List of Born-again Christian Laypeople
Disclaimer: The following individuals are listed on a self-determination basis. As not all Christians agree on just how a "born-again Christian" is to be defined, and as some individuals styling themselves "born-again Christians" may not be universally recognized as such by other self-styled born-again Christians, this article is simply a list of prominent people who call themselves born-again Christians, without passing any judgement on the claim one way or the other.
Note also that this list does not include names like Martin Luther or Billy Graham - it is a list of self-declared born-again lay-people, and as such excludes pastors, priests, evangelists, and missionaries.
Political Leaders
Actors and Media Personalities
Musicians
Sportsmen and -women
Business People
Scientists and Inventors
Infamous People
The problems of Fame and Faith
When a well-known person claims to be a "Born again Christian", they can quite often be unprepared for the expectations of the Born again community, and the criticisms of the wider world. There is a temptation amongst the Born again community to look up to and view these people as leaders in the faith, when the fact might be that the famous person's faith might be subject to the same doubts and fears as ordinary people. Consequently, they may fail to live up to the expectations of the born again community, as well as be seen as hypocrites or opportunists by the wider community outside the Christian faith.
Perhaps the best known example of this is Bob Dylan. Dylan underwent a conversion experience during the 1970s, and some of his albums (such as Slow Train Coming) reflect this new found faith. He was encouraged to use his fame to spread the gospel, and many of his concerts subsequently became de-facto evangelistic meetings. This prompted disparagement from critics and fans alike. Since the early 1980s, however, Dylan has no longer used his concerts for religious outreach, and many of his songs since then are no longer as explicit in Christian content as his late 1970s works. As a result, many Christians now see Dylan as having "fallen away" or, at best, as a "Carnal Christian". In recent times, however, Dylan has been seen as expressing hope in his Christian faith in such albums as 1997's Time Out of Mind where his lyrics state "God is my shield. He will not lead me astray" and "I know the mercy of God must be near." (Becky Garrison, The Door)
Charles Colson is another example of a person who has used his fame to spread the gospel message, albeit a fame that is not necessarily approved of by all. Colson became a Christian before being sent to jail during the Watergate Scandal. Many critics saw this move as a cynical attempt to gain support from the Born Again community. There is no doubt that Colson's conversion did have an impact on his life, but the fact that he uses his position to support conservative political issues has helped to link the Born again community to right-wing politics (in the USA at least). Critics still believe that Colson has not come clean on Watergate, a belief that has hindered his influence in more liberal political circles. Colson's conversion experience came about before his plea of nolo contendere for his involvement in Watergate - and was ridiculed by several editorial cartoonists at the time. (Born Again) His conversion experience has also been parodied on The Simpsons.
This link (between the evangelical faith and right wing politics) is also present in the decision of actor Stephen Baldwin to announce that his supporting the Republican party is less about politics and more about religion. It is not, however, unusual for Christians to associate with left-leaning parties, as proved by the examples of Keir Hardie, Peter Garrett and Jim Reiher above.
Sources/external links
- Garrison, Becky, "All Along Dylan's Watchtower." The Door Magazine, September/October 2004, pp. 19-20. Also obtainable via .
- Colson, Charles W. Born Again. Revell, 1996 (20th anniversary edition) ISBN 0800786335
