I've been on an old movie kick the last few weeks. Anyone who knows me knows I love movies (films, if you prefer). But there's something refreshing about seeing really good actors creating really memorable characters without unnecessary distractions like nudity or explosions or car chases.
Three movies I've purchased in the last week have really made me think:
1. "Inherit the Wind" (1960)--Spencer Tracy and Frederic March play attorneys squaring off on the creation vs. evolution issue in a film based on the "Scopes Monkey Trial."
2. "The Intruder" (1962)--A pre-"Star Trek" William Shatner plays a charismatic racist stirring up trouble in a small town in which the schools have just been integrated (any coincidence to the the Little Rock Central High case is very deliberate).
3. "A Face in the Crowd" (1957)--A young unknown named Andy Griffith plays an Arkansas con-man (of course) who becomes an egomaniacal celebrity who influences public opinion and political policy.
What struck me as I watched these old movies (two of which pre-date me) is that the issues they address are still with us. If they were remade today, the issues would be as current as they were in the 1950's and 1960's. So, how do we address these issues today, especially in light of our faith? I'm not talking about a revolution, but are Christians really impacting the culture, or is the opposite true--the culture is shaping Christianity?
Discuss among yourselves and share your thoughts.
A psychology professor, English professor, and business professor share their thoughts on all things good, beautiful, and true. And also, we have a plethora of piñatas.
3 comments:
I don't know how directly my thoughts will address your post, but here they are nonetheless.
I'm reminded of a book by H. Richard Niebuhr, "Christ and Culture" written in 1951.
In it he states, "...it is helpful to remember that the question of Christianity and civilization is by no means a new one; that Christian perplexity in this area has been perennial, and that the problem has been an enduring one through all the Christian centuries. It is also helpful to recall that the repeated struggles of Christians with this problem have yielded no single Christian answer..."
He then goes on to describe throughout the rest of the book the 5 main approaches/answers Christians have given in relating Christ and culture:
(1) Christ Against Culture
(2) The Christ of Culture
(3) Christ Above Culture
(4) Christ and Culture in Paradox
(5) Christ the Transformer of Culture
And Niebuhr reminds us that "Christ's answer to the problem of human culture is one thing, Christians answers are another."
I highly recommend the book. Not because I agree with everything, but because it stimulates thinking about Christianity and culture. Even thought it was written in 1951 (and maybe precisely because it was), I especially recommend it for those interested in postmodernism, the emerging/emergent church, and anyone invested in being culturally relevant.
And by the way, thanks for the post! I thought I was gonna have to rename the blog to "The Lone Amigo."
I want to address specifically the question "...are Christians really impacting the culture, or is the opposite true--the culture is shaping Christianity?"
In my opinion both are true. Let me explain...
In America, it seems that a lot of churches are still in the dark ages doing things the way they do because "that's the way we've always done it and we're not about to change now." I believe that as the culture changes, you have to be able to change in order to relate to new generations of people, thereby impacting the culture. If not, eventually everyone who believes as you do will die out and the church will cease to exist. Others, with growing popularity, are conforming to the world as much as possible in the attempt to entice more people to attend church. There is, to me, a very fine and dangerous line in doing this as well. Our Father in Heaven tells us "...be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." In my opinion, we must do everything we can to reach the lost for Christ. No question. But, we need to do so without becoming like them. We need to seek God's will and try to stay "smack dab" in the middle of it. What we don't need to do is test the extent of Satan's power. We've seen too many saints-turned-sinner in our society because of things like lust, money, power, and fame. They may (or may not) have started out wanting to serve God, but it didn't end up that way. Plain and simple...we need to seek the face of God and seek His will in all things.
On the other hand, new Christian missionaries each year serve on the mission field to follow God's command..."Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." He doesn't tell us specifically HOW to do this...simply to GO "...teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." We have to relate to them in their own culture. We must find ways to teach them the Truth which will draw them to Jesus (based on their culture). Ultimately, they need to change themselves to be like Christ.
Missionaries give up their "culture" completely to serve Him, in some cases. They give up safety, security, modern conveniences, and most of the other "niceties" we enjoy as a nation to go serve God and His people; Some even give their lives. To make an impact on this new culture, they must be unconventional and progressive in the way they relate to and witness to the people group they serve. This is not to say that they have to follow the beliefs of these people mind you, but they must learn to RELATE without giving up who they are and what they believe in the process.
Now here's the catch. If we go serve other nations in culturally relative ways, should we or should we not do so here as well? If the culture of America is to have a "Man Church" where you meet one Saturday a month, there are no suits allowed, and a shot clock counts down the time the preacher has to preach to men who would be otherwise unchurched, should this be OK? Does God tell us to do "whatever it takes?" Let me hear what you think.
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