We’ve watched several celebrity Christian pastors, singers and apologists fall or leave the faith in the last year. They all had one thing in common: celebrity. What is so dangerous about the desire to be famous? Why must every one of us guard ourselves from celebrity in the social media age? J. Warner answers these questions in this episode of the NRBtv Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast.
Be sure to watch the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast on NRBtv every Monday and Saturday! In addition, here is the audio podcast (the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast is located on iTunes or our RSS Feed):
For more information about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity, please read Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. This book teaches readers ten principles of cold-case investigations and applies these strategies to investigate the claims of the gospel authors. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Cold-Case Christianity DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. He holds a BA in Design (from CSULB), an MA in Architecture (from UCLA), and an MA in Theological Studies (from Gateway Seminary).
Vincent Argiro
May 28, 2021 at 6:46 am
Mr. Wallace, how refreshing to hear you say it’s not about you, but rather the gospel and the Person spoken of. Wow! For many years I listened to Ravi, on many a night driving home from some event he helped me through his preaching to answer some vague doubt, or encourage me in my walk. I don’t even remember how many of his books I own. When he fell, I was very angry. Two things helped me get over it. One, I remembered he was just a man, that’s it, and he was just as susceptible to the temptations of this world as I was. Two, my focus should have never been on Ravi and his message, but on the Person he spoke about. That will NEVER happen again. Thank you for your acknowledgement and willing acceptance of the simple fact that it’s not about you, but about Jesus Christ.
Susan Baker
May 30, 2021 at 11:18 am
I think personal celebrity is a factor in harming the Christian cause, both from the celebrities and those who want to tear down the celebrity in hopes of destroying the message. But also the Church doesn’t seem to grasp that its mission is everywhere, everywhen with everyone. Up close and personal practice is what is missing when we feel like we must travel somewhere else to do God’s work or relegate it to buildings and set days of the week. And we must rely on “experts” to guide us, or turn God’s House into a business which could become a den of extorting thieves on a political mission.
Re: the private, post-mortem investigation of Ravi Zacharias, did it qualify for following rules of evidence?
Susan Baker
May 30, 2021 at 11:54 am
Speaking of cold-case Christianity, thank you, J Warner Wallace, for staying humbly with Jesus’ mission after you had thoroughly exercised your reasoning skills and found Him to be true.
Pastor John Benedict
June 10, 2021 at 10:43 am
This is a much-needed subject in our culture of the worship of self. I have been in the ministry since 1985 & have been troubled by so many areas of what guest speakers require to come and speak. Paul said he had only one person who was truthfully seeking the kingdom of God from His heart: Timothy in his letter to the Philippians 2:19-21. For all the workers’ Paul had during his ministry, they were all seeking their own glory. This video is very well stated and much needed. God’s richest blessings.