On the heels of author Joshua Harris’ renouncement of his Christian faith late last month, popular Hillsong worship leader Marty Sampson has made a similar announcement.
Following suit with the ‘I Kissed Dating Goodbye’ author, Sampson released the disheartening news in an Instagram post that has since been removed.
The Sydney native has written and co-written songs for big Christian artists like Hillsong United, Hillsong Worship, Young & Free, and Delirious. Sampson first started leading worship with Hillsong in the late 1990s, though he hasn’t penned songs for them in years.
Marty Sampson on Losing His Faith
“I’m genuinely losing my faith, and it doesn’t bother me,” he wrote, adding that he is “so happy now” and “at peace with the world.”
The songwriter then went into what he called a “soapbox moment,” posing controversial questions regarding Christianity and the church that he feels nobody is addressing:
“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 ‘coz they don’t believe? No one talks about it.”‘
Sampson remarked that Christians can be some of the “most judgmental people on the planet,” while others are “beautiful and loving people.”
Either way, he confirmed, “it’s not for me.”
“I am not in anymore,” the former worship leader explained. “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.”
Sampson claimed that Christianity is now just like any other religion to him before concluding with a charge to others to live by the values of love, forgiveness, and generosity:
“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.”
Marty Sampson’s announcement comes as a disappointing blow to a Christian community who has long revered his gift of crafting God-glorifying worship songs.
“My prayer is that Marty Sampson would have the integrity of heart to seek the truth earnestly, with humility and passion, and that all others with questions will put those questions on the table,” wrote Christian Post author Michael Brown. “Don’t be afraid to ask your honest questions and to follow the truth where it leads. Let’s pray for Marty’s repentance, restoration, and more.”
