“We don’t want to turn people off.”
“We need to be seeker friendly.”
“Be nice.”
Anyone who has spent any time in a Christian community has heard those phrases or variations of them. They usually come from well-meaning people who have a strong desire to evangelize the lost.
But what if the soft-peddle, at times even mushy approach not only proves ineffectual but also does more harm than good?
Several weeks ago, we reported on the beautiful transformation and baptism of Katherine von Drachenberg, the tattoo artist and reality television star better known as “Kat Von D.”
Now a member of Switzerland Baptist Church in Vevay, Ind., and singing in its choir, “Von D” turned from the occult and witchcraft. She was baptized in a moving ceremony. Video of the event went viral across multiple social media platforms.
But writing on Instagram this past weekend, the newly baptized Christian suggested she won’t be launching a major media tour to talk about.
“I don’t feel equipped to be the poster child for Christianity,” she wrote. “I think that I’m still learning and, as I do, I will become more equipped. But for the time being, I feel like I’ve never really been that and I don’t plan on doing that.”
There is great wisdom in Von D’s statement. The exuberance of a new Christian is inspiring, but the journey of a freshly baptized believer isn’t always a predictable one. We all need to be discipled, and the former reality star seems sensitive to that reality.
Yet, Kat Von D. shared on Instagram she may go on Allie Beth Stuckey’s podcast at some point to discuss the experience. She says Stuckey is a friend.
And that’s another interesting part of the story.
Allie Beth Stuckey is a social conservative and a strong Christian whose program who is part of BlazeTV.
When it comes to sharing her Christian faith and taking on the insanity of a culture adrift, Allie Beth Stuckey is unapologetic and absolute. She’s been suspended on Twitter for calling a man a man. She routinely defends the beauty of one-man, one-woman marriage, as well as the sanctity of pre-born life. She’s a champion for wives, mothers and God’s gift of the family.
“I think how we talk about motherhood, how we think about motherhood, and how we act as mothers matters,” she has written. “Motherhood is hard, but it is good. It’s a gift that we have the privilege of stewarding. As much as we can, our attitudes should reflect that, especially when we’re talking about being a mom to other people. Avoid toxic online mom culture that calls kids and toddlers brats and burdens. It may be sarcasm, but it has an effect on how people see parenting and family. Let Christian moms be the first ones to say: ‘No, as hard as this is, my baby is a blessing, not a burden.’”
You might say in this post-Christian world, Allie Beth Stuckey is countercultural, which is maybe why Kat Von D was drawn to her as a friend.
Christians can bring clarity to a world rife with confusion. We need to reject calls to water down the Gospel to make it more drinkable. A diluted presentation of God’s truth not only detracts from its power – but it deprives the seeker of an accurate portrayal of His goodness.
Allie Beth Stuckey is modeling how to maintain a bold witness in a climate hungry for answers to life’s most vexing concerns. We pray the Lord will continue to bless her ministry and outreach, and that Kat Von D’s love for Him will grow and deepen with time.
Photo credit Kat Von D and Allie Beth Stuckey.
The post Allie Beth Stuckey, Kat Von D and the Benefit of Not Watering Down Truth appeared first on Daily Citizen.
Daily Citizen