This post is actually not about Forrest Frank participating in a semi-racist alternative halftime show by Turning Points. Turning Points is not and has never been Christian.

Sexism, Christian nationalism, Nazism, Nick Fuentes, and racism have no place in Christianity. Why it is difficult for Christians to say this suggests they are not reading their Bibles to see what God says, but are getting all their info from *insert conservative influencer* and Fox News. Consequently, they hold opinions that are not in line with Scripture.

Conservatives love cherry picking which parts of the Bible to follow. As long as someone claims Jesus is Lord on social media, the average American Evangelical is fine with one or more of the following groups: pedophiles, racists, Nazis, human traffickers, sexists, friends of Epstein, rapists, liars who cause dissension, those who exploit the poor for their own gain, and those who ignore the widow and orphan, because at least they’re spreading the Gospel (optional) and are pro-life.

However, if a Christian says Jesus is Lord, but that gay folks should be able to marry, and that a pregnant 11 year old girl who’s been raped by her dad shouldn’t be forced to give birth – that somehow disqualifies them from being a real Christian?

This is called hypocrisy. And Jesus told us not to be hypocrites.

Further hypocrisy: instead of boycotting the Superbowl entirely, Forrest Frank ft. whoever else are apparently fine watching the game just not the halftime show. I’m not sure how men in tights chasing a ball is more glorifying to God than Bad Bunny singing in Spanish. However, I suppose cursing, sex, and displays of anger are fine if it’s in the name of football. Not fine if sung in Spanish.

This is also not about Frank’s claim that God healed his broken back. While God does work miracles and initially I thought his healing was pretty awesome, the fact that Forrest is kinda shady makes me wonder if there was any broken back at all.

Case in point: pretending to be upset at Cory Asbury for making fun of his feelings over breaking his back, then making a song with him only to admit that basically all of it was staged. Like, “yeah bro I actually was originally upset at what you said and we made peace, but then I thought what better way to give glory to God then for us to stage drama online to market our makeup song!”

Praise Jesus?

This is also not about him acting like losing followers is persecution.

Notice how Frank insidiously places posting about Charlie Kirk (RIP, homie) on the same level as talking about Jesus, then doesn’t address Kirk at all but goes on to deflect by saying Jesus loves you, yada yada without addressing the actual issue which is that folks likely took umbrage with him posting about Kirk.

This creates a false narrative that people unfollowed Frank for posting about Jesus, when they likely unfollowed him for posting about Kirk. This is not to say that whatever Frank said about Kirk was wrong.

However, this is a classic American Evangelical response to valid criticism and hypocrisy. Rather than addressing the issue in a thoughtful manner, or backing up his opinion with Scripture, he deflects by basically suggesting those that unfollowed him hate Jesus, then he moves on knowing his followers will defend him.

This allows him to avoid thinking critically about whatever he said that sent netizens into a tizzy, and by pulling out the JesusLovesYouCard^tm he can avoiding going to Scripture entirely by claiming persecution.

Since many Christians are Biblically illiterate, they often don’t realize they’re supporting ideas found nowhere in the Bible, and sometimes are even the opposite of what God says. Or they’re purposefully twisting and misrepresenting Scripture to fit their own worldview.

Anyway, what actually brought me out of my self-imposed hiatus was Forrest Frank not going to the Dove Awards even though for him to win he had to submit his music.

So, he was cool winning the award and taking the money from said award; however, physically going to the Dove Awards and saying, “thank you God for this award,” was too wordly?

I don’t know if Forrest realizes he didn’t actually need to post this online. Of course, no one could leave comments giving glory to Forrest God if he hadn’t.

This is not giving any glory to God, this is virtue signaling. It’s patting yourself on the back for doing literally nothing, and I highly doubt anyone gave their life to Christ because Forrest Frank boycotted the Dove Awards.

This falls into a larger issue I have with Christians saying or doing things that on a surface level seem like Christ, but when scrutinized are actually foolish. The solution to foolishness is found all over the Bible i.e. “[e]ven a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Many Christian influencers would save themselves heaps of criticism and woe if they shut-up online and focused on developing character privately instead of trying to look holy on Tik Tok. A life of holiness speaks for itself. As St. Francis said, “preach the Gospel always; use words when necessary.”

When one is truly living like Christ, there’s no need to wave a flag over your head saying, “I’m a Christian! I don’t do x,y,z and I’m not going to the Dove Awards bc I love Jesus!” Your character will speak for itself.

This is why Jesus said they’ll know us by our fruits – the fruits of the spirit found in Galatians. When you are walking with God, that will be evident in the fact you have Christ-like character such as peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness, love, and self-control.

Too many Christians spend all their time trying to look good publicly while talking about “safe” sins they struggle with such as porn, cursing or whatever while lacking Christ-like character in private. A lack of character usually comes out in one way or another. Again, just look at how many pastors get caught doing the very things they preach about. This is not to say Forrest is a bad dude; he seems like he genuinely loves the Lord.

But Loving the Lord, or accepting Jesus as your savior is the first step in Christianity. The second step is accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, aka obeying God’s Word and becoming more like Christ.

The church in general is currently struggling with a lack of Christian character, or virtue. This is evident in Christians support of our current administration. And a quick Google search reveals a plethora of Christians everyday who are caught cheating, having sex with children, being violent towards their families, covering up abuse in the church, gossiping about others, and so on. And this is only what has been publicly exposed.

It speaks to a larger issue where many Christians believe in Jesus and publicly proclaim His Name, but never develop the character of Jesus. Consequently, they don’t see the value in character and dismiss valid criticisms or concerns over their behavior or words as persecution.

After all, all one needs to get into Heaven is a belief in Jesus Christ, right? These folks will declare Trump a good example of a Christian and bemoan worldliness and sin while failing to see they are just as worldly and sinful as those they criticize. And this worldliness and lack of character makes the average Christian look, act, and speak just like the world.

Because what does music sounding like the world even mean? What does dressing like the world look like?

This sort of Christianese sounds good initially. However, it literally makes no sense.

Frank has created straw men enemies of Christianity who put out good music and dress like hipsters. Catchy music and good style isn’t sinful. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on at the heart,” anyway. Far more important than Frank’s mustache are the intentions of his heart. How he behaves and acts offline when no one is looking.

Ironically, creating imaginary enemies to be at war with, and virtue signaling whilst not doing anything practical is very much like the world aka useless in bringing God’s will to Earth.

Being not like the world would’ve been to donate the money he made from his award to a charity he supports. Remember the rich young man who wanted to inherit eternal life? “Jesus showed love to him and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: go and sell all your posses and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; come and follow me’.”

I don’t see folks like Frank talking about this sort of radical Christian living. Talk about being the real deal. Yet, despite being “built different”, Forrest isn’t giving up all his wealth to follow Jesus. He’s just like every other evangelical American Christian online.

Saying things that possess an appearance of godliness but lacks the power thereof. Christians like Frank eat up feel good, happy Christianese that requires no real sacrifice or discomfort on their end. Be of the world, not it in. Jesus loves you. Believe in Him. Repent! This sort of surface level preaching acts just like the worldly culture it criticizes while claiming Jesus is Lord.

But it never goes deep like Jesus did, sitting in the mire with the lost, oppressed, and lonely to meet their needs. It never considers the God of the Old Testament, who was angry as the exploitation of the poor and the abuse of the oppressed, who warned the wealthy about hoarding wealth and greed.

Instead, it’s a form of religious devotion that looks good from a distance, but is really just a poor imitation of Jesus Christ, who gave to the needy/poor without any expectation of thanks or praise.

A Christ who befriended the outcasts, doubters, and haters instead of calling them out for not following Him. Let us be more like that Jesus.