Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar 1/60

Contributor - Hans Brand

Title - Popularity

Topic - Popularity

Let us discuss the matter of popularity. I'm sure we do quite well to ask ourselves: is it right or wrong to be popular?

It is not necessarily right or wrong for anyone of us to be popular. Right or wrong may enter into the picture, however, when we examine the methods one uses in an attempt to gain popularity, the place he gives the popularity in his life, or what he does with whatever popularity he may have.

With or without compromise?

Whether popularity is gained by means of or without compromise is one important factor determining the rightness or wrongness of one's popularity.

There are some communities, and certainly some groups, where one can be popular without compromising basic principles or personal convictions. There are other places or groups where popularity would necessitate compromise by a Christian. Any popularity that is gained through compromise of moral principles and spiritual ideals is purchased at too high a price.

Such popularity is self-defeating. One cannot surrender his moral integrity without damaging, sooner or later, his total personality. For the Christian such compromise will result in inner condemnation by his own better self. If we are to get along with other people, we must not be contentious concerning unimportant or nonessential matters. Some Christians become offensive to their friends as well as to their enemies because they fail to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential.

It is possible for us to be uncompromising Christians and vet be agreeable, even with those With whom we may sharply differ. Most of us lose friends not so much because of what we stand for as the spirit and method with which we defend our position. The spirit of self-righteousness seems to be a rather distinctive temptation of Christians.

With Whom?

The rightness or wrongness of popularity may be determined, to some degree, by the ones with whom we are popular or desire to be popular. Usually, if one is popular with one group, he will be unpopular, to some extent, with other groups. In other words, rather serious questions might properly be raised concerning a Christian young person if he had become generally popular in high school but at the same time, he had lost the respect of the best Christian young people at school. It would appear that he had paid a price for his popularity, a price that no Christian should pay. Thus we can see that it is possible, in some situations, for it to be a serious reflection on a Christian if he is too popular.

There can be no doubt, that popularity should not be the chief thing sought by a Christian. Too strong a desire for Popularity frequently will lead to compromise with the things of the world.

What For?

The rightness or wrongness of Popularity for the Christian depends, to a considerable degree, upon the purposes for which he desires it and will use it. We should not seek popularity for our own sake. It is doubtful if we should seek it at all. Whatever popularity may come to us should come as a natural result of the kind of life we live.

Certainly, we should not want to be popular merely to satisfy our ego. The only kind of popularity we can justifiably desire will be a Popularity that will increase our Opportunities for serving God an our fellow man,

Whatever popularity we have will determine largely whether it will be a curse or a blessing to us.

The value one should place on popularity also may be decided by how abiding it will be. Popularity for anyone Christian or non-Christian is very uncertain and passing. One may be a hero today and a bum tomorrow.

Even the popularity of Jesus rose and fell. Doubtless many of the same people who welcomed Him into Jerusalem with cries of "Hosanna" were in the crowd, a few days later, that cried "Crucify Him, crucify Him".

The standing of Jesus in the world did not depend upon the attitude of the people toward Him during the triumphal entry or during his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. He has stood through the centuries as the central, dominant personality of all history. He has been hated by some, devotedly loved by others, and respected by all who have had even a passing acquaintance with Him. His influence or popularity has been abiding. One reason for this fact is that He stood for things that abide.

Popularity or Respect?

"She is the most popular girl at high school" or "He is the most popular fellow in the gang", are expressions we hear quite frequently.

How is popularity measured? Is the most popular individual the one who is a member of the largest number of groups or societies? Or, is one's popularity measured in more general terms? Is the popular person in our community one who is generally well liked by others?

If popularity is measured in the latter way, it approaches rather closely to respect. Popularity and respect should not be considered the same. The popular individual may simple be a hail fellow-well-met who is friendly with everyone and hence everyone is friendly with him. This is a fine quality, but abiding respect is based on something deeper. It grows out of a conviction that the individual is genuine and dependable and that he has qualities of inner worth and dignity.

There is, to a degree, a sense of reverence mixed with this type of respect. There is a feeling that the individual possesses real character. Such respect derives primarily from what the individual is, rather than what he docs or how he looks. It is the respected individual who is sought when a real friend is needed.

The Christian can properly desire to be respected by others, even by those who may not agree with all he does or refuses to do' He should seek to win the respect of people because of the consistent, effective life he lives. It should be his desire that when they need a real friend, they will turn to him for help.

We should remember, however, that our opportunities to help and to influence others will be limited if we are not friendly with all kinds of people. We should remember that we cannot live our lives in isolation. This is particularly true if this isolation involves a feeling of self righteousness, a holier-than-thou attitude.

We should be kind and friendly with all kinds of people Christian and non-Christian, good, bad or indifferent.

Popular or Unpopular

"I do not care what anybody thinks." I'm sure that all of us have heard this statement, perhaps we have made this statement ourselves. Do they or we really mean it? What has led us to say such thing?

If we are normal, we do care what others think. One of deepest desires of the human heart is to be approved, particularly by those we love and respect. One who says he does not care what others think about him frequently has an inner conflict. He may want to do a certain thing that he knows will be disapproved by parents or friends.

To justify his conduct he argues with himself, "I do not care what they think". Or, he may have a deep desire for popularity which he has failed to achieve. He rationalizes his failure by saying, "I don't care".

The latter young person may develop a martyr complex. He may seek to explain his lack of popularity by saying that one cannot be a consistent Christian and be popular. We have to admit that there are some situations were this literally would be true.

However, it is not the case in many groups or communities.

If we are not popular and not respected by most of our associates, should we not look within ourselves?

If we will look closely enough, we may discover that our lack of popularity has resulted from faults within our own personalities.

We may be too determined to have our own way. Whether popular or not, we can improve our personalities so they can be more effective channels for service.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.