but Josh himself. I hope to write a second article that addresses this error and tells the history of Josh’s gradually decline and hardening of his heart toward God over the past 15 years. For now, I’ve included some of my interaction with people at the end of this article. Those interactions reveal a frightful ignorance of Scripture and demonstrate a worldly sorrow for Josh that will never lead him to repentance.
Joshua Harris Affirms Gay Marriage & Endorses Lesbianism, Homosexuality, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism in the Church
Josh is reprobate. He is affirming and promoting evil.
“But I specifically want to add to this now: to the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say I am sorrow for the views I taught in my books and as a pastor regarding sexuality. I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry. I hope you can forgive me.”
This paragraph needs to be carefully examined. Here is what Josh taught on sexuality while lead pastor at Covenant Life Church and in his books. It was based on the Bible.
1. God created man; male and female. The two sexes wonderfully complement each other in God’s perfect design.
Gen 1:27
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
2. Marriage is instituted by God and exclusively between a man and women.
Gen 2: 18, 21-22
18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” … 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
3. Sexual intercourse makes a marriage complete. The two become one flesh.
Gen 1:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
4. Marriage is a life-long commitment.
Matt 19:4-5
4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
5. All sex outside of marriage is sinful.
Matt 5:27-28
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
6. The sexually immoral will not inherit the Kingdom of God. If unrepentant, they should be out of Christ’s church. That includes LGBT persons because they practice evil contrary to God’s design.
1 Cor 6:9-11
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Cor 5:11-13
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
People in the LGBT community have been furious at Josh for his teaching on sexual purity. He was an enemy of theirs. Now he is a hero! Josh says, “I specifically want to add to this now: to the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say I am sorrow for the views I taught. … I hope you can forgive me.”
He also says, “I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry.”
In context, the reference to “marriage equality” is a reference to homosexual partners having the same right to marriage as heterosexual couples. He also states that practicing LGBT persons should be affirmed and accepted as members in a church.
Lastly, he views his teaching on biblical sexuality as contributing to a “culture of exclusion and bigotry.” But his teaching is the teaching of Jesus and Paul and the other the New Testament writers. That means they are the ultimate bigots. He condemns their “intolerance.” Josh has rejected the law of God. He is against the teachings of Christ and he denies Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh. He is an anti-Christ.
For a biblical understanding of human sexuality see the Nashville Statement.
Joshua Harris – “Well, I’ve started. But there is a long road ahead.
Six days after his apostasy announcement, Josh posts this picture and statement on Instagram. He is not going away.
harrisjosh
July 31, 2019
That old Bukowski poem has been ringing in my ears. “If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.”
Well, I’ve started. But there is a long road ahead.
And maybe a cold park bench.
Two seemingly contradictory things are important for me right now:
First, to refuse to disappear. To live my life. Hold my head up. Look my Christian friends in the eyes and smile when I pass them on the sidewalk. Even the seemingly insignificant act of posting a picture on Instagram is important for me. To say I’m here, I’m alive, I’m not ashamed.
Second, to sit in quietness and be silent. The inner journey that I’m on isn’t something that I need to broadcast. Which is why I’m not engaging in public arguments online. It’s why I’m not doing any interviews with the media. It’s why I’m not writing a book or starting a podcast. I want connection and relationships and dialogue with real people. But I need to avoid audiences and the pressure of becoming a spokesperson for anyone or any cause. That has gotten me into trouble in the past.
Your letters and stories have been such an encouragement. Your forgiveness has meant so much. I am reading what you’ve written even if I can’t always respond. To know you’ve walked this road or are just starting out has been a gift. I am learning from you and I feel less alone.
He starts by quoting Charles Bukowski. “If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start.” Then he adds, “Well, I’ve started. But there is a long road ahead. And maybe a cold park bench.” The suspense is killing me.
Of course, this is an attention getting teaser just like the photo which highlights Josh’s physic with a flowery background. I think most people would consider it gay. As an aside, Josh loves to take and post photos of himself. He continues.
First, to refuse to disappear. To live my life. Hold my head up. Look my Christian friends in the eyes and smile when I pass them on the sidewalk. Even the seemingly insignificant act of posting a picture on Instagram is important for me. To say I’m here, I’m alive, I’m not ashamed.
For now, “two seemingly contradictory” things are important to Josh. First, he refuses to disappear. He is proud of his decisions. He will hold his head up and look Christian friends in the eyes and smile. He will also post pictures sending a message. “I’m here, I’m alive, I’m not ashamed.” But Josh is deceiving himself. He is ashamed if he has any conscience remaining but in his arrogance takes a cocky in your face approach.
Second, Josh says, “The inner journey that I’m on isn’t something that I need to broadcast.” We are back to the suspense. What journey Josh? You know, the long road ahead that could end on a cold park bench. But for now, he doesn’t want to broadcast his inner journey. He just wants “connection and relationships and dialogue with real people.” He is “not doing interviews, writing a book, or starting a podcast. That will happen later when his inner journey is over. In the meantime, he is dropping hints and increasing his following simply by using Instagram and posting photos. All of this is party of his marketing strategy.
Well, who are these “real people” with whom Josh is connecting, relating, and dialoguing? Four days later he introduces us to two of them. Meet Matthias Roberts and Trey Pearson. Two homosexual activists.
Joshua Harris Posts Photos on Instagram of Him & Homosexual Activists Participating in Gay Pride Festival & Parade in Vancouver – Queer Donuts and All
On August 4 Josh posted these photos on his Instagram account. In the one below, his shirt says “Love Is Great Britain.” His cap says “SB7.” It stands for StoryBrand 7. That is the company owned by Donald Miller and one of Josh’s clients. Miller is also a friend and wrote Blue Like Jazz which contributed to Josh’s worldly decline and licentious doctrine. Here's a review.
Josh has always been friends with the “rich and famous.” The caption below says, “An American in Canada marching with the British Consulate in the Pride Parade.” Here is a link to photos of other celebrants in the parade.
This last photo is the most important. Josh intentionally wants you to know who he is hanging out with. Matthias Roberts and Trey Pearson. You can check out their Facebook pages if you wish. Roberts is a “psychotherapist“ who “helps LGBTQ+ people and allies live confidently.” He is also the host of Queerology Podcast.
Pearson was married with children. He left them to pursue his homosexual self. He is now taking on “toxic” evangelicals like me.
The caption at the bottom says, “Enjoyed swapping stories gentlemen!” Here are few excerpts from Pearson’s story as told to Billboard magazine in June 2017.
After Coming Out and Leaving Christian Rock Behind, Trey Pearson Tackles Life With Pride & Takes On ‘Toxic’ Evangelicals
by Joe Lynch
June 16, 2017, 3:03pm EDT
Coming out can be a difficult, confusing process -- particularly when you’re in a heterosexual marriage with children and only just admitted to yourself that you’re gay. … I was not able to admit to myself I was gay until a little over a year and a half ago, shortly before I came out to my family. … When I talk about systemic oppression the church has had on so many LGBT lives, it’s brainwashing really, maybe not even intentional. These people think they’re doing the will of God by oppressing a group of people and destroying lives. It’s a form of brainwashing, being made to believe I could be something I couldn’t. I didn’t know what it was like to be in love. … I can’t tell you how many people have reached out because they’d grown up being taught they should be something they couldn’t. It’s given me a passion to be vocal about who I am and why God loves you. I want to see that change in our church and our culture for our grandkids.
Pearson has believed a lie about himself. And he must distort Scripture to support his lie. Unlike Josh, he claims to be a Christian but he is not. He is a false teacher promoting an evil agenda.
There is little doubt, Josh has believed the same lie that he is gay and “come out” to his family. I believe this is due to the judgement of God upon his growing rebellion against God. The Lord has turned him over to the evil desires of his heart.
Romans 1:21, 24, 26-28 (NIV)
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. … 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. … 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. … 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
In God’s great kindness and mercy, I hope Josh returns to the law of the Lord and forsakes the counsel of the wicked.
Psalm 1:1-2 (NASB)
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
My Posting on Facebook – “Update on Joshua Harris”
The day after Josh posted the gay pride photos on Instagram, I posted the following statement on my Facebook page. It brought great wrath from the not so gay community.
Brent Detwiler
August 5, 2019 6:29 PM
I’ve posted two articles below [here and here] on the latest developments with Joshua Harris and his celebration of homosexuality and other lifestyles contrary to God’s holy design. This is one of the reasons he renounced Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He doesn’t want any restraints on his sinful choices and he no longer wants to live for the glory of God.
Instead, he has chosen a path that celebrates himself and indulges his sinful desires. He has willfully rejected what he knows to be true about God, Christ and the Scriptures in order to be his own autonomous god.
I’ve also included an article I’d recommend on understanding the difference between backsliding and apostasy.
I sincerely hope Josh returns to Jesus, or comes to Jesus sincerely for the first time. At present, he is doing great harm to his own soul and the souls of others who justify their sin in like fashion. Do not follow Josh! He will lead you to misery and hell. Follow Jesus Christ! He will lead you to joy and heaven.
I am going to be selective in the comments I allow.
Over the next several days, numerous LGBT persons posted the most vile photos, placards, cartoons and comments on my Facebook page. It was hateful and vicious.
Reactions & Rebuttals to “Joshua Harris Renounces Jesus Christ” from July 27-28, 2019
Josh announced his divorce and apostasy on July 26. The next day I posted “Joshua Harris Renounces Jesus Christ“ on my Facebook page (covered earlier). It brought strong reactions from a lot of people who were quick to defend Josh and confront me. Here’s a synopsis of those reactions and rebuttals in separate groupings. I think a lot can be learned from reading them. This section concludes my article. Please consider a financial gift. Thank you.
Rose Gwynn
Gina why do you think Brent is freaking out so hard about this?
Brent Detwiler
Here’s why. The gospel is at stake. The central doctrine in all of Scripture. A part from which no man can be saved.
Rose Gwyn
Brent, do you trust God? You seem to feel the need to do his job.
##
Laurie Scionka Muniak
I’m not trying to start anything here, but isn’t all of this talk gossip? Whether what you are all discussing is accurate or not, isn’t it gossip through and through? Why can’t we live and let live? If God is the ultimate judge, then why can’t we just let him be so?
Irene Taylor Herbert
Laurie Scionka Muniak because some people live their lives to bring others down and malign their character ... like a desire for power and to be the judge of all the earth; these posts from Brent and how he drags people thru the mud to meet his own agenda is pathetic!
Michelle McCullough
If it’s public knowledge and they choose to air their sins and wickedness publicly, no it absolutely isn’t gossip. That’s the kind of spiritual manipulation SGM used with people throughout their history. “If you talk about anyone in any way, it’s gossip and you’re sinning.” That’s how they kept their abused members silent for years. That’s how all abusive churches do it.
Brent Detwiler
Exposing the most serious doctrinal error by a public figure who has denied the faith is not gossip.
##
Stephen Morgan
Don’t empathize?!?!? What about leaving the 99 for the lost 1, Brent?? You’re doing such harm to this world.
Brent Detwiler
I don’t “empathize” with all his excuses nor his sin of apostasy. That was my clear meaning in context. So many people are making excuses for him. I’d love to see him repent. True love (as Joshua put it) means people will reprove him like Paul did Demas (2 Tim 4:10) when he forsook the faith.
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Stephen Morgan
[Josh’s] words were that he is shifting his faith in Jesus to a broader thing. Which says pretty specifically that he’s got faith in Jesus.
Brent Detwiler
No they weren’t. He said “I am not a Christian” by all standard definitions. The most basis definition of being a Christian is being a faithful follower of Christ as presented in the historical Creeds and Confessions and especially in the Bible.
Stephen Morgan
“Massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus...” doesn’t mean he doesn’t believe.
Brent Detwiler
He may believe Jesus existed like Confucius but he has made clear he does not believe Jesus is the God-man and Savior of the world presented in the Scriptures.
Stephen Morgan
But no one is saying he is still a Christian. What I am saying is that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love Jesus. Lots of people who don’t claim to be Christians love Jesus.
Brent Detwiler
They love an imaginary Jesus not the Christ of Christianity.
Stephen Morgan
You’re playing a dangerous game when you assume another person’s confession is imaginary.
Brent Detwiler
We don’t create Jesus. The only way to know him truly and accurately is in the four Gospels.
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Julie Anne
I strongly disagree with Brent and how he refers to Josh and his statement. Is Brent still my friend, of course. We come from different places. I would like to offer my thoughts here: My Thoughts on Josh Harris as a “Fallen Christian”
Brent Detwiler
And I strongly disagree back (what a surprise). We have all been through a lot. People are sinned against. They suffer harms and injustice. But leaving Jesus Christ - turning your back on the precious Son of God and holy Scripture. Never.
Julie Anne
That comes from the harshness of your doctrine, Brent. Jesus loves people more than doctrine.
Brent Detwiler
That is an absurd accusation Julie. I am talking about the forsaking and renouncing of Jesus Christ. Here is my harsh doctrine. Jesus Christ is the one and only God-man who lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death, rose from the dead, and is the exalted Lord. Why? So we could be saved from his wrath, reconciled to God, experience forgiveness, and enjoy eternal sonship in his Kingdom. That is my harsh doctrine that Josh has renounced. I am talking about a PERSON and his holy history.
Julie Anne
Brent Detwiler your doctrinal wordfest does not impress me. It’s black/white. It allows for no room for someone to wrestle with their faith. Josh did NOT renounce Christianity. Read what he said again. I 100% believe Jesus would be okay with where Josh is right now. Sometimes it takes that kind of wrestling to come to a place where the only thing left is Jesus. That is pure Christianity.
Brent Detwiler
Yes my “wordfest” is “black/white.” It concerns the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus Christ. It is found in the Gospels of Matthew Mark, Luke and John. You said, “I 100% believe Jesus would be okay with where Josh is right now.” Really. He said “I am not a Christian” by all orthodox standards.
Julie Anne
I know you think you have the correct keys to the kingdom. I would encourage you to allow God to become real to Josh. Josh was raised on performance-based religion. He was raised and groomed in your brand of orthodoxy. I have heard from countless people who have abandoned that brand of shame- and performance-based religion, and who have now truly found Jesus. The sad thing is that it seems you only have room for your exact branding of orthodox. Thankfully, God is the one who judges who gets to be in His kingdom, not man.
Brent Detwiler
Joshua was saturated in a gospel centered culture that repudiated works-righteousness and exalted the grace of God in salvation. Read “Living the Cross-Centered Life.” Jesus has revealed himself powerfully to Josh for over two decades through the Holy Spirit, Holy Scriptures, good teaching and the best books in Christendom (old and new). Remember, the Scriptures reveal Christ. Like Isiah 53. He is The Suffering Servant. Not believing and not following Christ is what condemns you (John 3:16-21). Josh has walked away from Christ. That is a decision to rebel against that which he knows is true. I hope the Lord shows him mercy and kindness. I truly do. But those who forsake the gospel come under the Anathema of God (Gal 1:6-9).
Julie Anne
Some people are only reading what they want to read without allowing for anything other than their interpretation, without really sitting with Josh and discussing these issues. Anyone who has gone through a spiritual crisis knows that one day you can say one thing, another day, another thing. That doesn’t matter to the black/white, my-way-or-the-highway ”doctrinal” experts.
Brent Detwiler
You mean “doctrinal” experts like Paul the apostle or Jude or Peter. Joshua would be opposed by them.
Julie Anne
Zak Parsons he [Brent] has to say it. Their doctrine is on the line. It’s not really about feeling sorrow for Josh at all. It’s anger at him for daring to leave their beloved New Calvinism. To them, Josh represents shame for Calvinism. True Christianity is going after the 1 lost sheep. New Calvinism says “I never knew you, you were never one of us.” Such vile teachings. And the wackiest thing of all is they are going to call their behavior loving.
Brent Detwiler
This has absolutely nothing to do with Joshua “daring to leave their beloved New Calvinism.” Not on this thread. That is a dishonest statement. It is all about Josh daring to leave the beloved Savior of the world who died for his sins. It is solely about his willful and cognitive rejection of Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture. Josh knows the truth. He is suppressing it in unrighteousness. Roman 1:18-32 perfectly explains what is going in Joshua and Shannon’s lives.
Julie Anne
He did not say he was rejecting Christ. You have no business claiming to know what is going on in their lives based on what they have disclosed publicly.
Brent Detwiler
He explicitly said “The popular phrase for this is ‘deconstruction,’ the biblical phrase is ‘falling away.’ By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.” Joshua says he is “falling away” like apostates in the Bible. And “all the measurements” by which you define a Christian start with the Bible and include historic Christianity. Julie, you need to face the facts.
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Lisa Haber Brukhard
Josh was raised in a family who turned Christianity into a family business. Josh inherited this business model and waltzed from his father’s reportedly harsh home environment right into CJ’s home and then pulpit.
It could be that Josh did not have the chance to be a repentant sinner, coming to Jesus, bowing his heart before a loving and forgiving Father, being cleansed of sin by the Blood of the Lamb. What a glorious Salvation!
Brent, please withhold your condemnations. Please offer an olive branch.
Brent, you truly do not need to weigh in on this. The Holy Spirit is capable, and able to touch a hurting, sin-filled heart, when all you (or any of us, really) can offer are words, thoughts, ideas.
Let’s leave this one to the Lord, whom we profess to trust, and to Josh, who is a man of courage to come clean, knowing there are a world of people out here just waiting to pounce and renounce, condemn and hurl hatred.
What would it cost you to do something different? To show love? To offer a hope and a future? To have a listening ear?
Brent Detwiler
I’ve been trying to help Joshua in love for the last 15 years. He has gone from bad to worse. He repeatedly lied and compromised when it came to C.J. Mahaney and the sexual abuse of children. He intentionally covered up for perpetrators and broke the law by not reporting them to law enforcement. There is a long standing history of deceit. He did not arrive at this place of apostasy overnight. He has been on this path for 15 years. He has now renounced the Christian faith and his “doctrine” is opposed to the exclusivity of Christ revealed in the gospel (John 14:6). He no longer believes Christ is the only way. He has embraced a false Jesus and repudiated his wrath removing sacrifice on the cross. Gal. 1:6-9 is relevant. He poses a danger to the Body of Christ. I am showing love both to Josh and to all those he could lead astray. This is not a time for “a listening ear.” This is a time to sound the alarm. That is the offer or real hope and a future.
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Deana Holmes
And this is one reason why I stopped going to church. Instead of giving Josh Harris the grace and the space to figure out where he’s at, Christians of a certain ilk are quoting the Bible as they push Harris out the Christian airlock. Why should anyone go to church if they have questions, if this is the response they get?
Brent Detwiler
He has figured it out. Its decided. “I am not a Christian” in the biblical and historical sense. Now he going to propagate his newfound unbelief. Questions are great. Renouncing what you know is true is apostasy.
Jeffrey Thompson
Yes let’s go on Facebook and make ourselves look very holy by tearing others down, how is this constructive to the work of God
Brent Detwiler
Protecting against heresy is always “constructive to the work of God” especially when the gospel is being attacked. False teachers are constantly corrected in the NT.
Jeffrey Thompson
I’m so glad you’ve got this handled for us what would we do without you.
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Todd Gantt
Your post is confusing...are you personal friends with him? If so -- reach out and be available to him, pray for him and continue to stand with him during this time of deception. If you are not personal friends with him...not sure why you are posting all of this but you have no idea what is going on with him if not personally involved other than what he posted and that should be enough.
Brent Detwiler
I’ve known Joshua for 23 years. I helped train him. He was a friend. I have reached out for many years but he has been unresponsive because he was covering up the sexual abuse of children, covering up for C.J. Mahaney and compromised his integrity in many other ways. He recent statements are public. They need to be addressed in public because they are dangerous. Josh has embraced beliefs that have shipwrecked him, his marriage, and his family and will do the same to his worldwide audience. He is now promoting a false Jesus and a false gospel. Nothing is more serious. Read Gal. 1:6-9. The entire Body of Christ should be reproving him and calling him to repentance. This is a willful departure from the faith by Josh.
Todd Gantt
Thank you for explaining and I am appreciative you have a heart for this man but reproving him publicly here serves no purpose. Obviously he is walking thru a very public situation and he needs people around him that can speak to him, in love and kindness, with truth. Jesus did not post about peoples lack of faith or desires to follow him -- he grieved for them and went to them in person and if you have access to him I would encourage you to do that -- and if he says no just be available. Bless u my brother.
Brent Detwiler
You should study the OT prophets, the life of John the Baptist, Jesus in the gospels, Peter, Jude, John, and Paul’s epistles. They were constantly addressing apostates and apostasy by name especially when it pertained to the gospel.
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Dan Calderone
Brent: you should be careful. In your head you’re “protecting the flock” by telling the truth. But it’s exactly this kind of rigid thinking by Christians who are so sure that their doctrine and beliefs are right that drove me away from Christianity. Josh may be stepping into hell, but you are pushing me in.
Brent Detwiler
The gospel is the central message of the Bible. It is crystal clear. It is unmistakable. And if anyone preaches a different gospel they come under the Anathema of God. Read Gal 1:6-9. And then read Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Joshua has rejected the gospel. He is pushing himself into hell. I am trying to rescue him and others that follow him.
Dan Calderone
But you’re so sure you’re right that you don’t listen to the serious questions of people like Josh.
Brent Detwiler
Yes, I am right about the gospel. It is the clear teaching of the NT and also the teaching Martin Luther, John Calvin, Charles Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, John Stott and all of Protestantism. Joshua has renounced the Bible and the historic Christian faith.
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Lisa Havener
Every human being has the right to their own thoughts and feelings, they have a right to express those thoughts and feelings honestly and they have a right to self-determination. If you disagree with Josh, that’s fine, you have the freedom to live your life by the principles you value. But why do you feel so angry and threatened by the fact that he does not share yours? To his own master he stands or falls. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
Brent Detwiler
This is not about honesty. This is about dishonesty. Joshua is knowingly renouncing Jesus Christ and forsaking the gospel. It is willful disobedience to Christ and Scripture.
Lisa Havener
He is being honest about his doubts. He deserves the space to explore and learn what he really believes. I don’t understand why you are taking this so personally. People question their faith every day. Sometimes it takes years to work through those questions.
Brent Detwiler
No. Joshua is renouncing the faith he knows to be true.
Lisa Havener
Obviously, he does not “know” it to be true. Give him the space to figure that out.
Brent Detwiler
He is also promoting a false Jesus and false gospel. It is not personal. It is about the message of salvation.
Lily Blanco
He’s [Brent] not teaching the Bible. Brent is out to condemn the man. This is not what Jesus would do. Let’s post on Facebook and condemn Josh!! It’s sickening.
Brent Detwiler
Do you have any idea how the apostles dealt with false teachers who taught a false gospel? Please read your Bibles.
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Sherri Gammon
Sounds to me like he is hurting, and needs prayer, not judgement. It is the KINDNESS of the Lord that leads to repentance.
Brent Detwiler
I hope God grants kindness but both Jesus and Paul taught judgment for those who reject Him (John 3:16-21) and His gospel (Gal 1:6-9).
Lisa Havener
We love because he first loved us, not because he judged us. Love builds up, judgment tears down.
Sherri Gammon
Are you his pastor? If not, God alone is His judge. We can see that statements are false. We can pray, but he answers to God not us.
Brent Detwiler
My words are so mild compared to those who wrote Scripture and men throughout church history who had to confront a false gospel like Martin Luther did.
Sherri Gammon
True, but have you been praying for him as much as you've been sharing about him?
Brent Detwiler
I am his friend and friends warn those who are committing the most serious of sins. Denying that Jesus is God come in the flesh.
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Cindy Milot
Love is forbearing, kind, believes that which is good, isn’t quick to condemn or judge. Can’t we love him where he is? Everything else is empty, and he seems like he needs love and a lot of room to think. I can give him that.
Brent Detwiler
He has been thinking ever since he left Covenant Life Church in 2016 for a liberal seminary. In that context he chose to change his beliefs and rejected the central teachings of the Bible. He doesn’t need more time to think. He needs to remember from where he has fallen as it says in Rev 2-3.
Lisa Havener
Ah, Brent. You’ve got the whole Bible figured out, right down to the fine details, I guess.
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Debbie Kaufman
Brent, I am grieved you are going this route. You are wrong, so very, very wrong. The damage you will do I am totally against. I am praying as talking to you does not help, your hate is too deep in this. I believe he is suffering tremendously, and you out of everyone should recognize this. I pray you change your mind on this vendetta.
Julie Anne
Brent is anti-evangelizing with his public behavior about Josh. People seeing someone publicly beating someone who is in a confused spiritual state and will think, “if this is Christianity, I want nothing to do with it.”
Brent Detwiler
I am fighting for the gospel and that necessitates I speak out against Joshua’s false gospel. This is not a vendetta. And this is not anti-evangelism. There will be no evangelism if Josh’s false doctrine prevails.
Kevin Thomas
God doesn’t need you to act in this manner. He has got this.
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Sherri Gammon
Hurt causes rebellion more times than not. Feeling unheard, misunderstood, unloved, judged. That can cause rebellion to rise up. It is a hopelessness.
Brent Detwiler
Running his own life rather than following Christ is the issue. Please stop and read Romans 1:18-32.
Sherri Gammon
I am going to focus on God restoring a hurt brother.
Brent Detwiler
Joshua will have to answer to Jesus Christ for why he rejected and blasphemed him. Hurt will not be an acceptable excuse.
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Cindy Milot
In my profession, therapists will often tell recovering addicts to give themselves a month with little expectation for every year that they were an addict. Why if after years of having poison mixed with the Bible ladled down his throat would we not even think about giving him that much time to sort things out?
Brent Detwiler
He is not sorting things out. He knows Jesus Christ in the Son of God. He is renouncing him, nevertheless.
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Pierce Morgan
Wow. He rejected God and embraced the homosexual lifestyle. There is more to this story than has come to light at this point. I encourage everyone to check themselves daily to ensure they are abiding in the true gospel of Christ. Also, please pray for Josh and his family because his actions will likely lead some astray.
Joenne Courtney
And of course homosexuality being the “grandiose” sin of the day, we will completely ignore the spiritual abusers and false teachers who led Josh to question and doubt his faith. You know, I am at least glad to see that the grandiose sin of “divorce” has slid down the scale a bit. But apparently judging, behaving unlovingly and gossiping aren’t bad enough to make the sin grade scale.
Brent Detwiler
The “grandiose” sin is his renunciation of the gospel. He has also rejected other important teachings of the Bible but rejecting the Jesus of the four Gospels is the worse.
Joenne Courtney
Okay Brent and I agree with you. But people are focusing now on his stance on the homosexual issue. I also think it is possible that we don’t know what is truly in his heart and that we should be showing him Christ, not all of this “talk” about him. I question whether you understand the far reaching and damaging implications of spiritual abuse. I think Josh is questioning all he has ever been taught and now needs to find his own faith and belief, not what was passed into him and I agree, he needs to do that. I trust Christ. I know that He will sort it all out for Josh and I also know that condemning and shaming people drives them away from Jesus, so with that I strongly caution you to not write anymore publicly and to consider removing this post as well and to go privately to Josh.
Brent Detwiler
Joshua is a danger. He is now opposed to the central tenets of the Bible. Josh has been advancing in his false doctrine for at least the past three years. He has sorted it out. He has determined to renounce Christ and Christianity. He needs to be loved with rebuke and an appeal to repent.
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KerryAnn Foster
This thread is proof that you can take the person out of legalistic teaching, but you can’t take the legalism out of someone’s heart. I’m amazed at the number of people here who have suffered through legalism, renounced it yet continue to behave in legalistic ways against a brother in Christ [Josh].
Brent Detwiler
Grace is the opposite of legalism. The gospel is the essence of grace. Joshua has renounced Jesus. There is no saving grace for him. He will have to work his way into heaven and of course that is impossible. My correction of Josh is pure grace.
KerryAnn Foster
I’m sorry, Brent, I can’t agree. This is a sharp, harsh and judgmental public rebuke, not a gentle correction of a brother in Christ who is struggling to find his footing after trauma.
If we ask for grace for those experiencing trauma, then somehow can’t find a way to extend it to those who are in trauma, even if they have perpetrated trauma onto others, that it is WE who are sinning. Brother, this sounds very much like a hardened heart on your part towards Joshua and not the love of Christ, and that pains me.
As victim advocates, we must extend gentleness and grace to all who have experienced trauma, even if they have inflicted trauma onto others. Josh is both a perpetrator and a victim here.
Brent Detwiler
Josh is not suffering trauma. The Bible is clear on why people fall from the faith. Study the parable of the sower. It is the bad “soil” in our hearts.
KerryAnn Foster
You have somehow totally missed the heart of victim advocacy, Brent. Brother, being raised by a narcissist father and then being trained from a young age by a narcissist or possibly sociopathic CJ Mahaney would most definitely inflict trauma, as it does on ANYONE who is raised or mentored by a sociopath or narcissist. He grew up being someone else’s puppet, and it continued well into his life.
You’re so focused on how he might have hurt others while being used by someone else, that you’re totally missing the trauma he endured while being a puppet.
Brent Detwiler
I have been advocating for victims and caring for victims for the last 7 years. Jesus Christ has never victimized Joshua Harris but Josh is victimizing Jesus (so to speak). Josh can reject C.J. but he cannot reject Christ and you should not use C.J. as an excuse for his rejection of the Bible and gospel. Josh is intentionally rejecting that which he knows is true. Again, Romans 1 explains what is going on and so does the parable of the soils and many other passages in Scripture.
KerryAnn Foster
Honey, you seem so caught up in this that you can’t zoom out and see the bigger picture. Yes, you have been advocating. But there’s something much bigger here at play that has escaped you. You’re so focused on him as a perpetrator that you call your legalism grace. You’re so focused on the black and white legalism that you missed the huge swaths of grey and the very messy middle of grace.
Brent Detwiler
Joshua was taught the best of doctrine and taught it himself. I am very familiar with trauma. His problem is not trauma. Protecting the gospel (and much more) is not legalism. Just the opposite. It is like saying Matt 18:15-17 is legalism.
KerryAnn Foster
You using Matt 18:15-17 against him as a gleeful club IS legalism, Brent.
Brent Detwiler
“A gleeful club”? No a redemptive approach to sin and apostasy in obedience to the ‘legalistic’ teaching of Jesus Christ..
KerryAnn Foster
Your language choice is gleeful, including saying that no one should extend him grace and that he can no longer be/get saved. All caps, honey. That’s gleeful. That’s not trying to help a brother, that’s broadcasting what you think is going on to the world.
If you don’t know Josh personally and you’re not counseling him right now, you’re outside of your lane. And this is persecution of a brother.
Your post shows no humility, no humbleness, no love for a brother’s soul. It’s a gleeful, arrogant announcement pridefully spreading your opinion when you have no way to know the state of his soul as you are not counseling him.
Brent Detwiler
It is not gleeful in any manner. I never said no one should extended grace to him but you are turning grace into an excuse for sin (read Jude 4) and grace always teaches us to deny ungodliness, etc. Read Titus 2:11-15. Joshua is embracing godlessness.