Author, former Desiring God contributor, former Philosophy professor at Moody Bible Institute (2015—2017), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity Ph.D. grad Paul Maxwell announced on Instagram last week that he is “not a Christian anymore.”
Almost in tears, Maxwell shared that he believes the internet has done a lot of damage regarding relationships [connections] with people and that he is ready to connect with people again.
The Trauma of Doctrine: New Calvinism, Religious Abuse, and the Experience of God author told his social media followers that he is ready to not be angry anymore. He said, “I love you guys, and I love all the support and friendships I’ve built here [Instagram]…I think it’s important to say that I’m just not a Christian anymore, and it feels really good. I’m really happy…I’m really happy.”
“I can’t wait to discover what kind of connection I can have with all of you beautiful people as I try to figure out what’s next,” Maxwell said. “I love you guys. I’m in a really good spot. Probably the best spot of my life. I’m so full of joy for the first time. I love my life for the first time…and I love myself for the first time.”
Maxwell said, “I just say, ‘I know that you love me.’ I know, and I receive it as love. I know you care about the eternal state of my soul and you pushed through the social awkwardness of telling me this, because you don’t want me to suffer. And that is a good thing. That’s a loving thing to do. And I hear where you’re coming from, and I respect your perspective.”
Maxwell joins other well-known Christians Jon Steingard from the band Hawk Nelson, I Kissed Dating Goodbye‘s author Joshua Harris, and Hillsong‘s worship musician Marty Sampson who have recently said they renounce or are losing their faith.
In 2019 after Josh Harris and Marty Simpson made the announcement they were no longer Christians, lead singer for Christian Rock band Skillet’s John Cooper asked, “What is happening in Christianity?”
Cooper said that he is shocked by how unashamed these leaders seem to be as they announce they are no longer Christians. He observed that essentially they are saying, “I’ve been living and preaching boldly something for 20 years and led generations of people with my teachings and now I no longer believe it…therefore I’m going to boldly and loudly tell people it was all wrong while I boldly and loudly lead people in to my next truth…Why be so eager to continue leading people when you clearly don’t know where you are headed?”
You can watch Maxwell’s Instagram video here.