Posts Tagged ‘pop culture’

Kardashian Culture, Kanye West, and Celebrity Christians

Posted: October 31, 2019 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, entertainment, Hollywood, the gospel
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I really want to believe it. Kanye West recently said, “I’m not here for your entertainment; we’re here to spread the gospel,” at a recent event. What? So, is Kanye born again? And what’t this about Kim Kardashian West getting baptized? What does it mean, was it for show, and why should we care?

Because these two alone influence hundreds of millions of people.

Throughout history, fame and fortune have left countless souls empty and miserable, so it shouldn’t surprise us when celebrities and “the elite” search for true meaning in life. Many are satisfied with some form of spirituality or religion while others don’t really know what they’re looking for, but remember this: no one is beyond the reach of the one true God.

Pray for them, but let’s not be too quick to put celebrities up on a pedestal. Some Christian news outlets are often quick to publish stories on big name actors, athletes, or celebrities who simply mention God, faith, or talk about being “blessed.” This does not mean they trust in Jesus and have repented and believed the Gospel, and as we’ve seen, some were false converts.

We need to exercise cautious optimism and discern the beliefs, theology, and lifestyle of any public figure claiming to be Christian. The maturity of true disciples can take years, and there’s much work to be done regarding the uprooting of a lifetime of sinful habits. There are too many examples of famous people mentioning God or claiming Christianity, but living or speaking in ways that contradict what the Bible teaches.

As for Kanye West, some liberal Christians are skeptical of him just because of his support of President Trump. Regardless of what you think of his spiritual journey, it appears he is sincere in his newfound faith in Jesus Christ. BUT, time will tell – and only God knows his heart.

I can’t even mention some of the past horrific and disgusting song lyrics by Kanye West, many of which are profane, blasphemous, and offensive. But apparently, that was then. His new project is called, “Jesus is King,” and he now says he only wants to do gospel music.

In a recent video of him preaching to a captive audience at one of his album listening events, he refers to himself as a recent convert. West admitted some past mistakes including idolatry, saying he formerly “worshiped the idea of labels, brand names; I worshiped cars, I worshiped the city I grew up in (Chicago).”

West mentioned repentance and the gospel, explaining that:

“The first thing Jesus said was ‘Repent.’” And added, “Imagine someone sending their only son — to die for you!”

He talked about the fact people cannot work their way to heaven or earn salvation and quoted Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith; it is not a result of your own efforts, it’s a gift of God.”

So what are we to think? Just wait, watch, and pray. Observe his life to see if he produces good fruit. And be gracious, because we all have a past, we’ve all sinned and have made mistakes along the way, even in our own process of sanctification.

As for his wife, Kim Kardashian West, she too, has glorified sin and has done extensive damage for the enemy seducing countless souls. If she is sincerely seeking truth, it might take a while. 

…Writing in The Washington Times about why we should care, Jessica Chasmar penned an article, “Kardashian culture is killing America,” and stated:

“The Kardashian saga illustrates our nation’s moral, spiritual, and cultural decay like few other media stories do. America of 50 years ago would regard Ms. Kardashian with a mixture of disdain and pity, embarrassed by the very idea of a young lady’s most private moments being broadcast for all the world to see.”

…There’s only one way to salvation and that’s through Jesus Christ. Imagine the impact the rich and famous could have for the kingdom of God. More importantly, their very souls are at stake. Pray for more of them to come to a knowledge of the truth before it’s too late.

READ FULL POST HERE:

Video courtesy of Freedom Project Media

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Learning From Oprah: New Age Spirituality, Racism, and the Influence of Celebrity

Posted: August 17, 2013 by David Fiorazo in David's Blog, Eradicate - Blotting Out God In America
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Oprah Winfrey, one of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential women in the world, added fuel to the racial divide in America this week while promoting her new film, The Butler. Winfrey suggested that just because people are not using the n-word doesn’t mean they’re not racist. Also weighing in on the recent Martin/Zimmerman verdict, Oprah stated:

“But to me it’s ridiculous to look at that case and not think that race was involved.”

It is not, however, her views on race that concern me as much as her views and criticisms about the Bible. Oprah has been more influential than some of America’s pastors and religious leaders. Too many people today follow their pop-culture icons. Oprah has launched book sales and resuscitated careers for many authors and gurus while giving proponents of higher spirituality a platform, particularly those who promote a New Age philosophy.

The following is an excerpt from Eradicate: Blotting Out God in America, from the chapter entitled, “Emerging Into Confusion.”

In his book, For Many Shall Come in My Name, Ray Yungen describes the term “New Age” as based on astrology. Some believe there are cosmic cycles in which the Earth passes through a time period when it falls “under the influence of a certain sign of the zodiac.” This is a belief system that everything exists and revolves around energy containing tiny particles: atoms, molecules, protons, etc.

“All is energy. That energy, they believe, is God, and therefore, all is God. They believe that since we are all part of this ‘God-energy’, then we,too, are God. God is not seen as a Being that dwells in heaven, but as the universe itself.”

Many New Age proponents strive for a “Christ consciousness” or a “higher consciousness” in an effort to become more aware of these spiritual realms… the most direct way to achieve this is through meditation, [which is] “a primary source of spiritual direction of the New Age person.”

There are great resources available on the occult practices and history. It is so important to immerse ourselves into the Word of God and study to show ourselves approved by Him. We must be discerning about things such as: contemplative prayer, “centering prayer” and mantras, the law of attraction, witchcraft and Harry Potter, the Kabbala, spiritual formation, Labyrinth walking, and Wicca.

Teachings promoted by well-known celebrities are dangerous because people tend to believe and follow those they idolize.

“How can there be only one way to heaven or to God?” – Oprah Winfrey

You may have heard about A Course in Miracles which was written by a well-known New Age representative, Helen Schucman, who claims the book came directly from her inner voice. In the course, the listener is taught there is no sin, they are told not to make the “mistake” of “clinging to the old rugged cross,” and that the name of “Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol.”

Oprah has done many good things to help people, but does that mean we should trust her theology and religious beliefs? I’m not judging her heart because we are all wicked without the atonement of Jesus Christ. [Some] Christian pastors have warned about the teachings promoted by Oprah. A Course in Miracles teaches that God is in everyone and everything and that “the oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity, and your limitless power.” Wow.

Maybe you’re an Oprah fan and have always defended her or maybe you had no idea what she believes. In an interview with Oprah, New Age author and mystic, Eckhart Tolle criticized Christianity and also took live calls from viewers. Tolle stated:

“The moment you say ‘only me belief’ or ‘our belief’ is true, and you deny other people’s beliefs, then you’ve adopted an ideology… and then religion becomes a closed door.”

Oprah told the caller to simply realize Christianity is but one of many ways to achieve the higher consciousness, and the belief that one must follow a set of doctrines is a consequence of “ego consciousness.” [Always the opportunist, she should talk about ego?]

She holds that while Christianity is a valid way to achieve high states of spirituality, it must not be considered a unique way, or a “correct way.” Oprah believes God is all love, and she does not subscribe to the teaching that He is also a holy, jealous, just and vengeful God. She told her audience:

“The new spirituality is that you are your own best authority as you work to know and love yourself, you discover how to live a more spiritual life.”

Sadly, millions of spiritual seekers have been led astray, and due to Oprah’s popularity, people have opened themselves up to all kinds of practices, religions, and teachings contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ and biblical Christianity.

We need to pray for her and for those who may blindly hang on her every word, or the words of any secular celebrity.  Oprah is not the enemy – she is deceived – but she obviously believes she has the answers regarding God, spirituality, and eternity. People need to be warned; countless unsuspecting souls following her and those like her are being led away from the One true God and down a path of destruction.

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