E
Everyman
Guest
This is actually from a response to the “Is it ‘wrong’ to listen to certain types of music?” thread. I thought it important enough to place as a thread of my own. This is a subject I am very passionate about.
As Christians, our art ought to be the best out there. We are the true image-bearers of the Creator. In response to his question, I noticed everyone was focusing on lyrics in music and what not. I had this to say:
Nearly everyone’s comments are completely irrelevant to the question. Everyone seems so concerned with debunking that lame website that they’re missing the real issue.
It’s not so much the lyrics or if the particular artist is a Christian.
Most “Christian” art is poor (e.g. Frank Peretti, Thomas Kinkade, Precious Moments); it’s mere kitsh, the denial of ****. However, much of “secular” art, indeed pagan art, is excellent (take ancient Greek sculpture, for example).
The primary subject of consideration should be the style. As it has been said, “The medium is the message.” We’re so distracted by studying lyrics that we neglect to analyze what effects us even more, the means of conveance.
The true culprit is pop culture. As the first century Christians had the Colosseum, later believers had Gothic invaders and the plague. We today have a much more subtle, yet equally deadly opponent, pop culture.
As Ken Myers wrote, “Enemies that come loudly and visibly are usually much easier to fight than those that are indetectable. Physical affliction (even to the point of death) for the sake of Christ is a heavy cross, but at least it can be readily recognized at the time as a trial of faith. But the erosion of character, the spoiling of innocent pleasures, and the cheapening of life itself that often accompany modern popular culture can occur so subtly that we believe nothing has happened. Christian concern about popular culture should be as much about the sensibilties it encourages as about its content.”
And the Christian alternatives are no different. they still use the same formats, thinking there is no problem as long as they profess Christ. The problem is that such a profession is not only done by word; it should effect how we eat, drink, make love, and make art.
-Everyman
As Christians, our art ought to be the best out there. We are the true image-bearers of the Creator. In response to his question, I noticed everyone was focusing on lyrics in music and what not. I had this to say:
Nearly everyone’s comments are completely irrelevant to the question. Everyone seems so concerned with debunking that lame website that they’re missing the real issue.
It’s not so much the lyrics or if the particular artist is a Christian.
Most “Christian” art is poor (e.g. Frank Peretti, Thomas Kinkade, Precious Moments); it’s mere kitsh, the denial of ****. However, much of “secular” art, indeed pagan art, is excellent (take ancient Greek sculpture, for example).
The primary subject of consideration should be the style. As it has been said, “The medium is the message.” We’re so distracted by studying lyrics that we neglect to analyze what effects us even more, the means of conveance.
The true culprit is pop culture. As the first century Christians had the Colosseum, later believers had Gothic invaders and the plague. We today have a much more subtle, yet equally deadly opponent, pop culture.
As Ken Myers wrote, “Enemies that come loudly and visibly are usually much easier to fight than those that are indetectable. Physical affliction (even to the point of death) for the sake of Christ is a heavy cross, but at least it can be readily recognized at the time as a trial of faith. But the erosion of character, the spoiling of innocent pleasures, and the cheapening of life itself that often accompany modern popular culture can occur so subtly that we believe nothing has happened. Christian concern about popular culture should be as much about the sensibilties it encourages as about its content.”
And the Christian alternatives are no different. they still use the same formats, thinking there is no problem as long as they profess Christ. The problem is that such a profession is not only done by word; it should effect how we eat, drink, make love, and make art.
-Everyman