It seams like every day we here of another Hollywood celebrity espousing their great wisdom on the issues of the day. Why do people assume that someone is wise, just because they are famous? Does the fact that someone is an accomplished actor, actress or musician, mean that they are automatically qualified to speak on morality, politics or economics? It is bad enough that the secular culture sees fame as an assurance of wisdom, but it is truly shocking that Christians would follow suit.
Recently a number of famous Christian performers have spoken out on gay marriage, including Jars of Clay lead singer Dan Haseltine and Amy Grant. Neither of these musicians are known for their theological training or competence to teach biblical doctrine. Their claim to fame is that they have written and performed songs that are popular with many people who are Christians. Why would people with little or no theological training feel empowered to bring doubt to an area where there has been clarity and agreement for many centuries among those who have had extensive biblical training? I am not sure what is more ridiculous, people thinking these "artists" are a good source of theological information or the artists thinking they are in any position to speak out on such important issues from a position of relative ignorance.
In the articles linked above I noticed two common thoughts that attribute to the errors of these artists. Dan Haseltine suggests we can't really know what scripture means and Amy Grant suggests that she does not speak out about issues like this, because her feelings on them may later change. Well, I think these are two sides of the same error. Neither artist is seeing the scriptures as the ultimate source of truth. For Haseltine, the Bible is so open to your interpretation, that it is really not a book that can speak authoritatively, and for Grant, it is her feelings on a subject that are important, not the absolutes of God's word.
So, what is the answer? First we need to fear the Lord enough that we don't speak too quickly or lightly, on issues which He has spoken strongly and clearly!
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Next, we need to believe the word of God is able to be understood and that it should be taught and learned by those who believe!
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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