Why Do We Highly Value the Opinions of Famous People?
It is an alchemy of the modern age, that the cult of celebrity is so able to transform the limited proficiency of entertainers into a presumption of all-around expertise, one which the public too often accepts for gold. Men and women whose vocal cords vibrate nicely are somehow assumed to also possess definitive knowledge on every subject they might pontificate upon; their views on government, environment, and spirituality are held above the conclusions of professional historians, scientists, and ministers. The magic of celebrity makes every Bono a de facto Plato; his opinions are revered as godlike revelation. Homer’s proverbial warning not to heed the voice of sirens remains as true as ever. Therefore do as Odysseus: fill your ears with wax whenever you hear celebrities spouting their ideas with disproportioned authority, or else risk being enchanted by fame into acknowledging an otherwise unqualified perspective.
Christians should be involved in politics to the extent that doing so fulfills their duty to love one’s neighbors, without compromising the gospel or the distinctive place of the church as pilgrim people with a heavenly King. The amount and form of political action which individuals should undertake, from serving on school boards to picking up a single piece of litter, will differ according to their talents and position.
Fear leads masses to do fearful things, even to become the monster they feared. It is better to overcome fear by courage than to surrender freedom in the name of security.
In response to British tourists jailed for joking tweets about America.
The corrupting influence of money makes its way to all positions of power. Do not forget behind the semblance of upstanding authority stands the potential for unjust abuses. Systems of accountability for governments must be maintained vigilantly lest the interests of the public are undermined by those with their hands on the inside.
The corrupting influence of money makes its way to all positions of power. Do not forget behind the semblance of upstanding authority stands the potential for unjust abuses. Systems of accountability for governments must be maintained vigilantly lest the interests of the public are undermined by those with their hands on the inside.
J. I. Packer on Wealth in the Christian Life
I have been mulling over this passage from Packer’s classic, Knowing God, and considering to what extent my own life ought to reflect the willful simplicity of the early church. What do you think?
You are called to go through this world as a pilgrim, a mere temporary resident, traveling light. You are to be willing, as Christ directs, to give up material wealth and the security it provides and live in a way that involves you in poverty and loss of possessions. Having your treasure in heaven, you are not to budget for treasure on earth, nor for a high standard of living—you may well be required to forgo both. You are called to follow Christ, carrying your cross.
“My God will meet all your needs according, to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 4:19]
We are unlike the Christians of New Testament times. The thought of “safety first” was not a drag on their enterprise as it is on ours. By being exuberant, unconventional and uninhibited in living by the gospel, they turned their world upside down. You could not accuse us twenty-first-century Christians of doing anything like that.
Why are we so different? Whence comes the nervous, dithery, take-no-risks mood that mars so much of our discipleship? Why are we not free enough from fear and anxiety to allow ourselves to go full stretch in following Christ? Now let us call a spade a spade. The name of the game we are playing is unbelief, and Paul’s “he will give us all things” (Romans 8:32) stands as an everlasting rebuke to us. Paul is telling us that there is no ultimate loss or irreparable impoverishment to be feared. If God denies us something, it is only in order to make room for one or another of the things he has in mind. Are we, perhaps, still assuming that a person’s life consists (partly, at any rate) in the things he possesses?
(Pages 312-313)
Miserable are those who measure the authority of doctrine by the numbers receiving it. Truth always overcomes, though for a time it is found among the few. He who, for proof, betakes himself to numbers, confesses himself conquered. Let me see the beauty of truth, and immediately I am persuaded. A multitude may overawe, but cannot persuade. How many myriads could persuade me to believe that day is night, that poison is food? In determining earthly things we do not regard numbers, shall we do so in heavenly things? I reverence numbers; but only when they produce proof, not when they shun inquiry. Can you confirm a lie by numbers?
The Trouble With Trendy Teaching
Following my post on the “Why I Hate Religion, etc” video, I was asked this straight-forward question,
“As far as trendy goes…whats wrong with trendy?”
Well, nothing necessarily. Trendiness merely indicates our natural behavior to run with a crowd, to become excited for what is novel or popular. In itself, this may not be a bad thing every time. We discover lots of good by observing trends. However, when trendiness is merged with religious teaching what can happen is an unhealthy fixation with unqualified, but entertaining teachers. Modern technology makes it easy hear multitudes of total strangers give their opinions on the bible. Many do so in ways that seem more exciting than a Sunday sermon. Every guy who paints “John 3:16” on his bare chest, sets his lessons to rhyme, or begins talks by “Tebowing”, might get more people to listen simply because he is eye-catching, artistically talented, or plain weird.
In the midst of so many false teachers, Paul wrote to the Philippians, ”Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” [Phil. 3:17] Christians should desire to learn from men who above all have an established reputation for godliness, humility, and disciplined study of the word. We should be as interested to know something of their lives as their doctrine. James says there ought to be few teachers and those who do, according to Paul, must have real skills to rightly interpret the word. [James, 3:1, 2 Tim. 2:15] Pastors are doctors of souls and need an education equal to the calling. Above all, they need to be in accountable church structures that will correct them if they go astray. [1 Tim. 5:17-22] So the danger with trendiness, with all of its good intentions, is that often it distracts us from better resources by feeding our endless hunger to be entertained, rather than equipped with the best (and safest) teaching possible.
If we who thrive in more privileged places knew the dire circumstances, the violence and virtual slavery under which many of our possessions and clothing is produced, we would fling them away from us as though made of molten metal. It is better to be stripped of one’s clothes, even to go about naked, in order to maintain the noble covering of a good conscience, than to be dressed in the finest apparel at the cost of righteousness, without which we are truly destitute.
Movies That Take God’s Name in Vain
How should we respond when movies take God’s name in vain? The following is a letter I wrote in response to a friend who asked. Perhaps it will be of use to you.
Hello, ____________. I appreciate your consideration of my opinion, and that you have been patient to wait for it.
Your concerns are ones which I share and, might I add, I hope all Christians, too. The instinct to cringe or even feel anger when we hear God’s name misused indicates a healthy sensitivity regarding the Lord’s honor. To take God’s name in vain is a cardinal offense, one which, in the Mosaic economy, warranted the most severe civil punishments. The unfathomable sacredness of God’s name lies in that it represents his whole character and authority. Respecting it is therefore placed above virtually every other moral question in scripture.
