A little while ago, I handed in a university research paper
entitled “Faith, Arts and the Media - Rules of Engagement: How Christians
should engage with the media and the arts spheres?”
I decided that I couldn't sum up the whole paper in one blog post.
(I well exceeded the 8,000 word limit!!!) So here’s three “rules of engagement”, quick-fire:
“In the world, but not of it”*. It’s a well-known Christian
catch-cry. And it actually sums up really well what Christians should do. We
should connect in the world, and engage with people. Be you. Be a little bit cool if you want to. Or uncool, if that's cool for you. Traditionally, Christians have often interpreted the phrase “in the world” to mean we should be connected and engaged with people, and maybe even a little bit trendy. I have no problem with
this notion.
What does “not of the world” mean though? Basically, it means don’t do anything stupid, and watch over your heart. It is talking about sin, although overall, it’s more a matter of the heart than anything else. Embellishing on this, the Apostle John says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” (1 John 2:15) While it’s not wrong for me to wear a nice pair of shoes, it’s wrong for me to be obsessed with my appearance, to be “vain”. “The world”, refers to the demonic system, where pride, greed, lust, and all sorts of ugly things are the norm. We aren’t supposed to be like that. So yes, don’t sin. But it goes deeper than that. Don’t let bad motives and unhealthy desires come to fruition. Read through Scripture. (I heard a great sermon the other day on 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.) Get with God, and let Him change you little by little. Ultimately, God will show you how to live out the above phrase. And while you do this, remember to ultimately use you're gifts/talents & creative mediums to:
What does “not of the world” mean though? Basically, it means don’t do anything stupid, and watch over your heart. It is talking about sin, although overall, it’s more a matter of the heart than anything else. Embellishing on this, the Apostle John says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” (1 John 2:15) While it’s not wrong for me to wear a nice pair of shoes, it’s wrong for me to be obsessed with my appearance, to be “vain”. “The world”, refers to the demonic system, where pride, greed, lust, and all sorts of ugly things are the norm. We aren’t supposed to be like that. So yes, don’t sin. But it goes deeper than that. Don’t let bad motives and unhealthy desires come to fruition. Read through Scripture. (I heard a great sermon the other day on 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.) Get with God, and let Him change you little by little. Ultimately, God will show you how to live out the above phrase. And while you do this, remember to ultimately use you're gifts/talents & creative mediums to:
In an age where celebrities are basically "idolized" by
the media, and in industries where jealousy, lust, greed, envy and
selfish-ambition seemingly influences so much of what goes on, those that
whole-heartedly take on this characteristic will be a breath of fresh air.
Because we live in a time when the "prince" of the
"power of the air" is influencing so many people**, it's more important
than ever that "in
our relationships with one another", we "have the same mindset as
Christ Jesus.
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather..."
Please take time to read and study Phillipians 2:3-11. Things worked out ok for Jesus in the end... but ultimately that's because he set about serving people (and God's purposes) first. Jesus example gives us a lot to follow when it comes to working within the media & the arts.
Please take time to read and study Phillipians 2:3-11. Things worked out ok for Jesus in the end... but ultimately that's because he set about serving people (and God's purposes) first. Jesus example gives us a lot to follow when it comes to working within the media & the arts.
Lecrae is quite likely the most influential hip hop artist today
that espouses a biblical-Christian world-view. Even if you're not too keen on
Rap/Hip Hop, it's worth knowing a bit about him. (Especially considering hip hop's influence on popular/global culture.)
In his mind, Lecrae is a missionary to the Hip Hop world, but his
strategy to achieve this, is to be a great artist. THIS is one of the keys
to his success in recent times, and a reason why he's now engaging with more and more people "in the world".
In 2012, he really hit his stride with his approach and as he explained in his own blog, became more focused on creating art to the best of his
abilities, and allowing his worldview to naturally influence what he created, as opposed to using it as a means to communicate truth. This approach allowed his 2012 release entitled “Church Clothes” to connect with a lot more people outside
of the church than before, and those people are now engaging with his Christian worldview. Lecrae really is "in the world, but not of it."
Compare this line in 2008 from his album
"Rebel":
"Lord kill me if I don't preach the gospel"...
...to the following statement made on Facebook earlier this year:
"I know most people want every song to have a very explicit moral message but sometimes that sacrifices the art and beauty and skill of communicating. I'm still fighting to give people what they've come to expect from Albums like "Rebel" while still helping them to understand that trying to force that does a disservice to you, me, and the work God has done on me..." (full post here).
Lecrae has been on quite a journey over the last 12 years artistically, and it’s worth learning from him. I believe we should never be ashamed of Christ, and I am all for personal evangelism/sharing the gospel. However, those who seek to work in the arts & the media in some way, should never feel like we have to force a particular message through our mediums. When the time is right, the time is right. All we are really required to do is walk with God and let things flow from there. This seems to be something Lecrae has come to understand. (And by the way, his new album "Anomaly" is being released September 9th. Christian outlets and non-Christian outlets are anticipating it, and I certainly am too!)
"Lord kill me if I don't preach the gospel"...
...to the following statement made on Facebook earlier this year:
"I know most people want every song to have a very explicit moral message but sometimes that sacrifices the art and beauty and skill of communicating. I'm still fighting to give people what they've come to expect from Albums like "Rebel" while still helping them to understand that trying to force that does a disservice to you, me, and the work God has done on me..." (full post here).
Lecrae has been on quite a journey over the last 12 years artistically, and it’s worth learning from him. I believe we should never be ashamed of Christ, and I am all for personal evangelism/sharing the gospel. However, those who seek to work in the arts & the media in some way, should never feel like we have to force a particular message through our mediums. When the time is right, the time is right. All we are really required to do is walk with God and let things flow from there. This seems to be something Lecrae has come to understand. (And by the way, his new album "Anomaly" is being released September 9th. Christian outlets and non-Christian outlets are anticipating it, and I certainly am too!)
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