Marty Sampson — a worship music writer, singer, and active member of Hillsong — has publicly announced on social media that he’s rejecting his faith.
“I am not in anymore,” the Australian wrote, in part.
“I want genuine truth … Unfollow if you want. I’ve never been about living my life for others.”
His dramatic and eyebrow-raising declaration comes just weeks after Joshua Harris, a well-known Christian author, also announced his own departure from Christianity.
Both men shared the news on Instagram.
Sampson, who has written songs for Hillsong Worship, Hillsong United, Delirious and Young & Free, shared a post about his decision that has since been deleted.
In it, he explained how he is “losing” his faith, according to the Christian Broadcasting Network.
The following is a partial transcript of the post, courtesy of Relevant Magazine.
“Time for some real talk. I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me. Like, what bothers me now is nothing. I am so happy now, so at peace with the world. It’s crazy.”
“This is a soapbox moment so here I go … How many preachers fall? Many. No one talks about it. How many miracles happen? Not many. No one talks about it.”
“Why is the Bible full of contradictions? No one talks about it. How can God be love yet send four billion people to a place, all ‘cause they don’t believe? No one talks about it.”
So Hillsong member Marty Sampson announced he's no longer Christian. The rest of his poorly written, cliche-infested note points to our culture, where 40 year old men now sound like needy 14 year old girls. https://t.co/13X5nd8fPn
— Emerald Robinson ✝️ (@EmeraldRobinson) August 13, 2019
Last week, it was Joshua Harris. This week, one of Hillsong's longest standing worship leaders leaves the faith. Stories of apostasy will abound in this age. May the hearing of such woes cause us to cling all the more to Christ. A blog: https://t.co/BrgqsGVdPw pic.twitter.com/SdsnsMho93
— Gabriel "64 Days to Truth Matters" Hughes (@Pastor_Gabe) August 12, 2019
In the final days, many will turn back and walk away from the truth.
Marty Sampson from Hillsong renounced his faith just weeks after Joshua Harris did.
This is truly disheartening. Lord, i'll pray that u'll hold on us as we continue hold on to you. Spare us from these dark days. pic.twitter.com/npmEcecDJe— Bon ? (@spongeebonbon) August 12, 2019
“Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet — they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people. But it’s not for me,” Sampson went on.
“I am not in anymore. I want genuine truth. Not the ‘I just believe it’ kind of truth. Science keeps piercing the truth of every religion. Lots of things help people change their lives, not just one version of God. Got so much more to say, but for me, [I’m] keeping it real. Unfollow if you want. I’ve never been about living my life for others.”
Related: When We Doubt God’s Plan for Our Lives, Here’s What to Do
He finished with this, according to the same transcript: “All I know is what’s true to me right now, and Christianity just seems to me like another religion at this point. I could go on, but I won’t.”
“Love and forgive absolutely. Be kind absolutely. Be generous and do good to others absolutely. Some things are good no matter what you believe. Let the rain fall — the sun will come up tomorrow.”
“Question your faith, YES! Walk away, NEVER!”
He later clarified that while he hasn’t “renounced” his Christianity, it’s nevertheless on “incredibly shaky ground” for him, as The Christian Post pointed out.
As one person posted on social media in reaction to Sampson’s news, “No true believer could ever walk away from their belief in God and Jesus His Son! Question your faith, YES! Walk away, NEVER!”
And as another person wrote, “I am praying for them, their families and friends. May the Lord breath life abundantly to the dry bones.”
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