Yeah, I said it, sexy… suave… self-confident in their beliefs. Backbone is what makes me want to clap and cheer and not everyone has it. It takes courage to make a stand for Jesus and to live by it. It takes courage to tell the truth and receive pages and pages of hate mail every week a la Peter Hitchens and William Lane Craig. And it's inspiring to see people in the public eye who defend the faith in such awesome, applaudable ways.
Watch that moral compass
Having a sense of morality is everything to me when picking the objects of my fangirling. Put me in a room with Jonathan Sarfati and Justin Timberlake and its pretty open and shut who I would squeal and gush over. I wouldn't even give J.T at second look (well maybe one second look). It's not that I don't like his music (it's tolerable), it's just that he has the righteousness of a wet sock.
I know we're all sinful but some are declared righteous in the sight of God. If it weren't so then half the passages of Proverbs contrasting the righteous and the wicked would make no sense. In that case it's clear to me that Christians in the public eye should be more fan-worthy than non-Christians. That can go for Justin Bieber too I guess during those rare (almost impossible to spot) times where he's actually glorifying God instead of singing about what a great boyfriend he'd be.
Now it's okay to respect what someone in the public eye does no matter their sheep or goats status. I used to be a fan of another J.B – Jack Black – even though every role he ever plays is quintessentially just Jack Black. He commonly goes for non-offensive, family friendly roles (and his connection to Nickelodeon) until of course his role on Prop 8 the Musical and I stopped thinking he provided decent entertainment.
Remember Who is really 'all that'
If you're a Christian parent and you're exposing your kids to secular celebrities, make sure you notify them on what the celebrity is all about so the kids are aware that said celebrity is not all that. So with J.B the elder, if your kids are mature enough you can say straight out that he supports gay marriage which is against God's word.
With J.B the younger you can say 'even though he defines his beliefs as Christian he does make money selling himself to young girls, oh and he hangs out with a lot of dubious celebs (Usher, anyone?)' .
Bottom line: it's okay to fangirl, as long as healthy respect ('I dig what they do') doesn't become idolization ('I love them so much I think I might DIE!'). Cause really, they're sinful people just like anyone else. J.B, J.T, Jay Z and all the worldly Jays can't compete with Jay-esus.
You feeling me?
So fangirl away – even if you're a guy – and Jonathan Sarfati, I'm watching you.
Bridget Brenton has spent seven years in China and currently lives on the Gold Coast with her husband Steven. Over the last decade she has been studying all things philosophy, apologetics and the supernatural and now is endeavoring to put that knowledge into ministry. She writes a blog on the paranormal and it's relation to practical Christianity.
Bridget Brenton's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/bridget-brenton.html