consider this: in the 21st Century, what is the equivelant of the public square?
It's that TV, and this computer monitor.
Think of today, when you have "Christian Networks" , for instance, like "TBN".
Now, considering that, how many here, believe that such a network, like TBN, brings Glory to God?
I dont even want to list some of the folks that buy airtime on that network.
Now, lets think of Paul's time on Mar Hills...how did he comport himself?
As an artist, as a writer, when I work I do it for the Glory to God and to Glorify God, but what the "world", that is the "business" of media, whether it be televised content, or publishing loves to do is to "ghetto-ize" followers of Jesus who are artists, and pin the moniker, "Christian movie", or "Christian book", on a piece of art that has been made to Glorify God, and in the process those who have been "hurt" or abused by the church, will veer so far away from that movie or book, I've seen it and heard this testimony so many times.
So, when I work, I try to work in the spirit that Paul did on Mars Hill, and refuse to be pigeon holed by the world, so that those who are lost, wont even consider, picking up a book I wrote, because it says "Christian", or coming to a play I wrote that advertises itself as "Christian".
Now, many many books written by giants of the Faith, are wonderful, in instruction, encouragement, teaching to those who walk in the light, the tsadikkim, the righteous, but what did Jesus say, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice'. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners'."
and to say that those who's gifting is in the arts, whatever discipline that maybe, are dancing and playing with the "world", when they exercise their gifts for the Glory of God, is a rather short-sighted view of what is "ministry". Who is man to say, anothers ministry, is a dance with the devil, or unprofitable?
Praise God, if one delves into the writings of A.W. Pink, or has the "Collected Works of J. Hudson Taylor", as I do, as I have many other biographies of missionaries, some antique, and these are stirring. These men and women went to far off lands to preach and teach and heal and witness the Love of Christ, but I say, sometimes your mission field is right in front of you, using the gifts that God has given you, and many of those who DONT know Christ, wrap themselves in "entertainment", just to relieve the boredom of a life led in darkness, what sin is it, to provide "content" that has a seamless Christology, and thus pricks the hearts of the penitent, pricks the hearts of the "sick"?
One piece of art, that directly pricked my heart was film written and directed and starred Robert Duvall, called, "The Apostle"....so let me ask you, did he write, direct and star in this film in vain? Even if it was just to "get" me?
or what about a film like "The Passion of the Christ"? It was directed by an adherent of the roman church, Mel Gibson. How MANY were brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by viewing this film?
I would dare to speculate...many, which is why the devil attacked Mel, got him drinking again, got him driving drunk again, he got caught, and then what did the enemy impel him to spew from his mouth? The worst sort of alcohol fueled anti-semitism he could rage. The enemy did this, because the film DID bring many into the Kingdom.
Paul's witness on Mar Hills resonated because he was culturally relevant in that time, to those people, because you love Jesus, who told you to love them.
Babies need milk before they can get solid food, and you use the gifts God gave you, thats what the Holy Spirit impresses upon me....but be very wary of being arrogant in your righteousness and your knowledge of Christ. (I dont say this to any one person) Embrace mercy and realize the mission field, is an evolving, everchanging cultural rubric, and not everyone out there who is thirsting of the Living Waters, dying and sick, will gravitate, or be called by the works of 18th century theologians....or as Paul said, "when I am among the Jews...."
neil
