Conversion of celebrities

[R7ehr]

.. While many American Christians eagerly broadcast when celebrities say nice things about Christianity, or become born again, if the fruit of their lives is not good, it is terrible that society now counts them as one of the Christians, because they have such a megaphone.

It’s not good to have a famous person become “born again”, and then gallivant around like the heathen he was before. That is using religion for selfish gain, no different than the Pharisees.

it was not the intent or spirit of this topic to preemptvely rally ‘round or boast of celebrities, i’m sorry if that is how the message comes across.

scriptures are clear about the added diffculty the wealthy+privileged have wrt salvation.
personally, i’m impressed when they try. i haven’t read anything about EM’s faith or beliefs, at all. i tend to guess you’re correct, lots of people recognize the secular historical reality of Jesus Christ without accepting Him as Lord and Savior. In my view, a start. The Holy Spirit detemines outcomes.

This topic isn’t about what happens or doesn’t in society.
This topic is just a small corner of Hope for the hopeless. Even the most hopeless. The earthly rich and privileged.

i don’t see evidence EM’s statements have hurt him or others. Again, the Holy Spirit determines outcomes, and, “God works in mysterious ways”.

Pray for the Spirit to protect and guide. At all times.

Yes, I don’t doubt your good intentions on this subject. I support it.

[temporal1]

Yes, I don’t doubt your good intentions on this subject. I support it.

i admit to serious bias against celebrities+hollywood, i think a bad turn for youthful U.S. was allowing (the historical “dregs of society”) to become filthy rich, then powerful, even influencing nations (and wanting even more than all of that). Many are openly idolized, a word that was taboo not long ago. Gods of hedonism.

For any of these to show interest in Truth, and even admit it openly, i’m encouraged for them. Scriptures tell us salvation is not easy and may be near impossible for the rich+powerful. That’s a frightening place to be. To have “everything” and nothing.

[JohnH]

I guess any other celebrities who start to be interested in Christianity or Jesus' teachings had best be quiet about it, lest a Greek chorus of self-righteous Christians proclaim that their belief or their actions are not "good enough".

I wonder how Jesus views us, then? Do some of us have belief and actions that are "good enough"?

[JohnL]

I see the whole celebrity thing through the lens of skepticism.
If a celebrity quietly converts to Jesus and starts following him then I can well believe the celebrity is sincere.
If there's a lot of publicity it makes the cynic in me think that the celebrity is doing it for money and attention.

[temporal1]

I guess any other celebrities who start to be interested in Christianity or Jesus' teachings had best be quiet about it, lest a Greek chorus of self-righteous Christians proclaim that their belief or their actions are not "good enough".

I wonder how Jesus views us, then? Do some of us have belief and actions that are "good enough"?

No need to wonder.
None serves up humility better than scriptures.

Isaiah 64:6
https://biblehub.com/isaiah/64-6.htm

5You welcome those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Surely You were angry, for we sinned.
How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?

6Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

7No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You.
For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.…