I really don’t make it a habit to focus on specific people when I post here. Usually, I prefer to argue ideas and let readers make up their own minds about the various concepts without calling out anyone by name. That is still my policy, in general.
However, I have honestly received so many requests to respond to the videos posted by self-proclaimed “expert” on Progressive Christianity, Alisa Childers, that I felt I had little choice but to address her claims and respond directly to her. (Especially since she has repeatedly ignored my requests for a private conversation or even a friendly Zoom call to talk about her numerous misrepresentations of those she disagrees with).
For the record: I consider Alisa to be my sister-in-Christ and I have nothing but love and respect for her. We simply disagree on certain points of doctrine (however central those doctrines may happen to be). In my view, she and I are both “Christians” and I would never suggest that she wasn’t a true believer in Christ simply because we see a few things differently.
It’s worth noting that Alisa does not share the same perspective about me, however. In her videos, she repeatedly labels anyone who doesn’t hold to the doctrines of Penal Substitutionary Atonement, Eternal Torment or the Inerrancy of Scripture as a “weak” Christian – or worse – as a fake Christian who should be feared, avoided, and dismissed completely.
To date, I have recorded three video responses to Alisa in hopes of drawing her out for more direct dialog and conversation. So far, she has ignored all of my requests.
So, in the hopes that such a conversation might one day materialize, I would like to point out three areas where Alisa blatantly contradicts Jesus of Nazareth.
First: Alisa Childers believes that the ONLY WAY to know Christ is by reading the Bible.
Jesus contradicts her by pointing out that there is no life in the Scriptures and that we can only find life in Christ. (see John 5:39)
Jesus also tells us that “my sheep know my voice” and that, he, as the Good Shepherd, is more than capable of speaking to us in his very own voice. (see John 10:27-28)
Think about it this way: If Jesus were any other historical figure like Abraham Lincoln or Napolean, the ONLY WAY anyone could know anything about him would be by reading what others said about him, or perhaps reading what he said.
But, Jesus is NOT like any other historical figure, is he?
No, he is not.
Jesus is alive right now! (I would think even Alisa would agree with this statement). Therefore, since Christ abides in us, and we abide in Christ (see John 15:4-5), we can all hear His voice individually!
By the way, this is also what the entire New Covenant promise is all about. (Please read Jeremiah 31:31-37, and/or Hebrews 8:8-13 for details)
God’s Spirit has been poured out on ALL FLESH (See Acts chapter 2), and we are now filled with the Spirit who leads us into all truth.
Second: Alisa Childers believes that the Bible is our ultimate authority.
Once again, Jesus disagrees with this idea. According to him, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (see Matthew 28: 18)
So, not the book that we wrote about Jesus – but Jesus himself!
Finally: Alisa Childers believes that the Bible is the foundation for the Christian life.
However, once again, she is contradicted (ironically) by the scriptures – specifically her favorite Apostle Paul – who told us:
“No one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (see 1 Cor. 3:11)
In a nutshell, Alisa Childers seems to replace Jesus with the Bible – a common problem among traditional Evangelical Christians who tend to deify the Scriptures and downgrade Jesus to a minor character in the religion named after him.
My hope is that Alisa – and Christians like her – might reconsider their Bible-based perspectives and return to a Jesus-Centric lens of scripture and faith.
That is my hope, at least.
Again, I only point this out here on my blog because – so far – I have been unable to engage in an actual dialog with Alisa over these points. If she would like to have an actual conversation, I am happy to do so in a friendly, non-confrontational manner.
But, to answer the question posed by the title of this article, “Who wins?” when one person uses their theology to tear down, discredit and demonize those who don’t agree with them? No one. We all lose.
Do Alisa and I disagree? Most certainly we do.
Do I consider Alisa a non-Christian because of our disagreements? Not at all! I gladly affirm her love for Christ and her fellowship in the Body of Christ.
Does Alisa extend this same grace to people like me who disagree with her theology? Sadly, no, she does not. She has gone out of her way to produce an endless stream of videos that point fingers, equate Progressive theology with the occult, and to make claims about her Progressive brothers and sisters that are untrue, unkind and extremely damaging to the unity of the Christian faith.
My hope is that we can stop pointing fingers and playing “Us vs Them” games where everyone who agrees with us is “Holy” and everyone who disagrees is “Evil” and start realizing the Truth: We are all on the same team!
To be clear: I do not write this article to attack Alisa Childers. I write it in hopes that she might stop and realize the damage she is doing to the Body of Christ.
Alisa is not my enemy. I want her to know that I am not against her. I’m not even against her desire to create videos that promote her views. But, my hope is that she could find a way to do that without also painting everyone who believes something different as “dangerous” or “demonic.”
Is that too much to ask?
Watch my previous YouTube videos refuting Alisa here:
What Alisa Childers Gets Wrong About Progressive Christianity [Which is Everything]
Exposing The Progressive Hypocrisy of Alisa Childers
What’s With All The Deconstruction Stories? (with Matthew Distefano)
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DID YOU KNOW? The Old Testament never mentions Eternal Torment? Jesus didn’t either. (He was quoting OT prophets who – as we just said – never mentioned eternal torment) So…how did this doctrine of hell get into the Church? What did the Church embrace for over 500 years (and why have you never heard about it)?
Join me for a 3-week online course to learn more about the 3 Biblical Views of Hell starting Feb. 8, 2021 for just $19.99.
Keith Giles and his wife, Wendy, work with Peace Catalyst International to help build relationships between Christians and Muslims in El Paso, TX. Keith was formerly a licensed and ordained minister who walked away from organized church over a decade ago to start a home fellowship that gave away 100% of the offering to the poor in the community. Today he is the author of the best-selling “Jesus Un” series of books, including “Jesus Unexpected: Ending The End Times To Become The Second Coming” which is available now on Amazon.
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