So this morning, some dude on FoxNews was crediting Oprah Winfrey with the success of Barack Obama in the recent Iowa caucuses. Seriously. Oprah. The guy even went on to say that if Obama goes on to get the nomination he has no person to thank more than the talk show host, turned spritiual guru and humanitarian.
First, she gave us Dr. Phil. And as if that wasn’t enough (I mean, where would we be without the dry and unfiltered wisdom of the good Dr?) Oprah is now driving American politics. At least, according to some.
Now, I’m not sure I agree. I think Obama’s message, his youth, and frankly the overall contrast he offers in comparison to other candidates is what drew folks in Iowa to vote for the dude - and whether it will translate to further success is far from a sure deal.
However, if the commentator from this morning is correct it marks a sad truth, does it not? If the commentator is correct, then what matters most in our culture is not the message of the man or the discernment and thoughtfulness of the voter. No, it would mean that masses of people were making a massive descision on the basis of celebrity, alone. Which, seesm like a slap in the face not just to Obama, but to the American people. Does it not?
My question is this: How close does our American foucs on celebrity come to idolatry - you know, giving something the devotion, the trust, the power and influence in our hearts and minds that really belongs to God alone?
Think about it: we look to Oprah for guidance in almost every arena of life; we lift up like Brad and Angelina as the picture of mercy as they adopt kids from Africa and build houses in New Orleans; and we trust Wilford Brimley to sell us our diabetes testing supplies. Okay, so maybe that last one wasn’t the best example.
But the point is that we allow their decisions to convict us, to inspire us, or inform our actions; sometimes in ways that just don’t feel right. Agree?
Is celebrity obsession just a really stange way of fashioning a God in our own image and likeness? Lifting them up as one one who - having achieved so much - can help us achieve our visions of the perfect life too? Or, we despise what God has given us and instead live vicariously through what God has given to others? Just a thought.
I’m all for fame - heck, I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. I think the bigger question is what we do with the fame of others.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Pastor Popovits,
WOW.. .There is so much to say about this..
When we allow ANYTHING apart from God to rule us, we have created an idol.
*the sin of idolatry does not lie primarily in the object we worship, but in the act of worshiping anything other than God. The root of idolatry lies within us, for we sec up idols in our hearts (Ezk. 14:3).
The crazy thing is, that ever since sin entered this world, we have found EVERYTHING, other than God, to be idols..
*God created us with hearts that long to worship. Ever since the fall, Satan has corrupted our passion to worship the Creator and redirected our hearts toward created things. The problem, then, is not that our hearts are prone to worship, but that they are prone to wander. “Thus says the Lord to this people, “Even so they have loved to wander’” (]er. 14:10, NASB).
Why would we worship anything but Christ, when he is the only one that can offer healing, and fill our hearts with love? It seems that we worship idols when we look to something other than God to fulfill our deepest needs, satisfy our longings, give us hope, or define our identity.
The biggest thing we confuse with idols is when it has crossed the line from good to idol.
For example: God want us to love our family and children? Yes! But when we allow these God-given gifts to define our worth and value, we make them into idols
Many idols are not inherently “bad.” Money, for example, is not a bad thing; the love of money is (1 Tim. 6:10). God’s blessings— love, family, hard work, exercise, food, sex, ministry— become idols when we begin to set our hearts on them above God. John Calvin observed, “The evil in our desires typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much.”
On any given day, our hearts are prone to wander. We must continually ask ourselves, “Who or what is ruling my thoughts and behavior: the Lord or an idol?” Idolatry drives us to seek life from false gods; they are never capable of providing it. As we devote ourselves to knowing God more intimately, we will be less likely to buy into the lies of false gods when they promise what only He can deliver.
We are a worshiping people, created to freely worship and serve God. He abhors idolatry because He knows that when we serve anything else, it will enslave and ultimately destroy us. Only worshiping Him will satisfy our soul’s deepest hunger for the food we’ve been craving in idols. Only in worshiping God, and God alone, can our hearts finally rest.
January 8th, 2008 at 5:40 am
When we think about worship we have to remember the purpose. Sure, in Jesus we have forgiveness, connection, joy, peace, purpose, guidance and numerous other blessings. But, why does God save us? Certainly because He loves us and we need saving. But I think it helps to remember that it is all ultimately for His pleasure and glory. Otherwise, if I have a bad day or hour and God doesn’t seem to be fulfilling my needs, I will find an idol that seems to better serve my needs that day or hour (food, pride, celebrities).
I think Amanda is right that anything, even good gifts of God can be made into idols. We can even make an idol of God. I receive chain e-mails at work promising God’s blessings if I just pray a certain prayer or burden my contact list. The God of the universe cannot be contained.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6 New International Version)
January 8th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Great thoughts! A couple wonderful quotes to pass on from two of my favorite sources:
“’Tis mad idolatry to make the service greater than the god.” - Shakespeare
“Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your god.” - Martin Luther
January 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hey! I was just reading some of the blogs and I found myself verry interested in many of these subjects. I totally love the way the scripture and the affect of it helps me. I want to be steadfast in my loving to my family and my country. I also have some carrer goals and I am simply hopeing that things go acordingly as it truely should be. I want to get involved with the church and I want to be a godly or goodly person wich ever fits best for the time in needing; this is only to state that i am getting on in things of my life so that I may also serve the church and do what is asked of me. I do plan to make it to a home team group as in a timly a fashon as I can. I received a notice that basically stated the abilityt to give to the church finacially; I will do this, however I have to finde a good job. I seem to be going through alot of inbetween moments right now. There is much abound and well as much abroud and hope floats. Love you guys alot already. Be seing you. Bethany.