I was a little shocked. I really like the guy...or at least the image I have of him. Just two years ago, my band, The Miraculous Catch Of Fish,  got to share the stage (music biz speak for 'play on the same stage, but not actually at the same time'  with Hawk Nelson at a small Christian music festival called Ignite. Jon and company put on a great show. In hindsight, it may have been just that...a show. 

When Hawk Nelson's "Words" was in heavy rotation on K-LOVE, the station played a 'behind the music' promo about how none other than Mercy Me's Bart Millard was the one who convinced Jon to step into the lead singer role when Hawk Nelson's former front man, Jason Dunn, left the band to pursue a solo career. 

On the one hand, I have to admire the guy's integrity to admit he was struggling...that he wasn't really buying what he was selling.  On the other hand...why go so public? What is the point of using your platform to do a one-eighty unless there's an agenda? It's what I have come to call atheistic or agnostic evangelism. It's a sort of bandwagon propaganda appeal. 

It may be that the world just got to Jon. There's a lot of evidence that a Biblical worldview is getting squeezed out of just about every nook and cranny of society. God cramps people's style. He used to cramp mine. Maybe Jon met Bill Maher at a party and some cranky rubbed off on him. I'm just not sure. 

No, the Bible isn't always easy to read, understand, or accept. God's Word is a mystery in many ways. It's part history, part poetry. Sometimes, it's prescriptive...other times, merely descriptive.  And yes, the Old Testament is rough stuff...but it's not really accurate or fair to demonize God or the Israelites for wiping out other people groups. There was always a reason why -usually because they were worshipping false gods and doing horrible things in the process - like sacrificing their children to Molech and Baal or participating in orgies. They weren't peaceful, loving people just minding their own beeswax. They raped and pillaged their neighbor's village with the worst of them. And, when God's chosen people didn't do as they were told, bad things happened. 

I don't understand everything in the Bible. Far from it. But to suggest that we, as modern humans, have a better idea of how things ought to be - is hubris. We've had thousands of years for our 'civilization' to perfect itself...and it doesn't take but a glance around to see that we're still failing miserably at making 'progress.' 

Let me be clear, I still care about Jon Steingard and his family. I understand that growing up as a PK probably did a number on him. I believe a lot of people end up resenting God because of what people have done or are doing. A lot of people probably don't like God because of the religion or denomination they experienced early in their lives. That was certainly true for me.

But don't throw the baby Jesus out with the bathwater. 

Jon's post ended with what felt like a little snark. Earlier in the essay, he said it was as if he was pulling on the threads of the Bible and it came apart like a sweater unraveling. He closed by saying it was 72 and sunny in San Diego -no sweater needed. 

I'm glad things are good in Jon's life, but one thing's for sure. The weather eventually changes - even in San D. - and you're going to wish you had that sweater.  I'm saddened that Jon has given up on God, but I take heart in knowing God hasn't given up on Jon. He never gave up on me.

dc