The Gospel Coalition Swiftly Removes Gay Article Simping Taylor Swift

The Gospel Coalition has been on a tear this week with bad content. Earlier this week they had a fan-boy of Andy Stanley who pastors a church with gay affirming staff attempt to rationalize Andy Stanley’s heresy as paved with good intentions. Yet a more recent article would become the second removed article this year from The Gospel Coalition, an article venerating Taylor Swift and legitimizing the idolatry of her fans.

The article is titled “7 Things Christians Can Learn from Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour” and is written by Blake Glosson. It is perhaps the gayest article that The Gospel Coalition has written in years, and the fact that it was written by a supposed man makes it even worse.

1. We were created to be seen and known.

Part of what makes Taylor’s music so powerful is that it leaves many saying, “She gets me.” Many feel her lyrics perfectly encapsulate their emotions and experiences and even help them understand themselves.

The Eras Tour allows fans to draw near to the one person who seems to really know them. Of course, Taylor doesn’t know 99.9 percent of her fans—only foolish ones would think otherwise. Still, the joy Swifties feel in Taylor’s presence—perhaps even catching a glance from Taylor herself—reflects the joy of drawing near to the only One who knows and loves us perfectly.

Yikes. Already Glosson is setting Taylor Swift up as some sort of Old Testament figure that points to Christ. The reality is that Swift’s lyrics resonate with liberal white women. Swift publicly reviles her own father making her one of the worst object lessons to use affirmatively.

2. We were created to image greatness.

Witnessing tens of thousands of Swifties flooding Chicago’s streets and shops hours before the show was surreal. You could spot a Swiftie a mile away as they all dressed as her. While every Taylor follower reflected her differently, they all imaged her—corporately reflecting the full array of her dazzling ensembles.

Swifties appreciated Taylor’s beauty more because of each other’s imitations. The words “I love your dress!” were exclaimed countless times that day. Yet it wasn’t just Swifties who noticed the shimmering attire of Taylor’s fans. Taylor’s dresses became more visible when worn by her followers. Through Swifties, the world saw Swift.

One of the great joys and privileges given to Christians is to “put on . . . Christ” (Rom. 13:14)—to put his sparkling attributes on display to a watching world. We were created to shimmer as jewels on the crown of Christ’s head (cf. Zech. 9:16; Mal. 3:16–17).

Glosson is reveling in idolatry and attempting to shoehorn a Christian message in it. Point 3 seems to make Taylor Swift a beauty icon, which is a huge stretch.

4. We were created for reciprocal enjoyment with the object of our greatest affection.

Taylor goes to great lengths to emphasize how much she enjoys her fans. It’s not like Swifties love seeing Taylor while she merely tolerates seeing them. The enjoyment is reciprocal. For Swifties, the thought of playing a small part in Taylor’s joy—even making her smile—makes the show sweeter.

Believer, how much more does Christ enjoy you—and not as a number in a stadium full of faces but as intimately as a bridegroom enjoys his bride. Your existence is a true and constant “ingredient in the divine happiness.” Your presence causes Christ’s heart to leap with delight (cf. Ps. 18:19; 147:11; Zeph. 3:17). Seeing you makes Jesus smile.

It’s interesting to compare the conjugal analogies in Scripture which Joshua Butler was cancelled for with a musician who has capitalized on numerous romantic escapades. Hardly a pure bridegroom in this analogy.

5. We were created for transcendent belonging and community.

Many Swifties marvel at the profound feeling of belonging they experienced gathering with countless others who shared the same object of admiration. This sweet connection transcends cultural background, socioeconomic status, personality, age, and era. Through one person, many are brought together (cf. Eph. 2:12–14).

This is really gay.

6. Pettiness turns to gratitude in the presence of beauty.

Every Eras show includes two-decade-long fans, recent followers, and everything in between. Some purchased tickets months in advance; others scooped them up minutes before the show. Yet once inside, no one says, “How come she got in?” That would be pure silliness. Everyone was too enthralled to see Taylor to have such petty thoughts.

Heaven will consist of lifelong Christ followers and death-bed converts. Yet none will feel robbed or embittered. All will overflow with joy and gratitude simply to be in Christ’s presence.

Blake Glosson should work for Buzzfeed with how he’s trying to get to seven with this weak sauce.

7. We were created for unmixed, timeless joy.

It’s hard to explain what I felt when I woke up the morning after seeing Taylor Swift. The best way I can describe it is sad joy. For all the happy anticipation leading up to the show, the sorrowful realization that it was over tainted my joy.

For many, that sorrow started earlier. A friend said, “It felt like the experience was ending the moment I woke up the day of the concert. My joy was ending as it was starting.” She said this pain continued into the show itself: “As joyous as it was to see Taylor, we all grieved as we celebrated because we knew the joy would soon be gone.”

Proverbs 10:22 says, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” Unlike the joy of seeing Taylor Swift—which is mixed at every point with sorrowful longings for something deeper and longer lasting—the blessings of the Lord enrich without sorrow.

Our souls were created for full and eternal joy, which can be found in Christ alone: “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11; cf. John 15:11).

I have never been sad the day after a concert and I’ve been to more than the average Swift idolater. And in the concerts I went to, it was live music, not a glorified Spotify playlist. Glosson is trying to rationalize his idolatry for terrible music, but saying that his obsession points to Christ.

The Gospel Coalition unceremoniously removed the article quickly into it’s lifecycle, a tactical memory hole. Clearly they let that fly with little editing, not knowing the reputational harm it would further bring. Unfortunately for The Gospel Coalition, the internet is forever.