Rhett and Link Controversy And Destructive Faith
The Rhett and Link controversy surrounding their faith deconstruction has sparked significant discussions and reflections within their fan base and beyond.
The same year Rhett and Link quit Cru, they became the most popular comic duo on YouTube. They created a show called Good Mythical Morning with 16.2 million daily viewers.
Even if you haven’t heard of them, it’s likely that someone you know regularly tunes in to their web series.
They probably have a new number or email address, or they had too many direct messages from fans to look through to discover my odd ones saying hi.
After all, they are now regulars on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Good Mythical Morning and frequently play host to A-listers.
My stomach churned at the idea, and it got even sourer when I listened to their four Ear Biscuit podcasts, which detailed their formative years, their work as Cru employees after college, and their spiritual unravelling.
A light bulb went off, and I realised why I had never heard back from them.
I’ve prayed much about whether or not I should respond to Rhett and Link’s podcasts. I’ve decided to say a few specific, helpful things because my primary audience in ministry is those aged 18 to 28 (a significant target demographic of Rhett and Link’s podcasts).
I firmly believe that every King David requires a Prophet Nathan to point out his egregious errors. And I think Jesus still loves those guys as much as I do.
However, it is helpful to answer with some explicit big claims of one’s own when others make bold claims against Christ(vanity). So, having to Rhett and Link’s deconstruction journey, here are some things to remember and red flags that popped up along the road.
Rhett and Link deconstruct the Christian subculture.
Being nurtured in an atmosphere that treated Christianity as an accepted part of everyday life greatly afflicted B. Rhett did indeed raise an excellent argument.
He questioned, “Why should I believe this if I don’t have to?”
It is a fundamental inquiry. The tone in which Rhett asks the question gives the impression that it is damning, yet Christianity can easily withstand it.
Rhett and Link “had to believe” in Christianity for a long time due to their family and culture; I feel they would have benefited enormously from asking themselves this question sooner rather than later.
Both had little exposure to biblical grace because of the conservative nature of their communities, which did not tolerate many deviations from the normative Christian experience.
When Link informed Rhett about getting drunk the night before, Rhett allegedly halted the car and commanded him to “step out.”
My initial reaction was that Rhett reeked of cultural Christian legalism because he certainly wouldn’t have demanded that Link get out of the car because of his failure and shamed him for it. It is not the Christ of the Bible.
Link’s regrets about his youth seemed to stem from his impressions of cultural Christianity rather than the Christ of the Bible.
Both are well-versed in Christian jargon and cliches, but I didn’t pick up on anything that made me question my faith in God via Jesus Christ.
More accurately, it resembled a “relationship” with the snobbish, judgmental, and heaving-handed brand of Christianity prevalent in the American South.
How did Rhett and Link grow from YouTube?
Both men (with Rhett in particular) mastered the art of deflecting blows they anticipated before releasing their podcasts.
They’ve been immersed in the YouTube community for the better part of a decade, and it’s a cruel one. I don’t need a large subscriber base on YouTube to understand the destructive power of the written word, especially when posted by an anonymous “fan” who believes there are no consequences for their actions.
Rhett and Link have likely had their defences torn apart by countless nitpicking comments over the years, and as a result, they have become adept at sidestepping rebuttals.
Throughout their entire four-part series, they made statements like, “I know what some of you are going to say…,” “I’ve already read all the arguments for this,” “Don’t send us article links or book recommendations,” “I know what Christians think,” and so on.
It was practically impossible for anyone to participate in the discourse in a way that didn’t align with their perspective because so much time was spent shutting the door on future pushback.
It makes them appear intelligent at first glance since it gives the impression that they can see all the angles, but it reveals a shocking inability to learn.
Adding the EarBiscuits hashtag in an attempt to have a conversation with the “whole audience” is just a way for them to have a monologue that is amplified by the people who already agree with them and who will praise them bravely in the comments section.
Humble teachability is the road to wisdom, and it is a problematic, not comfortable, road, as practically any respected older person may tell you.
Rhett and Link want to risk everything for Truth.
People in the Twitter comments may agree that the title “hopeful agnostic” is excellent, but it doesn’t signify much.
Saying you’re an optimistic agnostic is the same as saying, I have no clue.” And if someone has no clue, why should I listen to him or identify with his worldview?
In other words, they aren’t substituting honesty with honesty. Like a defence attorney, they’ve found certain weaspecific in the Christian faith’s case without offering an alternative.
They are exchanging the truth of Christianity for the promise of agnosticism.
Rhett and Link’s spiritual deconstruction isn’t an attempt to learn the truth; it is old-fashioned defiance.
It’s a rebellion against the Christian narrative, the belief in Jesus as the exclusive path to God, and the longstanding biblical views on sexual morality.
With 16+ million subscribers and an online store offering Good Mythical Morning merchandise like coffee mugs, t-shirts, kitchen towels, sleep masks, and even puppy hoodies (!), it’s easy to identify as an optimistic agnostic.
McDowell and Keller, with Ph.D.s in their fields, taught college-level courses and debated on campuses long before Rhett and Link’s time.
However, you should never pretend that your search is unbiased. Because of this, I find Rhett and Link’s determination to “seek the truth” incredibly thick.
They seek truth not out of genuine interest, but to satisfy an adolescent desire to rebel.
Two Podcasts, Evident Rhett and Link, felt an Irresistible Pull.
Rhett and Link were looking for an audience to perform for and feed off of. They placed a high premium on it. We have to take the stage right now! was the consensus among the youth group.
The second podcast comes to mind now. I lost count of how often “audience” came up in their discussions about early careers.
They admitted that being on staff at Cru was all about getting attention. Belief? They acknowledged Jesus as Christ, but their motivation was primarily to attract followers.
It represents the most heart-wrenching aspect of Rhett and Link’s relationship.
Believers often struggle with using God to fulfill their desires, especially in tough times. But a Christian’s bond with God is meant to be more than a means to an end.
Moreover, serving Him as a full-time missionary should never be seen as a stepping stone to something “better.”
Suffering often serves as the catalyst for uncovering the depths of our sinful hearts.
However, suffering is synonymous with pain, and few people today are willing to endure discomfort for very long.
Rise to fame
Rhett and Link thrived on audience engagement. As a public speaker and emcee, I understand the desire for the validation of an enthusiastic crowd.
When that’s all someone wants, they won’t support you being a fool for Christ.
Rhett and Link have achieved some kind of but failed in a more fundamental respect.
Although Jim Elliot, a missionary, was killed by the Aucas before he could convert them to Christianity, his wife Elizabeth firmly responded, “He was a success because he was obedient.”
To obey Christ is to achieve success. I know it will come across as patronising, but I feel terrible for them, Christy and Jessie, and their children.
He sobbed, thinking of their loved ones and children influenced by them. Now, these children struggle with doubts about Christ.
In the eyes of children, they are reliable. Many eyes are on them constantly, and the adage warns that “with great power comes great responsibility.”
I feel betrayed because they have wasted their opportunity. My thoughts and prayers have been with their families for the past few weeks as I grieve for their loss.
The temptation to envy their success and happiness is strong, but I choose to be thankful for the life God has given me.
The of Rhett and Link’s achievements demands evaluation against the backdrop of all of time.
There isn’t a foolproof case for Christianity, but there is a foolproof human being. I hope my former friends realise Jesus is the final, conclusive statement.
It’s crucial to their future prosperity.
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