#406 Responding to the Backlash: Grifting, Manipulation & Biblical Forgiveness
The Alisa Childers PodcastSummary
A recent discussion highlights the ongoing debate surrounding biblical forgiveness and the influence of social media personalities on Christian discourse. The speaker reflects on their experience at Cornerstone University, where a shift towards biblical fidelity has been observed, contrasting it with the institution's previous progressive stance. This change is seen as a positive development in fostering a faithful theological education.
The speaker addresses backlash received after appearing on the Culture Apothecary podcast, particularly regarding comments made about forgiveness in relation to Candace Owens. They clarify that biblical forgiveness requires repentance from the offender, which some listeners misinterpreted as an excuse to harbor unforgiveness. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the biblical definition of forgiveness, which is relational and contingent upon the repentance of the person who has sinned.
The conversation also touches on the tactics used by public figures like Owens, who often employ confident mockery to undermine opponents. The speaker urges listeners to remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth, encouraging them to test claims against scripture and to maintain a humble disposition in discussions about faith. They conclude by reiterating the centrality of the gospel and the importance of discerning truth in a culture filled with conflicting narratives.
Show Notes
After my recent appearance on Alex Clark’s Culture Apothecary, the backlash came fast. Candace Owens featured clips from our conversation on her show, accusations of “Christian grifting” started flying, and a discussion about biblical forgiveness sparked a firestorm of its own.
In this episode, I’m responding—not to every insult or comment, but to some of the bigger issues underneath the controversy. What does the Bible actually mean by forgiveness? Does forgiveness require repentance? What should Christians make of Jesus’ words, “Father, forgive them”? And how do we distinguish biblical forgiveness from simply releasing bitterness or resentment?
I also take a closer look at what I call “confident mocking”—when ridicule, accusations about motives, and sheer certainty can masquerade as an argument. We’ll talk about conspiracy culture, intuition versus objective truth, the burden of proof, and why “asking questions” doesn’t automatically make a claim reasonable or true. Most importantly, how can Christians practice real discernment without becoming mockers ourselves?
Finally, I respond to a couple of questions from recent episodes about deconstruction, including the relationship between faith in Christ and faith in Scripture—and why our ultimate foundation must be the person and authority of Jesus Christ.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about winning an internet fight. It’s about truth, humility, discernment, and keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of everything.
My content on Candace and Conspiracy:
https://youtu.be/WT_9waRkns4?si=Xkgn3DZ4hA-pvPqO https://youtu.be/KjfHRo8QwJ4?si=VRsmyckf6-gFNvql https://youtu.be/M0doH-g6BAE?si=xSeJthUuVad6NEVq
My episodes on biblical forgiveness: https://youtu.be/XmcG8HFftic?si=yTH8UvE-aJ7nljMz https://youtu.be/pa1vWAgph8w?si=XPI2lRWOO0PiaWKT
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