Rachel Held Evans was an American author, blogger, and speaker known for her progressive Christian views and her criticism of traditionalist views within the Evangelical community.
Why Rachel Held Evans's teaching should be regarded as a false teacher and why her they should be avoided:
1. Undermining the Authority and Inerrancy of Scripture
Rachel Held Evans often questioned the authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency of Scripture, suggesting that the Bible contains contradictions and that it is open to reinterpretation in light of modern culture. She treated the Bible as a human book filled with errors, rather than the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. However, Scripture teaches that "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is not a product of human invention but is the inspired Word of God, written by men under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).
The Bible calls believers to accept Scripture as the final authority for all matters of faith and practice, warning against adding to or subtracting from God’s Word (Revelation 22:18-19). Evans's approach to Scripture undermines its authority and opens the door to subjective interpretations that align more with cultural trends than with the truth of God’s Word.
2. Promoting Progressive "Christianity" and Rejecting Core Doctrines of the Faith
Rachel Held Evans was a leading figure in the Progressive "Christian" movement, which often redefines or dismisses essential doctrines of the Christian faith, such as the nature of sin, the need for repentance, and the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. Evans frequently downplayed the doctrine of original sin and questioned the necessity of Christ's atoning death on the cross, suggesting that salvation might be more about self-realization and social justice than about reconciliation with God through faith in Christ.
However, Scripture teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). By rejecting these core doctrines, Evans led people away from the heart of the Gospel and toward a version of Christianity that is more concerned with social acceptance than with the truth of God’s Word.
3. Affirming Sexual Immorality and Distorting God’s Design for Marriage and Gender
Rachel Held Evans was vocal in her affirmation of same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ identities, challenging the traditional biblical understanding of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. However, the Bible is clear on this matter: Genesis 2:24 establishes the foundational pattern for marriage, and Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6. Furthermore, passages such as Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 explicitly identify homosexual behavior as sinful.
By affirming what God’s Word clearly condemns, Evans encouraged people to live in ways that are contrary to God’s will, thus leading them away from repentance and the transforming power of the Gospel. This distortion of biblical teaching not only contradicts God’s design but also offers a false sense of security to those who need to hear the truth about God’s call to holiness.
4. Promoting Political and Social Ideologies Over Biblical Truth
Rachel Held Evans often used her platform to promote progressive political and social ideologies, which led her to prioritize cultural and political agendas over biblical doctrine. While Christians are called to engage in justice, mercy and seek the welfare of others (Micah 6:8, James 1:27), the Bible is clear that our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ and His Kingdom (Philippians 3:20). When political or cultural ideologies take precedence over Scripture, they become a form of idolatry.
The Bible warns against being conformed to the patterns of this world and instead calls believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). Evans’s emphasis on aligning Christianity with progressive political ideals often led her to compromise biblical truth, resulting in a version of Christianity that is shaped more by the spirit of the age than by the Holy Spirit.
5. Questioning the Nature and Character of God
Evans frequently raised doubts about the character of God as revealed in Scripture, especially regarding His justice, wrath, and holiness. She often portrayed God as harsh, unloving, or unjust, particularly when discussing passages that deal with God’s judgment or difficult aspects of biblical teaching. However, the Bible presents God as perfectly holy, just, loving, and good (Psalm 145:17, 1 John 4:8). His actions are always righteous, and His judgments are true (Revelation 19:2).
By questioning or redefining God’s nature, Evans encouraged others to create an image of God that fits their preferences rather than submitting to the God who has revealed Himself in Scripture. This leads to idolatry, as people end up worshiping a god of their own making rather than the true God of the Bible.
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible repeatedly warns against false teachers who lead others away from the truth of God’s Word (2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). The apostle Paul admonishes believers to "guard the deposit entrusted to you" (1 Timothy 6:20) and to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). Rachel Held Evans’s teachings deviate from the core doctrines of Christianity and embrace a form of Progressive "Christianity" that is incompatible with the clear teachings of Scripture.
Evans’s rejection of biblical authority, affirmation of sexual immorality, promotion of political and social ideologies over the Gospel, and questioning of God’s nature are all indications that her teachings are not grounded in the truth of God’s Word. As such, Christians are called to avoid her teachings and instead hold fast to the Scriptures, which are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).
By rejecting her false teachings, we affirm that God’s Word is our ultimate authority and that His truth does not change, even in the face of cultural or political pressures. Therefore, we must stand firm in the faith, test everything against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and avoid any teacher who leads us away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Here are some of her well-known teachings:
Emphasis on Social Justice: Rachel Held Evans emphasized the importance of social justice, advocating for marginalized groups and challenging systems of oppression. By itself this seems like a laudable goal. But political advocacy is such an important factor in the progressive Chrisitan movement (to the point of idolatry), that the movement would likely would fall apart overnight if that aspect were taken away.
Progressive Theology: She was known for her progressive Christian views, including her rejection of literal interpretations of the Bible and support for more inclusive and accepting views of LGBTQ+ individuals and women.
Criticism of Complementarianism: She was critical of the doctrine of complementarianism, which holds that men and women have different but complementary roles within the family and the church.
Embracing Doubt: She encouraged individuals to embrace doubt and uncertainty in their faith journeys, advocating for a more open and honest approach to spirituality.
Emphasis on Story: Rachel Held Evans placed a strong emphasis on the power of personal stories, both in shaping one's own beliefs and in connecting with others.
Interfaith Engagement: She encouraged interfaith engagement and dialogue, promoting an inclusive approach to people of other faith traditions.
Inclusivity and Diversity: Rachel Held Evans advocated for a more inclusive and diverse expression of Christianity, rejecting exclusive or exclusionary interpretations of faith.
Wrath of God: She denied the retributive justice of God and, like other Progressive Christians, viewed the concept of the wrath of God as being symbolic rather than literal, and interpret it as representing the natural consequences of oppressive or unjust actions, rather than an active punishment imposed by a deity. Such a denial is also a denial of the need for God's mercy.
Atonement: Rachel Held Evans rejected traditional views of the atonement, such as the idea of penal substitution, which holds that Jesus' death on the cross was necessary to pay the penalty for all sinners who trust in Christ. Instead, she emphasized the importance of Jesus' life, teachings, and example as a means of atoning for sin, rather than his death.