The cult of 'Celebrity'

What is it that makes a person predisposed towards admiring the famed, accomplished and talented?  What is it that makes many idolize those who have been celebrated in the spotlight for any reason?  There seems to be a disproportionate glorification of anyone who gets notoriety.  To find out the roots of this is quite exposing.

The 'Enlightenment' period (17th century onward) had elements that led to much progression in science but where spiritual things were concerned it was really reasoning God out of all things. I call it 'Satan's response to the Reformation' but be that as it may.   Before this time those observing a great artist, a unique talent or outstanding ability would attribute this genius to a spiritual entity.  The genius behind the person did the work and this is why some will look at art and be in awe at what the genius behind the person could bring forth.

This is where the word 'Genie' comes from.  It reflects what is attached to the person and working through them.    As the 'age of reason' continued, the idea of spiritual entities working through people dried up.  So when someone did some great work it was the person who became the genius behind it.  "You have a genius' became 'you ARE a genius.'  So the focus of great gift, talent and ability turned back onto the person and the idea that an entity beyond this realm is inspiring this fizzled out.

However inept the Reformation was, it brought people back to Scripture so the next logical step for believers was to be able to reflect the Lords work on earth.... hello Gifts of the Spirit!  Satan's move to short circuit this has been semi successful. Satan anticipated the next logical step... a return of people issuing forth God's manifestations and acted to have people handle this phenomena wrongly.  If a person exercises the gifts of the Spirit, and people make the reasonable assumption that God is at work... they will 'see good deeds and praise their Father in heaven.'  If it could be woven into the human psyche that these manifestations come from the person themselves, any reflecting on God is over.  

The logical step occurred around 1900 when the gifts of the Spirit began manifesting through the Pentecostal movement.  This has seen the good, the bad and the ugly in terms of how man has handled it.  People flock to see 'God's Man' of the moment.  Iv'e experienced the reasoning behind this:  If we make the church famous and help promote the Man of God... we will make the church more visible and compete in the world of celebrity.  Surely this is better than a dark chapel somewhere?  All reasonable assumptions.  In all of this desire to construct a successful church model on this is in error... It isn't our church to design!  Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and has already given a pattern for meeting together.  This was passed on as normative practice in the first century church.

Interestingly the order of the disappearance of church practice went like this:

First church Practice dissipated.  Man edged in to lead the church then secondly the gifts dissolved.  Lastly Theology went out the window and we had the Roman Catholic church as the dominant practice.

1) Practice
2) Gifts
3) Theology

isn't it interesting that these are being restored in reverse...

1) Theology (16C Reformation)
2) Gifts (19 / 20C Pentecostal Movement)
3) Practice ... In progress....

Can we break free from the historical traditions that have been woven into our minds as we grow into reasoning people?  Can we identify where we have assumed the 'man at the front,' with absolute good intention, may not be manifesting forth the will and purpose of God?  These are big calls!  Be prayerful and take time to inquire of the Lord about this.

Gary Ward