The Allure of the Celebrity Christian
It seems to be someone new all the time. There is an allure about them, but maybe that allure is there for the wrong reasons.
It is the celebrity Christian.
We always seem to be on the lookout for the next TV star, singer, athlete, politician, or other celebrity who claims to be a Christian and who may even give of their time to share something about Jesus.
But here is my question: Why are we so intent on finding that celebrity Christian?
The answer we always seem to give is something like this: “They have a great deal of influence, so it’s great for our kids to see them living for Jesus under the bright lights of celebrity.”
Now, let me say that I don’t disagree with that line of thinking. If someone is a celebrity and a committed Christian, that is a wonderful thing. But we also need to look into our heart and see why we are so caught up in this phenomenon. Could it be that we are more interested in the “celebrity” than in the Christian?
My fear is that we are so excited about someone in the limelight who is moral or who is willing to speak of faith that we can do two very dangerous things. (1) We can overlook when that person isn’t living up to the dictates of Scripture and excuse it because “it must be hard to be in the public eye and be a Christian.” And (2) we can, if we are not careful, teach our children that they are not living a full Christian life unless they are faithful and famous, when God only requires faithfulness.
It would be great if there were more people in the public eye who are willing to stand for pure, pre-denominational Christianity. But I want my children to see that just “plain folk” are alright in the sight of God, so long as they are faithful to the Lord.
My prayer is for every person to become a Christian, whether they are famous or obscure. But we must remember that, in the vast majority of cases, it is just the regular and obscure folks who have reached the most people with the Gospel.
For consider your calling, brothers; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)
Let’s reach out to all people, famous or obscure, and pray they become true followers of Jesus Christ. But let’s realize that, a vast majority of the time, it is going to be the common people who realize their need for Jesus and impact the world for Him. May we always focus on helping people become Christians, and not allow our modern society’s celebrity culture to invade our Biblical mindset.
QUESTION: Why are we so enamored with a celebrity being a Christian?
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Photo credit: Christian Haugen on Creative Commons
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4 Comments
Sandy Puckett
I think it’s because there are so few of them. We think, “Hey, there’s someone like us.”
But my question is are we talking “Christian” in the New Testament sense of the word or in the world’s sense? If it’s in the world’s sense, and the individual hasn’t done what the New Testament says is necessary to become a Christian, then they’re not really Christians. If it IS in the New Testament sense, then we need to look deeper.
There is one celebrity family that the public is greatly enamored with right now. They aren’t ashamed to talk about their faith, and that’s a good thing. But they’re appearing on platforms at denominational institutions and teaching a message that my denominational friends and relatives think is great. And if my denominational friends and relatives don’t see a problem with it meshing or not meshing, as the case may be, with their own beliefs, then I fear that it’s a watered down message, and there’s a problem with that. I have a problem with this family appearing on things like the Christian Women’s Conference and an event at Liberty Christian University, both of which are clearly denominational. This sends an I’m ok and you’re ok, and it also sends a message to weak Christians that it’s ok to fellowship denominations…that we’re all heading the same direction but just taking different paths. And that’s not right.. So I agree. I think Christians need to be very careful when hitching their wagons to stars who are Christians.
Caycee Leatherwood
I think it is because people are too intimated to stand up for their faith and seeing a “celebrity Christian” makes it easier for them to admit it. It’s a look, they are a Christian too, see it’s the “thing” to do! Not a good reason to use a person as a role model, the “if you accept them then you will accept me” logic. Not all people look at it like this but I’m afraid that some people do.
Adam Faughn
Sandy,
I think you are so right. Probably everyone reading this knows you are talking about Duck Dynasty. The post is about the 4th revision of where I started, and I was going to include what you said here in the article, but chose against it, only because I didn’t want it to look like I was picking on them in any way. I wanted the post to be more general.
I do think you are right, though, about how many celebrities stand for some type of morality, but give (as you said it) an I’m okay you’re okay feeling with not only the places they speak but many of the messages they deliver.
Jack Farmer
Have you ever had the opportunity to hear any of the Robertson’s speak at an event? I recently did and the message I heard was not watered down in any sense. I was an organizer for a charity event Phil spoke at. This was not a church of Christ event, it was to an audience of 2,000+ people who claim Christianity (whatever denomination or belief), supporters of the charity and just fans of the show. Phil stood up there and preached to them 100% Biblical truth and he didn’t hold back. From personally hearing him speak two different times and watching videos of he and his family speaking, I’ve never been left with the impression they think everyone is OK. They feel very strongly about baptism being essential and that’s a message they preach everywhere they go. I actually had an opportunity to sit down and talk to Phil and his oldest son, Alan. They told me that they don’t care what sign is in front of your building, they will still come and speak. Phil said, “I’ll teach them the gospel and they may not like me when I leave… but they still would have heard the truth”. I’ve heard Willie say the same thing in an interview.
I will say this, the whole family speaks several times a week, every week. I have not listened to every speech or sermon they have presented, haha. I don’t know what has been said at all of them, but I have heard the Gospel presented in a way that most of our brethren would be afraid to do, for fear of being accused of being too hard. They aren’t perfect and I’m sure there have been times where they didn’t get the message across like some of us would have wanted them to, but being in ministry myself, there have been times where I can look back and realize I didn’t either in certain circumstances.
After saying all this, I agree with original authors post. We do have to be careful. We get too caught up with the celebrity status. They are just men and women, no different from me or you (except wealth and being in the public eye). We shouldn’t forget that. But along those same lines, we forget about grace as well. I know it’s real easy to see flaws when someone is living in a glass house, but it honestly seems like sometimes we think it’s our mission to find fault in someone else’s life.
I agree they aren’t perfect and I agree that it’s possible that some may leave from hearing them speak and feel ok about their own salvation. But I don’t believe that’s the message they are sending. I have heard my grandmother (who struggles with gossip) compliment the pulpit minister on a great lesson on gossip and that “so and so” needed to hear that. Unfortunately, sometimes we don’t always apply God’s message to ourselves and the denominational world is guilty of that too. So I am not surprised to hear that some leave after hearing them speak and feel ok about themselves, our own brothers and sisters do that. While there is a huge responsibility on the speakers part to make things clear, the ground isn’t always fertile.
I applaud the Robertson’s for what they are doing. They are a light in a dark world. They are trying to use their fame to glorify God. But I agree, we have to be careful with getting wrapped up with the celebrity status. There are many “non-celebrity” Christians who do a wonderful job at reaching the lost. That alone should serve as inspiration for us to get off our hands and serve our Father. There is work to be done.