Next-Wave Ezine > church & culture

An open letter to Stephen Baldwin
By Hervict Jacobs

Hey Stephen,

Congratulations on becoming a Christian man! It is so awesome to learn of how God used a Brazilian women who could hardly speak English to introduce you and your wife to Christ- incredible man. I think it's so awesome to have someone of your profile and standing in Hollywood (and the world) come out and say unashamedly that they have given their life to Christ.

While I am so impressed with all that you've done since becoming a Christian with your "Livin' it" campaign and being featured on numerous Christian magazine covers, and radio and TV etc., etc. I was watching you on TBN recently where you were talking about how vocal you are with Hollywood insiders and how you are quite vocal with your brothers- the famous Baldwin clan - about your new found faith. When you talked about how you are going to take Hollywood for Christ, to the applause and cheers of the audience, I felt somewhat compelled to share some thoughts with you. I wish someone had told me this while I was at high school

1. You are an Image-Breaker: While we Christians may be impressed with all of your accomplishments through your speaking and touring and DVD sales and festivals and outreaches, Hollywood isn't. So don't expect the reception that you get from us to be forthcoming from Hollywood or your family. Also, Hollywood today is the most powerful and pervasive promulgators of postmodernism. And to understand them as a (albeit a dynamic and ever evolving) community you need to understand postmodernism. More than anything postmodernism is a reaction. Though philosophical and even apparently abstract in nature, it is at its heart a reactionary movement. Just like feminism, it is a reaction to years of persecution, tyranny, oppression and injustice, and blood-shed. As a result postmodernists oppose anything that could be considered oppressing or potentially or- even more importantly – historically oppressing. That's why they reject the existence of absolute truth, because it was in the name of truth that much blood has been spilled and families and communities massacred. Unfortunately, in the name of Christ many of these massacres have been perpetrated and even justified. As a result, postmodernists will oppose it and hold it in unforgiving suspicion. As a Christian to this postmodern community you are in a position to show them that the Christianity that is held guilty of all this egregious crimes against humanity was a perversion of the true faith deposited by Christ Himself. You are an image-breaker. You have an awesome opportunity to demonstrate to them the true nature of this life-giving relationship with the one who loves us more than we could ever love ourselves.

2. True Boldness: I would hate to see you make the mistake that so many Christians make when they first become Christians. They become hot-heads; judging and trying to tell everyone in their path how wrong and sinful they are and how Jesus can save them. Always in somebody's face trying to embarrass and corner them. That is not boldness that is foolishness. Scripture says "zeal without wisdom is dangerous." It requires more boldness to be separate from the crowd than yelling at the crowd. True Boldness is seen in the young person at high school or college who, despite ostracization from friends, will choose a life of holiness. You are not bold by trying to corner and judge everybody you encounter. Be Bold through your lifestyle. Let your life be your message.

3. Don't underestimate the Power of Conversation: Postmodernists believe that truth is found in the conversation; that through dialogue and discussion truths are discovered. To them all voices are equal and they are as much entitled to schooling you, as you may feel you are to school them. They value conversation highly, when they can listen to you and you listen to them. If they perceive you are interested in them and their experience and hoe they view the world and their beliefs they will just shut off. As you get the opportunity to engage any of them in a spiritual conversation, that has tremendous power to reach them. Maybe you leave with more answers than you came with but that's okay. You don't have to corner them and make sure they 'accept' Christ. Do not under estimate the power of conversation.

4. Build Relationships: As postmoderns, they are not intrigued by who you are or what you've done, in a person-to–person conversation, what they'll accept from you is based on how much they trust you. That is why friends are so influential to postmoderns. Even advertising companies are realizing this with new marketing strategies that are centered on peer-to-peer referrals. Seek to build relationships with people you are seeking to reach. You have got to earn the right to speak to them, you've got to earn their trust.

5. Without the Holy Spirit You Can do Nothing: I remember when I was in high school I read the account of a guy by the name of George Verwer, the founder of " Operation Mobilization" who after becoming a Christian in high school, returned to school and within a year led about 200 of his class mates to Christ, I was so infatuated with the potential to reach people that that became my mission in high school. I thought if I could argue eloquently or share my testimony then I'll reach a bunch of people. But one day through a strong conviction I had to be humbled and learn that it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that I could ever hope to reach any person with the Gospel of Christ I was deluded, please do not make the same mistake. No matter what your aspirations are, allow God to open up opportunities, and also on His time-table. With out the Holy Spirit you can do nothing.

I respect your stance for God tremendously; I just would hate to see you make the same mistakes that so many before you have made through their zeal without wisdom.

I love you man.

May God allow you to do awesome things in this generation through His power.

Sincerely,
Hervict

Hervict Jacobs is a speaker and writer based in Louisville, KY. He can be reached hjacobs82@yahoo.com