The cult of celebrity in the modern West has infiltrated the church, so much so that we can seem to be presuming that the Lord is obliged to work or invariably will work when the right person or persons are present: get someone prominent to preach and people are bound to listen! But this is to forget, if not to ignore, that the Lord is not bound in this way...
All too often there is mere capitulation at this point, a failure to ask what these men stand for, what they carry with them by way of endorsement or conviction (even if not openly stated in a particular environment) and - sometimes at least as importantly - what they will open the door to by way of association...
[I]t is all too easy to suspend our own rational faculties when a word is perceived to have been spoke ex cathedra, wherever that seat of power may be. Christians in any [many?] circles readily go beyond the respect which ought to be legitimately afforded to proven men and become nothing more than children led away dancing to the piper's tune: then the 'top men' mentality can readily develop, in which 'ordinary Christians' or 'ordinary pastors' are content neither to think nor to act because they have been assured that the 'top men' have it all in control and are thinking and acting for them.
The New Calvinism Considered: A Personal and Pastoral Assessment by Jeremy Walker, EP Books, 2013, pp. 26-28.
Looks like an interesting read Persis. The older I get the more I appreciate the faithful Christian and the small church pastor who plods along year in an year out without recognition and fanfare.
ReplyDeleteBut I also appreciate the big guys God has raised up who remain faithful in preaching and writing the truth - they provide much encouragement for the little guys in the trenches.
I'm only in the 2nd chapter and it's good so far. I think it's easy to get caught up in the momentum of a new movement without really considering what you believe or whether you are just swept up in the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and admiration for Christian leaders.
DeleteThere are faithful pastors who have name recognition. I don't envy them because I think that with fame comes temptation to build your own kingdom/brand.