Courage, Controversy, and the Call for Davidic Men

Yesterday I used a little click bait to get your attention. I wanted to talk about courage. Real courage. Not the counterfeit kind that passes for bravery on the internet. We are now standing at a crossroads where courage must be examined and defined rightly.

There is a kind of courage that is nothing more than reckless boldness. There is a kind of courage that is nothing more than pride dressed in aggressive language. And then there is the courage that actually builds, protects, strengthens, and glorifies God.

The internet has no shortage of men who hide behind anonymous accounts to post spicy takes or offensive memes. These men tell themselves they are brave for saying what others will not. But if you must wear a mask to speak, you are not bold. You are afraid. True courage requires visibility. True courage requires your name, your face, and your willingness to bear the consequences of what you say.

Yesterday I wrote a simple post. You can be courageous and stupid at the same time. That is true. Courage can be used for noble ends or destructive ends. Courage is morally neutral until it is applied to something true or something false.

So let us look at courage honestly.

The Courage of the X Boys

The young men blowing up on X are bold. They have fans and haters. Their platforms thrive on the love hate dynamic. The cheers and the boos feed the ego and make them feel invincible. They even have an anonymous army behind them boosting their courage by hiding behind the shadows.

This is the same army that cheered when Joel Webbon called the church “fake and gay.” They applauded him. They loved it. They celebrated the shock value. But this is not the courage of a righteous man. This is the courage of a brawler. The old King James calls it being “given to strife.” Some men thrive on controversy. They need conflict to feel alive.

Is this the kind of courage we want young men to imitate?

A Story From Scripture

When Joel mocked the church he began to sound a little like a man from the Old Testament. A giant named Goliath who mocked Israel and the God of Israel. The men of Saul cowered in fear. They stood back. They watched. They did nothing. Then a young man walked into the scene. David heard the mockery and asked one question. You mock the living God. Who will silence this giant.

David stepped forward. He did not seek controversy. He was not building a brand. He was not trying to impress an online crowd. He acted because the honor of God was at stake.

Davidic courage is not reckless. Davidic courage is not performative. Davidic courage is not rooted in pride. It is rooted in truth.

What Real Courage Looks Like in the Household of Faith

When my family talks through these issues we always ask the same questions. Is this good to say. Are we adding beauty to the world God made. Is it true. These questions will save you from reckless boldness. These questions will save you from becoming another loud and useless brawler.

And let me be very clear. It takes courage to mock the church of Christ. It is not the kind of courage we want. Unless we are talking about apostate denominations that have fully denied the faith. For example the Methodists who have been overrun by the spirit of the age and no longer resemble a church in any biblical sense. They are a fake and literal gay church... 

But the bride of Christ must never be mocked lightly. That is a fearful thing.

Which leads me back to Joel. And I hope you read this Joel.

A Call for Joel Webbon to Step Aside

Young men listen. If you follow Joel you must ask yourselves a question. Are you willing to follow him into battle as he fires at the army of the living God. Do you want the courage of David or the courage of the brawler. Will you follow a shepherd who mocks the bride of Christ and then qualifies it later after backlash. Or will you choose the courage to say no more.

I believe Joel is gifted. I believe he is influential. I believe he has a place. But that place is not in the pulpit. That place is not shepherding the church of God. Joel needs to transition into political commentary.

The Courage We Need

The hour is late. If we do not make radical changes right now we will lose the west and our children will pay the price. But we will not save the west with reckless boldness. We will not save the west with anonymous posts. We will not save the west by cheering on men who mock Christ’s body.

We need Davidic courage. We need men who face giants for the honor of God. We need men who speak truth with clarity and love. We need men who add beauty to the world God made. We need men who fight the right battles.

Not brawlers. Not mockers. Not brand builders. (I know I am saying this on a branded cigar site the Irony)

Men of conviction. Men of faithfulness. Men who know that courage is only good when it serves what is true. I am not looking for a fight here I am just warning for