Celebrities for Jesus
What should we think about Christian celebrities? In Celebrities for Jesus, Katelyn Beaty shows how personas, platforms, and profits are hurting the Church.
Mass Media
In just over 200 pages, this book warns how the medium of the Gospel can change the message of the gospel. Celebrity feeds on mass media and turns icons into idols. Beaty says that the gospel is always mediated, but Christ’s model is relational love. This is a fast and informative read, giving you much to think about as you think about the way Christian celebrity influences your own walk with God.
The book begins by comparing fame with celebrity and the dangers that come with celebrity Christians. Billy Graham contributed to the problem of celebrity with an individualistic gospel, an embrace of mass media, and friendship with celebrities. But Graham also showed spiritual health outside of the spotlight. He invested in institutions, empowering others to fulfill and carry our good works. He also acknowledge his early success and celebrity, while safeguarding against the temptations of money, sex, and power. Beaty knows that there must be a better way.
Celebrity Temptations
Beaty goes on to showcase three temptations of Christian celebrity. Ravi Zacharias abused his power, and we see that power must be stewarded. Mark Driscoll had a way with words, and this led to powerful preaching but also anger and pride. Carl Lentz lived a lavish lifestyle, calling for financial accountable transparency. Institutions, such as RZIM, are also capable of these temptations. This is a revelatory book that is not afraid to tell of the sins that come with Christian celebrity culture.
I was most fascinated to read Beaty’s insights in the world of Christian book publishing. Chasing platforms is a main problem, and her words come with weight: “I can’t genuinely encourage most people to enter Christian book publishing.” While she sees that value of Christian books, she also sees how it adds “jet fuel” to the problem of Christian celebrity. Media is unique in that it takes words and ideas beyond the confines of time and place. Creating profit for publishers comes at the cost of outsourcing discipleship, authentic relationships, and everyday integrity – especially when it comes to the problem of plagiarism.
Living Icons
There is even a cost of celebrity for the celebrity. Creating personas and loneliness for leaders must be combated with humility and accountability. Media gives a feeling of intimacy, but these are not real relationships. After looking at the supposed conversions of Kanye West, Bob Dylan, and Justin Bieber, Beaty suggests we stop our fixation on cultural credibility and instead pursue ordinary faithfulness.
Towards the end of the book, Beaty cites Colossians 1:15, stating: “What makes Christianity — more specifically, Christ — real to me are the people in my life who are living icons.” I am motivated to fight the temptation to be relevant, spectacular; and powerful. I am challenged to pursue a hidden life of faithfulness with deep friendships. The power of the gospel is not in larger-than-life personas and elevated platforms, but in faith as small as a mustard seed.
I received a media copy of Celebrities for Jesus and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.