The Vulnerability of a New Christian

As a new believer, it’s natural to crave models. You want someone to look up to and imitate. Leaders nourish you with delicious spiritual milk and your eyes light up. You devour their sermons, their podcasts, their books, publicly praise their bold, personable leadership and look no different than the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:12).

Spiritual admiration is healthy…at first. But admiration can very easily slip into attachment, which morphs into overdependence, and ultimately, idolatry and disappointment.

It follows the common developmental pattern in parent/child and mentor/mentee relationships: idolize → demonize → humanize.

  • Idolize: You put figures of authority on a pedestal and see them with rose-tinted glasses.
  • Demonize: Your glasses shatter, flaws emerge, conflict arises, and your disillusionment leads to anger or cynicism.
  • Humanize: As time passes, scars heal and you realize everyone is a sinner in need of grace.

If you’re stuck in the idolize phase, remember: don’t become naive. Zeal and brilliance can be mistaken for spiritual maturity. Appearances can be deceiving. Even Christians can flatter, manipulate, and over-promise. You know you’re idolizing someone when they reach untouchable “guru” status (i.e. you cannot find a single point of disagreement with them, defend them aggressively, and begin to associate your identity with them). Take heed that you don’t worship or entrust yourself to fallible man. Jesus didn’t (John 2:24).

If you’re stuck in the demonize phase, remember: don’t become cynical. Avoid naivete, but don’t swing to cynicism either. Distrust corrodes love and blinds you to grace. The root of bitterness poisons your soul, saps your joy, and transforms genuine brothers and sisters into enemies and threats. You know you’re cynical when you can’t respect any leaders and criticize their existence. Recall that the Christian is commanded to honor their elders:

Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Honor leadership but don’t enthrone it.

The Guru Graveyard

Many well-known Christian leaders have fallen from their pedestals: Mark Driscoll, Ravi Zacharias, Steven Lawson, Samuel Renihan, just to name a few. Whether it was sexuality imorality or a power trip or greed, these once-idolized, celebrity pastors have fallen hard and are demonized by many. Take heed lest their fall shakes your faith. Never put anyone on a pedestal. This is true for any candidate Christian guru:

  • The pastor
  • The mentor
  • The small group leader
  • The wise podcaster
  • The parent
  • The cultural commentator
  • The political pundit
  • The influencer

Only imitate leaders in so far as they imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Avoid the first two phases and start with humanization. Learn from examples of faith. Expect flaws. Stay gracious. And worship Christ alone.

TL;DR Kill the idea of gurus before it kills your faith.