Can we say these days that in Christianity, “anything goes?” It seems a lot of people think that way. I have written numerous articles about the way many people, and even entire denominations, claim to be Christian yet promote very unbiblical beliefs – everything from abortion, to same-sex marriage, to intentional law-breaking, to various kinds of sexual immorality, and the list could go on and on.
Well, it seems that we have another one to add to the list. Actor Alan Ritchson is now making what he considers a biblical defense of the use of profanity. Ritchson is an outspoken self-proclaimed Christian and, interestingly, holds certain mainstream Christian beliefs – particularly a classic Protestant view of justification. He believes that Jesus took on humanity’s sin so that people could receive God’s righteousness through faith apart from works.
But when it comes to profanity, he argues that there are times when it is actually appropriate for Christians to curse. On a podcast with Josh Horowitz, he said:
“I shouldn’t say f—- because I’m a Christian and people are going to be like, ’How can he say f—- and he’s a Christian?’”
Concerning the Epstein files, he continued:
“Because that is something that should make you want to say f—-, you know? Sorry.”
Well, if he actually read the Bible, he might come to a different conclusion. Perhaps he has not read:
- Matthew 12:34 - You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
- Colossians 3:8 - But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
- Ephesians 4:29 - Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
- James 3:3-5, 8-10 - 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. ... 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
So why does this outspoken “Christian” try to defend the indefensible? He does it because he does what many Christians do – he cherry picks the parts of Scripture that suit him.
I am not in a position to judge Ritchson’s salvation. Maybe he is a genuine believer. But by accepting at least a part of modern society’s worldview beliefs, he has corrupted his faith.
Naturalism is the worldview belief that dominates most of modern society. It is the belief that the natural universe, operating by natural laws, is all that exists. Thus, it is atheistic. With no acknowledgment of the existence of God, it’s authority source is, by default, human reason.
Well, Ritchson has adopted this authority source as the basis for his moral beliefs about profanity. He has substituted his view of morality for what is revealed in the Bible. While his view of justification may be right, his view of sanctification is wrong.
Christian salvation is not a “point-in-time” event. It is a process. It begins at a point in time (the moment a person invites Christ into his or her life). That is the justification part. But it continues throughout the rest of one’s mortal life. That involves the process of a person living in relationship with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to continually conform their life to the holiness God demands of those who desire to live in His presence. That is sanctification.
[Note: The third part of the process is glorification – when a person’s body dies and their spirit enters eternity without the sin nature.]
Christians don’t get to pick and choose what parts of the Bible they want to follow. God has revealed in Scripture what is true and right, and every Christian should deeply desire to follow it. That is the nature of the transformation that happens when a person enters into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. People who don’t want that kind of transformation in their life ought to take a second look at their salvation to make sure it is actually genuine.
Freddy Davis is the president of MarketFaith Ministries. He is the author of numerous books entitled The Truth Mirage, Rules for Christians Radicals, Liberalism vs. Conservatism, and his latest book Shattering the Truth Mirage and has a background as an international missionary, pastor, radio host, worldview trainer, and entrepreneur. Freddy is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Communication, and holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is a popular speaker, particularly on the topic of worldview and its practical implications for the Christian life. He lives in Tallahassee, FL, with his wife Deborah.
You may also contact Freddy at Leadership Speakers Bureau to schedule him for speaking or leadership engagements.
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