Influence Is Not Faithfulness | Discernment in the Age of Celebrity Christianity

In today's digital age, Christian teaching is widely accessible through social media, podcasts, and online platforms. But influence does not equal faithfulness, and popularity does not equal biblical authority. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines the rise of celebrity Christianity and provides a biblical framework for discerning how believers should think about influencers, online teachers, and well-known pastors. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:12–13, Hebrews 13:7, Galatians 1:10, and Acts 17:11, this episode explores: • The danger of attaching ourselves to personalities rather than Christ • The difference between platform influence and biblical authority • Why local church accountability is essential • How popularity can pressure teachers to soften truth • Why Scripture alone must remain our final authority Christians must never substitute influence for faithfulness, popularity for truth, or platforms for biblical accountability. Christ alone is our Head, and Scripture alone is our authority. Stand firm in the Word of God. Test every voice carefully. Follow Christ above all. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/