Strong Enough to Be Wrong | Joshua Harris | TEDxHarrisburg

In today’s world we spend so much energy being right and proving others wrong. Twenty years ago I wrote a best-selling book about dating that I’m now realizing misguided and even hurt some people. I’m hoping that my experience of listening to my critics and reevaluating my conclusions, will inspire others to see that progress and growth always involves the humbling process of admitting mistakes. Joshua Harris is a wordsmith, communicator and content strategist who loves to help clarify and amplify messages that matter.

He’s best known for writing the runaway best-seller I Kissed Dating Goodbye when he was 21.

[kjb]

Who’s here in July 2019 after hearing about Josh Harris renouncing Christianity?

[allanbrown]

Why reading and subscribing to the ideas in a book on relationships by a 20 year old is maybe not a good idea.

[hagendf]

His anti-dating message was a good excuse for an awkward teenage kid like me to avoid talking to girls. I missed out on the chance to learn as a young dude how to meet them and get dates. At some point God doesn't bring you a wife, and you realize you really do have to figure it out for yourself.

[FootlessJo]

I really appreciate his words. His book was used as a bible in my youth groups and was at the center of the purity culture movement where I was.... Purity culture itself left scars on my mental health and relationships that still aren't healed. I appreciate someone being strong enough to admit that they might have been wrong.

[pearlpearly]

Followers of Christ should base everything on Gods word, even 'Christian books' should not be taken as absolutes and a standard. Feed your spirit with word of God it will guard your soul form the enemies deception.

[Trafalgher]

I have never heard a religious leader apologize for wrong doing

[rebeccajones]

"Let God be true and every man a liar." It's not about Christians being "right." It's about God being right and us aligning to that. The basis for being right and the basis for being wrong is all defined by God. Not ourselves.

[silhouette]

So many people dealing with their cognitive dissonance in the comments.

[dogfishrulez]

Hearing Joshua acknowledge the hurt his book caused is all I could ever ask for. I don't care what side of religion he ended up on. Thank you for your authenticity Joshua Harris!

[AarmOZ]

The worst part wasn't the book itself, but the fact that our youth pastor's often were using it against us. I had trouble developing relationships because of that.... my longest lasting 6 months. I am 35 and never been married.

[faithoverfear]

Christ will be remembered. Harris will be forgotten.

[linak]

I remember hearing about this guy and the book he wrote 📙 in the 90's. I didnt purchase but listened to the interviews including one in, Focus On The Family. I did take a prolonged brake from dating and focused on getting an education It was a good decision for me. .

[kenroc]

He is preaching the spirit of this age. Humans "evolving" into a better person without Christ, he bought that oldest lie, "shall not die, your eyes will open and you will be like God". When Jesus is God and He transforms us into the Image of Christ. We can't be good or better without Jesus.

[charliechuck-qy]

Growing up is realizing that Josh was just as trapped as we were. 😢

[PinkEyeTheGlitch]

RESPECT. I was forced to read that book when I was very young, and I feel like it's teachings have really held me back. I never thought that I would see this day.

[altarproperties]

Joshua, your talk is very interesting. I was a youth minister who read your book. Although I refused to teach that young people needed to stop dating, I did teach that they needed to date differently than what our culture encourages. Not everything in your book was wrong. Not everything was right. It seems that you have more going on in your heart than just the book. Hope you know that God and a lot of Christians care for you.

[EvaAnika]

"There are people in your life who are invested in the old you." Amazing.

[neighborhoodgoblinman]

I was homeschooled by foster parents and had to live this out for 3 years, and write a book report on it when I was a part of a Christian cult-ish family. It was so intense unlearning all this shame.

[joyclements]

This book caused so many issues in the church communities I was exposed to growing up. I'm still unraveling the damage it caused me but I'm glad he made this statement.

[grumpyboomer]

His book is full of formulas that American evangelicals love—steps, principles, keys, secrets—things to do to achieve the goal. His talk here was just another formula. He’s just switched teams.