Blogger’s block temporarily unblocked. This series on actor Kirk Cameron did the trick.
I’ve known for quite a few years that Cameron, of 80s-era “Growing Pains” fame, was an evangelical Christian in the traditional sense of the word, not a Hollywood or “liberal” kind of Christian. He became a believer while still on the show and had “issues” with some of the subject matter.
I forgot to mention last year that I saw him at my sister’s church when I was out in California for the 2006 God Blog Convention at Biola University. I wanted to do something really cheesy: take a picture of him with my cell phone camera and post it on the blog. Fortunately, the star-struck moment passed because he was hustling to get away from a growing crowd. Yes, even at church, the groupies were hovering.
I also knew that Cameron’s career as an actor in Hollywood would stall because of his faith. It’s common knowledge that Hollywood holds Christians in contempt. But that’s OK. They can keep their grubby studios and production companies. There’s nothing stopping Christians (or Christian-friendly folks) from producing and filming Christian-themed films.
The mischievous “Mike Seaver” witnesses to gang members in California, (Is it considered bad form for a Christian to proselytize with a gun in her pocket?), talks Intelligent Design, etc. There are plenty of current and former Hollywood types who call themselves Christians, but what makes Cameron different is his refusal to conform just to get parts in movies or on TV. A once-popular child star, Cameron is doing his own thing, evangelizing (in a creative way) and teaching and incorporating his beliefs into his life. I admire him. He’s using his star power for godly ends. Check out the videos at The Way of the Master.
Cameron and his wife, Chelsea Noble, who played his girlfriend on “Growing Pains,” have six kids: two biological and four adopted.
Anyway, enjoy the series! (Trivia: I was on “Reliable Sources” with the guy doing the interview, Kevin Sites.)
The only other Hollywood actor I’m aware of who calls him/herself an evangelical Christian is Patricia Heaton, of “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
Being an entertainer in Hollywood has got to be a tough job for Christians who want their lifestyles to reflect their beliefs. I have doubts about so-called Christians who “give glory to God” on music award shows after performing a nasty rap song surrounded by half-naked dancers. You know the type.
Well, in the end, it won’t matter what people called themselves here on earth, will it? Jesus said:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” – Matthew 7:21-23
What say you about all that?
Update: I forgot about former child star Lisa Whelchel, rich-girl “Blair Warner” from “The Facts of Life.” Now an evangelical Christian, the homeschooling mother wrote a book about homeschooling and writes a column (or used to write one) for Today’s Christian Woman.
