President Barak Obama called Michael Jackson a pop music “icon” as have nearly all of the major news networks. News of his death has dominated the internet and print media. What is an icon and why does our press fawn over a man of this sort? An icon is a representation of a sacred personage who is venerated by worshipers. I guess there is some sense in which Michael Jackson fits this definition—he was venerated by a host of worshipers. But there is another sense in which it seems utterly bogus—nothing about his art, lifestyle, or persona suggests the sacred.
I confess that I have not opened a single article related to his untimely passing. I grieve for the death of any man and particularly for those who give little or no evidence of regeneration. The massive news coverage, plethora of celebrity eulogies, and the general Jacko buzz in the air makes it obvious that a famous person has died and it’s all a bit scandalous to me. Not the man so much as the phenomenon we are becoming used to.
In our culture death is more tragic when the person is beautiful, rich, talented, smart, or athletic. Why should it be this way? Does the passing of a beautiful woman lower the global beauty quotient? Does the death of a very intelligent man diminish the cosmic IQ? My father was an excellent electrician, a faithful husband, a consistent Christian, a reliable church member, and a model father to two sons. When he passed in August of 2003 the media did’t blink, the internet failed to notice, and just a few family and friends gathered to remember his life and celebrate his promotion.
I cannot calculate how many came to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ because of my dad’s godly example, Sunday School teaching, Bible camp construction, and faithful support to many influential pastors. I know that there will be people in heaven because of his direct or indirect ministry. I know of nothing about Michael Jackson that might have been used of the Holy Spirit to influence a man or woman to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Many, in fact, may have been drawn the other direction. If our culture’s heroes are those who model its values, our collective values have little to commend real heroes.
Michael Jackson was not one of my heros. In fact most of my heroes are relatively unknown but I have reason to believe the Sovereign God of our universe is keenly aware of each of them and has a special reward for each that will make a week of media saturation as meaningful as a blind man’s wink.
I was just blogging about something very similar tonight. Jennifer and I went to see Bill Cosby perform live at Orchestra Hall this afternoon. In my blog I had said how he is one of my heroes.
Anyways, I am also sorry for any person’s death. But it is sad when a flagrantly immoral person is held in such high esteem. It really does speak to a cultures morals.
I also agree that many people who have impacted more people for Christ are probably those who quietly do the will of the Lord. I shall keep his name silent as he is still alive, but there was a professor at my school who is the most Godly man I know. He also is one of the smartest men I know. I could have sat under his teaching for hours. Actually, I think there was a semester I did. He will probably get no recognition for what he has done on Earth, but I firmly believe when he enters Heaven, he will if people get recognition.