29 March, 2024

The Myth of the Supreme Leader

by | 20 May, 2015 | 0 comments

By Jim Tune

In 2007 a Southern California woman named Jacqueline Gagne claimed she made 16 holes in one””10 of them in less than a four-month period. A statistician determined the odds of that occurring to be 12 septillion to 1.

As far-fetched as that sounds, Gagne holds nothing on Kim Jong-il, the former “Supreme Leader” of North Korea. During his reign as the unchallenged leader of the secretive nation, Kim, according to official North Korean state media reports, routinely shot three or four holes in one per round of golf.

But Kim”s greatest feat occurred the very first day he picked up a club. According to witnesses, the “Dear Leader” played his best round ever””and the best of all time””at the grand opening of the Pongyang Golf Complex, which contains North Korea”s only 18-hole golf course.

Kim shot a 38-under-par round of 34 at Pyongyang. Security guards at the scene verified that the score included an amazing 11 aces. Of course, the event was dutifully reported to the North Korean masses by the state news agency.

In Jacqueline Gagne”s case, Golf Digest writer Dave Kindred interviewed some of her golfing partners. None of them claimed she was faking any of the holes in one, though Kindred couldn”t find a single witness who saw any of Gagne”s tee shots actually disappear into a hole. Kim, at least, had 17 credible bodyguards on hand to testify to his achievement!

In a totalitarian regime, the leader”s image must always be exaggerated. The sacred public image of the “Supreme Leader” is of utmost importance; it must be constantly groomed, managed, and photoshopped. In North Korea, national lore holds that the nation”s leader never needed to go to the bathroom. His perfect 5-foot-2-inch body functioned so efficiently that it wasn”t necessary.

May20_Tune_JNBut we worship someone who truly was perfect. Yet his body functioned like every man”s. This becomes clear, for example, when we read John 4. The Gospel writer tells us Jesus was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Jesus was “the exact representation of his being “ (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus was God, but Jesus also was human. Jesus””truly our divine leader””became hungry, lonely, tired, and thirsty. We disregard either his humanity or his divinity to our peril.

Christian leaders can be tempted to look way more like Kim Jong-il than Jesus Christ. We are tempted to modify, manage, and inflate our persona in order to look perfect and lead perfectly. But are we really to be less human than Jesus himself was?

Like Jesus, we are fully human. Unlike Jesus, we are not fully divine. Yet God loves working through us. As leaders, when we give in to image management, it is no longer we who are leading, but a lie about us that is leading.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us