Link Neal on Why He Left the Christian Faith

On a recent podcast, Link Neal (of the comedy duo Rhett and Link) detailed his "spiritual deconstruction": his process of leaving the Christian faith. His podcast/Youtube/comedy partner, Rhett McLaughlin, had previously detailed his "spiritual deconstruction" on the previous week's podcast. Whereas Rhett focused on the intellectual component to his leaving the faith, Link focused more on the emotional side of things.

Near the end of the podcast, Rhett stepped in to observe that he knows that many Christians will explain these stories of "spiritual deconstruction" as indicating that he and Link were never really Christians (and Rhett seems to acknowledge that some Bible passages would lead Christians to this conclusion). Rhett and Link seem somewhat chagrined at the reaction that they expect from evangelical Christians (like me); they would rather be heard and accepted without any push-back. However, while maintaining "gentleness and respect," Christians must be"prepared to make a defense to anyone" concerning the hope within us (see 1 Peter 3:15), and we must "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Therefore, we cannot simply smile and nod when someone walks away from the Christian faith, when they say that belief in Jesus is unfounded. We must have an answer for their reasons and their experience.

So while (as I previously noted regarding Rhett's account of his "spiritual deconstruction") I would not necessarily recommend the podcast for immature Christians who are not firmly grounded in their faith, nevertheless I would strongly recommend that mature Christians, and especially those in any kind of recognized teaching or counseling position, take them time to listen to it. It is important to consider the thoughts and experiences of others, and then to consider how we should respond from a biblical perspective. You can listen to the podcast at the following link [no pun intended?]: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/227-links-spiritual-deconstruction-ear-biscuits-ep-227/id717407884?i=1000465144790

In terms of Link's testimony, there are three major themes that particular struck me as noteworthy. These are: hypocrisy, emotionalism, and "enlightened" morality. I believe that it is worthwhile to consider each of these in relation to understanding the experience of one who walks away from the Christian faith.

Hypocrisy

Speaking of his experience as a professing Christian in high school, Link says, "We didn't cuss: not in public at least; we didn't fool around with our girlfriends, or we felt guilty about it when we did." He then details an experience with getting drunk at a high school party. Link describes his mindset in deciding to drink as, "Screw it, I just want to have a little fun!" In considering a later experience, as an adult with doubts, yet leading worship in a church, he describes himself as closing his eyes tight, knowing that others would think he was intensely worshiping, while he was really trying his hardest to feel close to God, yet feeling nothing.

All of us as Christians will sin. We all still need a Savior. When we do sin, it should cause us to come back to Jesus. When there is sin in our lives, and especially if there is a pattern of an ongoing internal life that is inconsistent with our external profession, it should drive us to check if we have really come to possess the faith we profess. And if someone finally walks away from the faith, it is reasonable to conclude that the answer to that question was 'no'.

Emotionalism

As mentioned above, in giving the account of his own "spiritual deconstruction", Link was more focused than Rhett on the emotional component of his journey. At several points in his testimony, he emphasized not feeling close to God. Changing feelings or a lack of certain feelings: these seem to be a big part of Link's motivation in leaving the Christian faith.

Emotions are an important part of life. For the Christian, it is crucial that we desire God as we ought. If we don't delight in the Lord, then we definitely need a change in our lives. On the other hand, emotions are a great servant, but a terrible master.

Upon getting married as a young man in the mid-1600s, John Bunyan left behind a wild, sinful lifestyle, and he became a deeply religious person, "who went to church and read the Bible [along with other Christian devotional books]. His attempts at reformation, however, put him on an emotional roller coaster; visions of light and hope were followed by seizures of depression, doubt, fear, and guilt" [source: Cheryl V. Ford, "Preface to The Pilgrim's Progress"]. It is important to note that later in life Bunyan realized that these intense emotions in trying to be devoted to the Lord, and even (at that time) of feeling the word of God strongly impressed upon his mind in different ways, were PRIOR TO his actual conversion. It was ONLY LATER that Bunyan received the new birth, and learned to truly look outside of himself to Christ, loving Jesus for who He is.

I believe that Christians should understand young Link Neal's experience in the same way that the older John Bunyan reflected on his own experience from when he was a young man. I'm sure Link's religious experiences were intense. But as Jonathan Edwards noted in his work on Religious Affections: "It is no sign one way or the other [that a person is truly a Christian], that religious affections are very great, or raised very high." A person should not bank on his religious affections as necessarily indicating that he possesses true faith. When those affections begin to wane, a person should not let an emotionally stale state lead him away from the Lord.

Faith must come before affections/emotions, being grounded in Truth outside oneself. The truth of who Jesus is and what He has done is found in both evidential reality in the material world (which evidence—such as the eyewitness testimonies of the Apostle John [see John 19:35] and over 500 others [see 1 Corinthians 15:6]—Rhett and Link now deny) and in metaphysical/presuppositional reality (which was mentioned barely, if at all, in these podcasts). Idolizing emotions as the be-all and end-all, so that feelings define everything about what it means to be human and to live in relationship with people and with God: this is a besetting sin in our society.

"Enlightened" Morality

Link's feelings lead him to the conclusion that he is better than the God who spoke the universe into existence. At least, Link would say that his morals are better than those of God as He is presented in the Bible. The biblical definition of marriage as between a man and a woman [see Matthew 19:4-5] and the biblical condemnation of homosexuality [see Romans 1:26-27]: these are offensive to Link, and would form a barrier for Link re-thinking his current rejection of Christianity.

In the podcast, Link also says: "If God exists... I just can't believe that me being open and sincere, and as loving as possible and as honest as possible, is disqualifying me from receiving God's love. I can't accept that. I can't just decide to be or believe something that I don't." There is no verse that says "being open and sincere, and as loving as possible and as honest as possible" disqualifies anyone "from receiving God's love." However, we do earn spiritual death through falling short. And our consciences should acknowledge that we all fall short: certainly of God's standards, but even of any substitute standards that we might want to establish. Does Link really believe that he is always "as loving as possible and as honest as possible"? Wouldn't he have to admit that he falls short and, at least through weakness or distraction, he is often selfish and shades the truth? Such a consideration (and certainly a consideration of God's law, which demands perfect love for God and neighbor) should drive Link and all of us to realize that we need a Savior: that we are not as moral as we would like to believe, and that we need instruction as to what love really looks like.

The Root Problem: A Need for a New Heart

Notice the end of Link's quote that I cited in the last paragraph: "I can't just decide to be or believe something that I don't." This is a true statement. Link and all of us are naturally "dead in transgressions and sins... gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts... by nature children under wrath" (see Ephesians 2:1-3). Again, Link and all of us need a rescue from outside of ourselves. If YOU are to have life and have it to the full [see John 10:10], YOU must have a new heart [see Ephesians 2:4-10; Ezekiel 36:26].  God's radical, rescuing, regenerating activity: this is my prayer for Link and for each person reading this post.