A Hollywood director who is known for his faith and for his films about spirituality says Christians are the “core problem” in America.
Scott Derrickson, who directed The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Deliver Us From Evilas well as the more well-known Doctor Strange, made the comments this week on Twitter.
“American Christians have long loved their pop culture heroes. I have frustrated attempts to make me one because of this singular heart-felt conviction,” Derrickson wrote Monday. “… In America, we Christians are not the solution. We are the core problem.”
American Christians have long loved their pop culture heroes. I have frustrated attempts to make me one because of this singular heart-felt conviction...
— Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) January 7, 2019
...In America, we Christians are not the solution. We are the core problem.
That sparked a debate on Twitter over what Derrickson meant. One person wrote to Derrickson: “I agree with your diagnoses and can appreciate the spirit of your resistance. Curious how you think those of us who are Christians who want to help fix the problem can best help turn the tide (even if the best answer is just to get out of the way)?”
Derrickson responded: “1. Reject Christian nationalism — it’s a straight-up heresy. 2. Read the gospels — Jesus was about aiding the poor, the judged, the sick, and the socially oppressed. 3. Reckon with fear and racism — they are deceptively deep roots in the American faith.”
Derrickson -- who is Presbyterian but says he’s attracted to Catholicism -- often discusses faith on Twitter.
Last year he wrote, “I’m not a good Christian; which is also why I’m a Christian. We need a whole lotta mercy.”
G. K. Chesterton and Flannery O'Connor are among his favorite writers.
Politics may have sparked Derrickson’s faith rant this week. Minutes before his first tweet about Christianity, he was discussing the country’s tax structure. When some Christians pushed back against his calling believers the “core problem,” Derrickson wrote: “Poppycock. Christians in America are spreading Trumpism not the Gospel.”
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Frazer Harrison/Staff
