There's an interesting blogalogue going on right now between a few different sites discussing Christianity and Culture. As in, what role should one play in the other? Should one play a role in the other? How should they interact? Here's a few snippets of my take:
From a conversation with Kat:
“Why is it ok to watch actors do things or say things that we would never want to do?”
The same reason it is ok to read about David and Bathsheba. The same reason it is ok to read Sampson and Delilah. The same reason it is ok to read about the rape of Tamar. Because we exist in story... Now you may say, “But those are stories about God.” Agreed. And they are also stories about monstrous unbelievable sin. And about people... I don’t think any story we can tell isn’t about God. It’s all about our lens; our perspective... And I don’t think watching a story about people with sin in their lives is a sinful activity any more than listening to a friend tell you about her normal everyday, and yes, sinful life is. Nor is it any more a sinful activity than reading about the very human and sinful lives of our ‘heroes’ in the Bible.
And from a conversation with Shaun:
I find it... lamentable... that evangelicals bubble themselves in these voices. Niebuhr's Christ and Culture is 50 years old now and we don't seem to have learned anything. No matter what your approach to culture, approach it for the love of cake! Don't sit back, picking your wedgie, fretting about what the "Christian" response to something should be. Why the nut should we 'respond' to anything? Why aren't we the boldest leaders and the most attractive engaging artists in the world?
For more on the topic, check some of the source material that started this conversation:
An article by Christianity Today about The Da Vinci Code.
A response to that article by Dick Staub.
The above mentioned Shlog discussion.
The above mentioned Kat discussion and this pursuant one.
What do you think? How do the two interact?
|
16 Cachinnations
Well, we have to interact cause we live in the world. However, due to social constraints or what have you.. lets say trappings..of society a Christian, though having to interact with the society, should also try and set himself/herself apart. I would tend to think. No so much that you're out of touch, but not so far in that you are like everyone else.
Posted on 5/04/2006
hmm...
Perhaps this is a conviction thing, like the meat sacrificed to idols.(Romans 14)
I mean, some things are obviously out. (I mean, watching nasty porn really doesn't have spiritual value of any kind) However, I have to agree with Kat that it depends on our "lens." Or even more so, the Holy Spirit inside of us, teaching us.
We must be careful that we clean the inside of the dish as well as the outside. (Matt 23:25-26)You can look "Christian" all you want, doesn't matter. Besides looking "Christian" in the first century likely looked more like being a former prostitute, a dumb fisherman... you get the point.
Posted on 5/05/2006
While I COMPLETELY agree with what Kat is saying, I think a lot of people use that as their excuse to indulge in junk-food entertainment that they really don't need to expose themselves to. Y'know? The most obvious being the gross-out sex comedies that are all the rage these days.
Candie, the receptionist on 42, was telling me about 'Team America', that puppet movie where the puppets have graphic sex. I said, "Yeah, I haven't seen that. I don't think I'd really like that..."
Why do I need to add that to my collection of memories and mental images? Sure, there's that meat sacrificed to idols thing, but Paul also said to think on things that are lovely and pure.
It's difficult. I mean, I don't think we should insulate ourselves from all the poo-poo in this world, but at the same time, it's important to be able to say, "This movie/TV show/whatever crosses the line. I'm not going to go there."
And I DON'T think it's QUITE as subjective as people think.
Posted on 5/05/2006
It's obvious that some things are created for the explicit purpose of offense or violation of decency. I don't think we're talking about that. I hope not, anyway. And no, not everything is subjective. CB brings up the good point of the idol meat conversation. And we should never let our freedom cost others their convictions.
But what about the broader questions of Christianity and Culture? What about the tendency towards the 'evangelical subculture?' Check out that CT article and the Dick Staub response. Thoughts?
Posted on 5/05/2006
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Posted on 5/05/2006
I love what C.S. Lewis says
"We don't need more Christian Authors, we need more Authors who are Christians."
Can you immagine if Tolkein would have given two shifts about what the Christian world would think of his pagan fantasy world 15 years after it was written? Tolkien was the most instrumental and influencial person in C.S. Lewis's conversion, and it was his fantasy that spurred on that whole Dungeons and Dragons craze in the 80's. When I was a kid I even heard that Tolkien worshiped the Devil.
I think about the backlash in the Christian subculture sometimes and think we are just two steps away from those angry muslims going crazy over those cartoons.
Was it not our parents who were burning Beatles records just 20 years ago?
I just realized that I may not have asnwered any of your questions. That Lewis quote just stirred up the Irish in me.
Posted on 5/05/2006
We'll drink to that, then. Cheers!
Posted on 5/05/2006
Tendency toward "evangelical subculture." I've been thinking about that alot since Shaun's blog, and I think there is a difference between "evangelical subculture" and "Christian subculture." Because, just like we can't get away from culture in a broad since, as Christians, we really can't get away from Christian subculure to an extent. And we shouldn't really want to. It's in our families, our traditions, our hymns, our understanding of each other. It's the "evangelical subculture" that's really starting to get on the nerves. The grouping together and hollering about how much better we are. At least that's kinda what it feels like.
Christian radio, for instance, (and I sincerely apologize if anyone likes it or works for it). I see that as part of evangelical subculture. The way DJ discourse is done these days is embarrassing to me. Almost every Christian radio DJ speaks to us like we're three. Or they are trying so hard to be hip when they're really not. And it's OK with us that they're not hip. We're not really asking them to be.
There's more to say on all of this, but to avoid an annoyingly long comment, I'll hold onto it for a while.
Posted on 5/06/2006
Come on, Fancy, let 'er rip!
I think I follow what you're saying. I wouldn't characterize the things to which you refer as Christian culture such. The things that you mentioned seemed like tradition to me. It may be semantics, but you described tradition as opposed to subculture which is characterized by fads.
And I'm with you on the radio thing. Especially the radio stations that don't know the difference between Christianity and the Republican party. The programming is just all smashed together as if it naturally belongs there. (Fortunately there's no need to listen, get ticked off, switch the station, then come back since neither the music nor the message is worth my time!)
Posted on 5/06/2006
Dude, I hope everything is okay... the Tornado?
Posted on 5/06/2006
Yeah, are you guys alright? I heard that the Coca Cola plant in Hewitt was hit pretty hard, and a gas station next to it. I have some friends whose backyard is completely covered in ripped up trees and such. Hope you guys are OK.
Posted on 5/06/2006
Hey, I just got internet service back. I'll have something up about the twister, (it's more fun to call it that; makes it less scarry), in a few minutes.
Posted on 5/07/2006
I have been considering Niebuhr's Christ and Culture categories on my blog. He can give us insight into how we Christians should approach our culture, but he refuses to commit to any one particular perspective. This might be because he is such a darn liberal relativist that he can't commit to anything but it also might be because he is a wise man and knows how hard (or maybe it's too easy) it is to say who did what right when. Circumstances are very complicated- especially when we discuss how Christians should interact with culture.
Posted on 5/08/2006
Christians and culture, good topic. Evangelical subculture is something I have always found interesting. I did not grow up around it and find much of it odd, especially when applying it to scripture. The diviciveness between denomination, institutional church organizations, the professional clergy system. All of these things drive me batty.
As for consuming garbage as entertainment, I think I'll know when it is enough. There are certain things I can't watch. I think they are trash. An example for me would be "Desperate Housewives". I can't watch it, I find it both annoying and degenerate. The sexual connotation makes me want to run from it. I can't even stand being in the same room as some of these shows. But maybe you can watch them? And I say go for it.
I may not act on my feelings about certain things I take in, but if I apply a little critical thought about the situation, what my conscience is saying and what God says I should know what I'm doing and what I should not be doing.
Posted on 5/09/2006
Your are Excellent. And so is your site! Keep up the good work. Bookmarked.
»
Posted on 5/24/2006
Greets to the webmaster of this wonderful site! Keep up the good work. Thanks.
»
Posted on 5/24/2006