By David Ettinger
An Admirable Man
In a recent interview, actor Michael J. Fox said of the Parkinson’s Disease he has been living with since 1991: “Pity is a benign form of abuse. I can feel sorry for myself, but I don’t have time for that. There is stuff to be learned from this, so let’s do that and move on.”[1]
In other words, Fox doesn’t feel sorry for himself. Admirable words from an admirable man, and far from today’s “woe is me” victim mentality.
I became acquainted with Fox as an actor when he appeared on the popular TV show Family Ties. He became a star from that show and attained superstardom as Marty McFly in the 1985 movie blockbuster Back to the Future.
His career soared throughout the 1980s and 1990s despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 30 (though he didn’t publicly disclose it until 1998). Despite his misfortune, Fox continued acting well into the 2000s, even as the disease grew in intensity and afflicted him more and more.
Besides continuing with his career, Fox, now 61, has been a staunch and conspicuous advocate for finding a cure for Parkinson’s, launching a foundation in 2000 to help fund the cause.
In the midst of this, Fox has proven a rarity in Hollywood as his marriage to Tracy Pollan has lasted 34 years and produced 4 children. She, too, has proven a shining example in her own right – and example of marital faithfulness and selfless love and devotion.
I am just one of millions who admire Fox – the battles he has fought, the good he has sought to accomplish, and the fine marital example he has displayed.
Admirable Not Enough
But my admiration of him is tempered.
As much as I admire Fox, I see no evidence he is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. He attends a Reformed Synagogue with his Jewish wife, but his views on God, Jesus, and the Bible are unclear. If he has truly given his life to Christ, he has not publicly declared it; therefore, an assumption that he is unsaved is a safe one.
And a sad one. And one I hope changes.
No One Righteous
No matter how good or admirable people are by human standards, they are nonetheless unrighteous in the sight of God. Scripture tells us:
There is no righteous person, not even one; There is no one who understands, There is no one who seeks out God; They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, There is not even one (Romans 3:10-12).
That is, there is no one outside of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior who is regarded as righteous.
And for all who are “good” only by this world’s standards, Isaiah 64:6 says: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”
The word “filthy” is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word “rags” is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” are considered by God as repugnant as a soiled feminine hygiene product.[2]
Specifically, this verse is referencing the self-righteous acts of the Israelites in Isaiah’s day, but has application today. As much as unsaved individuals strive to do “good” – which of itself is commendable – in the long run, it will not bring them any closer to salvation.
Salvation comes only through accepting Christ’s shed blood on the cross at Calvary – the atonement only He can give to all who “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As such, we are in danger of being separated from God for eternity in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
This goes for everyone regardless of good and admirable deeds and intentions, Michael J. Fox included. If we die without having confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will “have been weighed on the scales and found deficient” (Daniel 5:27).
The Dilemma
And hence my Michael J. Fox dilemma: I admire him greatly, but know that no matter what he has done, nothing short of bowing the knee to Jesus will save his eternal soul.
In fact, there are quite a few unbelievers I admire and care about, but know that same truth applies to them. I realize that the thought of praying for “Hollywood types” galls some evangelicals, but I feel inclined to pray for Fox.
It’s the least I can do for someone I admire.
[1] https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/michael-j-fox-doesnt-feel-sorry-for-himself-parkinsons-disease
[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/filthy-rags.html
EttingerWriting.com 
Tom
March 17, 2023
David, thanks for these ponderings. We naturally admire people who courageously confront difficult circumstances. But as you point out, the bottom line for us all is our sinfulness and our desperate need for salvation in Jesus Christ. For I’m sure Mr. Fox has said/done/thought things that were wicked, just as we all have.
This brings to mind a post I wrote about how society is captivated by micro-narratives (biographies, movies, novels, video games, comic books, etc.) in which the hero-protagonist battles evil or great difficulties. In a sense, these micro-narratives allude to the great meta-narrative of the Bible and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. I hesitate in calling Christ the “ultimate hero” because He is greater than such a title.
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dettinger47
March 17, 2023
Well sais, Tom. I agree.
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vicklea
March 17, 2023
There are many in the public eye who are admired but no one knows the state of their heart before God. It’s a sad commentary that the public admires people for their strength, character and fortitude but attack them if they mention their faith in God. I admire Mr. Fox for his strength, but I, too, am fearful of his eternal destination if he does not repent.
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dettinger47
March 17, 2023
Well said, Vickie. Amen.
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Alan Kearns
March 17, 2023
This is post I can relate to David. I admire some people in the public realm who are most likely not saved either, but I pray for them. One man that comes to mind is Billy Connolly the Scottish comedian who also has Parkinsonism; I know that there are many believers praying for him.
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dettinger47
March 17, 2023
I remember him from the movie “Mrs. Brown.” I didn’t know he has Parkinson’s. Hopefully his ailment and struggles will lead him to throne of Christ!
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Lisa Beth
March 17, 2023
Good post David, a vital reminder that those who are ‘good’ are just as lost as those who are criminals.
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dettinger47
March 18, 2023
Precisely. Thank you, Lisa Beth.
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ken riddles
March 18, 2023
There are many folks who put us (Christians) to shame with their good works. But God who looks on the heart – sees we all fall short – so much so, He had to provide a way to make us righteous, therefore only through faith in Christ and His righteousness. A key verse is: Phil. 3/
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
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dettinger47
March 18, 2023
Amen. Well said, Ken.
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heavensreef
March 19, 2023
Funny, I have prayed for him too knowing all he is going through. Let’s pray GOD gets hold of his marriage, his wife as well. May someone near to them share the GOSPEL truth!
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dettinger47
March 20, 2023
Amen, Maxine.
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seekingdivineperspective
March 24, 2023
David, as a Messianic Jew, have you ever considered writing him a letter? Just a thought.
As for the “filthy rags” image, in my meditations it occurred to me that the image could mean more than “repugnant,” or even something else “unclean” to the Jews of Isaiah’s day. (Why didn’t Isaiah use any other “unclean” image, such as a pig or a dead body?)
Since women’s main purpose in life was to give birth, and infertility (“barrenness”) was considered a curse, to a “barren” woman, the filthy rags were a painful monthly reminder that there was NO LIFE in her womb. For us to try to be righteous without Jesus is like a woman trying to have a baby without a husband. She can go through the motions of buying a crib, a stroller, and baby clothes. She can read all the books on pregnancy and motherhood and attend the childbirth classes, and at the end of nine months, she gets (*drumroll*) … filthy rags. Such is the life of someone “doing good” devoid of a relationship with God. There’s no life there.
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dettinger47
March 24, 2023
Tremendous points you make regarding a woman who wants to be pregnant but is not. Great fuel for thought here!
Regarding writing to Michael J. Fox, that’s a great idea, and I need to pray about it. I could also appeal to his Jewish wife. I can do some research and find out if there’s a way to reach him.
You’re a wealth of ideas and information today!
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seekingdivineperspective
March 24, 2023
Praise God! Thank you! I have been having one of those “blah” days when I wonder what I’m doing here…
I would think your testimony would be interesting to Mrs. Fox, maybe her husband, too. I’ll pray about this, too. Some people scoff at the idea of praying for celebrities, but why not? They’re people, too. I have seen a couple that I have prayed for come to Christ. (An actress and a singer.)
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dettinger47
March 24, 2023
Praise God for that couple. And I hope you have a much better day tomorrow.
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seekingdivineperspective
March 24, 2023
(I wasn’t real clear. They were not a couple – I meant two people I prayed for. They probably didn’t know each other, but they each came to know Jesus. 😉 )
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dettinger47
March 24, 2023
Ah, got it!
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