I don’t know how to really write this post. Maybe it is the need for two new hips and the pain causes my brain to misfire? So hopefully you’ll get what I’m trying to say. This was supposed to be in podcast form with another pastor but the written word gets more traction.
The bad hips are the reason why I have not written1 anything in a good while. But I digress…
So I’ve noticed a trend in American Christianity when it comes to engaging with brothers and sisters in Christ who are “popular” - it doesn’t happen unless you’re “somebody” or “popular” too within Christianity. My only social media platform is X the app formerly known as Twitter and on X the popular Christians do not associate with the unpopular Christians.2 I’m an unpopular Christian on X and the popular Christians don’t give me the time of day.3 I know because I’ve tried to talk with them on several occasions, I saw a comment in one of Dr. James White’s posts that stated:
“Dr. White does not respond to anyone with under 500 followers.”4
I bet he will respond if you disagree with him on a theological point within his fragrant flower5.
Shouldn’t Believers treat one another better no matter who they are in the Kingdom of God?
The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:29-31
*Unless you have under 500 followers.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “Scott is just jealous or he’s crying because he wants to be included at the adult table on Thanksgiving…” nah, I just find the sociology behind this interesting. The same Christians who would admonish you and me in a podcast or sermon to obey God, love others, don’t show favoritism, bear fruit in keeping with repentance, etc. are the same ones who will gladly ignore you online, in person at a conference, and seminars. In my little circle of Christians we call that hypocrisy but then again I’m a nobody in the Kingdom of God so what do I know?
As believers in Christ we are told not to love the world or anything in the world6 and yet we imitate the world and their system. We have our “rock star pastors and conference speakers” where men and women pay a lot of money to see them “live and in person” and maybe if they’re feeling up to it you can have your picture taken with them. Get an autograph!
See what I mean? And that’s just the rock star pastors and conference speakers. What about the CCM and the Big Eva?7 I live 30 minutes away from Thomas Road Baptist Church. Remember Jerry Falwell Sr.? His church, the one his son Jonathan took over when Sr. Died. Jonathan is a regionally famous pastor8 who seems genuine so I emailed Thomas Road and asked if him and I could meet for lunch. They responded about a week later and told me that Jonathan meets “pastors like me” in his office. He gives us 30 minutes. We were supposed to meet April 8th (day of the eclipse) but his secretary said he had to cancel and reschedule so now we’re supposed to meet Thursday April 11th. I genuinely want to meet him and talk. I hate that we only get 30 minutes together. Nevertheless I am excited to speak with him about pastoring a large church. Hopefully he will keep the appointment.
See, pastors like me don’t get invited on podcasts or YouTube channels to discuss current whatever’s floating around in the world. It’s because we’re “nobody’s”. You see pastors like me have nothing to offer a Dr. White, Dr. Foskey, Dr. Flowers, Dr. Lawson, etc. etc..
Oh, I could hold my own and talk about whatever topic that’s on the table. That’s not the issue. The issue is that in their eyes I’m a nobody in the “Kingdom of God”. I have nothing to offer them. Having someone like me on their show doesn’t give them a ratings boost or move the needle one way or the other. The arrogance of some of these men is astounding. Dr. White and Dr. Flowers are currently showing their hatred for one another over election vs. free will in the public sphere and it’s not helping the cause of Christ. It’s just destroying the body of Christ but these guys don’t care because if they did they would take the arguing behind closed doors.
But this pesky little thing called pride won’t allow a Calvinist nor Provisionist to go backstage.
We are just like the world and the problem is we don’t care.
Have a blessed day beloved,
Scott
“Published” would have sounded too pretentious.
James 2:1-4
I probably just confused anyone under the age of 45. This expression means to just ignore someone completely or respond in a rude, condescending way because you’re not worth their time. I will say that Dr. Foskey has kind of engaged with me and he seems genuine.
I currently have 463 followers so one day Dr. White will respond!
Yes, this is a reference to Calvin and his tulips. If you’re reading the footnote you didn’t get the joke.
1st John 2:15-17
That is Christian Contemporary Music and Mega Churches.
His father Jerry was a nationally known pastor.
I feel the same way a lot Scott. It feels like no one cares if you have the Gospel if you don't have the publicity skills. It is frustrating and depressing. Maybe all of us 'losers', sometimes known as the poor in spirit, should work more to promote one another or something. I don't know. I am very bad at that sort of thing.