My respect for Carl Trueman grows. Read this. Tell me what you think in the comments.
The best article I have read in a long time.
2 Responses to “The best article I have read in a long time.”
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I’m glad you posted this! I was going to send it to you after reading it yesterday.
I think Trueman hit the nail on the head. I’ve been slightly uncomfortable with the cult following of certain YRR personalities of late, especially when they’re being touted as heroes in mainstream media. Also, he makes a great point about unrealistic expectations being placed on local church and pastors as a result. I really believe that this is the greatest danger for those in reformed circles.
On my end, I’ve been guilty of longing for the mega-church, superstar pastor scenario but, in analyzing my motives, I think it was because these guys were actually preaching the gospel and concerned about the centrality of Christ, something I desperately longed to be a part of. Perhaps there are others like me? And, when these people find a church be it large or small that does just that, the cult-like following may well disappear. At least I hope so.
Yeah, I found his analysis to be quite refreshing. I cannot be and will not ever be John Piper or __________ (insert name). I love Piper (as well as Keller, Dever, Driscol, etc.), he has been a huge influence in my life, but I hope that no one expects me to be just like him in all respects. The knowledge that anyone can go get a “better” sermon on any text I preach from is daunting. I have preached and will preach some real clunkers.
I’m not sure if the personality type ministry is just going to go away if more churches preach the gospel. We live in a society that looks to the guru for the answers. I am not sure that Christian celebrity culture, whether it be Beth Moore or the YRR heros, is going to disappear any sooner than our cultures larger celebrity culture. And it should be said that many small churches end up idolizing their pastors just as much as the people who follow these super star pastors. Even so, I am quite glad that I can see so much of what so many godly and intelligent men have thought on a wide variety of issues, and as daunting as it can be to preach in their “shadows”, I hope that more people read and study these men. I just hope that local churches are not despised for not being something that they cannot be, that local ordinary pastors are not despised for not being superstars, that Jesus is not eclipsed by their brilliant writing and speaking skills, and that our Christian sub-culture does not end up looking just like the world. But then again that may have already happened.