Sermon Series: We’re Sorry – Week 2: Toxic Theology
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Rev. Carlos Uroza
Introduction: The Slow Leak
Greetings my friends. I want to start with an image. Imagine you’re at home, and everything looks fine. The walls are perfect, there’s no water on the floor—everything seems normal. But somewhere deep inside the walls or under the foundation, there’s a slow leak. You can’t see it at first, but over time, that small drip weakens the structure of your house. By the time you notice it, the damage is serious, and the foundation is at risk.
This is what toxic theology can do to our faith. It starts small, hidden in what seem like good intentions or harmless traditions. At first, it doesn’t look like a problem. But over time, it begins to harm individuals, families, and even the mission of the Church itself.
Before we go further, I need to take a moment to say something. If you’ve ever been hurt by toxic theology—I want to say we’re sorry.
For the times we’ve allowed distorted beliefs or harmful practices to push people away from God instead of drawing them closer. I’m sorry for the times we’ve focused more on rules than relationships, more on traditions than compassion.
Toxic Theology: The Big Leaks and the Slow Leaks
See, some toxic theology is easy to see, like water pouring out of a broken pipe—things like using scripture to justify racism, sexism, or discrimination.
These are big, obvious leaks. But most of the time, toxic theology is like that slow leak. It’s harder to notice because it hides under the surface. It looks like a good idea or tradition we’ve always followed, but over time, it starts to harm people.
Some examples can be:
• Denying women roles in ministry or leadership.
• Using scripture to manipulate or control others.
• Teaching that faithfulness leads to wealth and success.
• Imposing one’s culture over others in the name of evangelism.
• Suggesting anxiety or depression is caused by weak faith.
• Failing to address issues like racism or poverty. And more.
These leaks might not seem obvious at first, but over time, they cause real harm—damaging people’s faith, dividing communities, and turning people away from the Church.
The Temple System: When Tradition Turns Toxic
Let’s look at the temple system in Jesus’ time. The temple was supposed to be a place where everyone could come to worship God—a house of prayer for all people. It was meant to bring people closer to God, no matter their background, status, or income.
But over time, the temple system developed traditions that created barriers for many people, especially people experiencing poverty. Here’s how it worked: worshippers were required to bring animals for sacrifice, but the animals had to meet the standards set by the temple leaders. If someone brought their own animal, it could be rejected, and they’d have to buy one from the temple vendors—at inflated prices.
And then… the temple only accepted its own currency, so people had to exchange their money. The exchange rates were unfair, and the money changers profited from this practice.
What started as a way to help people participate in worship had become a system of exploitation. The wealthy could afford the sacrifices and fees, but the poor struggled. For many, worship became a burden instead of a blessing. Instead of uniting people, it created division.
Jesus Confronts the Toxic Tradition
When Jesus entered the temple and saw what was happening, He didn’t just walk away shaking His head. He acted. He flipped over the money changers’ tables and drove out the people selling animals. He declared, “Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”
What’s interesting about John’s Gospel is that this story isn’t placed near the end of Jesus’ ministry, as in the other gospels. Instead, John puts it at the very beginning. This tells us something important: for the writer of John, confronting toxic theology was foundational to understanding Jesus’ mission.
And what happens next? Jesus meets Nicodemus, a religious leader, at night. In this quiet, private conversation, Jesus talks about being born again—a complete reawakening to a new way of living and doing faith. John seems to be saying, “This is the starting point: tear down what is harmful so something new and life-giving can be born.”
Jesus didn’t confront these issues out of anger or condemnation. He did it out of love—a deep desire to restore God’s vision for a welcoming and healing community.
Examining Our Faith
This raises a question: Are there areas in our faith where toxic theology has crept in? Are there traditions or practices within our Church that might create barriers instead of bridges?
Let’s ask ourselves:
Is what I believe or practice rooted in love and grace, or does it cause shame or exclusion?
Am I holding onto something just because “that’s how it’s always been”?
Does this belief or tradition bring people closer to God, or does it push them away?
Jesus calls us to do more than just notice these leaks. He calls us to repair them, let go of what’s harmful.
Our Wesleyan roots invite us to know God and discern our faith through scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
These four elements work together to help us reflect deeply on what we believe and why. But, tradition, for example, is valuable in connecting us to the Church’s history, but when tradition begins to exclude or harm others, reason and experience help us question whether it truly aligns with scripture and God’s heart for all people.
A Call to Repair Together
As we close, I want to invite you to join me in the promise to do better. There are so many people who’ve been hurt by the Church—hurt by the big leaks and the slow leaks of toxic theology.
It isn’t just about saying sorry—it’s about making things right. It’s about examining our beliefs and practices, confronting what’s broken, and rebuilding on the foundation of Christ’s love.
So today, wherever you are, let’s make this commitment together as a community. Let’s promise to be a church that heals instead of harms, a church that welcomes instead of excludes, a church where everyone feels the love of God. Amen.
Let us pray:
Gracious God,
We come to You as a community, asking for forgiveness for the ways we’ve allowed toxic theology to harm others. Forgive us for the big leaks and the small leaks. For the times we’ve put tradition above love and grace. Today, we commit to being a church that heals instead of harms, that welcomes instead of excludes. Help us to reflect Your love in all we do. Give us wisdom, courage, and grace as we rebuild on the foundation of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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