Russell Brand Under Fire for Advocating ‘New Ways’ of Understanding Scripture

"We as inhabitants of this realm are going to have to learn how to operate within technology otherwise that technology I reckon it could become pretty luciferian."

With our world rapidly changing, we're going to have to learn new ways of understanding Scripture. pic.twitter.com/eflBwtpkzF

His clip, posted Monday, has since received 2.5 million views. The comments section was filled with responses criticizing Brand's approach to the Word of God.

"Hey @rustyrockets --I'm praying for you, friend! But with respect, we don't need "new ways of understanding Scripture." This is wrong, and a very dangerous statement," wrote Owen Strachan, Senior Director, Dobson Culture Center.

"Russell, it's best for you to learn, listen, and humble yourself at this time. Put yourself under a sound pastor, and soak up the Word and gospel. (And cut the mic while you're at it...)," he added.

Joel Berry, editor for Babylon Bee, encouraged Brand to remain humble when it comes to learning the Scriptures. 

"Russell, you're a brilliant guy and a fascinating thinker. I've loved watching your conversion. But you should remember the danger your brilliance poses to you as a Christian," Berry wrote. 

"Remain a humble student of the Word. It is living and active and written by a God who, like you said, lives outside time and gave us everything we need in those pages.

"Perhaps that's all you were saying. The internet always erases context. I am praying for your continued growth. Stay on the path!"

Russell, you're a brilliant guy and a fascinating thinker. I've loved watching your conversion. But you should remember the danger your brilliance poses to you as a Christian. Remain a humble student of the Word. It is living and active, and written by a God who, like you said,…

Will Spencer, a podcast host, warned that Brand is interpreting the Bible through a "New Age lens of personal experience and spiritual evolution."

"The man has literally endless resources at his disposal if he wants to learn the historic Christian faith," Spencer said. "He can pick up the phone and call anyone. He can take a whole year off and just read. Or he can go through his sanctification privately as he matures as a believer."

"Instead, he stands on stage and says: 'We're gonna have to learn new ways of understanding Scripture.' Nah, bro. We can just read it," he added.

"Because technology doesn't help us understand Scripture. Scripture helps us understand technology," Spencer concluded.

Brand, who converted to Christianity last year, has not been without controversy since his faith journey began. Last September, he was criticized for performing baptism in his underwear.

In a response video, Brand addressed the controversy defending himself.

"I suppose lookin' at it now, it does look a bit immodest, me doin' a baptism in underpants like that. But the truth is, I took off my clothes, and my underpants are all I'm wearing underneath my clothes," he said. "That's what I'm wearing right now. It wasn't a planned photo shoot. Some of my mates took photos for their friend, actually. Evan was getting baptized."

"Anyway, some people thought it was a little immodest and me showing off, judging from the comments," he added. "You know, I read the comments below. But what I'd say is this — and I'm a little bit of a showoff — the Lord made me a little bit of a showoff, but it is for Him that I am showing off now, not for me."

Related Article: Russell Brand Explains More on Recent Baptism, Says 'There Appears to Be a Return to Religion'

Photo Credit: ©X/Russell Brand

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.