There were two men.

Both found their way to fame and fortune. Each one enjoys their position as influencers. Both lived life to the fullest enjoying everything that money could buy. Each have been the subject of rumours about unfaithfulness to their significant other. Both have demonstrated an unquenchable thirst for sexual exploits. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. They appear to be very similar but they couldn’t be more black and white.

Each one has said controversial things. Both have been arrogant and smug. Each one has been nonsensical from time to time. Both have been prone to rants in person and on social media. Each one has tried to cover up their own missteps. Both have tried to create excuses for the inexcusable. Each one has used their power and influence to buy themselves an image and promote themselves. Both have been somewhat larger than life. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. They appear to be very similar but they couldn’t be more black and white.

Both have had people say they are mentally ill. Each one has acted in ways that would back up the mental illness theory. Both cannot turn down a chance to perform for an audience. Each one has suffered under the relentless attack of the media. Both have piqued the interest of evangelical Christians looking for a role model. Each one has a past that does not lend itself to being a role model. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. They appear to be very similar but they couldn’t be more black and white.

As similar as they appear one seems to be quite different.

One has courted the Christian community for their support, the other has sought to become a part of it. One has renounced his sinful past behaviours, the other has used lawyers and PR firms to avoid admitting wrong. One was/is considered a Christian no questions asked even though his behaviour would suggest otherwise, the other is changing his behaviour to be more in line with Christ-like living and is constantly questioned. One publicly denounces pornography as damaging and its consumption as not Christ-like behaviour, the other can’t even admit their sexual encounter with a porn star let alone accept the action as ungodly. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. One is black, one is white.

One is blindly followed, in some ways worshipped as some sort of prophecy fulfilled by people of faith propelling him to even more fame. One is ridiculed, made out to be fake, a person trying to ride the coattails of faith even though professing his faith could seriously damage his icon status. One has found peace in his faith. One is never at peace, constantly in conflict as he seeks to further his reputation. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. One is black, one is white.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:22-27 (NIV)

I do not know if one will continue along their faith journey. I don’t know if the other will start living like they are on the faith journey they have stated they embrace. Whatever happens, I will always wonder if the colour of their skin made one acceptable and one questionable to North American Followers of Christ rather than their commitment to living in a way that represents Jesus to the rest of the world. Then again, it may just be the desperate desire to see a country return to God that has blinded people. Each one at different times called themselves a Christian. Both still maintain they are Christians to this day. They appear to be very similar but they couldn’t be more black and white.