Okay, so Truth + Fire has only been around since 2015, and our top ten articles of the decade actually come from the past three and a half years. Yet, as I reflect on the past 10 years of my life, much is revealed about my testimony in these stats, and in the articles resulting from them. As I’ve previously shared, when I began Truth + Fire, I simply wanted to share my faith. But that faith was not only immature, it was filtered through the ‘prosperity gospel’. Granted, in the months before publishing my first post I’d begun an independent Bible study and was surely learning a few things. But, the truth is, I sincerely don’t believe I was converted at the time I launched this blog. I’ve actually had to go back and DELETE a couple of posts from Truth + Fire’s first six months of publication. For example, in September 2015, I wrote a piece about Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. where I fawned over his humility and ability to unite people of different faiths! Meanwhile, this man not only brings a false gospel, but he has a whole antichrist spirit! BAH!
By God’s amazing grace, within six months of launching Truth + Fire, I joined a women’s discipleship group where I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time in all of my years of professing to be a Christian. I underwent a full paradigm shift, and my worldview was rocked for the better! I began to dig into God’s Word and learned how to filter everything through it. I also finally landed in a solid church, where the Gospel is faithfully preached and the Scriptures expositionally taught. Indeed, my salvation in Jesus Christ is by far my top, most memorable moment of the decade and will be for my entire existence. It’s literally changed my entire life and everything about me - everything about the way I think. As such, it’s changed (and continues to mature) everything about my writing. So while I continue in my original mission to use Truth + Fire to “share my faith”, I’m grateful the Lord brought me to true faith, thus ensuring I share and contend for the faith “once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
With that said, below are Truth + Fire’s Top 10 Posts of the Decade. Analytics says these pieces were the most popular with my readers. Yet, as I review this list, I can also see how each post reflects my growth in faith as well as how I now approach the world and pop culture. I pray you find both enjoyment and edification in this series and would consider sharing your thoughts on them along the way. Happy New Year, and cheers to continued growth in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in 2020 and until His promised return. ~ Veritéetfeu
10. Blessings and Cursing and The Rise of Cardi B
9. Christian Persecution is Coming to America
8. Can You Be Separated from God’s Love? YEP!
7. No. Women May NOT Be Pastors: Where is the Lie?
6. Bye…Jackie?
5. Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why the Church Shouldn’t Fight For It
4. The Grace + Knowledge of Heather Lindsey
3. That Ain’t the Work of the Lord! Thoughts on the Tasha Cobbs/Nicki Minaj Collab
2. Something in the Milk Ain’t Clean: 8 Preachers to Avoid in 2018
At this point, most are aware that famed Christian poet, writer and speaker Jackie Hill Perry has recently and publicly affirmed the ministries of several female heretics. Amid news of her participation at Propel Women’s Activate 2019 conference, Jackie has garnered a slew of controversy as many have attempted to make sense of her decision.
There might have been room to offer her the benefit of the doubt for why she signed on to the event, and many were prepared to offer it. Perhaps she didn’t know much about the ministries of the other speakers, namely the conference’s co-founder Christine Caine of Hillsong Church Australia. Or, maybe she was aware of these women and their errors, but wanted to share the Gospel and offer up a public rebuke. Yet, Jackie removed all doubt with a recent Instagram post and Insta-Story in which she unapologetically confessed her willingness to fellowship and do ministry with those whose doctrinal teachings oppose to the truth of God’s Word.
Where Scripture says light has no fellowship with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14-17), Jackie cites her goal to better love her neighbor. Where Scripture says not to welcome or even greet those who bring a different gospel (2 John 1:10), Jackie cites a quest for “unity”. While her goals may be Scriptural (Christ does tell us to love our neighbor and He did pray for unity in the Body), her application of these Scriptures don’t align with the context upon which these truths stand. Christ has warned us against sacrificing truth on the altar of peace (Matthew 10:34-36). Her twisting of the Scriptures in this way is most troubling and could be telling of deeper matters most, including myself, don’t yet want to admit.
So, in an attempt to be slowER to speak and quickER to listen, I’ve avoided saying much on this issue too soon, despite many tagging and messaging me for my thoughts on this soon after the news broke.
While she’s done things and has had associations that have caused me great concern, I’ve still considered her a sister in Christ thus this news has only caused me grief, disappointment and frustration. As such, I thought it best to just collect my thoughts as anything stated too hastily might not have been coherent or edifying. So, over the past few days, I’ve examined my thoughts and Jackie’s statements under the light of Scripture. In the end, I have come away with the following open letter that takes care to directly respond to the various points she raised in her statement.