The celebrity culture is dangerous for the celebrity. Pride goes before the fall, and how often have we seen this happen? Pride cause a person to think he is above criticism or at least handpick who he will be accountable to. The local body of believers is insufficient. Let it be someone with an equal or larger platform. Pride blinds a person to believe that his ministry and its reach are greater than godly character. In the end, theology will likely be compromised to be able to maintain the front that God’s blessing is still raining down while ignoring the growing list of expendable people. I’m not gloating, but mourning.
In small group, we’ve been reading through Ordinary by Michael Horton. It’s been a thought-provoking book that has led to some good discussion. We’re also reading it after a sermon series on the ordinary means of grace – preaching of the Word, the sacraments, prayer, and fasting. You know, the things Christ Himself has instituted for the growth and health of the church that she often overlooks for what is a bit flashier and more touchy-feely.
Tonight we will be discussing chapter 6, Practicing what we preach: No more super-apostles, which covers the issue of idolizing our leaders. I am trying to gather my thoughts about the chapter and the problem of the Christian celebrity culture for fear that I will embark on a lengthy rant in small group. If there is an edge to my writing “voice”, you’ve read it right. On the one hand, I could chose to ignore my social media feed and avoid reports about the latest scandals. If this is your stance, I fully respect your decision to do so. However, it’s harder for me not to react because I’ve been in past situations where Christian leaders promoted themselves at the expense of the sheep. The venue may have been small but it was still spiritually abusive. I’ve seen sin overlooked in an effort to keep everyone happy by not making waves. I’ve seen subtle coercive tactics used on believers to keep them toeing the party line. This is wrong. This is contrary to Christ’s character. So I’m not in it for the gossip. I’m in it because I care for the church that is being trampled upon as ambitious leaders use God’s people as stepping stones to bigger and better things. So my apologies for the “tone.”
The celebrity culture is dangerous for the celebrity. Pride goes before the fall, and how often have we seen this happen? Pride cause a person to think he is above criticism or at least handpick who he will be accountable to. The local body of believers is insufficient. Let it be someone with an equal or larger platform. Pride blinds a person to believe that his ministry and its reach are greater than godly character. In the end, theology will likely be compromised to be able to maintain the front that God’s blessing is still raining down while ignoring the growing list of expendable people. I’m not gloating, but mourning.
For the followers, I can only think of Martin Luther’s famous speech at the diet of Worms:
Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason – for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves – I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen. (source)
The celebrity culture encourages us to do the exact opposite of Luther because it sets up popes, popettes, and councils. Initially, they may have opened our eyes to consider the things of God that were unknown to us before. But they cannot thinkfor us. Just because so-and-so preaches this, does not give me the right to turn off my mind and blindly follow what he said. We will be weaker and more prone to error by not following the example of the Bereans. They certainly didn’t blindly follow what the Apostle Paul said. I fear we will also eventually have to compromise our theology to ignore or explain away the moral failings of our idols. I’m not gloating, but mourning.
Oh be not content with religion built upon man! Be not content with saying, “I have hope, because my own minister has told me such and such things.” Seek to be able to say, “I have hope, because I find it thus and thus written in the Word of God.” If your peace is to be solid, you must go yourself to the fountain of all truth. If your comforts are to be lasting, you must visit the well of life yourself, and draw fresh water for your own soul. Ministers may depart from the faith. The visible Church may be broken up. But he who has the Word of God written in his heart, has a foundation beneath his feet which will never fail him. Honour your minister as a faithful ambassador of Christ. Esteem him very highly in love for his work’s sake. But never forget that infallibility is not to be found in godly ministers, but in the Bible.
From Warnings to the Churches, J.C. Ryle, Banner of Truth Trust 2007, pg. 103
Persis Lorenti is an ordinary Christian. You can find her at Tried With Fire and Out of the Ordinary. This article appeared at her blog and is used with permission.