"Travel on Sunday—to close that deal, or perform that show—is nonnegotiable. Absence from small groups is practically a given. Having a summer lake home and a winter cottage means never getting your life and struggles exposed to the same group of people year in, year out. Instead, what you’re left with is private Bible reading (sometimes), podcast sermons (very occasional), but most of all, the inescapable sense that your Christianity is yours to have and to hold as best and as wisely as you can do it."
This is tragically, painfully, exactly on point. This is a lifestyle that keeps you out of the meaningful community and accountability that the New Testament clearly articulates for the people of God. And it's not just that this is dangerous - it's that the way God has planned for his people is so much better. Not easy. It's highly inconvenient. But it's better. I really appreciate this and your challenge to church leaders to remind people of the danger of profit and long work hours. Noted.
Appreciate you taking this angle on a problem that it seems like everyone is talking about, but not really getting to the heart of. This just further highlights the importance of staying engaged in the local church; all of us are prone to falling into similar temptations if we aren't actively engaging with the body, even if our bodies are in the pews every Sunday!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
We tend to think that success is a sign of God's blessing, so we don't consider that it brings extra dangers and temptations.
The bigger the Newsboys got, the more the gospel spread and the more God was glorified, right? It couldn't be the will of God to turn down an opportunity for more money and fame, could it?
Glad to have you back! Your insight and analysis' are on point as ever; always catching a deeper layer and angle than all the other hot takes out there.
Too few Christians who want to "make it" in this world really think this through, and it comes back to bite them a few years into their fame or fortune. Some wise Man once said, "You cannot serve God and mammon."
"Again: power and wealth demand to be maintained, and the maintenance of power and wealth often occupies the same space that spiritual faithfulness in a church would be. If you want an accurate picture of what happens to the Christians when affluence pours in, don’t look at Constantine. For every one Council of Nicea, there’s ten thousand “God’s Not Dead” tours."
I may be misunderstanding what you're trying to say here, but I think this will reinforce your point: even Constantine demonstrated this tendency--among other things, post-conversion he had his wife and eldest son killed for reasons that are unclear but probably had more to do with power politics than them actually doing something worthy of execution.
Thank you for your thoughtful essay. I agree with you and I think there is one point you did not make. There is something about "celebrity" and "Christian" that does not work together. In our culture, we (generally) believe that "renown makes right." If someone is famous, that someone must have something important or valuable to say. And "famous" people, be they actors, athletes, or even pastors, view their notoriety as a "platform" they've been afforded to share their professional and personal opinions. So how do Christian celebrities reach a point where they believe they are beyond accepted Christian teachings? I think it looks something like this: God has blessed me -> I am successful/famous -> God has given me a "platform" -> Since I am the one God has elevated, my thoughts and opinions should be shared. I have genuine concern for any faithful follower of Jesus who becomes famous.
This post sounded a lot of back burner thoughts I've been ruminating on regarding all these things. Also, it was good to meet you at the Crossway company picnic back at the end of June.
"Travel on Sunday—to close that deal, or perform that show—is nonnegotiable. Absence from small groups is practically a given. Having a summer lake home and a winter cottage means never getting your life and struggles exposed to the same group of people year in, year out. Instead, what you’re left with is private Bible reading (sometimes), podcast sermons (very occasional), but most of all, the inescapable sense that your Christianity is yours to have and to hold as best and as wisely as you can do it."
This is tragically, painfully, exactly on point. This is a lifestyle that keeps you out of the meaningful community and accountability that the New Testament clearly articulates for the people of God. And it's not just that this is dangerous - it's that the way God has planned for his people is so much better. Not easy. It's highly inconvenient. But it's better. I really appreciate this and your challenge to church leaders to remind people of the danger of profit and long work hours. Noted.
Appreciate you taking this angle on a problem that it seems like everyone is talking about, but not really getting to the heart of. This just further highlights the importance of staying engaged in the local church; all of us are prone to falling into similar temptations if we aren't actively engaging with the body, even if our bodies are in the pews every Sunday!
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Amen!
We tend to think that success is a sign of God's blessing, so we don't consider that it brings extra dangers and temptations.
The bigger the Newsboys got, the more the gospel spread and the more God was glorified, right? It couldn't be the will of God to turn down an opportunity for more money and fame, could it?
Glad to have you back! Your insight and analysis' are on point as ever; always catching a deeper layer and angle than all the other hot takes out there.
Too few Christians who want to "make it" in this world really think this through, and it comes back to bite them a few years into their fame or fortune. Some wise Man once said, "You cannot serve God and mammon."
Wow. So good!
It is clear your rest has refreshed and not depleted you.
God parted the seas, Christ died and rose again, and we're still making bricks for Pharoah.
Come Lord Jesus.
"Again: power and wealth demand to be maintained, and the maintenance of power and wealth often occupies the same space that spiritual faithfulness in a church would be. If you want an accurate picture of what happens to the Christians when affluence pours in, don’t look at Constantine. For every one Council of Nicea, there’s ten thousand “God’s Not Dead” tours."
I may be misunderstanding what you're trying to say here, but I think this will reinforce your point: even Constantine demonstrated this tendency--among other things, post-conversion he had his wife and eldest son killed for reasons that are unclear but probably had more to do with power politics than them actually doing something worthy of execution.
Wonderful to see you back!
Thank you for your thoughtful essay. I agree with you and I think there is one point you did not make. There is something about "celebrity" and "Christian" that does not work together. In our culture, we (generally) believe that "renown makes right." If someone is famous, that someone must have something important or valuable to say. And "famous" people, be they actors, athletes, or even pastors, view their notoriety as a "platform" they've been afforded to share their professional and personal opinions. So how do Christian celebrities reach a point where they believe they are beyond accepted Christian teachings? I think it looks something like this: God has blessed me -> I am successful/famous -> God has given me a "platform" -> Since I am the one God has elevated, my thoughts and opinions should be shared. I have genuine concern for any faithful follower of Jesus who becomes famous.
This post sounded a lot of back burner thoughts I've been ruminating on regarding all these things. Also, it was good to meet you at the Crossway company picnic back at the end of June.