On Sunday, at an undisclosed location, Russell Brand was baptised in the river Thames. In light of the latest pollution reports and the fact that the university boat crews at the recent Oxford and Cambridge Boat race were advised not to enter the water and to ensure all wounds were covered due to worrying levels of E coli bacteria, it was not just a bold declaration but also a brave decision!
What are we to think of his choice to embrace Christianity?
Brand is a complex character. A former heroin addict and alcoholic, for many he as famous for his behaviour, promiscuity and stunts as he is for his comedy. In recent years he has courted more controversy through his YouTube and more recently Rumble channels where he has espoused conspiracies ranging from the war in the Ukraine, Covid-19, vaccinations, Bill Gates and theories of a shadowy cabal being involved in the Great Reset. So far, so playbook for many influencers trying to build a brand and generate views and therefore income.
In September 2023, in a joint investigation between the Sunday Timesand Channel 4 Dispatches, Brand was accused of 4 counts of rape and sexual assault between 2006 & 2013. He strenuously denies these accusations whilst admitting to having a very promiscuous lifestyle prior to his marriage.
In recent months he has been sharing his exploration of the Christian faith having previously been a Buddhist. During this time most of the comments on my social media feed could be summed up as people showing interest and encouraging other believers to pray for him.
Now I see a shift. No longer curious interest but seemingly strongly held opinions. Commentors in the mainstream print press and social media are asking whether this is a form of convenient, soft diplomacy by Brand as part of his defense ahead of any criminal trial. Amongst Christians the debate seems to be much more about questioning whether his baptism is actually a genuine declaration of faith in Jesus.
To be clear, I do not believe that being baptised makes you a Christian, but I do think that those who do accept Jesus and their Lord and saviour should be baptised!
So, is Russell Brand a Christian? My simple response is deciding that is way above my pay grade! How can I know?
Here is what we do know. He has done an Alpha Course. For many this has been foundational for hundreds of thousands people come to faith. He has read Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life” as have more than 50 million people. He has also read Mere Christianity by CS Lewis along with some of his other books in addition to the bible. I know many people, for whom I would not question the veracity of their salvation who have not done studied half as much of this in a lifetime of following Jesus than he has in the last few months!
He is putting in the work but again I cannot declare from this that he is a Christian and I do not believe that you can either.
The “evidence” that many Christians are presenting are wrapped up in their judgement about other things he says and does. For instance, they point to his tattoos on his body that represent other religions and world views. Really? It is like saying to a man who has the name of a previous girlfriend on his arm that because of this, he must love her and cannot love the wife he is now committed to. Surely that is reductionist.
Apparently, on the same day he announced his baptism he was seen on his channel using tarot cards to predict the future. The bible does not mention tarot cards specifically but it does speak a lot about for not consulting mediums or consorting with other spirits. Using tarot cards certainly fits into this and he would do well to stay clear! However, we are all work in progress and the God of grace is working in us, through His Holy Spirit to purify and refine our lives so that we can renounce the things that offend Him.
There are areas in my life that fall short of God’s standards and if you are honest this is true in your life as well. In saying all this I am not seeking to an advocate or apologist for Russell Brand, rather I am keen to entertain the possibility of mystery, not knowing and not having an opinion.
What about you. What do you think?