Blogs like ours here at The Dissenter have spent countless hours exposing the grim reality behind institutions like the ERLC and The Gospel Coalition. These entities, who masquerade as paragons of Christian virtue, have been unmasked as nothing more than carnal institutions, dangerously straying from the path of righteousness.

Brett McCracken, known for his association with The Gospel Coalition, has abandoned the gospel altogether and aligned himself with worldly principles under the guise of Christian discernment​​​​. The Gospel Coalition, having faced much criticism over the years for its progressive bent, further casts a shadow of doubt over McCracken’s commitment to true Christian values.

In his article that is published at the ERLC, McCracken attempts to paint himself as a “super-sanctified” Christian, claiming immunity to the barrage of ungodly content in media and film. He asserts that his deep conviction in God’s vision for sex and gender shields him from being swayed by Hollywood’s distorted portrayal of these themes. After spending several paragraphs urging Christians not to throw out all of the Hollywood baby with the disgusting bathwater you get from it, he concludes of himself:

I am utterly compelled by God’s vision for sex and gender and thoroughly convinced that it is truer, more beautiful, and better for the world than what Hollywood pitches. Therefore, when I watch a film or show that advances a skewed vision of sex or depicts some aspect of gender confusion, I am not captivated by it; I grieve it. I pray for the lost souls these pop culture narratives reflect and are shaping. And I leave with more passion than ever to spread the gospel that is better than the false sexual gospels of our age.

Notice what he’s doing here by justifying this indulgence in sin by claiming a super-power over temptations. However, this self-proclaimed immunity is not only cringe-worthy but also a blatant disregard for the clear teachings of Scripture, which warn believers against exposing themselves to such filth and begs the question: If you’re not captivated by it, then why does your entire life revolve around defending it?

McCracken’s position here is dangerously misleading, giving Christians a false sense of security in their sanctification. Scripture unequivocally warns against the consumption of risqué and shameless content, yet McCracken brazenly claims to grieve rather than be captivated by such material. This is not only a gross misinterpretation of Christian liberty but also a perilous plunge into complacency, risking spiritual integrity.

This isn’t McCracken’s first rodeo, however, as he puts out a defense of movies and television shows every year that depict anything from homosexual sex scenes to blasphemy. Despite being a prominent figure at The Gospel Coalition, McCracken’s annual “Best Movies” lists are often filled with content that blatantly contradicts biblical teachings on sexuality and reverence for God. His writings, rather than steering Christians towards edifying content, plunge them into a world of salacious, risqué, and even blasphemous material under the guise of cultural engagement and artistic appreciation.

The narrative spun by McCracken and endorsed by the ERLC is a cunning strategy to justify indulgence in the very practices Scripture vehemently opposes. Christians must be vigilant and discerning, recognizing the subtle infiltration of worldly views into the church. Institutions and leaders who advocate for engagement with salacious content under the guise of cultural relevance must be scrutinized and held accountable for their departure from biblical truth.

McCracken, The Gospel Coalition, and the ERLC represent a worldview that is grossly unbiblical and this kind of irrational reasoning stems from an absolutely deficient and sub-biblical epistemology and worldview. Itis completley irreconcilable with how Christians are commanded to think about culture and social issues. Christians must steadfastly reject such deceptive doctrines, remaining unwavering in their commitment to purity and holiness, as commanded by Scripture. These institutions that masquerade as the gatekeepers of Christian orthodoxy should be wholly rejected as illegitimate and untrustworthy.