Bobby, this is extensive. Thank you for sharing your research and personal experience. Grateful you left the cult and found freedom.
Interestingly enough, I am transitioning away from the SBC (even though our church and pastor are a far cry from what the denomination now represents), and the priest of the small, Anglican-ecumenical church we’ve been visiting was also raised in a cult in L.A. I don’t know which one, but after reading this I see why he so frequently preaches against power structures and violence, and highlights vulnerability and love for the marginalized (and, of course, because Christ preached those things, too.) Anyway, excellent post. Thanks again.
You're welcome, Julie. Yeah, these structures that are based on domination and subservience are everywhere. Thanks for the encouragement, and best wishes on your transition to the new community!
Wow. Bobby. Thank you for this look into this destructive teaching. I listened to The rise and fall of Mars Hill podcast and was appalled at Mark Driscolls leadership and following. I never experienced that growing up SBC, but there was a very evangelical fear placed in following Jesus and of course being a biblical wife. Thankfully my husband was not a patriarchal type guy and we have always made our decisions together. We have left the SBC now as we no longer agree with many of their leadership decisions. You are brave to continue to expose this and I look forward to reading more
Great read, and looking forward to digging deeper! Such an important topic as our culture’s opinions on masculinity and what it’s expressions should be are at such extremes.
Bobby, thank you so much for this—for the parts of your life you've transmuted into hope. I have to say it caused physical pain to read this—as I winced (and winced), I had to remind myself that it wasn't a violent rally I was reading about. You were talking about things happening in Jesus Christ's church! (My mind wanders to Matthew 7:15.)
Developing an instinctive distrust of power, wherever it crops up, seems like a useful strategy to counter the undertow that has hurt so many people. I was half-expecting you'd mention the "muscular" (the NYT used this word today) power-wielding that's become acceptable to many lately, including many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
I was particularly struck by these parts of your piece:
• Ideology eats theology for breakfast.
• Insulting, rough, and even violent speech is like a drug, especially when the speaker is rewarded with an attentive audience. [Think social media!]
Bobby, this is extensive. Thank you for sharing your research and personal experience. Grateful you left the cult and found freedom.
Interestingly enough, I am transitioning away from the SBC (even though our church and pastor are a far cry from what the denomination now represents), and the priest of the small, Anglican-ecumenical church we’ve been visiting was also raised in a cult in L.A. I don’t know which one, but after reading this I see why he so frequently preaches against power structures and violence, and highlights vulnerability and love for the marginalized (and, of course, because Christ preached those things, too.) Anyway, excellent post. Thanks again.
You're welcome, Julie. Yeah, these structures that are based on domination and subservience are everywhere. Thanks for the encouragement, and best wishes on your transition to the new community!
Wow. Bobby. Thank you for this look into this destructive teaching. I listened to The rise and fall of Mars Hill podcast and was appalled at Mark Driscolls leadership and following. I never experienced that growing up SBC, but there was a very evangelical fear placed in following Jesus and of course being a biblical wife. Thankfully my husband was not a patriarchal type guy and we have always made our decisions together. We have left the SBC now as we no longer agree with many of their leadership decisions. You are brave to continue to expose this and I look forward to reading more
Thank you, Janet! My church was part of Acts 29 until we started to learn more about Driscoll. It was an eye-opening experience.
Bobby, thank you so much! This is so validating for me.
You're welcome, Laura! I am so glad. This stuff has done so much harm to so many.
Great read, and looking forward to digging deeper! Such an important topic as our culture’s opinions on masculinity and what it’s expressions should be are at such extremes.
Thank you, Kathryn! I agree, it's an important topic and the conversation often gets driven by the extremes.
Such an important yet heartbreaking read adding to the heap of Christian hyper masculinity horror history. Thank you for this.
You're welcome. It has somehow been both hard and healing to sift through this history again. Hopefully it will continue to help others!
Think hard & healing go together. But not without courage. Many need inspiration from those like you.. Thank you.
Bobby, thank you so much for this—for the parts of your life you've transmuted into hope. I have to say it caused physical pain to read this—as I winced (and winced), I had to remind myself that it wasn't a violent rally I was reading about. You were talking about things happening in Jesus Christ's church! (My mind wanders to Matthew 7:15.)
Developing an instinctive distrust of power, wherever it crops up, seems like a useful strategy to counter the undertow that has hurt so many people. I was half-expecting you'd mention the "muscular" (the NYT used this word today) power-wielding that's become acceptable to many lately, including many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
I was particularly struck by these parts of your piece:
• Ideology eats theology for breakfast.
• Insulting, rough, and even violent speech is like a drug, especially when the speaker is rewarded with an attentive audience. [Think social media!]
• We become like what we worship.
Thanks again for sharing this powerful piece.
You're welcome! Yeah, "muscular power-wielding" is a great way to put it.
Great job! Keep up the great work.
Thank you!
“an almost unnatural fondness for western belts, boots, and shirts;”
This explains some of my extended family members. Wow.
Also this is me catching up on a lot of great writing from the last several months and commenting on everything 😂