ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 7, 2026
There is a wonderful scholar by the name of Dan McClellan who does a lot of online videos that are extraordinarily insightful, even for those of us whose understanding of original Biblical languages is elementary at best. He does a really good job of taking the scholarship and making it accessible to most folks. And whatever the topic, I appreciate how he will say things like, “The scholarship on this topic is not in agreement” or “A majority of scholars believe it, but there are some other scholars who hold different ideas.” He also calls out folks when they are entirely wrong, and there is a lot of material on social media making claims about the Bible or specific Hebrew words that are completely absurd. Dan has no problem calling out the nonsense, and then walking those of us watching his video through the scholarship.
But recently, some of his critics created a video. Now it’s important to know that his critics are what we often refer to as apologists, those who are trying to argue for a literal reading of scripture, claiming that the Bible is inerrant. And of course, their reading of the Bible is the only way to read the Bible. Many of the apologists present themselves as having a sort of superior moral and righteous character. But the video they created was an AI-generated video that had Dan saying things he would never say. And then some of these apologists used that video to support their convictions.
I know that we all might emphasize one thing over another when we are trying to put forth an argument. We might even downplay some of the weaknesses of our argument. But when you have to lie and use an entirely fabricated tool of support to make your argument, it might be time to rethink your argument along with your capacity to make any sort of moral decree about your own character. In the Genesis study this past Thursday, we talked about how the end never really justifies the means if the means are a contradiction to the desired end.
In Psalm 101:7, we read:
No one who practices deceit
shall remain in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue in my presence.
I do not believe the author is suggesting God no longer loves or cares about those who practice deceit, but if anyone claims that deceit, even religious and pious-sounding deceit, is a way to find God, that person is fooling him/herself. Deception might feel right in the moment because it is believed to be the only way of achieving some greater goal, but in the end, such actions only move people further and further away from God. Again, if your argument or beliefs about God require you to create an entirely fabricated support structure, you’re not ultimately making a good argument. In fact, the fabricated structure will eventually collapse, leaving nothing but a mess of confusion and hypocrisy.
Provide me both a vision of where you need me to go, Gentle God, while reminding me how you want me to get there. I do not wish to diminish how people might perceive you, so help me each day to embody your high ideals in both the little and big things I do. Amen.
