Honor Academy Lesson #1

We’ve examined several of the most popular teachings at the Honor Academy as given by Ron Luce, David Hasz and Heath Stoner. But we all know that lectures aren’t the only way we learn. In fact, I’d say we primarily learn about God, ourselves and others through the way we are treated. Lectures may give us head knowledge, but experience gives us heart knowledge. In this series, I’d like to take a look at what we’ve learned through the way the Honor Academy treats us.

Honor Academy Lesson #1: You are not accepted as you are.

Our Christian life is built on the fact that we are accepted by God as we are. That is the basis of our security and the foundation God builds our lives on. However, this acceptance is undermined at the Honor Academy. By their actions, attitudes and philosophy, the HA teaches that you are NOT accepted as you are. Acceptance only comes when you have conformed to their paradigm.

We generally think of rejection as outright mocking or demeaning someone. That kind of rejection is easily recognizable. Yet, the rejection experienced by most interns is insidious and is subtly conveyed in many different ways:

– The opinion by leadership that your ideas and feelings don’t really matter, especially when they go against the group ethos
– The attitude that acknowledging your physical and emotional needs means you are a weak person
– The stigma of shame on people who have left the HA tells interns that you are only accepted as long as you perform

All of these beliefs cut to the very core of a person with the message that “You are not good enough. You are worthless.” And what is especially insidious about this is that these beliefs become internalized so that we actually condemn ourselves – even long after the Honor Academy is gone.

Let me say this loud and clear: This is the opposite of the acceptance we have received in Christ! Any message that says we are unworthy and shameful is absolutely anti-Gospel in every way.

Conditional acceptance is no acceptance at all. Christ accepts us with all of our faults, all of our ugliness and all of our hurt and sin. Anything less than that by our brothers and sisters in Christ does not reflect Jesus’ heart toward us:

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

6 comments:

katydid said…

RA–AMEN!!! Thank you…alum or ex-interns please ‘hear’ this!! You are loved and accepted by God just as you are!!
August 25, 2010 9:47 AM

Eric P. said…

I appreciate the first paragraph especially. Too many people fail to get that praxis is doctrine. What you do is what you believe; what you do to others is what you teach.

I think God sings this song.
August 25, 2010 11:38 AM

Mortimer said…

I’m sorry to everyone who has felt this lie or believed this lie – but I must say this is NOT taught OR portrayed at the Honor Academy. At least not anymore. I was there for the last three years and I have experienced the exact OPPOSITE of what this post is saying the Honor Academy portrays.
August 26, 2010 11:17 PM

Recovering Alumni said…

Mortimer – You mean, you haven’t personally experienced it. I’m glad for that. But many others have.
August 26, 2010 11:20 PM

Anonymous said…

@ Mortimer–I am really tired about the line ‘this is not being done anymore’. I agree with RA, that we’re glad you did not personally experience it–but yes, indeed, others have–including my child in 2009.
August 27, 2010 6:31 AM

joyG said…

RE: RA’s quote- “Any message that says we are unworthy and shameful is absolutely anti-Gospel in every way.”

I wish I had the courage to preach this louder. Sometimes it’s like we’re too scared of religious people to shake the boat.

I want to live it- to the point where shame slides right off me, and I see clearly the lies my friends believe about their worthiness being conditional. The system sucks!

One of these days, I won’t care about my reputation or be “ashamed of the Gospel.” The gospel of freedom. I used to think being ashamed of the Gospel was about not loving Jesus; now I realize it’s basing our confidence on our performance instead of what He did. It’s pointing to ourselves instead of God, for worth in any situation. God, give us the strength to rest in what you did for us, and not have to depend on our “resumes.”
August 28, 2010 3:34 PM