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TV,
radio, film, literature and art are constantly
presenting us with ideas, thoughts and interpretations
of the world around us; some of which are
positive, some challenging; some true, some
mythical and some down-right disturbing. So
as Christians how should we engage with the
various messages our culture projects? How
should we respond to the arts?
The sleek urban packaging says: ‘This
CD contains explicit material’.
Should you buy it?
If you have given an answer to the above question
you have just contributed to one of the hottest
and longest running debates of the Christian
Church, the explosive issue of faith and the
arts.
If you said, ‘yes’ to the above
question, where would you draw the line on
a scale of ever more explicit material? And
if you said, ‘no’ would you organise
the mass destruction of the offending objects?
And what about films or TV shows that portray
negative attitudes to relationships, marriage
and personal integrity? Do they help us learn
about a popular cultural worldview, or should
we avoid them and campaign against them?
And what do we make tensions over things like
‘Jerry Springer the Opera’ where
the press and religious institutions have
praised and condemned the production in equal
measure? On what basis do we protest and where
do we draw the line on our engagement with
different forms of popular culture?
It comes down to this, do we separate from
the world or do we transform the things we
meet?
These are big questions, with no easy answers.
Here ALOVE seeks to suggest a few tools and
comments help you approach an issue that’s
not always black and white ... |
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Art and creativity in themselves are
not bad! Indeed God himself is a Creator
God. It’s part of his nature.
As we are made in his likeness, we too
can engage in creativity and use it
as praise and to bring glory to him. |
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Of course some art-forms can be motivated
by a whole range of philosophies and
intentions; so we need to be aware of
this and think intelligently about whether
it aids or distracts us in our worship
of God. |
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God is not confined to the ‘mainstream’
Church, or speaking on Sundays! He’s
actively involved in his world. One
of ALOVE’s aims is to ‘go
into the world to find and point out
Jesus’. So what’s he already
doing? What can you learn about God
through books, music, art, TV and film?
What can we learn about other people
and how they understand themselves?
Often, different forms of culture are
a way of trying to gain meaning. What
can we learn? How do they point to God? |
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And what about the creative skills
God has given you? How can you use them
to point to the love of God? What can
you do through your art-form, whatever
that might be, to help people think
and question? |
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What
hints can we get from the Bible?
Holiness and righteousness are two words that
are important as we delve into Scripture ... |
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When faced with situations that weren’t
‘black and white’, Jesus
himself appears to have both separated
and transformed. We find him in some
of the days questionable social situations,
meeting with tax collectors (Luke 19:1-10),
talking with women who would have been
considered outcasts (Luke 7:36-39; John
8:3-11; John 4:1-26). He debated with
the authorities of his day on their
own premises (Mark 11:27-33). However,
we have no record of Jesus attending
the other Greek temples or ceremonies.
In all the situations, acceptable or
not, he was never compromised; his holiness
and righteousness remained without blemish. |
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We also find Paul not only in amongst
the Athenian scholars, but having been
invited to speak, revealing a good knowledge
of the beliefs of those to which he
was speaking (Acts 17:18-34). His level
of engagement was significant as was
his prior understanding of his opponents’
views. Paul also says of himself that,
‘…I have become all things
to all men so that by all possible means
I might save some.’ (1Corinthians
9:22) |
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Engaging
with Culture
When considering how we engage with culture,
we need to make wise choices, so that we don’t
compromise our beliefs or make unhelpful choices
that could distract us from worshipping God.
Philippians 4 v 8 says: Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about
such things
However at the same time, it’s really
important that we think intelligently about
our responses, rather than dismissing cultural
forms we don’t like out of hand, or
rejecting something based on hearsay/crowd
mentality. With all things in life, it’s
important to learn and engage with complex
issues; discuss them with other people in
your youth group; ask other people’s
opinions; read books and articles; consult
the Bible and grapple with what it has to
say and don’t forget to ask what you
can learn about God through the abundant expressions
of creativity in our world! |
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Look
up and consider these verses:
Matthew 12:34-35
Romans 12:1-2
1Corinthians 10:23-24
Galatians 1:11-12
Colossians 2:8
1Peter 1:16
1John 2:15 |
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Read
Paul’s engagement with a differing worldview:
Acts 17:16-34
Acts 19:8-10 |
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Deep
End:
Francis A. Schaeffer, Trilogy (The God Who
is There; Escape from Reason and He is There
and He Is Not Silent) ISBN 0851106927 |
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Youthwork -
The Partnership ...
ALOVE,
Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and
Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church
for effective youth work and ministry. |
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