There's something very disturbing about how we in Evangelicalism are so prone to elevating certain writers and speakers to Christian stardom, and the effects it has on those celebrity Christians.  Thinking a lot today about the dangers of self-promotion, or even well-meaning but perhaps unhealthy promotion of the messenger by those blessed by the message he or she brings.  Even Jesus was constantly telling people, "don't tell anyone what I just did for you", and He was really the only preacher that actually deserved to be put on a pedestal.  Definitely challenges me to make sure I'm making Christ and His word the point of emphasis and asking Him to help me not make my personality or "style" the draw card.


First there's Mark Driscoll and the increasing wierdness I'm finding in a lot of what he says, along with a belligerence that really makes me think he has some real issues that being in the spotlight only exacerbates.  


Then there's Voddie Baucham, who I actually admire in a lot of ways, and I think he's a great writer.  But there are definitely signs of imbalance in some of his views, and when you get to the whole "older men seek young women to help fill an unmet need that should have been filled by their daughters" thing...that just gives me the creeps.


And of course there's my favorite apologetics celebrity Who Shall Not Be Named ( I really need to give him a pseudonym since I find myself confronted with the guy's writings so often and thus will refer to him again in the future, no doubt), who in his zeal to stand for what he believes is the truth and defend the authority of the Bible is on the verge of building a cult.  Anytime Christians start to look to a man for the final word on what the Bible says about a given subject, they are placing a burden on him that his shoulders were never designed to bear.  We look to Jesus for that.  It also illustrates the necessity of availing oneself of the collective wisdom of God's people through history.  I wonder if maybe the multiplicity of writers used by God to bring the Bible into being illustrates this point.


Thing is, this hits home for me because for a long time I have approached teaching the LKC 4th-6th graders in a way that I am now concluding put far too much emphasis on personality and personal style.  The kids loved it, but that isn't really the point, is it?  The point is, when they leave are their minds focused on Jesus and wanting to be like Him, or on the teacher?  I'm afraid too often it was the latter.  It's why I've toned down my lessons a lot over the last year.  A lot more time spent in the Bible, a lot more exposition (though even then there's the danger of seeking a reputation as a wonderful expositor.  Oh, how the devil will use anything to spark our vanity!), more time spent with our eyes on the Scripture and not whatever goofy stunt the teacher might come up with to make a point.  


It's not that a creative illustration isn't ever appropriate.  But I have become keenly aware of the need to avoid two dangers:
1.  Setting the kids up to expect Bible teaching to be so full of fun-filled activities that when they move upstairs and are asked to sit under expository preaching and follow a Scriptural chain of thought they find themselves unable and/or unwilling to make the switch.
2.  I make myself a novelty speaker and become the reason for coming to class rather than the Bible.  


This is not easy, I know.  The very fact that a person presents the Bible clearly, persuasively, and engagingly automatically creates the possibility that his hearers will be drawn to him as something special because he can do those things, and in the process elevate the man above his message, which isn't his to begin with (not that I'm that clear, persuasive, or engaging.  It's almost impossible to make this point without a certain awkwardness, I have to admit, fumbling around trying to promote non-promotion).


Maybe that's why people who just keep quiet are often thought the wisest.  Along those same lines, I think a mark of a wise preacher/teacher is the ability to recognize the foibles and flaws in one's own personality and style and honest poke fun at it/laugh at others who do so.  Generally I've found self-deprecating humor to be a good mark of a healthy walk with the Spirit in the life of a leader, and its absence to be a warning sign.  People who can't laugh at themselves, or at others who laugh at their obvious shortcomings, are not spiritually healthy.  Hey Mark: you talk about sex an awful lot.  You have the gift of "seeing sexual sin" as people pass by?  A person could build a whole season of Family Guy episodes on something like that.  Voddie...that's just...odd, man.  And to The Beard (my working pseudonym for aforementioned apologist): instead of reacting to everyone who makes fun of you by simply declaring them yet one more sign that Satan thinks you're God's biggest weapon against his diabolical plot to compromise the Church...why not just admit, "You know, this beard does make me look a bit goofy."  Go buy a stovepipe hat, or some suspenders and a buggy. Or shave. Something.  Just laugh along a bit instead of seeing the devil everywhere you turn.
 So I'll shut up now and just go read my  Bible.  Or just look in the mirror and have a good chuckle.  Sola Deo Gloria.