There’s been much discussion about whether specific celebrities, especially those with political platforms and particularly on the right of politics have truly become Christians. I’m thinking particularly of Russell Brand and Tommy Robinson.
My usual response has been to want nothing to do with the speculation. It is possible that people have become Christians but at a distance I cannot say. It’s possible that they have truly put their trust in Christ. In the early days, it is possible that they know Jesus but that they are still very confused in their theology and messes up in their behaviour. That ongoing mess may evidence need for sanctification and discipleship. Those are matters for the local church
Nor though should we be under pressure to make a favourable decision about them. I would especially say that we don’t need to accept the particular things that they are doing and saying as Christian. Just because a person declares themselves a Christian or even because other professing Christians announce that such and such public person is a Christian now does not mean that we have to baptise their behaviour and ideology as Christian. Nor am I now compelled to agree with them..
To give a lighter example. Cliff Richard’s conversion did not suddenly make “Move it” Christian song, his fans Christians or compel us all to like his music.
Or in the case of Lilly Phillips, her claimed conversion and baptism do not mean that she definitely is a Christian or that there is now such a thing as a Christian adult film career. You cannot just add the word Christian to anything and hope to baptise it.
The question in the last week has moved to convictions with Robinson convicted of harassment causing fear and Brand of rape. For some, the conclusion has been that this is evidence that they never were Christians. Others have been quick to defend the men and dismiss the convictions as a politically motivated plot or even as persecution. Some have even suggested that prison is an opportunity for evangelism.
It is important first of all not tu baptise our conspiracy theories. Charges have been brought by the police in relation to reported crimes. Cases have been made in court in front of independent judges and verdicts given by juries. This is not about the State trying to silence people.
Nor can we try to justify people and excuse them by arguing that these actions were before they were Christians. It still matters that justice is done, Christian faith is not a way of avoiding it.
And further, how professing Christians respond matters. If a believer has sinned seriously, they should confess and repent. Part of that involves facing justice for criminal activity.
Now I think there is a case for saying that someone may still struggle with that. They may still find it hard to open up and confess. They may still believe they were justified in an action, be in denial, maybe in their mind have closed off events or carry shame disguised as bravado.
However, we need to be careful. We cannot read hearts but nor are we given a bye on discernment. The Bible makes it clear that we are to look for fruit. Nor should a church give false assurance. 1 Corinthians 5 provides church discipline as the remedy for serious sin. We are to treat those who continue to act consistently like unbelievers as unbelievers.
This should convict us of our own less visible sin and encourage us to mortify it. The Lilly Phillips example is particularly uncomfortable here. Christians can risk judging the words and behaviours whilst consuming their content.
It is crucial that this happens not through the court of social media but in the context of the local church.
