the dangers of Christian celebrity
culture. In recent years, the rise of
celebrity culture within the church has become increasingly
troubling. Christian leaders are often elevated
to near-idol status, celebrated not for their Christ-like humility,
but for their charisma and communication skills. This trend poses real
spiritual dangers, both to the church at large and to individual
souls. Scripture offers no support for
elevating men to such heights. Rather, it warns against boasting
in man and reminds us that all the glory belongs to God alone.
So then, no more boasting about men. The first danger is that
Christian celebrity culture subtly undermines the supremacy of Christ. When believers flock to conferences
to hear a man rather than to meet with God, when they rally
around personalities instead of truth, then Christ is robbed
of his rightful place as head of the church. The apostle Paul
rebuked the Corinthians for their party spirit. I follow Paul,
I follow Apollos, insisting instead that it is God who makes things
grow. No man, regardless of gifts or
influence, should be allowed to eclipse the glory of Christ.
Secondly, celebrity culture creates an unhealthy dependence on personalities
rather than on the Word of God. Many Christians do not know their
Bibles well because they are content to have others think
for them. But God's Word commands believers
to test everything, and to be like the Bereans who examined
the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. We
must never replace Spirit-taught discernment with passive admiration
of gifted men. Furthermore, celebrity status
can be spiritually destructive to the leaders themselves. Pride
is subtle and deadly. Even the apostle Paul was given
a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming conceited.
Many gifted pastors have fallen morally or doctrinally after
being elevated beyond biblical accountability. Fame breeds flattery,
and flattery breeds folly, and folly breeds sin. Finally, Christian
celebrity culture divides the body of Christ. It fuels competition,
cultivates envy, and tempts some to build personal empires rather
than Christ's kingdom. True ministry is not about being
seen or celebrated. It is about faithfully proclaiming
Christ and making Him known. He must become greater. I must
become less. The Church does not need more
celebrities. It needs more faithful servants
who point away from themselves and to the crucified and risen
Savior. Let us remember that we do not
preach ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and let us not seek
the applause of men but the approval of God.