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HomeCommentaryFame or character: Which is the better fit for Jesus?
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Fame or character: Which is the better fit for Jesus?

By: Mark Azzara

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Pixabay image of Jesus

By Mark Azzara

Dear Friend,

Karl Vaters recently wrote a thought-provoking online article about our nation’s addiction to fame.

America elected Donald Trump, and if recent smarmy news coverage reflects national sentiment then America is in mourning for a recent spate of celebrity deaths, from George Michael and Gwen Ifill to Carrie Fisher and her mom Debbie Reynolds. But why? Let me suggest an answer – comments welcome!!!

We embrace fame because we can idolize the famous without facing any personal risk or challenge to change. We prefer fame over character. When we celebrate those who have character the focus turns to us when we fail to live up to the character of the person we praise. Maybe that’s why Jesus is treated so cheaply by so many. We prefer to superficially idolize a famous Jesus who doesn’t expect us to change rather than truly worship a Jesus of character who demands that we change. So let me ask, for the sake of conversation: Is the Christian church today primarily fame-oriented or character-centered? As I said, comments welcome!!!

All God’s blessings – Mark

Mark Azzara
Mark Azzara
Mark Azzara spent 45 years in print journalism, most of them with the Waterbury Republican in Connecticut, where he was a features writer with a special focus on religion at the time of his retirement. He also worked for newspapers in New Haven and Danbury, Conn. At the latter paper, while sports editor, he won a national first-place writing award on college baseball. Azzara also has served as the only admissions recruiter for a small Catholic college in Connecticut and wrote a self-published book on spirituality, "And So Are You." He is active in his church and facilitates two Christian study groups for men. Azzara grew up in southern California, graduating from Cal State Los Angeles. He holds a master's degree from the University of Connecticut.

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lu
lu
7 years ago

Character is the right answer, but with celebrity pastors it makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

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