Quick Update Re: Joshua Harris of "I KISSED DATING GOODBYE" book fame - Divorce Minister

Joshua Harris announced his “separation” from his wife recently. I did a post on that here.

He has recently followed that announcement with two big pieces of news in another Instagram post:

1. The “separation” announcement was a divorce announcement according to Harris himself. 

He writes,

“My heart is full of gratitude. I wish you could see all the messages people sent me after the announcement of my divorce.”

Why use the word “separation” one week earlier then instead of “divorce” if “divorce” was really what the announcement was about? Is there something to gain from telling the Christian subculture that it is a “separation” rather than a “divorce?” 

Harris is now launching a career selling message clarity and marketing. So, I don’t buy that this choice of words was unintentional. 

2. Joshua Harris no longer considers himself a Christian.

He writes,

“The information that was left out of our announcement is that I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus…. By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.”

Not a pastor. Not a Christian. Not accountable to explain divorce through a Christian lens. 

Ok, it is now coming clear as to why using “divorce” in this announcement is safer than the first one:

He is no longer agreeing to follow Jesus as Lord, and thereby–unlike before this announcement–does not have to explain this life choice through that lens.

The man who taught “Christian” sexual ethics to my generation is now saying that he is no longer a Christian. So, since he has disavowed his faith publicly, we no longer have to consider his acts–particularly, his divorce–as exemplifying that of a Christian leader. What a sad day!

“…for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

-Matthew 26:31b, KJV