Sojourn Worship & Arts Pastor Mike Cosper, on reactions to the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, the responses from some Christians, and a biblical perspective on death:
As news of Michael Jackson’s death spread across the internet yesterday, I saw Facebook and Twitter nearly explode. News outlets hit the pause button on nearly every story and sent crews out onto the streets to begin getting reaction interviews.
The ensuing zoo nearly broke the back of the internet, with Twitter crashing and Google reporting their capacity stretched. In the barrage of words that followed, some disturbing content emerged. As Proverbs 10:19 says, when there are many words, sin is not absent. Perhaps today we could say, when there are many tweets, sin is not absent.
Jackson’s life was certain to elicit such reactions. He is the ultimate example of a complicated life. He shattered records for sales and won the hearts of the whole world. He pioneered a sound and style that continues to be emulated to this day. At the same time, he gradually grew more and more bizarre. Plastic surgery, Neverland Ranch, prescription pain-killers, Elizabeth Taylor, and the sickening allegations of child abuse.
The reaction of Christians to Jackson’s death surprised me. Some reacted with pity and sadness. Others with a tone of indifference. Some reacted harshly, pronouncing final judgment. It got my mind running, and I thought I’d offer my own perspective.
A Christian’s Reaction to Death
Whenever we face death - in our families, in our broader communities, or on the evening news, it’s a tragedy. Even the death of the wicked is a sad reality - death was not the design! As Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men…” The death of any man - no matter how good or evil - is the sad and cursed inheritance of Adam.
The inevitability of death does not remove its sadness or shadow. Whatever our posture towards MJ, we need to agree with scripture that his death is the fruit of the fall, and not the way things are supposed to be. Death has its reign now, and will until Christ returns but will soon be finished with forever. (1 Corinthians 15:26.) While Jackson’s death was one among many thousand who died Thursday, it doesn’t make it any less tragic.
The Reaction of the Masses
Soon after word was announced of Jackson’s death, crowds began to gather at the Apollo in Harlem and on the Walk of Fame in LA. In homes and on streets around the world, fans of Michael Jackson broke down in tears. On the heels of this breakdown came the scorn of many others. The crowds of mourners were dismissed as “celebrity worshippers” and mindless mobs.
But is it really that simple? Are those who weep for Jackson celebrity worshipers, deluded into giving praise to some false god?
Missing the Point
I think this might be a case of missing the point. Undoubtedly, our world is full of idols. Celebrity worship plagues us, and our lust for celebrities to worship is so great that we coronate our little gods for the tiniest reasons. Reality TV stars, hotel heiresses, and spoiled Hollywood Hills kids now rank up with great musicians, actors, and politicians in their ability to draw a crowd.
Jackson certainly has a place in that odd legacy. The pressures of stardom led him into his bizarre life of surgery and reclusive weirdness. But Jackson also has a different place in our lives. He’s been at our weddings, our parties, our sporting events, our graduations, our holidays, our cross-country road trips, and much more. For many, his music has been a soundtrack to their lives. Losing Jackson is like losing a family member.
In Jackson, like in the death of Elvis and Lennon, the populace has lost an artist who gave their lives an added dimension, an added texture, and a richer experience. Who hasn’t had their day turned around by hearing a great song on the radio? Who hasn’t had a moment of romance accented by the perfect song? This is the power of the arts. This is why Mozart still gets played today. It’s why Shakespeare is still relevant, and why people still line up to see the Mona Lisa. Great art stirs our hearts in a way that nothing else does.
Jackson did what great artists do - he provided thousands of people (maybe millions) with just such a moment. Their experience of his art was rich enough to create an enduring appreciation in spite of his reclusiveness, bizarre behavior, and allegations of abuse. Music, like all of the arts, is a gift of common grace, a gift that falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. Jackson’s gifts, given by his creator, were extraordinary, and so was his impact on the lives of those around him.
In most Christian dialogue about the arts, we still categorize things in high culture/low culture hierarchies. Jackson’s music falls powerfully into the popular/”low” culture. Thus it’s assumed that his contributions are not historically or artistically significant. This should be vigorously argued against, (though I can’t engage that now).
That assumption allows us to dismiss his work and to dismiss his fans, but this isn’t how we treat other cultural heroes. The deaths of politicians, academics, and literary figures are always met with tributes and acts of remembrance. That remembrance is always proportional to the lives they touched, and there was very little Christian condemnation of “celebrity worship” at the funeral of Ronald Reagan.
In Conclusion
Certainly, some fans go too far. Certainly, celebrity worship runs amok in our culture. And certainly, Michael Jackson’s life is a mixed bag of tragedy, evil, and great success. But as we look at his life and we watch the world react to his death, let’s not be too quick to dismiss it all as hype and idolatry. Jackson was a serious artist with a serious impact on his world. Upon his death, we can celebrate with joy the gifts God gave him, and weep with those who weep, recognizing the sadness of his strange life and the sadness of death in general. If anything, the zoo around his life and death should stir compassion in us and prayer for the young children he leaves behind. Most certainly, they could use our prayers in the midst of the circus that is just beginning.
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Thank you for sharing that. It needed to be said. We need more dialogue of this nature amongst God- followers.
This is a good piece, and I basically agree with it. No doubt, as Believers, this is the posture we ought to take. There is obviously the double-standard issue, which Cosper does not address here. (i.e. Jackson would likely be in jail if he weren’t (a) gifted and (b) wealthy.) But, that’s for another discussion. As a professional musician myself, I am compelled to be gracious simply because I recognize that Jackson was certainly brilliant and maybe even bordered on “genius”.
I do take issue with one point. Cosper says….
>>The deaths of politicians, academics, and literary figures are always met with tributes and acts of remembrance. That remembrance is always proportional to the lives they touched, and there was very little Christian condemnation of “celebrity worship†at the funeral of Ronald Reagan.<<
I would gently submit that a comparison between Reagan and MJ stretches the bounds of intellectual honesty. It should be no surprise that there was very little “condemnation of celebrity worship” with Reagan. Put simply, this is because Ronald Reagan was not (a) pathologically strange or (b) accused of multiple charges of child molestation. Further, Reagan was respected by friend and foe alike. And, his positive impact on the world was almost incalculable. Even his critics are forced to reluctantly agree at least in part.
Michael Jackson’s impact is confined strictly to the artistic realm, which admittedly is no small thing. But, given the circumstances surrounding his tragic life, it is no wonder that many are crying “celebrity worship”.
Scott I agree, it is a good piece, but I still think it misses an important point. Jackson’s impact on the world, through an eternal perspective, is meaningless and irrelevant; it does not even fall into the category of works done in God’s name that will be burned up at judgment. As Christians we must filter apparent impact through the success or failure it had in the furthering of God’s Kingdom. It is offensive, I don’t like it but it is the way it is.
The reason final judgment is brought into the equation is because the death of an icon is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to ask the world the question, “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” We can shine the light of the gospel upon the fool’s gold of “being all you can be” and let the world see what it really was all along; a lie.
Talent, genius, unparalleled fame, even bringing joy to other’s lives through your gift i.e. music at parties, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc. is meaningless; this is truly a shock to the world’s system. To glorify this man in any way, as a professed Christian (besides a favorable taste for his music), hinders our credibility as Kingdom builders. Why? Because the world will hesitate and reconsider the Christian’s worldview; like-mindedness with the world on this issues borders on relevance that is “seeker-sensitive” and only confuses the non-Christian.
Taking a firm stand by taking an opposing view from the myriad of Jackson drivel does not make us insensitive fundamentalists, it makes us people “in but not of this world”. Sure, bring out the fact that we liked his music, but make that a small point in a much larger context of eternal perspective. And an important point brought out by Mike is that we should absolutely pray for his family! To avoid the latter would certainly be un-Christian.
Scott pointed out that Jackson’s impact was “confined to the artistic realm” but I will depart with him on this reality being “no small thing”; in a Biblical worldview, as Christians responding to this tragic event (which is the post’s thesis, it is a small thing ad infinitum.
The challenge for me is balancing compassion and sensitivity with Biblical truths that fly in the face of compassion and sensitivity; namely God’s justice… which is essentially my point… this is an opportunity to wound with the truth of God’s justice that we may heal with the truth of God’s mercy; the greater the communication of His justice/judgment the greater the urgency of the need of His mercy from the hearer.
Mike’s post comes from a priestly heart, which I admire and respect and seek to learn from… hopefully my response isn’t’ a roar out of place. Good dialogue…
Great thoughts, David.
Let me clarify what I meant when I said that MJ’s artistic impact was “no small thing”. We are created to worship in (and therefore to be moved by) both Spirit and Truth. Our emotions and our intellect are both God-created, and it is a near-irrefutable fact that the arts are arguably the most powerful communication tool we have in our human possession. This is why the Praise experience can be so edifying for the church, and can prepare us so effectively to receive the Word.
At it’s core, all true art is simply God’s creativity written on the hearts of men. And, this is true whether the art is created by a Christian or a non-Christian. (We could get into another discussion of what constitutes “true art”, but I’ll leave that to the intellectuals.) So, whether Michael Jackson knew it or not, he was given gifts by God to use in the worship of his Creator. Despite the fact that all appearances suggest Jackson was unaware of this, his gifts still impacted a generation of people. And, in the sense that art is powerful, so I made my “no small thing” observation.
So, David, while I agree with you that, at the end of the day, it’s all meaningless when put into context, I also know that God created art and created us to appreciate it and to be moved by it. And, I think that is the one area where I am inclined to extend grace to MJ.
Utter bollocks
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.â€
The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of true music. All music should be to honor and glorify the trinity alone, for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He sings over His elect, who were chosen not based on something foreseen in them, but on His good pleasure. We have nothing to boast about for we are as deserving of hell as those who will inhabit hell eternally.
Psalm 7:11-17 “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready. He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts.
Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”
Thankfully God has turned back in our case, He has not given us what we deserved, but what His Son deserves. Michael Jackson’s “music” was immoral, and nonsensical at best and did not come from the God of heaven, but the god of this world, who was obviously his master. The same would be true of me except for God’s marvelous, life-changing grace. God’s grace changes people, there is absolutely by all accounts no evidence of this in michael Jackson’s life.
1 Peter 2:7-10
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,†and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.â€
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Romans 9:14-29 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.†So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.†Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?†But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?†Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
As He says also in Hosea:
“I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved.â€
“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.â€
Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:
“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.â€
And as Isaiah said before:
“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.â€
As God’s ministers we are called like the Apostle Paul to speak the “whole counsel of God”. This includes reprobation as well as the gospel of Christ. We must be like our Master.
John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.â€
Thanks Scott,
You said “At it’s core, all true art is simply God’s creativity written on the hearts of men.” To put art separate from all of creation puts it in a place of idolatry. Sex, finance, beauty, humor are all God’s gifts. Any uses not within God’s commands and our pleasure to please Him ins obedience, whatever the intrinsic value may be is idolatry and sin. There are married couples who claim that pornography help their sex lives when they watch it together. Sex is a type of our union with Christ, it is Godly at its core yet the world has turned it into meaningless filth. Again, to say art is in its own category glorifies it to the point of idolatry. (I am not accusing you of idolatry). I get your point, my point is… what’s the point? The “ya, but” you offered is the “prevenient grace” insertion of your argument. Sure, you can insert some value that is logical, as Wesley attempted to do to refute definite atonement by triangulating God’s grace and judgment with man made grace, but Wesley was unable, even with a convenient defense, to make his religion free from being based on works. In the same way, we cannot place intrinsic value on God’s gifts apart from proper use of them. Although I disagree with much that Watchman Nee says, his book “Love Not the World” brings this point out better than I even good… again, good dialogue. God bless.
*ever could
No matter what anyone says, to label his music as “meaningless” is completely ignorant. If you did not grow up with his music you have absolutely no clue how it feels. People are allowed to worship whatever they want, I could call the songs you sing at the Church you go to meaningless if I felt like it, but then I would be just as ignorant as you. If it means something to you, you will worship it with all your heart. MJ’s fans are the same way, and just because you believe that his music was not “godly” enough for you, does NOT give you the right to label it as “meaningless.”
Now YOU have committed a sin, for I know in the Bible it states “judge not lest ye be judged.” This what YOUR God says. And I am sure you will tell me “he is your God too.” That maybe the case but not everyone believes in the same God that you do. But that does not make them any less of a person than you, which you are acting as such pretty much condemning those who idolize Michael Jackson. False idols, maybe. But one could also say the same thing about the God that you worship. No one is 100% right or wrong where religion is concerned…it is all based upon belief. You stick with your beliefs, I will stick with mine.
I grew up with his music, his music means something to me. It may not to you, but it does to me, and that is the most important thing he has left with a legacy that cannot be denied.
In short David, believe whatever you wish, but do not push your beliefs onto anyone and stop acting like you are better than us Non-Christians. Seriously, that is what you are doing, knock it off. Thats one of the seven sins…Vanity. You think about that.
Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels?
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. How much more, things that pertain to this life? ”
We are called to be discerning and judge ourselves first of all so we are not hypocrites. I’m 46 and grew up hearing Jackson’s music and personally was quite disgusted with him and it.
Alan, thanks for commenting. Although we are of different beliefs it is understandable to be saddened by the death of someone who had an effect on your life. Everyone — certainly every Christian — should be sensitive to that.
Several good points have come from this discussion; thanks to those of you who have commented.
Michael, we have obvious disagreements regarding the doctrine of imago dei and a Christian understanding of the arts, common grace, and an understanding of discernment as a necessary check for how we use our knowledge.
This is not to canonize Michael Jackson — that’s far from the point. But we can find instruction in one of the ways in which the early church spread. From Dr. Bruce Shelley’s “Church History In Plain Language”:
“One expression of Christian love had a particularly far-reaching effect … Christians felt that to deprive a person of honorable burial was a terrible thing. Lactantius, the North African scholar (c. 240-320) wrote, ‘We will not allow the image and creation of God to be thrown out to the wild beasts and the birds as their prey …
“The impact of this ministry of mercy upon pagans is revealed in the observation of one of Christianity’s worst enemies, the apostate Emperor Julian (332-63) … ‘Athiesm (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead … the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well …’ ”
Obviously Michael Jackson will have a proper burial. But how far have some segments of Christianity drifted from the love and compassion shown by the early church? There IS a way to stand firm in doctrinal conviction while also, for instance, respecting the dead and those who are grieving.
You all sound like some bitter ultra right wing Seminarians who never heard a song outside of a hymnal growing up. What Mike Cosper is talking about is not how the Bible views Michael Jackson, but how we as Christians should view Michael Jackson. He is not making an excuse for Sojourners and Christians to run around sobbing at his death, taking days off from work to fly to LA to attend his funeral. But, I ask…is that a sin? Maybe you all think that Michael Jackson’s impact is one only for pop culture, but as many of you feel obligated to marry and reproduce at first whim and availability, I wonder if he played part at any of your weddings. I played a Michael Jackson montage as I drove cross country last summer and now associate “Beat It” with the hills of New Mexico. Is anyone going to want to hear pseudo intellectual rant about what Zephaniah has to say when they need your advice and counsel for real world real time situations? Bobby Gilles: how many people have you dubbed heretic in the last year? How many people have you condemned to hell? How many people have you outright judged in a completely unChrist-like manner. Even Christ said that HE did not come to judge. This is left alone for Gid himself. What makes you think that you are so much more equipped to judge than the Son of God? Why call Jackson a pagan? Did we see him in his final hour? We can make assumptions and “judge based on fruit”, but even that is sure gossiping speculation. Christians take far too much freedom with the “Judge the fruits” clause. It enables out of touch SBC kids to elevate themselves to the status of little gods and condemn the world. Well, if Michael is in hell today, it wasn’t because you said so. The Christ-like thing to do is to pray for his family and children as they go through this hard time. The Christ-like thing to do would have been to pray for him as a troubled soul while he was still alive instead of making harsh judgments on him and slandering him in “Christian” conversation. That is not the kind of Christ-like love that changes people hearts and minds. Mike Cosper wrote a wonderful in touch piece about a troubled man who life should have provoked our compassion, not our ridicule. it should have provoked out prayer and not our ill words of ridicule and condemnation. As Michael Jackson sang, we need to start with the “man in the mirror”. We need to change our ways. God is not pleased with the way that Christians today view and treat the world. There is a reason there is a rise in atheism and agnosticism. We as Christians are coming across as pig headed bigots who can’t enjoy a little “Billy Jean” from time to time. Lighten up and show some love!
Great post, Mike. Thank you for sober thoughts and biblical reflection. I especially appreciate your continual reminders that so-called “low art” is valuable and culturally important. Jackson WAS a pivotal figure in pop music. Period. And he made some important and lasting contributions to the art.
Zac
KH — um, much of what you said was actually my point. “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” But anyway, thanks for stopping by; come again.
Alan,
The songs we sing in church are meaningless… as defined through the same filter that I put Jackson’s music through. In fact, that is a huge problem with church song services today… they place too much emphasis on songs i.e. that song has a special anointing… the songs themselves are meaningless… the lyrical content and object of praise is what places value on the songs. The lyrical content is scripture and clear Christian praise, thus the songs have value… in a similar way, I have no value apart from Christ and the Holy Spirit, once the Father places the Holy spirit within the frame of a worthless man that man has value, yet in the end it is only the Spirit which will retain value (casting crowns).. it’s the same with music. yet even non-lyrical pieces are valuable in this sense as in Bach’s, yet even Bach made it clear Who the object of his pieces was by writing s.d.g at the bottom of every manuscript… Soli Deo Gloria (to God alone be the glory).
As a worship leader, will I receive a reward for the quality of my song and gift and how many people were blessed by it on a superficial level? No. I will receive a reward for how I used that gift as it relates to God’s glory and the great commission… more Christ, more reward. (And even those works He has laid out for me and it is He who is sanctifying.. so it’s still all Him… but i’m not a hyper calv.
Bobby,
Well said, I agree. The context of my discussion is within Christian circles as exhorting and refuting one another in love… and just general discussion… to take it beyond our circle would not be in love, and it’s harder to do that these days because of the vast speed and saturation of information. I agree that social services toward those mourning is needed and required from Christians… I made a point outside this blog that it was the eulogies at funerals where unsaved people attend that we tend to blow it in the name of sensitivity i.e. glorifying sinners apart from Christ, which is something our God does not do… who are we to take a more righteous position? Most ministers I know would not marry a couple who is living in sin and are coming, unrepentant from a previous failed marriage… so why is death different… just a thought…
One final comment concerning our ability to judge Jackson’s salvation… if Mike was saved, then I’ll just pack up my church office and go live my life… then repent in my final moments… but I can’t do that… because… for some reason beyond my understanding and apart from anything to do with me… God saved me… hence my need and desire to lose my life for His sake. Esau sought salvation in his final moments, repenting with tears, but he could not find it because it was not about glorifying God, it was about fear of His wrath apart from genuine guilt, which only the Father can bring (John 6)…
I do enjoy “Billy Jean”, I do enjoy his gift… in the same way I enjoy a good turkey dinner. His life and end was sad, who knows how many times he rejected the gospel… hopefully the one’s who were able, never stopped preaching it to him… I’m in the same position Michael is… with the exception of experiencing God’s grace… why? I have no idea… only that it’s unconditional and from a human perspective completely unfair… I just have to deal with it. We like to think that we have something to offer and have some intrinsic value apart from Christ (myself included), but as Martin Luther said, all we have to offer Him is our sin. He loved us to show how amazing HIS LOVE is not because we had value, but in the process He made a people worth loving because one day we will be like Him. God bless.
don’t want to be cowardly… full name
The name is Kevin, and you seem like a real cocky type calling me out for the unnecessary mention of my name is a blog reply board. I pity that sort of argumentation. Either way, there you go again, proving my point by saying you will “pack up your church office”. if I had a pastor so conceited and damning as you, I would run. Go ahead and judge the world. You’ll make things a lot easier on God. Maybe he can call you for advice. By the way, when was the last time you spent time with Michael? When was the last time you discussed his faith with him over a cup of tea? Please explain to me the moment in which he told you personally that he did not believe in God. (By the way, I am not trying to claim that he was a Christian…I DO NOT KNOW!) When was it that God gave you the ability in your own omniscience power to decide based on media reports and slander who is a Christian and who is not? Please do so, Mr. David LaChance.
Thank you!! I have spent the last few days feeling sad over the passing of MJ and have not wanted to discuss it with christains. His God given gift will always be with us and I am tired of christains pointing fingers. You have truely explained his life and death the way we ought to.
I whole heartedly agree with Mike’s article and I am glad he wrote it. These same things have been in my heart and I have experienced the same dissapointment in people’s responses he has had. The main problem I have with thw contrary views to Mike’s on this subject is simply this: you pretend to know the mind of God. We don’t know what private struggles MJ has had. We don’t know what desperate prayers he had whispered in the quiet of the night. And if he really is “of the world”, he is God’s to judge and not ours. Let’s not pretend to be as able a judge as our Father in heaven. I don’t believe He needs our help in these matters.
As far as Ronald and MJ, they both needed the cross regaurdless of what we believe they have accomplished.
For me, the issue with MJ’s death was not so much whether or not he was saved. For me, his death is just another reminder that no matter how famous or talented you are, the talent and fame, both given and even earned, cannot be kept.
We lose everything, except Christ, who is the only true Gain. How many countless others died that same day, yet with no public display or regard, and still, all will have to stand before God. The world equates sadness with death because you lose your earthly life and treasures. However, the real sadness of death (apart from christ) is eternal separation from God, not loss of life or things.
I keep hearing people talk about his accomplishments, what they mean to this person and they mean to the next. the point is missed. because if Michael Jackson died without Christ, his accomplishments now hold no value whatsoever TO HIM.
We should bring glory to God through his death by sharing the Gospel bodly and without fear or self-preservation.
K H,
The inclusion of my name was not to impune anyone specific… I realized after posting it that it would most likely be taken that way; I apologize for that…
The only thing that God has given us is His word. We are told the world will hate us, that we will know who are Christ’s because they listen to His voice (john 10) and they lose their life for His sake and that we will know them by their fruit. If the nature of fruit, what it looks like to hear God’s voice and what it looks like for the world to hate us or to lose our life for His sake is open to personal conviction then we are really in trouble. When we can’t draw the line between Christian and non then we lose our need to draw the line between light and dark.
John MaCarthur quoting Iain Murray: “And Murray says, ‘Given the great decline in the English- speaking churches of the twentieth century, the chief need again was the reassertion of the meaning
of being a Christian.’ Wow! The chief hope for the church
is discriminating preaching primarily directed at the
issue of who is a Christian.”
I really find a hard time understanding Christians feeling the need to glorify something fallen, which points away from Christ, I will certainly not judge it, I just can’t understand it, it’s most likely my problem…
K.H there are plenty of example of judging another in your previous post, did those escape you? You felt justified in giving said judgment upon me because you were filtering it through a set of known or assumed/perceived truths you hold to be set in stone; otherwise you would have not been so bold as to revert to name calling… but I am doing the same thing in my judgment of who is a Christian, so I understand… the difference is the intent… my intent is not in order to judge the world for the sake of my own glory or because I am a sadist… my motive in doing so is the reason MacArthur gave in the article I quoted above:
“But you must do it (discern between Christian and non-Christian) for the sake of the truth and the sake of the souls of men and the sake of the purity of the church. It’s been a long siege, you know, for the truth but we continue to proclaim it and shall continue.”
If every sermon contained this judgment then it would not be in love, there is certainly a time and a place for this, and that too must be discerned. God bless.
David L.
Here are two articles on discerning between Christians and non-Christians:
John Mac. http://tinyurl.com/kskdcy
Mark Dever: http://tinyurl.com/mdq3xu
both linked from monergism.com