Posts
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Being Cultural
I’ve been troubled by something lately and I’d like to hear your opinion on the subject. Ellen and I have chosen to limit our intake of certain media/entertainment (I didn't say eliminate all). Not because sitting around on the couch all day and night promotes obesity . . . which it does. Not because it eliminates the opportunities for quality conversations . . . which it does. We do this because much of the content of these sitcoms, blockbusters, and musical best hits are contradictory of what we value most.
I have had multiple conversations lately with people in a position of spiritual leadership who take a much different stance on this subject. I have heard a couple different arguments for why this is appropriate but the number one response is:
Christians need to be in touch with culture in order to effectively engage the world.
This is the response that has me staggering. For me it doesn’t add up how Christians who supposedly value holiness would consistently subject their spirits to things immoral. Now maybe a person can admit that they are entertained by these industries but aren’t cloaking this indulgence with a claim to such higher intentions. I can respect that. At least they are being true to themselves. Maybe some genuinely believe that these tendencies are actually praiseworthy and honorable since their intentions are to understand culture in order to reveal Christ in a relevant way.
Seriously?
So it’s not because the vulgar humor is absolutely hysterical? Or that the dramatic love triangles excite the romantic in you? And it’s surely not that the suspenseful violent combat leaves you on the edge of your seat? And you definitely don’t watch because the steamy sexual scenes make your heart pound?
I find these same things entertaining. I’m disappointed to say that sometimes we stretch and bend our stance on this issue since we too are in battle with our fleshly nature. Another reason we are tempted to compromise is that quality wholesome entertainment is few and far between. I’m just wondering if Christians are watering down their convictions and values so that we’ll have something entertaining to experience and then masking our reasoning behind a pursuit of being relevant for the world’s spiritual sake. Meanwhile our spirits are under attack.
Do I have to know the cast and current happenings of Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Heroes and the like to be culturally relevant in our world?
What do you think? Are we watering down God’s call in our lives? Or is this a truly honorable attempt at eventually sharing Jesus more effectively?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
This is something that has been on my mind for a long time. It is a struggle, especially as a campus minister, to be relevant to the real lives of real people (especially those with no faith) while committing to purity of heart and mind and the same time.
Unfortunately, there are no clear formulas that make this easy. Christ fully participated in the world and engaged with people on all levels, yet still maintained his distance from sinfulness and temptation. Can we do this same thing? I don't know. Pop culture truly is the biggest thing that connects all of us - but it is also the biggest carrier of impurity that goes straight into our minds and hearts.
But, looking at this from a "ministry" view may be a little hyper-spiritual. The reality is that all of us want to have our cake and eat it too. For example, I've internally struggled with the fact that I'm a huge Seinfeld fan. That show was brilliant and I still find ways to work quotes and scenes into conversations for a great laugh. But the reality is too that it was a show that fully engaged its characters in huge amounts of promiscuity, made trivial some very serious issues, and generally promoted a cynical, detached view of life. How does this square with my faith and the life God is calling me to? In many ways, it doesn't. So where is the line between "harmless entertainment" and "subtle mind poison"? That's a hard one and I think it's different for every person.
I do think, though, that our choices would end up being very different if we always actively chose to pursue God. But at the same time, let's not take ourselves too seriously. It's a constant judgment call that should always be informed by what's best for God, ourselves, and those around us. Unfortunately, we are not consistent in this judgment and we compromise a lot. Thus, we have a lot of people who worship God whole-heartedly on Sunday morning, then go home to watch Sex and the City on Tivo, and don't see the glaring disconnect between the two.
So, we should try to accept or reject all things based on a constant mind for Christ. Unfortunately, I think that the fact that Christ participated in the world has become a convenient justification for participating in poisonous things simply for our own enjoyment.
Christ came to help the sick, not to be sick with them.
Eh, yeah that "answer" was pretty rambling. Maybe I'll distill it down at some point.
Cary,
Thanks a bunch for your response. I like that you just let it flow. Don't worry about distilling for me.
I particularly identified with your final thoughts.
"Unfortunately, I think that the fact that Christ participated in the world has become a convenient justification for participating in poisonous things simply for our own enjoyment.
Christ came to help the sick, not to be sick with them."
Thanks, Cary.
-Wes
Post a Comment