It ain’t a secret. I love me some pop culture. I know many shake their head in shame or beat their furrowed brow upon my liberties, but there is a deeper purpose and meaning behind my affinity for pop music, best-selling novels, and blockbuster movies.
As a student of culture, I’ve learned the spiritual temperature and worldview is determined not only by academia, but MTV. Not only in philosophy, but on reality TV. Not only by politicians, but pop stars. As people desperate to influence culture and reappropriate God-given creativity, it is crucial to know what is going on so we can affirm what is right and dismantle what is wrong.
But how can we filter through the pervasive and profane without having it effect or destroy our faith in the process?
“Because we are commanded by God to form and reform culture, Christians have to be actively engaged with culture: studying it, discerning positive and negative aspects, and working to redeem it.” —Dr. Drew Trotter
Pop culture can be an insightful and useful tool in this task, both reflecting and promoting attitudes and ideas we share in common. Some of those attitudes and ideas will be worth promoting ourselves; some will be worth fighting with every weapon at our disposal. If we are to gain the whole world, not for ourselves (Matt. 16:26) but for the King we serve (2 Cor. 10:3-6), then one weapon we shall need is discernment. May God grant us grace to develop that discernment and the desire to grow in His word.
- Where, in culture, have you seen God? What movie, song, or poem has revealed the Divine without slapping a WWJD wristband on or aluminum fish on the back of?
Contributors to culture! This is so true!!! Thank you Bianca!!! Most of the time Christians are known as people who are AGAINST something instead of being known as people who are FOR something. It is so easy to contribute and USE the culture around us to reach others with God's message!
I love your insights, thx so much!
Oooh…I know this one! I've recetnly saw Les Miserables with Andres a few weeks, the one with Liam, (made me cry) and there's Wall-E and Superman ( the new one) and there's Star Wars but Andres would have a better stance on that one than me. I know there's more… I just can't think of it right now but I'll be sure to come back and post.
YES!!! I know. I love that play! Good work, Lil. You get an A++ 🙂
oh emm gee. today you look SO PUERTO RICAN. gold jewelry, hair pulled back…all you need ess tuh tuhk liek dis.
love you.
Just so you're aware, you only leave comments that bag on me:
Example 1: Paul Bunyon reference. Whatever, plaid is cool, fool.
Example 2: To correct me on a story I told about you. History is your mystery.
Example 3: My hair today. Ok, I AM Puerto Rican. Duh. Secondly, this is what I get for showering at the gym and forgetting my hair dryer. PS you're mean!
LOL!!!! but still gorgeous!
Love your make-up! 🙂
This vlog really challenged me. I'm routinely told the opposite of what you just shared, and I struggle with both opinions… Thanks for making me think!
Where does holiness fit into all of this?
Unsuspectingly, A Christmas Caro
Unsuspectingly, A Christmas Carol
Did you SEE Taken?? Liam kicks everyone's tail to get his kidnapped daughter who left of her own will to begin with, then wanted salvation once she was too far gone. He did everything, holding back nothing, just to find her. And when the enemy put up their strongest weapons against the father, they were no match next to his deep love for that foolish girl. THEN in the end he gave her singing lessons with a pop star :). Life to the fullest right there.
Thanks for the insight. I often get tempted to seperate myself, though that really leaves me out of the loop… Your perspective is challenging and much appreciated!
I was going to list Taken!
You talked about not being fully engaged in pop culture, but at least being aware of culture. I completely agree. I grew up in the white suburbs of Chicago, then traveled down to Florida to attend a private Christian school. I was surrounded by a culture that was mainly white and conservative. I am now currently in Atlanta working with Catalyst-and when I first came here in May I had a bit of a culture shock! I have been so blessed to be surrounded by people now who understand the idea of being aware of culture and contributing to it. I am still learning every day, but it is a beautiful thing because God opens your eyes in a whole new way!
Thought provoking vlog B. So challenging!
You're right. There are people who participate in pop culture who don't know Jesus. How can we be the hands and feet of Christ if we do not participate in pop culture as well? Christians need to realize that with God's help they have the power to engage in pop culture in a non-sinful way.
This is something I definitely struggle with as a new believer! That you for your insight!
You know this is such an issue in our world. We are to be in the world but not of the world and it's just a tricky balance. I have met some amazing people who have challenged me to not only have Christian Friends but also be relevant so that I am able to talk and speak to the teenagers and young people. It's okay to view different movies and tv shows because it does help affirm our Christian view and also helps explain it to others. Thank you for the good thoughts! My question to everyone is how can you be relevant in a culture where you don't quite understand all the ins and outs of it. My husband has just taken a call to be a English pastor in Taiwan and just trying to figure out how to be in the culture but not of the culture when you don't understand the culture!!
So I am totally into reality TV some “secular” music etc.. lol, can you give me a scripture that says something along the lines of the fact that God commands us to reform culture? this is some I go back and forth about is there
Man On Fire with Denzel Washington
John Q with Denzel Washington (the father who goes to great lengths to have his son healed by Jesus, "I believe! Help my unbelief!")
To Save A Life (but this has a WWJD bracelet slapped on it… and on one of the characters)
Anyone remember the TV series Seventh Heaven?
Toy Story 3, Woody as Moses guiding the Israelites (toys) to the Promised Land (back to Andy) <—cheating because Biance made this reference first.
In a place where I am not able to get to church (no car due to financial struggles) and I haven't got any believing friends outside church, it's an undescribable relief to log in and fellowship in your blog community every morning. *sigh* Thank you!!!
I couldn't watch the vlog because of a slow internet connection, but I wanted to weigh in on this post anyways so forgive me any ignorance pretty please?
Before I became a Christian, I religiously attended concerts. Music was my god. Music was my everything. But now, when I do attend those shows, I'm amazed at the unity displayed in that part of popular culture. Everyone is so different but they're united by that one love of the band playing. And in that I see the Kingdom.
I wish I saw that unity reflected more at church.
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