Hooked up - Veronica’s twin to wed

The above link reports that a “christian”, Dean Geyer (winner of Os Idol?) is to marry one of the Veronicas.

Is this an example of how loosely the word “christian” is being used?

From today’s Westralian

South African-born Geyer rose to fame when he finished third on the Network Ten’s reality singing program Australian Idol in 2006, and received much attention for being a proud virgin as part of his Christian beliefs.

I recall him being outspoken about his Christian faith.

Worth praying for them both. The music industry is a very tough gig for married couples (excuse the pun)

Last year, the Age reported that he is a regular member of Planetshakers City Church in Melbourne.

The article quotes his sister

And here is a recent interview with Dean in the Salvo’s War Cry.

Dean was the celeb guest singer at last years St Paul’s Castle Hills Christmas Carols, I assume on the strength of his confessional evangelical faith. ;~o

I’m quite sure Christianity doesn’t go hand in hand with posing half naked for a magazine shoot, but good ol DG had to appeal to the non-Christian also… and really this was the only way. And yes ladies, only just a pair of underwear covered him - that’s all.

Sarah Mac - 30 April 2008 03:52 PM

I’m quite sure Christianity doesn’t go hand in hand with posing half naked for a magazine shoot, but good ol DG had to appeal to the non-Christian also… and really this was the only way. And yes ladies, only just a pair of underwear covered him - that’s all.

I think that answers my second question.

I am fed up with the word “christian” being applied in all sorts of contradictory situations. Apparently these days being a christian merely means saying you are one. How does a photo of a christian guy in his underpants communicate the good news? Why would a chistian want to do this?

Did Jesus go around flashing his pecs? Would Wesley or Whitfield have preached entering the Kingdom means it’s ok to be overtly sexual? Would JC Ryle have called it holiness?

Yes David, notwithstanding that I don’t know these people, the term “christian” is bandied about very loosely. It is used as an “acceptable” cultural term and not as we would prefer it to be used, as an indellible label on a devout believer. Admitting that you were a christian was once a death sentance. Now it is bling.

I think too that - and again not slandering DG etc - despite all the teaching and discipling that surely goes on, there is still a gulf between what God requires and the reality of our comfortable western christianity. So people can engage in all sorts of immorality in business or “entertainment” or science etc, yet still thank Jesus at the shareholders meeting or Logies or whatever, and that’s OK. A buddhist colleague of mine was asked yesterday if he was going to see the pope and was he a catholic? To which he replied “I am everything”. My boss replied “I’ll be a catholic if I get the day off”. I am ashamed to admit we christians are generally living such “bet-each-way” lives that the distinction isn’t clear.

Yes David, I too believe that people saying they are a Christian is a lot of the time applied loosley.

What is interesting though is testing out if people can tell you’re are living a different life WITHOUT you saying that you’re a Christian. I encourage anyone when they are ministering to non-Christian friends to not blurt out they’re a Christian but just live your life according to the Bible and God’s word, love your friends and support them - and see if they say “Hmmm, there’s something different about you”.

Sarah, if you live a godly life, but don’t confess faith in Jesus, your friend might very well think:

You can be a perfectly good person without being a Christian. Take Sarah, for example.

Living a holy life from day to day is important. But speaking up for Jesus, from time to time, is also really, really important.

Jason Porter - 01 May 2008 07:15 AM

Yes David, notwithstanding that I don’t know these people,

Jason, get hold of a short book on church history for a starter. You can Google them and get a lot of good information.

JC Ryle wrote amongst the most useful books - one on “Holiness” - and outlines what an evangelical is. I have a copy of “What is an evangelical” I can send to you.

If you become familiar with people like Wesley and Whitfield, you’ll see the parallels to today.

David M - I know you can be a “good person” without being a Christian as such. I didn’t say that comment lightly and I didn’t intend for people to go out and NEVER mention God, Jesus or Christainity. The problem is that if we go out an proclaim Jesus to the hilltops and don’t live our life as a Christian and follow Jesus’ example we are, I believe, being a hypocrite. Non-christians don’t need hypocrisy, they need truth.

I’ve had many friends who are Christians, talk about Jesus to their friends but get drunk, swear and do so many things that their whole “talk” about God is forgotten.

I’m not saying that I’m without sin (no way!), but I know how important it is to friends and family to talk the walk and walk the talk.

David Ashton - 01 May 2008 10:03 AM

Jason Porter - 01 May 2008 07:15 AM

Yes David, notwithstanding that I don’t know these people,

Jason, get hold of a short book on church history for a starter. You can Google them and get a lot of good information.

JC Ryle wrote amongst the most useful books - one on “Holiness” - and outlines what an evangelical is. I have a copy of “What is an evangelical” I can send to you.

If you become familiar with people like Wesley and Whitfield, you’ll see the parallels to today.

Thanks David - I was referring to Dean and Veronica :)

But you make a good point, it would greatly benefit me to read up on those “heroes of the faith” who have gone before, and to be encouraged in the present time.