RACHEL
HOLLIS: A REVIEW THROUGH A GOSPEL GRID
Rachel
Hollis has seemingly taken the Christian book world by storm and (somewhat)
rightfully so. I recently read both of her books. Her talent, confidence, and
intelligence are undeniable. Pastors who have not heard of Hollis or who do not
think that she has made her way into their churches are sadly oblivious. Hollis
certainly presents a strong message to readers. Her two books, Girl, Stop Apologizing and Girl, Wash Your Face have sold many
copies and made millions of dollars. Any time someone has as much influence as
Rachel Hollis on any Christian group (most commonly women in this case),
pastors should, at the least, understand the message being submitted. I will
make a bold statement in that Rachel Hollis’ message is not the gospel and is,
in fact, antithetical to the gospel. While I do not know Hollis’ personal
motivations or even consider her work to be evil in itself, a few items
surrounding her work concern me. Thankfully, my thoughts parallel those of many
other Christians who think about these issues so I am not the first to review
her work in this way. For the remainder here, I will examine these items
through the lens of the gospel and discuss how Rachel Hollis’ message
contradicts the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Self-Centered
At
its core, Rachel Hollis’ message is seemingly one of self-worth, i.e. things
will not change until you begin to love yourself. Many would not see the issue
with this message until they realize that it is not the message of the gospel.
Hollis suggests that you are the primary focus and your happiness depends on
you. This is not the message of the gospel. In fact, contrarily, the gospel
says that you do not come first, that you have no ability to save yourself
whatsoever, and that the only worth you have is from the fact that you are
created in God’s image and are found in Christ. Hollis’ message is
self-centered. Little of what she says regards what Christ has already done for
you but rather what you can do for yourself if you change a few things. “First learn to love yourself well and give yourself credit;
then reach for more,” says Hollis.[1]
It is effectively self-righteousness.
I must admit
that her story about calling it quits with her ex-boyfriend who broke up with
her leaving her with a horrid feeling was touching. Upon reading such a
self-centered perspective, however, I must wonder the details of her version of
the story, also having been on the side of a breakup (and even a divorce) where
lies were told about me. My point here is that Hollis’ message, contrary to the
gospel, is one of self-centeredness and self-focus rather than a dying to self
and a living to Christ alone.
An Avoidance of Truth
Hollis’
message, in both of her books, is also an avoidance of truth. In fact, the
author does not present a clear and unequivocal message that Jesus Christ is
the only way even suggesting that just because believers have decided
Christianity is right does not mean that other religions are wrong. What Hollis
fails to realize is that truth is narrow. In a world that seemingly bombards
Christianity with openness and wideness, we often forget that in most areas of
life, truth is not wide but narrow, e.g. mathematical truth is usually narrow,
scientific truth is usually narrow, and grammatical truth is usually narrow.
Additionally, Jesus made clear that he is the only way (John 14:6). To suggest
that Christianity is not the only right way is to effectively avoid the truth.
It is becoming more difficult to make such statements without retaliation; yet,
it is truth. Christianity is not a manmade religion as many would espouse. Many
have a problem with the term, Christian; yet, it is a biblical word, for believers
were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Hollis does not directly
deny Christianity as the only way; she does, however, leave room for question,
i.e. she equivocates. Her message is, thus, an avoidance of truth (likely for
the purpose of book sales).
Self-Gratifying
Hollis
also presents a self-gratifying message. It should be no surprise to anyone
that the author connects with her readers by appeasing societal self-gratifying
norms. We are truly a selfish society, even in our so-called social justice
actions. It does not take long for good intentions to become purely evil masked
by an illusion of what many perceive to still be good. I do not know Hollis’
motivations for her work. Nonetheless, I can say confidently that her message
is not a gospel message, although her work is sold and marketed in Christian
outlets and as a gospel message. The message Hollis gives is that your
happiness is dependent on you disregarding the fact that such a claim is
nowhere in the Bible. In fact, if we are speaking of biblical joy, it is
dependent on Jesus Christ, not you. Hollis’ message, however, claims the
opposite.
Self-Saving
Hollis’
message is also one of self-saving ability. From the beginning of Girl, Wash Your Face, in chapter 1,
Rachel Hollis suggests that you are your own hero. Scripture is clear that all
of humanity is dead in sin (Eph 2:1). One who is dead has no ability whatsoever
to save themselves, much less become a hero on their own accord. While Hollis’
message is to believe in yourself, the gospel’s message is to believe in Christ
because you (literally) have no ability to save yourself whatsoever. While
Hollis’ message is to think more of yourself, the gospel’s message is to think
less or yourself and even think nothing of yourself at all but only of Christ
and his accomplished work on the cross. Hollis presents a self-saving message
of false hope by believing in yourself, trusting in yourself, and setting
goals. As a goal-oriented person, I firmly believe in setting goals.
Nevertheless, goals should be set for the right reason. One of Hollis’ personal
goals is to always fly first-class.[2] Flying first-class is not
sinful itself. Her message, however, points to a deeper problem: the problem of
not denying self. There are several indicators in what Hollis says that
directly contradict the message of Jesus Christ. While Hollis says to look to
yourself, Christ says to deny yourself, take your cross, and look to him. This
is the message of the gospel, not Hollis’ message of self-help.
Not a Gospel Message but Being Promoted as Such
At its core, Rachel
Hollis’ is no different than any other self-help non-gospel message out there;
yet, it is promoted in Christian bookstores, sales charts, and churches as a
distinctly Christian message. Make no mistake that it is not. I do not claim
that non-gospel books are bad. I read several which I enjoy. In fact, if it
were not to DIY helps on YouTube and Google, I would not have a clue how to engage
in necessary repairs of my house. The problem with Hollis’ message, however, is
that it is promoted as a Christian message when it is truly far from it.
Hollis’ message is a godless message masked by the fact that she refers to
herself as a Christian who cusses a little and vaguely references God in her
writing, i.e. it is not an explicit gospel message, which, in my opinion, is
the only gospel message that exists. My concern then is not necessarily for the
message itself as much as it is for the portrayal of what it is, i.e. because
it is promoted as a gospel message, people in local churches accept and trust
it as such. Reality is we should only trust the Bible. Many, however, resort to
other messages including Hollis’. The connection made then between Hollis’
message and the gospel is a false one. Largely, what she says is antithetical
to the gospel. I do not pretend to know Rachel Hollis’ motivations in writing.
In fact, I would not be surprised if they are good and pure. The message she
presents, however, is not the gospel. If you want to read Hollis, do so. In
fact, as I would with any influential author, I encourage you to do so with an
analytical mind. I have read her work and do not deny her talent. Her grammar
is lacking probably because she is writing to a broad popular audience. Lest
anyone receives a false hope, however, do not make the mistake of linking what
she says to any sort of gospel message. The message of Rachel Hollis, as
encouraging as it may be, is not a gospel message.
