Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church

by Katelyn Beaty

Publisher:

Brazos Press

, 2022

Overview

★ Publishers Weekly starred review

”A must-read for anyone invested in the fate of evangelicalism."--Publishers Weekly

Many Christian leaders use their fame and influence to great effect. Whether that popularity resides at the local church level or represents national or international influence, many leaders have effectively said to their followers, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” But fame that is cultivated for its own sake, without attendant spiritual maturity and accountability, has a shadow side that runs counter to the heart of the gospel. Celebrity--defined as social power without proximity--has led to abuses of power, the cultivation of persona, and a fixation on profits.

In light of the fall of famous Christian leaders in recent years, the time has come for the church to reexamine its relationship to celebrity. Award-winning journalist Katelyn Beaty explores the ways fame has reshaped the American church, explains how and why celebrity is woven into the fabric of the evangelical movement, and identifies many ways fame has gone awry in recent years. She shows us how evangelical culture is uniquely attracted to celebrity gurus over and against institutions, and she offers a renewed vision of ordinary faithfulness, helping us all keep fame in its proper place.

From the Back Cover

”Required reading for all who love the church"

Many Christian leaders use their fame and influence to great effect, effectively saying to their followers, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” But fame that is cultivated for its own sake, without attendant spiritual maturity and accountability, has a shadow side that runs counter to the heart of the gospel. Celebrity--defined as social power without proximity--has led to abuses of power, the cultivation of persona, and a fixation on profits.

Award-winning journalist Katelyn Beaty explores the ways fame has reshaped the American church, explains how and why celebrity is woven into the fabric of the evangelical movement, and identifies many ways fame has gone awry in recent years. She shows us how evangelical culture is uniquely attracted to celebrity gurus over and against institutions, and she offers a renewed vision of ordinary faithfulness, helping us all keep fame in its proper place.

“This book is a great gift and should be required reading for all who love the church."
--Rich Villodas, pastor of New Life Fellowship; author of The Deeply Formed Life

“Beaty beautifully reminds us that pastors and churches should work toward resembling the life of Jesus by making ‘little Christs.’ Celebrities for Jesus is a much-needed book at this very moment in the church."
--Chris Hennessey, stay-at-home dad

“Stupendously convicting and well-researched. Celebrities for Jesus provides a timely, sober reflection on the toxic culture that often arises when piety and popularity mix."
--Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and How to Fight Racism

“With the tone of a trusted confidant, Beaty shines a light on what happens behind the scenes of Christian celebrity culture. She illuminates the problem this presents to the church, while offering hints of ways we might change our current trajectory to prevent repeating history. It’s a timely read."
--D’Shan Berry, follower of Jesus and lover of words

“Beaty brings knowledge and insights that will help anyone wanting to disentangle their faith from celebrity culture. But, even more than this, she offers an honest, humble self-examination that is a model many of us in the church need to follow."
--Karen Swallow Prior, professor, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books

”A must-read for anyone invested in the fate of evangelicalism."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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Contents

Contents

Part 1: Big Things for God
1. Social Power without Proximity
2. The First Evangelical Celebrities
3. Megachurch, Megapastors
Part 2: Three Temptations
4. Abusing Power
5. Chasing Platforms
6. Creating Persona
Part 3: The Way Up Is Down
7. Seeking Brand Ambassadors
8. The Obscure Messiah and Ordinary Faithfulness

Product Details

• Title: Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church
• Author: Katelyn Beaty
• Publisher: Brazos Press
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781493437030, 9781587435188, 1493437038, 1587435187
• Resource ID: LLS:9781493437030
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-18T18:34:05Z

About the Author

Katelyn Beaty is a writer, journalist, editor, and keen observer of trends in the American church. She has written for the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Washington Post, Religion News Service, Religion & Politics, and the Atlantic and has commented on faith and culture for CNN, ABC, NPR, the Associated Press, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She also cohosts the Saved by the City podcast (Religion News Service). Beaty previously served as print managing editor at Christianity Today and is the author of A Woman's Place: A Christian Vision for Your Calling in the Office, the Home, and the World.