I recently read an excellent post on Facebook regarding cautions about Jen Hatmaker. It had been written by Christine Pack, who is an author at Sola Sisters, and we have shared some of her articles here in the past. You can view the Sola Sisters website here. I highly recommend this site, especially regarding emergent/New Age teachings in the church today.
This post was lengthy, but excellent! I have had similar concerns myself about Jen Hatmaker, and evangelical women that other women seem to idolize in general, so I asked Christine if she would give permission for me to share it on the blog. I know there are many of you who do not have Facebook and so missed when we shared Christine’s post on our Facebook page. She graciously and willingly gave us permission, so here it is. (If you wish to see the original post by Christine on Facebook, click here. It also contains some snapshots that she refers to in the post.)
JEN HATMAKER (439K followers)
Like Beth Moore, Jen Hatmaker is a speaker and author from Texas. And like Moore, she also is smart, quick, funny, and has a down-home way of speaking and addressing her followers. Hatmaker is a regular speaker with the popular IF:Gathering women’s conference that is simulcast in thousands of churches annually.
I view Jen Hatmaker as the “heir apparent” to Beth Moore’s mantle. Hatmaker has made a career out of her charismatic personality, and her ability to garner followers through social media. This (the social media aspect) is something of a new phenomenon: popular bloggers (like Hatmaker) can post something to social media, and have literally hundreds of thousands of people see it in just a few minutes. Contrast this to even the most prolific writers of centuries past (Spurgeon, Calvin, Luther, etc.). These men’s writings are still available today, but during their lives, they did not write things, or have them interacted with, in such an immediate way. With such immediacy, I fear, comes an unwise elevating of personality (“I am of Paul, I am of Apollos” 1Cor 3:4), and an unwise vetting of one’s own words (“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” Ecc 5:2).
In general, my chief concerns about Hatmaker are (1) her emphasis on flaws/failures, (2) her waffling on God’s word where it has spoken authoritatively, (3) her unabashed love for the Roman Catholic pope, and (4) her contribution to a works-righteous piety.
(1) Her emphasis on flaws/failures. Hatmaker is one of the new brand of self-styled young Christian bloggers that I have a term for: the “messy transparents.” I don’t mean this in a condescending way; I simply mean it to reflect what I see as a growing trend among Christian women bloggers to discuss their lives (there’s the transparent part) over and over as being “messy” and “complicated.” They seem to connect to other women emotionally by highlighting their own flaws and failures. Yes, the ongoing struggle with sin is real and daily. But for myself, I desire to be with other Christian women whose lives are ordered and God-honoring. There’s a fine line there. We don’t want to shame younger women who may be struggling with getting their lives in order. We need to encourage those women. And if we ourselves are *those* women, we need to seek help with that from Christian friends whose lives are in order, and work toward getting our lives in order, which comes from honest self-reflection before the Lord, Bible study, and seeking to walk in the truths of scripture of what a Christian woman’s life should look like. Obviously, none of us will ever do that perfectly! But neither should we be taking in a daily diet of articles from women bloggers who put the messiness, flaws and failures of their own lives on display on a consistent, ongoing basis.
(2) Her waffling on God’s word. This was most apparent to me in her March 2014 article about homosexuality in which she proclaimed her *personal* support of Biblically-defined marriage, but also claimed that there is no Christian consensus on the issue of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. She also characterized those who would hold strongly to the Biblical definition of marriage as engaging in a form of “theological bullying.”
(3) Her unabashed love for the Pope. This is evidenced in the attached screenshots of quotes by Hatmaker affirming her admiration for Pope Francis, statements Hatmaker has never renounced or repented of. Hatmaker also has a quote from Mother Teresa prominently displayed on the opening page of her personal website. The quote itself is not wrong, but it is not wise to point other Christian women to any Catholic leader as an example of Christ-likness. Christ is our head, He is our model. To say nothing of the fact that the Roman Catholic church is an apostate counterfeit of the true Church.
(4) Her contribution to a works-righteous piety. Hatmaker, along with her fellow IF:Gathering speakers, participates regularly in conferences that present a form of piety that is strongly attached to doing good deeds, but is separated from good works as being a natural outworking of a Christian growing in the truth of God’s word, being convicted and changed by it, becoming more and more conformed to the image of Christ, and seeking to walk in newness of life, and in light of these truths. There is a lot of “compassion on display” at the IF:Gathering conferences, with their good deeds set before the world to love and admire (“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matt 6:1).
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cherylludwig1 says
Thank you for being willing to post this. I daily pray for the women in my church and myself that we will be discerning about whose teaching we allow into our homes. Rest assured that you are not the only one who has serious concerns about these teachings and attitudes influencing Christian women today.
Kendra says
Thank you, Cheryl!
Regina says
This woman is very popular among some of the moms in the local homeschool group here in town. She was speaking in a nearby city recently and I admit I was intrigued just because so many women rave about her.
I didn’t go and I’m glad I didn’t.
Unfortunately many women are drawn to many well known women speakers and they don’t even take the time to really listen to what is being said.
We need to always check our Bibles to make sure what is being taught is true Biblical teaching.
Thanks Kendra for this post!
Kendra says
Thank you for your input, Regina!! I appreciate hearing of other women who are concerned as well.
margaretberns says
“The Roman Catholic church is an apostate counterfeit of the true Church” ?
Hooboy. Those are strong words and I must respectfully (and strongly) disagree.
Kendra says
You are welcome to respectfully disagree! I know several Catholic folks and they hold great values, but we would agree with the post that we do not believe the Catholic church is a biblical church.
Eddie Gutwein says
Very thought provoking! I see her philosophy “everywhere”. One thing is to be humble and repentant before the Lord, and honest about our dependence on God’s grace. Another is to flaunt our fleshly and sinful feelings like shirts on a clothesline, instead of crucifying them as Christ commanded us.
I heard a talk online, and she said this:
“The good thing is it’s contagious. When people start being truthful, it’s just like a tidal wave, it just starts rolling its way down the community, just lending courage to the next person, who lends it to the next person. And before you know it, we’ve changed the whole culture.”
Last time I checked being truthful sent Christians to the “lions”, and in my 30+ years, I’ve noticed that truth is definitely not contagious, but rather, the Bible calls “hypocrisy” contagious (leaven). But I realize she is speaking of vulnerability, and “hanging everything out” for the world to see.
Thanks for sharing that!
Eddie Gutwein says
Sorry, that quote comes from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G92IgFi-CE
Kendra says
Thank you! Interesting thoughts.
Kendra says
Hi from another Kendra 🙂
I’ve been wanting to comment on this for a while but have been busy with my littles during the day and too tired at night (I’m in the first trimester of my third pregnancy, so tired!).
Thank you for being courageous and posting this. I have been following your sweet blog for the last year and I really appreciate your posts on Biblical discernment. It grieves me how lacking the American church is in discernment these days, we are becoming a people perishing from our lack of knowledge of the Word. When I gave my life to Christ as a young teenager in a family of unbelievers I used to grab hold of any “Christian” book I could find, I wasn’t receiving sound teaching at the church was attending and it’s so easy to be led astray. I’m so glad the Lord brought my wise husband into my life and also a church that preaches the truth of the Cross and God’s Word. I know it’s by His grace and mercy that we are where we are. It’s a precarious time to be an American Christian because of all the distractions and seeds of untruth that are being sowed in alongside real Truth.
Women like Jen Hatmaker appeal so much to the current church culture, they seem to have a form of godliness, they’re so very funny, cute and *marketable*, they always seem to be on the verge of accomplishing some *great thing*. But I find the message of the Cross and our sufficiency being completely in Christ is lost in her empire and others like it. I find it’s very much an emotional message of self: self-improvement, self-accomplishment, self-intentionality etc. It’s getting our eyes off Jesus and the Word and instead on ourselves. Not good. Popular, but not good. It’s becoming harder and harder to be the voice of dissent in all of this. You can dissent as humbly and lovingly as possible, but I’ve found there’s a backlash when you admit that you don’t think Jen Hatmaker, Joyce Meyer, Sarah Young (Jesus Calling), Beth Moore or others aren’t speaking in line with the Gospel. I have literally lost what I thought were dear friends over this, and only because I quietly stated my concerns about a teacher/author. That grieves me deeply, that there is no room for dissent or discussion when Jen Hatmaker and the like are the topic. I guess it really shouldn’t surprise me though.
Thank you for being willing to voice your concerns and lay out the issues with Hatmaker in an understandable manner. Love your writing.
In Christ,
Kendra
Kendra says
Oh wow! I love meeting someone who not only shares a heart for Christ . . . but also shares my name. 🙂 I am touched by your obvious sincerity and burden for the lack of discernment in the church today. I am so incredibly sorry you have lost friends over these issues. But you never know that your standing for truth might place a seed of conviction within their hearts. Not long ago, one of our ministers asked us this question: “If you could have one thing in the world, what would it be?” For me, it was this: that I could act in such a way that pleased only the Father . . . with no fear of man. This is more often than not, the reason I keep silent. So comments like yours are very much encouraging to me! Thank you for taking the time to post it. And I will pray that the rest of your pregnancy goes exceptionally well!
God bless.
~ Kendra
Kendra says
Thank you so much for replying! I’m glad I could be an encouragement, you encourage me in my walk with Christ very much! I still struggle with fear of man, I can definitely say the times I have spoken up about issues with false teachings it was the Holy Spirit working through me, not myself! I am grateful that He is leading me to trust in Him, this past year in particular the Lord has been drawing me closer to him in light of lost friendships and I’m learning that the friendship of the Lord is indeed “closer than a brother” or sister, in my case. I do pray that when I take a stand that the Lord would gently convict hearts, and even if nothing comes of it that I can see, I know He sees. Its not my intent to major in minor issues, but I’m utterly convinced that false teachers/false teachings are no minor issue in the church!
Thank you so much for praying for my pregnancy, my first ultrasound is tomorrow and I’m praying for the best. It’s in His hands!
God bless you and your sweet family. I made your Strawberry Lush recipe today to have for dessert after dinner, I can’t wait to try it. My 5-year-old has a dairy allergy so I had to do some substituting ingredients but I know it already tastes great! Have a good afternoon!
In Him,
Kendra
Kendra says
Sounds yummy! I can’t wait to make that again this spring, using our fresh strawberries. 🙂
Kendra says
And thank you Christine Pack for letting Kendra share your words of discernment on her blog! 🙂
tee says
The problem is she isn’t really messy. Or, maybe more appropriately, she doesn’t show the real mess. She shows how her kids and husband make a mess and she handles it with wit and grace and humor. She doesn’t show herself losing it and going broken, messy, ugly, broken to God to ask forgiveness and wisdom, then to her husband or kids to ask the same things and figure out how to parent kids who have a broken parent they know is broken and so mom goes back to God for comfort and more wisdom and to ask him to raise these children. Her online mess is fake. This isn’t entirely her fault. You can’t really do that on twitter. It is the fault of women who consume and imitate this false image from someone far away, with whom they will never interact, instead of offering accountable relationships in the local church where we can be messy and encouraged by people speaking the Holy Spirit to US, personally, individually, uniquely. Which I think are the relationships you are endorsing.
Kirsten says
I am saddened by your words and opinions of the Roman Catholic Church. I would urge you to read “The joint declaration on the doctrine of justification”.
Laura says
Hi Kendra. I’m really hurt by these types of condemning and judgemental posts. I’m hurt for our faith. My heart feels sad that Christian women feel it’s God honouring to slam other Christian women in such a public way. I don’t get it. I don’t want to do the same to you, because it seems clear that you are honestly pursuing God…but my guess is, Jen Hatmaker (and others referenced) are too (don’t get me wrong, the bible is clear there is ONE way into relationship with God, that’s not what I’m talking about). I hear your concerns about not allowing the truth of God’s word to be diluted and I agree this is a growing problem in the church. We must know the truth for ourselves and evaluate everything in light of the bible and Jesus’s example. So I have to challenge your strong and condemning position on this because those Christian women listed have contributed (through their ministries) to leading many into relationship (or stronger or renewed relationship) with God. It is their honesty, transparency, and relatablility that helps women know that God’s love does NOT come with strings attached. He is FOR us, even when we sin. We cannot exclude ourselves from His divine love, grace, or mercy due to our “messiness.” (And this is not permission to live sinful lives on purpose, we are called to pursue holiness and be transformed. Romans 6). I grew up in a church that taught me to “Be perfect” (or more truthfully,to appear to be perfect, or strive for perfection) as defined by people’s understanding of the Bible (see “works-righteousness piety”). I must ask; if we can’t see a bit of others “messiness” as encouragement that God Loves us too, than how can any of us honestly be living authentic lives, let alone encourage each other along the way? Yes, my hope is to become more and more holy as I allow Christ to transform me, but the reality is I mess up. A lot. If I thought no other Christian women ever did (because ONLY the righteousness – or righteous acts- of others and myself ought to be discussed) I believe I would be depressed all of the time. We are human. We sin. We need Jesus. It’s okay to be transparent about all of these things. If it doesn’t encourage you, maybe don’t read it and instead point others the things that do. I really feel like enough space on the blogosphere is taken up with the negative Criticism of others, and that as Followers of Christ, our blogs should look different. They should bring together, rather than divide. Promote love over condemnation. As Christians we have many instructions. Some key ones that come to mind in relation to this article are: “Speak the Truth, in LOVE.” And “This is how (non-believers) will come to know about Jesus; by Christians love for each other,” and “Don’t judge” as well as the instruction to “not grumble against each other” found in James. Please consider how you might offer more grace to those of us who need to hear (over and over again) that God does not tire of offering grace to us when we mess up, if we come to Him with repentant hearts. Please don’t condemn those of us who find it edifying to hear that God continues to meet us and woo us into deeper relationship with Him when we yell at our kids for the 21st day in a row, or when don’t hold our tongue with our husband…again, or when we eat more than we ought…again, or when we are not moved enough to compassion for the poor, or when we cursed inside our head (or out loud!) when the toilet seat was left up again, etc. This is not meant to glorify “sin,” but rather to encourage us that God never changes, and neither does His love for us. Pursue Righteousness, but also, give grace. I hope this helps.
Kendra says
Since this is an older post, I don’t usually keep up with the comments. However, for those of you who thought this post too harsh, perhaps it would be well to remember these verses: Matthew 7:16-17 “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” Here is recent proof that Jen Hatmaker is not following the God of the Bible: http://www.faithwire.com/2018/08/13/christian-author-jen-hatmaker-gives-free-mom-hugs-during-lgbt-pride-parade/