With the growing presence of Christian influencers, the line between self-promotion and genuine faith has blurred. How do Christians remain grounded in truth while navigating a digital world? Do aesthetics belong in the church at all?
In recent years, a new trend has emerged within Christian culture. Rather than keeping faith and media separate, younger generations are bringing religion to the social stratosphere.
Christian influencers have emerged, with some reaching millions of followers. From Instagram to TikTok to YouTube, faith-based content is everywhere.
Trending content often features Sunday service “fit checks,” decorated devotionals, worship clips and more.
In a society where religion has grown increasingly demonized, this resurgence of popularity has been valuable to the Christian church.
Dr. Jordan Cox, dean of the Missouri Baptist University College of Arts and Humanities and founder of College Park Church, believes that churches ought to establish an online presence in order to engage with society.
“As believers who are passionate about evangelism, or living as salt and light to the world, why wouldn’t we take advantage of the primary means of communication for culture today?” Cox said.
However, a line must be drawn between posting for self-appraisal and posting to glorify the Lord.
Zoe Hand, a sophomore communication studies major, notices a downside of faith-based content.
“The Bible says we are called to be different and set apart from everyone else, but aesthetic Christianity builds up ideals that are unrealistic,” Hand said.
Young adults, particularly girls, can feel inadequate when comparing themselves to these influencers. Yet social media is known to be a highlight reel. Rarely do these users post when they skip church, forget to read their Bible or fall into temptation.
“They’re creating this space where Christianity is supposed to be easy and perfect and fun and bubbly all the time, and it’s not,” said Sarah Beth Head, a sophomore communications major and small group leader for St. Louis KLIFE.
While Christianity can certainly be beautiful and transformative, it is built upon human fallibility.
As Romans 3:23 explains, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, sin and brokenness have corrupted the earth. Until the day that Jesus returns and restores creation, believers will continue to face persecution, pain and suffering.
Not only does social media fail to accurately portray the life of a believer, but it also contributes to the spread of misinformation and confirmation bias.
“You don’t want to be a part of a spiritual echo chamber,” Head said. “If I surround myself with a community that always does the same things that I do, they’re never going to challenge me, there’s never going to be accountability and there’s never going to be sanctification.”
Christianity is built on relationships. Even Jesus lived in constant fellowship while on earth, with God, the disciples and those He served.
“People think that as long as they look like a Christian, it’s okay, even if they aren’t pursuing a relationship with God,” Hand said.
Before cell phones and social media, aesthetic Christianity manifested in the televangelist movement, a widespread practice in which churches broadcast services on television to promote funding and donations.
“We were asking the same questions about them. They were the influencers,” Cox said. “Back in the ‘70s, televangelists were asking people to send in money, whereas now influencers are receiving money through ads…History repeats itself.”
Even before televangelism, there were the Pharisees, a group of legalistic Jews from the New Testament era.
The Pharisees were known for public displays of worship and piety, often criticizing Jesus for violating Jewish tradition. They are often labeled as hypocrites in the Bible, as their inner righteousness did not align with their external obedience.
Jesus explains in Matthew 6:5-6 that genuine faith is found in relationship with the Lord, not in outward appearance.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
In all cases, self-glorification has existed for centuries, just in different forms.
So, how do modern believers practice evangelism through social media without falling into aesthetic Christianity?
As someone pursuing a career in social media, Head practices discernment on a daily basis, both in the content she consumes as well as her personal platform.
“It’s different when it’s about me versus about the Lord,” Head said. “And I think that’s the separation between some Christian influencers. They’re posting about the Lord for themselves versus posting about the Lord for the Lord.”
Aesthetics are not inherently bad. In fact, God Himself is a creator and values beauty in the church.
“The first person mentioned in Scripture to be filled with the Holy Spirit was Bezel, the chief artisan of the temple, whom God instructed to design the temple for the tabernacle,” Cox said. “God cares about that stuff.”
Nonetheless, the purpose of these aesthetics, whether through art, music or social media, must be for God’s glory alone.
At Missouri Baptist University, Kasey Cox, director of theatre and dance, offers a class titled “Theatrical Arts in the Church,” where students learn how to incorporate these elements into worship for God’s glory.
Before posting, liking or spreading Christian content, reflect on these questions:
- Do your actions align with the message you are promoting?
- Are you dedicating more time to aesthetics, analytics or truth?
- Does this content create a false perception of the church?
- Do you notice your faith fluctuating with the trends?
“Computers, algorithms, social media, AI will all be with us for a long time,” Cox said. “So what do we do about it? How do we live in light of Christ, God’s word and truth? That’s the question your generation will be tackling for the rest of your lives.”
Chloe Chedester, a Christian social media creator and entrepreneur, posted an Instagram reel in May 2025 titled, “Let me de-influence you” that offers Scripturally-backed reminders of God’s truth against modern temptations.
- “You don’t need every new outfit. Clothing doesn’t define your worth—Christ does” (Galatians 3:27).
- “You don’t need to go viral. Your value isn’t in views—it’s in being known by God” (Luke 12:7).
- “You don’t need their life. Comparison kills contentment. You’re called to run your race” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
- “You don’t need the spotlight. Jesus made Himself nothing—and He changed everything” (Philippians 2:7-9).
Sarah Beth’s Follows
- Malik Brookins @malike_brookins
- Emy Moore Brookins @emymoorebrookins
Zoe’s Follows
- Girls Gone Bible – Apple Podcasts
- Ally Yost
- Instagram: @ally_yost
- Podcast: “Christ With Coffee On Ice”
- Bryce Crawford
- Instagram: @brycecrawford
- The Bryce Crawford Podcast
