Creative Arts & Media - Email #6 (Dec)

When The Righteous Thrive...

Last month we talked about the kingdom, and we began to imagine what it's like when the kingdom of God comes to the media and the creative arts. That led into a section entitled “Dominion Part 1”, which was basically a discussion about what some theologians call “dominion theology”. In this months 'teaching', I want to expand on this a little bit. Soon, we'll get into "Dominion Part 2"! Before we get into this, I want to share some other thoughts...

This morning, I was reading Proverbs 29, and I found several verses that mention the righteous:

Prov 29:2 - “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;

when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

Who says the righteous can't thrive and succeed? The above verse says that we can. It does acknowledge that there are times when wicked people will be in charge, but it says that it's a lot better when the people of God are the ones prospering.

“Prov 28:28 – “When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding;

but when the wicked perish, the righteous thrive.”

Let's apply this to the media & the arts. When the righteous find themselves in places of influence, and stature, society will be far better off. When the “wicked rule”, and find themselves in positions of authority, then we are in trouble!!!

Again, who said the righteous can't thrive? Who said that God's people can't do well in society? Who says that we can't succeed? Sell records? Make box-office hits? Write songs that change the world and the way people think? Sell out stadiums?

(Also have a look at... Proverbs 29:16)

I think it's helpful for us to remember to be righteous. We are absolutely righteous because of what Jesus did at Calvary. We are washed clean because of what Jesus did for us. But the paradox is that we also need to be righteous. Basically, that means we must do what is right in the sight of the Lord. Let's have a heart and an attitude to do the right thing in His eyes! It doesn't mean we won't make mistakes, and stumble from time to time. I'd be the first to go, if we had to be perfect. If we are to make a difference though, we've got to want to do the right things in God's eyes. Let's not cheat in our taxes. Let's not flirt with people we shouldn't be flirting with. Let's not mess around with things we shouldn't be messing around with. Let's not be like the church in Laodicia that was called “lukewarm”. I reckon some of those guys were flirting with the things of the world in order to “fit in” just so they could get somewhere, but Jesus said that their success meant nothing. If we keep one foot in the world, sure God could use us, just like He spoke through Balaam, but in the end, our success will be meaningless. (And by the way, you don't want your story to end the way Balaam's did...)

If we want to pursue influence, and to succeed in our endevours, let's do it God's way. Cool?

With this in mind...

Let's look at Dominion Part 2!

So, let's continue our discussion about what some theologians call “Dominion Theology”. This is a concept that is becoming more readily accepted in the church. Certainly, it's an important concept for us to get a grasp of today!

Basically, it's the idea that we, as Christians, are called to influence various areas of society. The focus of “Christian Ministry” is not just converting people, and building churches. Of course we want to see people saved, and believers being added to the church, but this shouldn't be the SOLE focus of believers today.

Loren Cunningham is a great missionary, man of God, and leader in the body of Christ who teaches that there are 7 basic “spheres”, or “mountains” of society. These are: Family, Church, Education, Media, Arts and Entertainment, Business, and Government. Click here for a great interview with Loren about this concept.

This paradigm gives us a very helpful way of viewing things. Of course, we don't want to “box” people in, but it does help to have a grid or framework, firstly to help us understand things, and secondly to bring greater focus.

If you feel called to the media, or to the “arts and entertainment” sphere, then you are in the right place.

Let's look in the bible, way back in the beginning, to when God was first planning to create mankind, He said:
“Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Gen 1:26-28, NKJV, Italics added)

So in the beginning, God gave authority to man, to have “dominion” over the earth, to “rule and reign” with God.

As we all know, two chapters later, satan came along and led Adam and Eve astray, and in essence, he ussurped the authority from them!

In the New Testament, Paul described satan, our enemy, as the “god of this age” (2 Cor 4:4), and Jesus Himself called him the “ruler of this world” (John 14:30). Since stealing the authority from mankind, he has been working hard to try to maintain control of his kingdom, which is ultimately one that brings death, bondage, and destruction to man-kind. He has “blinded the minds of unbelievers...” and is working hard to keep it that way. (Also see Ephesians 2:1-3.)

He has set up strongholds, not only in the Media, but in governments, in Businesses, Education systemes and so on, although, right now, these systems are being infiltrated by people who are “not of this world”.

This is where dominion theology comes in. As the church, we aren't called to sit back and watch things get worse. In our own way, we are called to help “take dominion” in society.

“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matt 16:18)

The church is perfectly poised to take serious ground for the kingdom of God this year. Step by step, we are moving forward.

I hope this makes at least some sense, and encourages you in some way. Feel free to leave comments/feedback!!! This email has been a bit more "theological"... My goal is to be as "practical" as possible, but at the same time, we all need a bit of "theology" now and then, which is basically a our attempts to explain God's words and works systematically.

To finish off for today, I want to encourage you with four things, to apply to your own calling in your own way:

1. Have fun doing what you're doing. Some people have no problem remembering to do this, but some of us (like me) need to be reminded! :) Life needs to be enjoyed! Enjoy the journey!!! Remember to live it up a little bit!
2. Stay connected with “the church” - His body. I know you can have fellowship with other Christians anywhere, I do it all the time. But God is growing great local churches everywhere. It's really important to find a local church that you can call home. If you guard your heart from offense, and let the Holy Spirit lead you, you should have no problem finding a great church home! And if life takes you places, why not connect with a church there to receive some fresh input before you get on your way!?
3. Stay focused on YOUR calling. Don't try to live out some one elses calling... These words have been echoing in my head lately... “Be Yourself”.
4. Have fun:)
   
   
   Peace and love, and happy new year!