Christian Comedian John Crist Opens Up About God’s Love After Scandal
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian comedian John Crist recently shared his experience with the church and comedy following his sexual misconduct scandal.
“I think the local Church is, in a lot of ways in this country, our only hope. If the local Church could do what it was intended to do, I think it could solve the majority of the problems we’re looking at in this country and around the world,” Crist told The Christian Post.
CBN added that “Crist was virtually shut out from church” after sexual misconduct allegations were brought against him.
As Movieguide® reported, after the scandal, Crist wanted to leave comedy and “commit suicide” while in rehab for four months.
However, during that time, “I found out there’s a God that loves you, and He cares about you, and He’s not mad at you,” he shared.
While in rehab, Crist came up with an idea for a video he posted last month entitled “Every Christian Music Video.” In it, he depicts characteristics that appear in Christian music videos.
“There’s always some kind of disagreement or argument; the guy leaves the house; the guy has some kind of transformation process; and then he comes back home, and everyone’s forgiven and healed and restored in like two minutes and 30 seconds,” Crist said. “It never really gets into specifically what was going on; he just kind of sees a cross in the clouds or something like that and comes home.”
“I hope people liked the video,” he added. “I’ve tried to get what’s in my heart up into my head and out of my mouth. And however, it’s received, once it comes out of here, is kind of none of our business. I’ve been interacting with ‘Every Christian Music Video’ for the past year and a half. Now it’s out, I’m done. So, it goes on to y’all to decide if this is the best thing you’ve ever seen, or if it’s heretical.”
Whether people like his comedy or not, Crist believes his honesty and ability to make people laugh come from God.
“A lot of the stuff that divides us are the walls I’m trying to bring down to bring us all together. If comedy is done appropriately, that’s the goal that should serve. We don’t hit the mark every time, obviously, we swing and miss every now and then, but it’s part of the game.”
“Everyone in the king’s court would say, ‘You look good, you’re doing the best, you’re incredible, everything’s great,'” Crist explained to The Christian Post. “And the jester was the guy that would come in … and kind of make fun of everything. It was done in a way that was therapeutic and helpful, not to tear anybody down. Every video I’ve ever made, obviously, we ruffle some feathers every now and then, but my hope would be that the person that we’re making the joke about would laugh at it and still think it’s funny. And 99% of the time, that’s what happens.”
Crist recently embarked on his “Emotional Support” tour and shared, “So many people have emailed and said, ‘Man, thank you so much. We needed that. You just feel lighter.’ But the same thing it does to everyone else in the crowd, it does to me…it’s unbelievable and I believe, therapeutic, for everybody.”
Movieguide® reported on Crist’s rehab experience:
“I’ve been through a lot the last two years of my life,” Crist said during a recent show. “I’ve been through a lot of embarrassing things…”
“I wanted to commit suicide,” he said. “I was in rehab for four months.”
However, Crist did not sugarcoat his experience in rehab but said that he was thankful that it happened.
“The only thing worse is if that had never happened to me,” he said, adding later: “Every time I had like a sold-out show or anything I did on television … I thought that if everybody knew the truth about me that all of these people would hate me.
“In that whole rehabilitation process, I found out there’s a God that loves you, and He cares about you, and He’s not mad at you,” he continued.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
