Posted on 02/14/2015 11:07:30 AM PST by Gamecock
While many Christians were in their local church hearing God speak in the reading, singing, and preaching of his Word, Katy Perry was preparing for the half-time performance of Super Bowl XLIX. I suppose for any artist this is a once in a life time chance and is probably the biggest venue they will ever play. According to recent ratings, Katy’s performance was the most-watched halftime show in history, with 118.5 million viewers. To whom does she attribute the success? Well, in her own words, to God. “It’s funny, I was praying and I got a word from God and He says, ‘You got this and I got you.’”
Not surprisingly her comment caused a flurry of responses. Some people find it impossible that God would speak to her. Though raised in a Pentecostal home Katy no longer identifies herself as a Christian, she publicly promotes movements that are contrary to the Bible, and one would need to do gymnastics to find redemptive quality in her music. Others are suggesting this as her “burning bush” or “Damascus road” experience–God confirming his wayward daughter that he hasn’t let her go.
There’s probably been enough commentary on all of this to make most people go bonkers. After all, does it really matter if a super-star celebrity claimed God spoke to her? Many will brush it off, “Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t, but does it matter?” Well, I would think that for any Christian who loves the Word of God it would matter a lot. Not because Katy Perry has a bigger platform than others, but because anytime someone–a pop-star, televangelist, or six year old boy back from heaven–says, “God said to me…” we’re forced to decide yea or nay.
Of course this language isn’t restricted to a few isolated people. It’s become an almost ubiquitous Christian phrase. I remember when I was studying at a Christian college there was a running joke that if you wanted a girl to date you, you would say, “The Lord told me we were meant to be together.” Who can argue with that? The smart girl would respond, “Funny, he didn’t tell me.” Triviality aside, it’s a very serious claim to say “God said to me…” The Apostle John wrote, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). The word there for “test” means examine, prove, or to discern. So when someone claims to be speaking the words of God we’re not simply to nod our heads in charity and say, “Well, who am I to question?” We’re called to be discerning. Even the Bereans heard Paul and “[examined] the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Unfortunately, and I write this without hyperbole, one of the greatest weaknesses in the American Church is our inability to be discerning.
Let me put it this way. Whenever someone claims “God said to me…” we have one of two options. Either God did speak, or he did not–that’s not a false dichotomy! If he did speak we need to receive and accept that word not as the word of men, but as it is the Word of God. If we don’t we’ll be guilty of not listening to the word of the Lord, like those whom God charges when he said “you cast my words behind you” (Psalm 50:17). And the Apostle Paul reminds us of the seriousness of this, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20). If, however, God didn’t speak that word, then the one who did is lying in God’s name since he didn’t speak it (see Jeremiah 14:14). That’s something the Lord takes seriously, “The LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). And if we receive it as his word–when it’s not–we put ourselves in the greatest danger (2 John 1:8-11). As Christians we must be sure that we neither add to or take away the Word of God (see Revelation 22:18-19).
Did God speak to Katy Perry? Does he tell the televangelist to raise money? Did a little boy have a transcendent experience of heaven? If so, we’re compelled to listen. I, however, am compelled by biblical conviction to say, “Absolutely not!” But to my evangelical friends who may not agree with me, I would simply encourage you to consider these things and weigh them carefully. Remember, it’s no little thing to say, “God said to me
Yep...
And we should pray that He not only regenerates her, but all who are lost.
But we know the world is full of nonChristians who toss out the word god and have no idea what they are doing.
It must have been the “god of this world” who spoke to her.
She sings songs about how she kissed a girl and she liked it, promoting homosexuality.
She also sings a song about a menage a trois.
She promotes immorality and we are supposed to.find redeeming social value in her ??? Really???
Well .. it’s better to focus on Katy .. who can be a catalyst to BRING MILLIONS TO CHRIST.
My focus will be there for now.
“Clearly we can’t judge her ultimate salvation...but:
Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Mat 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Yes only God can judge. Keep in mind however that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ paid the penalty for us “and Katy” some time after these passages if she truly accepted him.
Clearly she is not following Christ right now. I don't know if she's saved or not.
Best thing we can do for her is to pray for her.
She grew up in it; she's now on indefinite Leave of Absence. I do hope she comes back, because although she would indeed face a media crucifixion, she could also lead many to redemption, along with continuing her career with gospel music.
First let me say I never saw her perform until I watched the halftime show. I was amazed at her lack of talent being given such a large venue.
If this was a "Damascus Road" experience, one would think she would say something soon about repentance. No holding my breath.
Was she the one to the right of left shark?
She’s #1 on Tweater.
Well ahead of #3 Baraq Obama, LOL
Who?
As long as what god said to her applied only to her, I’m okay with it. It’s when people say “God told me to tell you...,” that I have a problem with it.
“Alice Cooper”
Well, that one is not too hard to understand. That act was all “show business” to him, a bit of over the top pageantry to appeal to the kids. He’s actually a very intelligent and pretty straight-shooting guy when he isn’t donning his stage persona. Born-again Christian too, believe it or not!
Also, he seems to follow the “shut up and sing” philosophy when it comes to music and politics:
“On occasion he has spoken out against musicians who promote or opine on politics; for example, in the run-up to the 2004 presidential election, he told the Canadian Press that the then crop of rock stars campaigning for and touring on behalf of Democratic candidate John Kerry were committing “treason against rock n’ roll”. He also added that upon seeing the list of musicians who supported Kerry, “if I wasn’t already a Bush supporter, I would have immediately switched. Linda Ronstadt? Don Henley? Geez, that’s a good reason right there to vote for Bush.””
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Cooper#Religion_and_politics
And yet that's exactly what happens and God help you if you question whether the person heard from God or not.
They'll attack your faith and accuse you of blaspheming the Holy Spirit for even suggesting that it might not have been God.
ping!
Just read this thread!
I have.
I rest my case.
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