"I Was a Professional Christian" - Why Rhett McLaughlin Stopped Believing

Summary

In this compelling transcript, the speaker reflects on their journey from a deeply involved Christian engineer to a professional Christian entertainer. They explore their changing beliefs, particularly their evolving stance on the intersection of science and faith. Initially skeptical of evolution, the speaker's views shift after engaging with scientific arguments and Christian perspectives. The turning point comes when the speaker acknowledges the truth of evolution, challenging long-held beliefs and questioning the reliability of Christian apologetics. This revelation sparks a profound transformation in their worldview, marking a significant moment in their spiritual journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, in their early 20s, was a civil engineer while still deeply involved in Campus Crusade and aimed to combine their passion for filmmaking with ministry work.
• 😀 The idea of being a 'professional Christian' emerged as the speaker and their friend dreamed of using their entertainment skills for the cause of evangelism.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on their early understanding of science and faith, initially thinking most scientists were atheists and that evolution was a flawed attempt to explain life without God.
• 😀 The speaker's perspective began shifting when they read a book by Hugh Ross, an astronomer who argued for an old universe but rejected evolution, introducing the concept of progressive creationism.
• 😀 Progressive creationism suggested that while the universe and Earth are ancient, God created new species at different stages, challenging the speaker's earlier rejection of evolutionary theory.
• 😀 The speaker wrestles with the idea of reconciling science and faith, finding the notion of God creating life in distinct 'trial runs' to be strange and unbiblical.
• 😀 One major issue the speaker struggled with was the idea that evolution could lead to human beings who were morally capable of salvation, while their non-human ancestors, who were genetically similar, were not.
• 😀 The speaker started considering the possibility of evolution as a genuine explanation after reading Francis Collins' book *The Language of God*, which linked Christian faith with evolutionary science.
• 😀 Collins' work introduced the speaker to genetic evidence such as retroviruses in human and chimpanzee DNA, suggesting a shared ancestry and reinforcing the validity of evolution.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal breakthrough moment where, after coming to terms with evolution, they realized that their previous understanding of faith and science was flawed, leading them to question other areas of belief.
• 😀 The speaker's wife, from a young earth creationist background, had a deeply emotional reaction when the speaker revealed their acceptance of evolution, symbolizing the personal and spiritual conflict involved in this shift in worldview.

Q & A

How did the speaker initially view the relationship between science and faith?

The speaker initially believed that most scientists were atheists and that scientific theories, particularly evolution, were attempts to explain the world without God's involvement. He saw evolution as unlikely and didn't think deeply about reconciling science and faith.

What was the turning point that made the speaker reconsider the conflict between science and faith?

The turning point came when the speaker read a book by astronomer Hugh Ross, who proposed progressive creationism. This idea reconciled the old age of the universe with biblical creation, prompting the speaker to think about how science and faith might be compatible.

What is progressive creationism, and how did it influence the speaker?

Progressive creationism is the belief that the universe is as old as scientists claim, but God created new species of creatures at different points in history. This concept intrigued the speaker, but ultimately, he felt it was an inadequate explanation for the relationship between science and faith.

Why did the speaker find the progressive creationism model problematic?

The speaker found progressive creationism problematic because it suggested that God created new batches of creatures, but it seemed arbitrary and inconsistent with the idea of human beings inheriting eternal life while animals did not. This raised questions about fairness and the nature of God's actions.

What led the speaker to reconsider his stance on evolution?

The speaker's reading of Francis Collins' book, 'The Language of God,' played a pivotal role in reconsidering his stance on evolution. Collins' discussion of genetic evidence, such as the fusion of chromosomes and retroviral marks, convinced the speaker that evolution was a legitimate scientific explanation.

How did the speaker react emotionally when he realized he might be wrong about something fundamental?

The speaker felt a profound shift in perspective, realizing that he might be wrong about something so fundamental to his beliefs. This was a humbling experience, particularly because his previous views on evolution were shaped by Christian apologists who dismissed the theory as false.

What was the reaction of the speaker's wife when he shared his new belief in evolution?

The speaker's wife, who came from a young earth creationist background, was deeply upset when he shared his belief in evolution. She cried, understanding that this belief represented a significant shift in the speaker's worldview, particularly within their shared faith.

What does the speaker mean by saying that no one around him in North Carolina would challenge his beliefs?

The speaker highlights that, in North Carolina, he was surrounded by people who shared his views, so there was little social pressure to question his beliefs. This made his internal struggle with evolution particularly isolating, as there was no one to talk to about his doubts.

How does the speaker describe the impact of reading about theistic evolution?

Reading about theistic evolution opened the speaker's mind to the possibility that faith and science could coexist. He noted that many Christians accept evolution and still hold onto their belief in God, which made him question his previous assumptions about the conflict between the two.

What significance does the speaker attach to his discovery about evolution within the context of his faith?

The speaker sees his discovery about evolution as a pivotal moment in his faith journey. Realizing that he was wrong about such a fundamental issue made him question the validity of other claims made by Christian apologists, marking a shift in his approach to both science and theology.