Answer: Yes
Disclaimer: It is not our role to determine whether or not somebody is a Christian. We just use our discernment based on the evidence we have found on the internet to come to a likely or best-guess answer. Our answers do not actually determine who is or is not a Christian and it is ultimately between the person and God. Not us.
Laurence Allen Elder has headlined several news pages as an American political commentator and conservative talk host. Larry Elder came into the limelight as an attorney, then morphed into a radio host, Tv producer, best-selling author, and Republican. The Los Angeles-born writer is popularly known for his role in Uncle Tom, a documentary film written by Larry Elder, Ryder Ansell, and Justin Malone to promote black conservative views in the 2020 US presidential election.
The TV commentator and host was born in 1952 in Los Angeles, California, to Randolph a former US marine officer, and Viola his mum who was a clerk at the Department of War in the United States. He’s the second of three children, received a degree in political science from Brown University in 1974, and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977. After he completed Law School, Elder started Laurence A. Elder and Associates, a company to help US lawyers gain adequate employment opportunities.
The Larry Elder show needs no introduction, as the popular radio and TV presenter, Elder plays host to top celebrities, politicians, and civil rights actors.
The 70 years old radio/TV host has married twice without children, and both unions didn’t work out as supposed. The self-established TV host holds various controversial views, one of many includes not supporting the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Larry Elder stands at the door of various controversies; another is his religious stance. He has made several comments about Christianity and has been seen occasionally in religious gatherings which prompts people to question his religious beliefs. This article seeks to answer the question: Is Larry Elder a Christian?
Is Larry Elder Religious?
Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being (Verywell Mind).
Elder publicly talks about his faith and many already assume he is a religious person. In a recent interview with Christian Post, Elder made some revelations about his faith. When asked what his religious beliefs were and how they influenced his politicking, he revealed that he is a strong believer in life and in the message of the gospel. He also disclosed that he worships at The Calvary Chapel Church in Chino Hills.
Elder, who is nicknamed “The Sage from South Central” has associated himself with various religious figures. On August 9, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Larry Elder prayed with Christian leaders during a town hall discussion at First Season church in Downey where he expressed his views on the COVID-19 pandemic, women’s reproductive rights, and climate change.
The Sage from South Central has hinted in different forums that he advocates for a religion that will promote peace. Notably, on his Twitter handle, he is seen citing Egyptian writers that “there is no choice but to create a new brand of religion, friendly to the human race”.
Does Larry Elder believe in God?
Larry Elder isn’t equivocal about his belief in God. He has been quite eloquent about his beliefs. Elder on various platforms has proclaimed that he believes in God. He often expresses his belief occasionally and when the need arises. In his movie, Uncle Tom II, Elder asserts that: “Hard Work, Entrepreneurship, Strong Family, Belief in God and Self-Sufficiency make the Black American”.
Elder on his Twitter account last year tweeted that “Easter is a holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his crucifixion, death, and burial, three days later, He rose from the grave. By this, He conquered death and redeemed us from sin.” This clearly conforms with the Christian doctrine that talks about the belief in God’s love, for sending his only son to die for the sins of humanity and redeem us from these sins.
During his gubernatorial race campaign in 2022, Elder said “My father believed in God, he believed in America, in hard work, in entrepreneurship.” This further buttresses that he believes in God.
Is Larry Elder a Christian?
The disciples of Jesus were first referred to as Christians. This is because they exhibited Christ-like traits which included aligning themselves with values of love for one another and virtues of loving God truly.
Billy Graham, a renowned Television Evangelist extensively states the criteria of being a Christian. He highlights that “A Christian, is a person who is born again by the Spirit of God as he or she wholeheartedly trusts in Jesus Christ and seeks to follow Him in obedience.”
There is no other way to the Father, no other way to be a Christian, than through personal faith in the Son of God. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”.
Graham, still expounding on who a Christian is, said “The phrase ‘born again’ in Scripture means ‘to be born from above’ a spiritual rebirth. A Christian is a man, woman, or child who has experienced a spiritual new birth through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. That new birth is a gift of God, through Jesus Christ, given by the grace He freely offers to all.”
“No one, however, is ever automatically a Christian by birth. To be a Christian, you must make a conscious choice to turn from your sins–that’s repentance–and by faith believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who loved us, paid the price of our sins on Calvary’s cross, shed His blood and died, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day.”
Larry Elder has unwaveringly acknowledged that He is a Christian and a strong believer. He has never been afraid to publicly express his faith. In a recent interview with Christian Post, he disclosed that he worships at The Calvary Chapel Church in Chino Hills. According to the media personality:
“Well, my pastor is Pastor Jack Hibbs of the Calvary Chapel Church in Chino Hills. He’s an amazing man. And I am a strong believer in life; I am a strong believer in the message of the Gospel. My moral values and my political values are informed by that. I think that the Bible is the greatest piece of literature ever written. All your answers are there. All the things that you’re concerned about are right in there, and it’s the foundation of who and what I am”.
Is Larry Elder Baptized?
Baptism is not a strange concept in Christianity. It is one of the basic requirements for Christians in the Bible. Baptism according to the Bible is a ceremony in which a person is symbolically cleansed of sin by being immersed in water. It is followed by the laying on of hands, which is how a Christian receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. A person becomes begotten of God when the Spirit of God dwells in him or her. If this person remains faithful, he or she will become an immortal child of God when Jesus Christ returns.
The basic purpose of baptism is an outward ceremony representing spiritual changes in a person’s life. Just before His ascension, according to Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus said:
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.
Christianity has different schools of thought and as well various perspectives resonating around the forms and symbolism of Baptism. One school of thought states that Christian baptism illustrates, in dramatic style, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and new life in Christ. As the sinner confesses to the Lord Jesus, he dies to sin (Romans 6:11) and is raised to a brand-new life (Colossians 2:12).
From all evidence gathered, it can be deduced that Larry Elder is baptized. In the interview with Christian Post, Elder asserts that He is a strong believer in the gospel. For one to be considered a strong believer, it is assumed he has fulfilled all the criteria of being a Christian which includes baptism, so it is safe to say that Larry Elder is baptized.
What did Larry Elder say about Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is the centrifugal force of Christianity. His life; birth, growth, and death are chronicled in the Bible and form a living testament to Christians. The Bible speaks so much of him and for one to be viewed as a Christian, such a person needs to be like him in words and deeds.
Elder who is known to be vocal about his beliefs has vastly spoken about Jesus Christ. Worthy of note are his Easter messages on various social media platforms. The famous radio and Television host tweeted:
“Easter is a holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his crucifixion, death, and burial, three days later, He rose from the grave. By this, He conquered death and redeemed us from sin.” This means that Larry Elder acknowledges Jesus as the Redeemer.
In another instance, Elder tweeted in 2018 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’–John 11:25-26. Have A Joyous Easter!”
Conclusion
Larry Elder has always identified as a pro-religious person, he has proclaimed and at various intervals revealed his religious stance. The media personality credits all he is and would be to God. The author is assumed to be a fervent Christian and we consider him as one.
Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!