Compromise, Culture, and "Celebrity Christians"

In Romans 1, Paul establishes his spiritual credentials, but also discusses the identity of the Christians of Rome:
5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

So, Paul tells the recipients that they were the "called" of Jesus Christ - and I think that applies to us, as well.  We belong to Him, and verse 7 says that we are called to be saints.  He has great love for us and a special purpose for us.  He gives us His grace and peace, and allows us to demonstrate His nature as we depend on Him.  We have the chance to be people who testify to His greatness and to express His love and mercy.

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Here is a rather familiar Scripture that speaks to our identity as believers and how we are to view our role in this world. It's from 1st Peter chapter 2:
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

There was an instance of dueling articles online before Christmas this year which I think could stimulate some discussion about the topic of influence.  Thomas Christianson wrote on the Relevant website that "We Need More 'Christian Celebrities.'"  Laura Turner responded on Religion News Service that we don't.

The discussion centered around a pastor from South Florida named Rich Wilkerson - he and his wife DawnChere have been featured in a reality show on the Oxygen network called, Rich in Faith.   Christianson says that:

...The show has gotten some attention because the Wilkersons minister to the likes of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian—Rich even officiated their wedding.

I got a chance to hear Rich speak at a conference recently and it sparked discussion among our own church staff regarding whether what he and DawnCheré are doing is appropriate. While not everyone may prefer his presentation style, Rich reached boldly about the greatness of Jesus and how much we are loved by our Savior.

Christianson continued:

Many Christians have criticized Wilkerson’s choices in befriending celebrities and making a reality show. But one of the things he discussed in an interview after that preaching gig is the fact that God is giving him influence in circles that most of us would never be able to access.

I loved that.

He goes on to talk about how Jesus showed up at weddings and parties and built relationships, through which lives were changed.  He challenged readers to consider areas in which God has given us influence.

Full disclosure:  I received a press release from a publicity firm about Pastor Wilkerson, and have chosen not to pursue an interview.  Quite frankly, I need to know more.  When someone is associated with celebrities, especially some who on one hand seem to embrace an affinity for Christianity without having the corresponding lifestyle, I do have to question the degree to which a minister or faith leaders is drawing a distinction between condoning lifestyles and correcting life errors.   I have interviewed Judah Smith, who is a self-proclaimed friend of and mentor to Justin Bieber, and just have to trust that he is having influence with an obviously troubled young man who seems to have difficulty integrating his confession of Christianity with the pressures of celebrity culture.

But, I do get the possible impact that Christians can have on a culture that needs to see the light of Christ.  You just have to be so careful that Biblical Christianity is being proclaimed and lived out by those who choose to go the media route.

Laura Turner has a different take on the role of a Christian in a culture that is attracted to celebrity. She contends:

Celebrity culture is one of the worst things to happen to the church. We lionize the people who take the stage–pastors and worship leaders–at the expense and detriment of those who serve in the church in unseen ways.

She adds:

But we’ve had “celebrities” who are also Christians since “celebrity” was a concept, and I’m not sure where that has gotten us. Christians should absolutely be involved in creating the culture we inhabit and imbibe, but when we become showy about it, nonbelievers get suspicious and angry. Most people aren’t tuning into the Wilkersons’ show to watch ordinary human beings grow closer to God–that would make for boring television. They’re watching in hopes that Kim or Kanye will show up, or to see what a cool pastor looks like, or to watch an attractive couple in their marriage. Can something good come of that? Sure! As a friend of mine said, “Our Father has no shame.” God can use anything for our good. But is there wisdom in suggesting we need more Christian celebrities? I’m not convinced.

She poses some questions, "...why do we need to influence people? Why can’t we just befriend people? When we see people, celebrities or otherwise, as souls to influence, we misrepresent their dignity to ourselves and to God. This is why terms like “influencer” or “thought leader” to describe people are so rightly derided: They reduce the gospel to a bullet-pointed message and people to a following."

Turner closes by saying:

Serving the poor, caring for children, making disciples, bringing the Kingdom of God–those things require sacrifice and work and self-awareness. Influence is only ever tangential to being a Christian; it is never the main thing. And as long as that’s true, we do not need Christian celebrities. We need only Christ.

Well, both Christianson and Turner make good points.  As someone who looks for evidence of Christ and spiritual truth in popular culture, I do see that there is potential impact that so-called "celebrities" can have.  Christianson says that he prays for the Wilkersons and other people of influence that they can be effective in sharing the good news of Christ.   I do think that we have to make sure that our ideas and our lives are impacting the culture without the culture impacting us negatively.   If influence is going in the wrong direction, then we become people of compromise in the name of cultural relevancy.   

These articles can challenge us to think about what we do and how we do it.  We have to look beyond the tendency to reduce the gospel to talking points and attempt to gain a "following." One of the compelling aspects of the ministry of Jesus is that he used the concept of relationship to share hard truth.  This is illustrated by the fact that He came to earth, as a human being, to live in this world so that He could die for this world.  That is the ultimate expression of love, and He has given us the capacity to walk in that type of love.  We do have to see people as individuals for whom Jesus died, not just people who potentially become positive statistics.

But, we can be sensitive to opportunities to minister.  But, we have to do so without allowing ourselves to appear as if we are walking on a path of compromise.  God holds us to a higher standard, a standard of holiness.  We have to be careful that our sensitivity does not lead to a lack of peculiarity.