Christian Celebrity?

It seems like only yesterday when young superstar Miley Cyrus made the cover story of Christianity Today. How thrilling it was to hear someone so famous talk about her relationship with God. "I sing, dance and act for Jesus!...I do everything for Jesus." Christians across the country were excited that someone cool recommended Jesus!

Now in a new decade, times have changed -- Miley's changed. Many of her actions have caused Christians to pull back their Miley endorsements. She's not the only one who make mistakes, in fact some Christians have done things that are arguably worse in the eyes of our culture. In recent years we have seen pastors struggle with their sexual identity, Christian leaders abandon their families, and Christian authors manipulate their sources.

So, what’s the point?

Jesus is not cool or uncool based on human endorsement, no matter how famous that particular human. Trying to convert our friends because a celebrity “loves Jesus” is dangerous. Why? Because people, pastors, Axis employees, and celebrities, fail us.

We must tell others about Jesus. It is our duty as Christians to tell this dying world about the glorious salvation and hope that is Christ. However, we can’t base the gospel on celebrity endorsements or our own charisma. We must base it upon Scripture and upon what Jesus has done. He Himself is our firm foundation.

Titans from the worlds of politics, sport, music, television and religion stride the Christian stage and screen with an authority born only from their mass appeal. 'Following the star' has become the exact opposite of what it was for the three wise men. Today it leads away from Christ, not to him. - Os Guiness

The point is not to harp on Miley Cyrus’s mistakes or to compare ourselves to other Christians who fail. As a side note: if a video camera captured every moment of your life, do you think there might be some things TMZ would want to feature? The point is that authority on faith doesn’t come from mass appeal or celebrity endorsement.

So, where do you think authority on faith issues comes from? Make a comment or join the discussion on Facebook.

¹ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20186041,00.html

² Os Guinness, The Gravedigger File, p.154

photo borrowed from: http://www.celebrity-sunglasses-finder.com/image-files/miley-cyrus.jpg