I have never been a huge advocate of “Christian” movies—sorry, all you Fireproof and Facing the Giants fans. I can’t seem to get excited about a “Christian” movie in “secular” theaters with churches coming in mobs of 100 to their local AMC to make sure the movie is a success.
What I can get excited about are movies like The Blind Side, Faith like Potatoes, and End of the Spear. These could technically be classified as “Christian” movies, but instead of copying culture, they lead it. Instead of petitioning to churches to support and fund these movies, The Blind Side had an Oscar nomination for Best Picture of the Year, and Faith Like Potatoes received international recognition, taking home both the Golden Ten Award in India and the People’s Choice Award at the Sabaoth International Film Festival in Italy.
These movies have a Christian message but are also respected for their cinematic value. Unfortunately, movies like these are few and far between. I have seen similar trends in the “Christian” music industry and I have seen one too many “Christian” t-shirts that play on an already existing concept and make it Christian.
I read a captivating article by Shane Claiborne the other day, “The Christian Industry Complex,” in which he articulated my feelings on all of this much better than I ever could, so here’s a portion of the article (but it’s worth reading the whole thing).
“I later learned that Christian art doesn’t have to be a mediocre counterfeit of the original. And I learned that Christianity is not about conforming to the world, but about being transformed by a God who is crazy about the poor, fond of toppling the powerful, and raising up the lowly.
In light of all the exciting movements addressing world hunger and peace, many with Christians in the forefront, I really believe Christian(s) should be pioneers and innovators, rather than chameleons.”
I hope as Christians we begin to pave the way in culture instead of copy it. Besides, the cinema could use a few more movies like Faith Like Potatoes.
Photo Credit: Logo look-alikes
I hear ya – on the one hand, I am really hungry for some "clean" entertainment… on the other hand, what you said.
I agree with what you are saying Bruce and often find myself thinking the same thoughts.
Madeleine L'Engle wrote in her book Walking On Water, "Basically there can be no categories such as "religious" art and "secular" art, because all true art is incarnational, and therefore, religious…To be truly Christian means to see Christ everywhere, to know him as all in all."
So should "Christian" artists create art in a different way, or should Christians everywhere become more adept at ignoring the walls between the sacred and the secular? Hijack "secular" art and the "Christian" symbolism, metaphor and meaning that it inherently has to offer?
Isn't all good art Christian art?
I think the emphasis would have to be on "good." There is a lot out there classified as "art."
sorry Rachel, for some reason I thought Bruce wrote that…
I think those are great questions and my hope would be that the walls between the sacred and the secular begin to be ignored…or at least blurred.
I think so many times people feel the need to put a Christian stamp on things and I'm not sure why. We even see it in publishing. People seem to get uncomfortable with a subtle Christian message and instead want something the screams, "I'm Christian. I'm safe. You can read me."
Thinking about Shane's statement, "Christian art doesn't have to be a mediocre counterfeit of the original." I have always been moved by classic art and music, back when ALL of the best art was "Christian." Almost every great piece of music was written with sacred purpose. I was reminded of this as I listened to the Kansas City Symphony's performance of Handel's Messiah. God inspires the BEST art [movies included] I think we just need to recognize that the best artists don't feel obligated to label their work as "Christian," it just is.
Well said!
I think perhaps behind everything is motivation. what I found motivates people in our time and culture is sadly money.
Too often I see Christian ministries and businesses have workers that are good but not great. The money is not there so the really talented and trained people go somewhere else or are not even saved so they never consider doing such a thing. We need to give our absolute best to the Lord no matter what statues or pay it might bring.
I liked Facing the Giants and Fireproof, but I understand the concerns as well. The flip side is sometimes I feel like "Just once can't some publisher do a VBS without aping a popular kid's animated movie"? And how many takeoffs do we really need of "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"?
Christian music? As you imply, it's sadly derivative. I stopped listening years ago, because of that. Sad but true.
I think what you mean is you stopped listening to poorly-written music with cliched lyrics that happened to include the name Jesus and often some Bible verses, and definitely didn't have any questionable language. The music you listen to now is probably full of Christian metaphor and meaning (I challenge anyone to find an album that doesn't deal with death, resurrection or redemption in some form).
In other words, you gave up poor art for sacred art. Just my opinion.
Completely agreed, Shawn.
I think people of all stripes can glorify God with their art – Luke 19:40. (I may be taking that verse out of context, but I still believe that concept.)
A lot of art is compromised by becoming mainstream. Both in the "Christian" and "secular" world there are always art that appeals to the masses but is rejected by others. There is a terrible over-arching tendency to let the love of money affect true artistry and as a result a lot of good "Christian" and "secular" art gets ignored. Would The Blindside have been ignored if it didn't have the story of Michael Oher and instead a football player who never made it to college/NFL or a lesser known actress other than Sandra Bullock?
Something I heard on a local Christian station stood out to me. The ad was for the station itself and the idea was that we are used to listening to music for its inherent aesthetic pleasure but we should try listening to it to enjoy its message.
My reaction is that yes, that's a neat idea and it resonates with me for the many times I've turned off the secular musical influences in my life. My other reaction is to wonder why we can't have the best of both worlds. God is better than the devil, right? Christians are inspired by the Holy Spirit, right? So we should hear from Him and make better music/art, right?
However, consider my guilt and examine yourself for its presence: I have more than once noticed that I enjoy a song on the radio LESS as soon as I realize it's on a Christian station. I either have predetermined that is is cheesy/worse quality, or I simply look down on the [secularly stereotypical] simpleton-ness of that subculture.