Simply over every week in the past, Will Smith launched a brand new album entitled Based mostly on A True Story. The file displays on the actor’s private journey, offering listeners a window into his non secular journey. It’s a facet of Will Smith the general public shouldn’t be normally aware of. Whereas he has usually introduced himself because the jokester or lifetime of the social gathering, seldom has he shared his non secular views.
God’s will or Will’s will
In an interview with Christian Hip Hop artist, Lecrae, Smith made some attention-grabbing statements. Reflecting on his cultural connection to Christianity, he stated: “I used to be raised with a Previous Testomony grandmother. So my manner and my deepest understanding is biblical.”
He then shared his encounters with different religions: “However I’ve learn the Quran from cowl to cowl throughout Ramadan two years in the past… I learn the Bhagwat Gita from cowl to cowl, I learn the teachings of the Buddha.” Summarising his place, he says: “If I needed to say what my faith is…I’d take the Muhammad Ali quote and my faith is love.” He expanded, “I imagine within the oneness and the opportunity of concord between people who find themselves all reaching for the one fact.”
These feedback are proof of a widespread societal development known as syncretism. The Oxford dictionary defines syncretism as “the amalgamation or tried amalgamation of various religions, cultures, or faculties of thought.”
Merely put, it’s a decide and blend strategy to spirituality. Individuals undertake parts from varied religions with out committing to anybody specifically. Sadly, syncretism is the antithesis of Christianity.
So whereas Smith acknowledges that he has cultural roots within the Christian religion, it’s clear he has not but determined to make Christ his Lord and Saviour.
Can this be an excellent factor?
In a single sense, Smith’s feedback are useful. I believe it’s helpful for Christians to know the place these public figures stand. It allows believers to be extra discerning in regards to the content material they interact with.
Cultural openness to spirituality in a generic sense may imply there are extra alternatives for Christians to share the gospel.
Nonetheless, there may be undeniably a hazard in public figures ushering consideration to syncretism. Whereas they might sound unifying, such beliefs in the end blur the road between fact and error. Jesus stated, “I’m the best way, the reality and the life. Nobody involves the Father besides by means of me” (John 14:6). You may’t have true unity when you reject the one who makes reconciliation with God potential.
In Smith’s interview, I believe Lecrae took a good strategy, difficult Smith to get to the basis of his beliefs. It was made evident that Smith isn’t a Christian.
That readability is vital for Christian viewers, particularly given his collaboration with gospel artist Chandler Moore on Based mostly on a True Story. Some believers criticised the partnership. However primarily based on the track alone, it wasn’t apparent the place Smith stood spiritually. The interview helped make clear that.
Historic idols
In fact, syncretism shouldn’t be a brand new phenomenon. All through the Previous Testomony, there are quite a few occasion by which the Israelites choose to worship idols on account of rising impatient with their wait on God.
The Bible could be very clear on this — we shouldn’t be enjoying with idols.
Within the interview, Smith additionally shared that his important wealth wasn’t sufficient to fulfill an interior longing that pressed him. “It’s such a uncommon present to succeed in the top of the fabric world”. Earlier than including that he’s begun a quest to look inwardly for options. “There’s a spot that I’ve found inside myself that’s an infinite properly”.
It appears he’s but to grasp there may be an finish to himself. And so my prayer for Will is that he quickly recognises that we as people are restricted sources and the one limitless supply for true life is Jesus. As he stated of himself in John 4:13-14: “Whoever drinks the water I give them won’t ever thirst. Certainly, the water I give them will turn into in them a spring of water welling as much as everlasting life.”
