32.9 F
Spokane
Friday, April 4, 2025
spot_img
HomeCommentaryFame or character: Which is the better fit for Jesus?
Commentary

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

By: Mark Azzara

Date:

spot_img

Related stories

Commentary

A frozen debit card melts my heart and teaches me kindness

A frozen debit card melts the author's heart replacing her irritation with compassion, teaching her kindness by seeing others as children of God.
Commentary

‘Cremation of the Century’ celebrates Bali’s rich Hindu culture

The author recalls Bali's "cremation of the century" over 30 years ago he experienced, when Balinese honored their dead, along with a queen from an ancient Hindu kingdom.
Commentary

A call to national unity: ‘Try to love one another. Right now.’

Classism and inequality are real, but the focus should be on national unity, not dividing by party. We need to work together to address economic struggles.
Commentary

Multiple cultures clash over the future of the American dream

If the future of the American dream is to survive, her people need to reaquaint themselves with the culture of civility and honesty. Then, they need to clash against disinformation, social media influencers, and more.
Ask

Ask an Evangelical: Why did God send Jesus Christ to die for us?

In this Ask an Evangelical column, the reader asks why did God send his son, Jesus, to die for us. This answer centers on blood, perfect sacrifices and the need for atonement.

Our Sponsors

spot_img
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.

Our Sponsors

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img
Previous article
Viewpoints: Hopes for the New Year
Next article
Ask A Mormon: Do Mormons believe they will become gods?

1 COMMENT

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest


1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
lu
lu
8 years ago

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

0
Reply
spot_img

Mission Statement

FāVS News informs and builds faith and non-faith community through digital journalism and online and offline engagement opportunities.

Sitemap

© Copyright 2023, All Rights Reserved | Website By: WELL DRESSED WALRUS

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x