Theo Von Acknowledges Wanting the Peace Only Jesus Can Give

He was born Theodor Capitani von Kurnatowski III, but now goes by the stage name “Theo Von” – a 46-year-old comedian, podcaster, and former reality television personality.

It’s always difficult to sum up a person in a few words, and that’s especially the case with Von, who hails from a small town in Louisiana.

The New York Times once referred to him as a “fritzed-out Garrison Keillor” – the quirky humorist best known for hosting public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” But Von himself probably wouldn’t quibble with or try to affix any labels to himself. It seems he would prefer to keep people guessing and be surprised by what he says and who he decides to talk with on any given day.

Born into a Catholic family, the public-facing Von can be profane, edgy, and downright offensive. You never know what he’s going to say, but you also get the impression he’s not so sure what he’s going to say either.

When interviewing guests, he strikes a curious posture – regularly intrigued – even amazed by what he hears and learns. He’s also humble, often suggesting he knows very little about a subject and even less about the person.

While not professing to be a Christian, he seems genuinely interested by the faith and will often talk about an ongoing exploration surrounding all things divine.

Case in point:

A clip is trending on social media this week of Theo Von discussing Jesus healing the man at the Pool of Bethesda. As the story goes, Jesus encounters a paralyzed man who has been afflicted for 38 years. Here’s how Von describes it:

“Jesus asks him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ Yes. ‘Do you want to be healed?’ That’s a crazy question because, you know, if I get healed, then I’m different. If somebody gets healed, they have a new story.”

Theo Von then makes it personal:

“That’s just been something that I’ve been having to ask myself. Do I want to be healed? Do I really want something different? Sometimes a lot of the answer is, ‘No, I don’t want something different … I’m scared. I don’t know what I don’t know … but I think I want a new story.”

That’s a vulnerable and humble reflection from a man who wouldn’t easily fit into any evangelical stereotype. But it’s also candidly refreshing and points to the very profound lesson Jesus teaches us in the Gospel of John.

As Christians engaging with culture, we so often do our best to bring forth convincing arguments and solid evidence why God’s way is best. Apologetics is a critical and legitimate way to evangelize and there are many gifted and talented servants who do it so very well.

Yet, here is the Lord using Theo Von to acknowledge to his largely secular audience that it’s not just about head knowledge but heart change. Culture change won’t happen without personal transformation. And that conversion can be very unsettling but also critically necessary.

Scripture is replete with God using unconventional ways to reach previously unreached people. Might this be a modern-day example of His truth being broadcast from an unpredictable and unlikely source?

Von says he’s “starting to feel something different” – a very good indication the Holy Spirit is stirring his heart. 

Please join us in praying for Theo Von as he navigates his own faith journey – and that his story might come to positively influence others within the sound of his voice and within his circle of influence.