"This in no way implies a freewheeling approach to all artistic expressions (movies, music, etc.) but it does imply an intense awareness of what our culture is saying in order to communicate Christ clearly (Acts 17:16ff)."

I think this is where many Christians fail. Because of their fears of actually looking at 'secular art' or listening to 'secular music' they are left innocent of any real knowledge of the culture they live in...hence their inability to communicate Christ to the culture. Can you honestly change something (our culture) if you live in total ignorance of it? I love that you used my favorite verse (1 Thess. 5.21), and the second part is 'hold fast to what is good'. I think sometimes, in our safe Christian bubble, we don't to ask the 'why' questions because it would make it seem to others that our faith is not strong. 'Real Christians don't ask why'. I think St. Paul's charge in 1 Thessalonians encourages us to ask the why questions...and, like you said, about everything, and then hold to what the truth shows itself to be. When you think about it, St. Paul shows his extreme confidence in the validity of Christ and Christianity by this statement.
Anyway, much to long of a comment. My apologies.

Great discussion!

I'm currently in a bible study which focuses on equipping artists, musicians and creatives alike.

There are so many issues that stem from great art discussion, some which can be really personal - like your identity in Christ, recognition not equalling worth, art as a response, desires vs giftedness- and so on.

Then you cross from the personal to corporate - role of arts in the church, the lines of secular vs sacred...and everything spirals out - of course this is a huge discussion!

In our bible study we just commented last week which songs in our lives were the most classic- tying them to significant moments. Most of the guys are older, so all their songs were by the Beatles or James Taylor or other bands from thosee time. It was interesed to see that the passion found in commercialized music was raw, honest, and existent.

Redemptively speaking, we should make what others aren't making, tell what others aren't telling, go where others aren't going, and find ourselves by giving our lives away. And if by glorifying God with our giftedness, in any form, we are recognized we are being honest, true, and worshipping Him.

Sometimes its more about asking the questions than always finding an answers. We should only be as lucky to leave church or chapel feelings uneasy, as we will be more apt to change.

stvn

Hi Dr. Brown,

After completing two semesters at CU, I transferred to another Christian college (which shall remain nameless) closer to home.  However, after just a few weeks, I began to regret my decision!  There are too many good things going on at CU that I miss, including incredible faithfulness to consistent biblical truth and the atmosphere.  After hearing you speak in chapel and witnessing the way you serve and relate to the student body, the school I'm at now definitely comes up short.  I really appreciate your dedication to worldview issues and truthful examination of pop culture, which isn't found at all Christian colleges and universities.  I just wanted to thank you for the great job you do, and I look forward to transferring back in January.  Blessings!

Hi Dr. Brown,
Just stopping in to say hi! I don't update my xanga, although I do have an account. My continuously updated blog is at http://tienab.blogspot.com
Check it out if you like...you might even get some extra laught!
Thanks for taking the time to discuss stuff with us students...It means a lot.

~ Tiena

I agree with the general thread of this art idea... as Dr. Matson would say (in his patented voice), "There is no sacred-secular dichotomy".

I like your phrase, "we have a unique capacity to transcend ourselves with artistic expressions." I think this is at the core of what art is... mixing transcendance with clay, if you will. Based on this idea, I think it's a mistake if ALL we do is analyze worldview or skill, or whatever else, in art. We have to participate in it, put something of ourselves into it. Of course, to 'participate' can be dangerous, and we definitely have to observe the principle of running from temptation (I mean, in the areas we are personally weak at). But, that is how you really 'get' art, how to understand it. And even if the person is the most seemingly anti-Christian person out there, if it is authentic art, it must have truth in it, and if there's truth, it must be God's truth (that's the only kind!). The task, I think, is for us to see beyond the person to the bit of 'transcendance' -- the divine spark -- that they communicated simply because they can't help it... the image of God in man can't be stamped out.

When I look at art, I always try to see past the periphery and seeming to the kernel of truth hidden at its center, and learn from that kernel. Like a pearl hidden in a muddy field...

Great insight. I thoroughly agree.  Art is a great window into our culture and I love looking through it to the philosophies held by it's authors.  I appreciate your commitment to it and perspectives on it.  We should never be afraid to evaluate secular art.  Even an unbeliever can stumble across truth and I think its great when they do.  Truth doesn't just exist in the heart of the believer - it exists in the world that the Creator made and it's all of our jobs to seek it out; whenever and wherever we can find it.  I look for truth always and often find it in unexpected places.  Just as long as we always evaluate every idea in light of God's truth. 

I work with Back-2-Back, one of the Christian Youth Ministries on campus. As leaders in the youth group, we have Bible studies with the kids at their houses over the week and this year I let them choose their topic. Guess what they chose?

Yup They want to know about their culture. We recently covered music and picked out songs from Evanescence and Linkin Park. I agree, it truly is sad how desparate the outside world is...

...I couldn't imagine living in it without a Christ.