5 minute read
The Writer's Pastor
Get Off the Spiritual Bypass
When headed to the other side of Atlanta, we chose to go straight through the city’s heart instead of taking the loop around. Unfortunately, we ended up stalled for hours in construction and congestion. The bypass would have been easier and quicker.
Like on the highway, we’re often tempted to choose a convenient bypass around our emotional difficulties. As writers, we must be careful not to encourage a spiritual bypass for our readers.
John Welwood coined the phrase spiritual bypassing to describe a process he saw in his Buddhist community.
“Although most of us were sincerely trying to work on ourselves,” he writes, “I noticed a widespread tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks.”
What’s suitable for Buddhists seems ideal for Christians, predominantly Christian writers.
When I first heard the term spiritual bypassing, I instinctively understood what it meant. I’d chosen that route many times before, even though it never felt right or worked.
For Christians, spiritual bypassing involves using biblical and theological concepts, platitudes, or activities to avoid dealing with emotions, character, or challenging circumstances. It proposes a simple, spiritual solution to a complex reality.
For example, I bypass when I have a conflict and “pray for patience” instead of dealing with the issue. I hide in my private prayer space and feel spiritually mature instead of engaging in a difficult conversation and working on my character.
When my friend is depressed, I might simply state, “God’s given you so much. Cheer up, Butter Cup.” If so, I’d encourage them to bypass the deep work needed to understand their struggles and heal.
Spiritual bypassing is when we tell an abused person to “Forgive like Jesus forgave us.” Or “Turn the other cheek and let Jesus heal you.” These are half-truths that lead to despair.
To bypass well, we cite a partially accurate biblical idea and say, “Based on this spiritual truth, you shouldn’t feel (or be) that way.”
Spiritual bypassing is detrimental in at least three ways:
1. We avoid the deep work of healing and character development.
2. We create a false picture of God that eventually leads to disappointment.
3. We pile on guilt and shame, claiming our emotions “should be” easily fixed.
Eliminating spiritual bypassing will improve our writing ministry, but fiction and non-fiction writers can quickly enter the bypass.
Fiction writers can tell stories that imply simplistic solutions to complex issues.
For example, we may craft a story of a marriage conflict caused by a power-hungry, sex-addicted husband. But then, we encourage the reader’s spiritual bypassing by having the father-in-law give the gospel to the husband, who not only accepts salvation but almost instantaneously becomes the ideal mate and father.
If told well, the tale breeds hope. It supports the truth that no one is too far from God. But the quick change in the newly saved husband presents more of a Hallmark scene than a scriptural reality. Character transformation isn’t automatic with salvation. It takes time and intentional work.
Non-fiction writers develop spiritual bypasses by misinterpreting or misapplying Scripture.
Devotional writers need to be careful of this, as do those who use the Bible as their source of authority.
For example, we might refer to Psalm 147:3, which says God heals the brokenhearted and binds our wounds. However, we can misrepresent God and promote a false path by applying that specifically to someone addicted.
We may say repentance and trusting God will lead to healing, implying passivity from the reader. However, a more robust understanding of Scripture would demonstrate that the path to freedom is often more difficult and requires patience, introspection, and outside guidance.
Simplifying Scripture like that removes responsibility and redirects an addict from victory. The writer’s desire to celebrate God’s power and goodness trumps the clarity of responsibility.
When we’re inaccurate with theological ideas, removing their nuance and disengaging from the reader’s emotions and struggles, we bypass their pain and simplify our responsibility to love them. We do a destructive disservice.
When we write trite and speak superficially, we disseminate spiritual bypassing.
The Good Samaritan exemplifies a better writing plan.
The story shows the hero sitting with the wounded man, analyzing his injuries, offering support and help, and allowing all the time needed to heal.
No Bible verses were quoted about God’s miraculous abilities.
No ill-timed sayings were given about how trials make us stronger.
The Good Samaritan didn’t say God uses everything to our advantage.
Instead, he personally, emotionally, and financially got involved with compassion, curiosity, and appropriate care. He skipped the bypass and drove right into the heart.
Author, Rodney Combs, Ph.D.
Rodney Combs, Ph.D. is a writer, pastor, and journeyer. He loves Jesus and has dedicated his life to following him and helping others do the same. He sees himself as a journey guide–a servant leader who’s still growing and learning and wants to support your success. He writes to invite and guide others to journey with Jesus better. He loves to write and speak about his journey.
