April 21, 2009
Suburban Christianity and the Cult of Me
Chucking opinions out online is like throwing feathers into the wind. You never know where they’re going to end up and which ones will float back your direction. Usually, I have traffic coming in from a variety of message boards that I have nothing to do with. People get chatting, someone does some Google fishing and comes up with one of my posts. They toss a link up and, more times than not, the commenters descend on my review like ravenous lions on a bleeding impala. This kind of thing is happening right now on at least three boards that I know about. As a rule, I will follow a link back to see what’s being said. 99.9999% of the time it's a gaggle of no-minds tossing around pedestrian moral arguments that make no sense if pressed. In one case, I’ve come up on a board I feel compelled to talk about here. These folks aren’t the usual troupe of hyperventilating dimwits trying to sound smarter than one another. Over at BaptistBoard.com, there’s a brief exchange about Christian film reviews sites. During the discussion one writer explains that her 13 year old son is bugging her to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Someone does a Google search and they find my review. To sum it up, I find it an enjoyable movie founded in one of the strongest scripts I’ve ever read (structurally speaking.) I have an issue with the film since it promotes reverse mortality, good = evil, evil = good. It isn’t obvious, but structurally, this is what the story does. It says breaking moral codes, being a pirate, is superior to keeping to duties and responsibilities. Read the full review for more on my point regarding the film. Why I’m talking about his here is the end of the comment string on the board. The person with the 13 year old says
“I don't guess we'll be watching it. Better safe than sorry.”
This is where I slap my palm to my forehead.
Previous generations confronted witchdoctors, satanists and all matter of philosophical creep. Us? We’re sent running by Johnny Depp in a handkerchief.
It is my opinions that many Christians have become far too scared of this big bad world to be of any use in saving it. Honestly, better safe than sorry over a Disney movie? Regarding a 13 year old? This teen will presumptively be leaving the home in less than five years and he/she is too fragile to handle Pirates of the Caribbean? I don’t necessarily mean to launch on this woman trying to look out for her family. It’s just that I see this all of the time - parents over protecting Christian kids to the point of hobbling their ability to cope with the world as it exists. My advice to her is simple, let the kid watch if they want and use this moment. Wisdom only works if its used and the social arguments made in the film can be a launching board to discuss not only the film's philosophy but also how even an innocent looking chunk of culture can influence our thinking. But, my beef isn’t really with this specific movie, but more about the cultural choice in general. American Christians have become wimpy. Unable to stand on our own. We pride ourselves in being outside of the modern culture when in truth we reek of it. The modern culture celebrates the big me. Everything is about me. Secularists mock Christ primarily because His presence demands they stop looking out for me. It is about Him not me and that's just too intrusive for most folk.
When I hear some Christian swooning in fear over movies or anything else in the culture, it warns we have become too interested about me. Over and over I hear Christians say that they never or rarely watch movies because they’re too concerned about being tempted, being led astray. Too often I see Christians talking about boycotting or protesting things they don’t like. This is all about the big me more than it is about God and we should be ashamed.
Obviously, it is important to keep tabs on one’s temptations and to do one’s best to not allow one’s weaknesses to run their lives. This, what should be a caution, has turned into a lifestyle for many Christians. It’s what I call "suburban Christianity". Having been weaned in American culture, the modern suburban Christian is completely consumed by the big me. This fear of being tempted is a self-serving racket meant to put the Christian in a strange victim role where they are constantly being taunted by the evil culture outside their door. The big bad world is nasty and scary and, golly, I’m so precious, so tender in the Lord’s eye, that poor little me can’t take the slightest breeze of discomfort. Again, before people start firing off comments, let me make this clear – I’m not talking about actual temptation (watching porn, torture porn horror movies, other salacious material) I’m talking someone who cowers under their pillow over Lord of the Rings because Gandalf casts spells.
This suburban Christianity is so focused on training Christians to cover their own theological butts that they can’t effectively speak to those outside the church walls. We are to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) How can we do this if we’re too frightened to take on our own DVD players?
I’m not saying you have to go out and watch the whole Saw series to be able to deliver the Word. What I am saying is that we have become too comfortable and too cautious – I’ll even go as far to say that we’ve gotten too lazy. It is easier to write off the world than to lend a hand in trying to save it. It is easier to avoid all temptation and all arguments against the faith than to confront them and hold them to the light of Christ. Allowing this avoidance culture corrupt the church is THE biggest reason we are in the cultural mess we’re in today. Sick of seeing porn on demand? Tired of living in a culture where news broadcasters can make “teabagging” jokes on air without fear of reprisal? Disgusted by the mockery of our Lord on prime time television? We have no one but ourselves to blame. The maintenance of this world falls to us, not someone else. When we turn our backs on the culture because it’s too icky and gosh I’m so sensitive – what do you expect will happen? Go find your Bible. Look up Acts 17:16-34. Did Paul shy away from the enemy? Did he turn from a fight? No. He went in, learned the culture and learned its language. He became like his hosts and turned them using their own arguments, their own ways. If Paul was with us today would he be too scared to view Pirates of the Caribbean? No. I believe he’d watch it to discuss its merits and its flaws. Then he’d use it to teach if he could find a way. Then again, Paul wasn’t so much into that whole me thing.
Here is the kicker, if you honestly believe the Bible, if you truly meant the words that passed your lips at your baptism then how can you turn your back on your fellow man for the sake of yourself? We are Christian. We believe that HE is the only way. When you turn your back on the culture, when you decide you’re too fragile or things are too corrupt for you to deal with, you are saying your comfort is more critical than the salvation of your fellow man. Scared of being tempted? Frightened of a trial of faith - then you pray and then get up off your behind and lean into the storm and persevere - then pray some more. Yes, we must protect ourselves but you can take it too far. You don’t wear a suit of armor to a football game. We must put aside this weak and pathetic crutch of being too important to do the hard work. We shouldn’t search out sinful behavior but we shouldn’t avoid it when it comes around. Confront it, call it by its name and understand it. Christians are meant to be out in the world, not hidden in their caves. After all, who is stronger in their faith? The man who protests outside the brothel or the Christian who walks inside and talks to the whores and tries to get them help?
“I don't guess we'll be watching it. Better safe than sorry.”
This is where I slap my palm to my forehead.
Previous generations confronted witchdoctors, satanists and all matter of philosophical creep. Us? We’re sent running by Johnny Depp in a handkerchief.
It is my opinions that many Christians have become far too scared of this big bad world to be of any use in saving it. Honestly, better safe than sorry over a Disney movie? Regarding a 13 year old? This teen will presumptively be leaving the home in less than five years and he/she is too fragile to handle Pirates of the Caribbean? I don’t necessarily mean to launch on this woman trying to look out for her family. It’s just that I see this all of the time - parents over protecting Christian kids to the point of hobbling their ability to cope with the world as it exists. My advice to her is simple, let the kid watch if they want and use this moment. Wisdom only works if its used and the social arguments made in the film can be a launching board to discuss not only the film's philosophy but also how even an innocent looking chunk of culture can influence our thinking. But, my beef isn’t really with this specific movie, but more about the cultural choice in general. American Christians have become wimpy. Unable to stand on our own. We pride ourselves in being outside of the modern culture when in truth we reek of it. The modern culture celebrates the big me. Everything is about me. Secularists mock Christ primarily because His presence demands they stop looking out for me. It is about Him not me and that's just too intrusive for most folk.
When I hear some Christian swooning in fear over movies or anything else in the culture, it warns we have become too interested about me. Over and over I hear Christians say that they never or rarely watch movies because they’re too concerned about being tempted, being led astray. Too often I see Christians talking about boycotting or protesting things they don’t like. This is all about the big me more than it is about God and we should be ashamed.
Obviously, it is important to keep tabs on one’s temptations and to do one’s best to not allow one’s weaknesses to run their lives. This, what should be a caution, has turned into a lifestyle for many Christians. It’s what I call "suburban Christianity". Having been weaned in American culture, the modern suburban Christian is completely consumed by the big me. This fear of being tempted is a self-serving racket meant to put the Christian in a strange victim role where they are constantly being taunted by the evil culture outside their door. The big bad world is nasty and scary and, golly, I’m so precious, so tender in the Lord’s eye, that poor little me can’t take the slightest breeze of discomfort. Again, before people start firing off comments, let me make this clear – I’m not talking about actual temptation (watching porn, torture porn horror movies, other salacious material) I’m talking someone who cowers under their pillow over Lord of the Rings because Gandalf casts spells.
This suburban Christianity is so focused on training Christians to cover their own theological butts that they can’t effectively speak to those outside the church walls. We are to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20) How can we do this if we’re too frightened to take on our own DVD players?
I’m not saying you have to go out and watch the whole Saw series to be able to deliver the Word. What I am saying is that we have become too comfortable and too cautious – I’ll even go as far to say that we’ve gotten too lazy. It is easier to write off the world than to lend a hand in trying to save it. It is easier to avoid all temptation and all arguments against the faith than to confront them and hold them to the light of Christ. Allowing this avoidance culture corrupt the church is THE biggest reason we are in the cultural mess we’re in today. Sick of seeing porn on demand? Tired of living in a culture where news broadcasters can make “teabagging” jokes on air without fear of reprisal? Disgusted by the mockery of our Lord on prime time television? We have no one but ourselves to blame. The maintenance of this world falls to us, not someone else. When we turn our backs on the culture because it’s too icky and gosh I’m so sensitive – what do you expect will happen? Go find your Bible. Look up Acts 17:16-34. Did Paul shy away from the enemy? Did he turn from a fight? No. He went in, learned the culture and learned its language. He became like his hosts and turned them using their own arguments, their own ways. If Paul was with us today would he be too scared to view Pirates of the Caribbean? No. I believe he’d watch it to discuss its merits and its flaws. Then he’d use it to teach if he could find a way. Then again, Paul wasn’t so much into that whole me thing.
Here is the kicker, if you honestly believe the Bible, if you truly meant the words that passed your lips at your baptism then how can you turn your back on your fellow man for the sake of yourself? We are Christian. We believe that HE is the only way. When you turn your back on the culture, when you decide you’re too fragile or things are too corrupt for you to deal with, you are saying your comfort is more critical than the salvation of your fellow man. Scared of being tempted? Frightened of a trial of faith - then you pray and then get up off your behind and lean into the storm and persevere - then pray some more. Yes, we must protect ourselves but you can take it too far. You don’t wear a suit of armor to a football game. We must put aside this weak and pathetic crutch of being too important to do the hard work. We shouldn’t search out sinful behavior but we shouldn’t avoid it when it comes around. Confront it, call it by its name and understand it. Christians are meant to be out in the world, not hidden in their caves. After all, who is stronger in their faith? The man who protests outside the brothel or the Christian who walks inside and talks to the whores and tries to get them help?
Labels: Christianity, Christians, miscellaneous
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 8:00 AM
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8 Comments:
My take on your message is that Christians in particular need to be trained to reject, not ignor, the messages of the relativists, materialists and secularists.
All Chirstians, except folks like the Amish, are sitting in a media tank where they are metaphorically submerged in bad messages. You go to church for an hour or so on Sunday, and go to the church of the media for at least 10 times that. So the sermons you're getting from the media are all encompassing, so much so that the entire culture is becoming toxic.
You're right that movies like POTC should be used as "teaching moments" to have kids learn to reject the blatant agressive culture so they can be prepared for the more subtle stuff. If they don't have that facility developed by the time they're teens, they're likely to be lost.
Scott, I gotta disagree with you on this one. I always figure my 13 year old can wait till he's 15, or 17, or never, to watch some movies. It doesn't hurt to wait, or even to never watch any particular title.
I'm not parenting out of fear, but caution. I can't wait to watch The Godfather with my boys, but I will wait until it's appropriate. There are a lot of movies we don't watch, and a lot more we don't let our kids watch, but there are still more than we can see in their entire childhood that are OK for them. I just got a call and don't have time to finish this right now, but I hope to come back and complete my thoughts.
Robert, c'mon, get done with work. I want to hear what you have to say.
I will amend that parents obviously need to be mindful of what their kids are watching, regardless of age. I don't intend on attacking actual parenting here - which is why I backed away from the woman who set me off in the first place. Parents should have standards, heck, I have them for myself and my kids. What I am trying to speak to is the more impulsive/restrictive end of the spectrum that starves themselves off from any potential threat - real or perceived - for the sake of comfort. I see these Christians as being too timid.
K, "Christians in particular need to be trained to reject, not ignore, the messages of the relativists, materialists and secularists." CORRECT. A lie told but not rebutted sounds like the truth. We have the truth and we need to start acting like it. With what I believe is coming, I believe we need to equip our young to be far more assertive and brave than we have in the past. Avoidance Christianity is the reason we've gotten in this mess in first place.
It's a shame to see Christians avoiding a thing of excellence out of fear. Of course the message in PotC is bad--but the movie is still excellent. We've got to learn to recognize and appreciate excellence, truth, and beauty where we see them, even when we have to work to refute an idea that is embedded in it. This is how we end up with poorly made, poorly written "Christian" films that we are all supposed to love because "the message is so good." The style is part of the message: if we're expected to praise a bad movie that's poorly made because of the message, what does that say about our committment to truth and beauty, of which God is the source?
Joi, you contradict yourself. You say we have to acknowledge beauty/style even while rejecting the idea/message behind it, but then you say the style/beauty is part of the message/idea. In reality, the style is the carrier for the idea. That's part of what is so bad about the great style of so many movies, most people aren't watching with a mind toward the message, and since it's so cool looking, they just imbibe the message without knowing it.
We watch for the message in a film and regularly point them out to our kids such as "John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart died of smoking, so even though they look cool doing it, they paid for it," or "Aladdin is a thief, so even though he has charisma, that doesn't' make it right."
Now I haven't gone back to the original message board, or seen the movie that started this discussion, but the principles hold. Not every movie needs to be seen no matter how well done it is.
I agree that parenting out of fear is a very bad way to do it, and I think that causes more problems than just about anything else Christian parents do. The problem with parenting out of fear is that when young Christians encounter others, they have to either give up their beliefs (which way too many do) or withdraw (like their parents did). They have no defense or immunity. No wisdom. But I don't think any particular movie is going to give them that wisdom, no matter how well done it is. I am under no obligation to show my kids a well done movie, my obligation is to train them to influence the world. Yes, there is some background knowledge of media included in that.
As to all this being a focus on ME, I'm not sure that's always correct. I have a friend in his mid or late 30s who won't watch anything PG-13 or above. This bothered me at first, but you know what, he doesn't have that freedom, and according to I Corinthians. I don't know much about his past, but he believes he needs this to maintain holiness. It's between him and God, and I wouldn't want to cause him to do anything "not done in faith." Which is sin.
"This suburban Christianity is so focused on training Christians to cover their own theological butts that they can’t effectively speak to those outside the church walls." This is a big problem, but I don't see this one very often, even in my conservative Southern Baptist church. What I see more of is lack of discernment on which movies to watch and why. Is violence ok but sex isn't? Why? I much prefer sex to violence. Also, depending one what one's social mileu is, movies may not be the lingua franca.
You use Paul as support, but Paul was an adult.
Perhaps I'm overly cautious, but parenting is like a funnel, you start at the small end, with few freedoms for the kid, and as he grows, you give him more freedoms, but not until he is ready for them.
This is really hard to do in this little window the comments section gives you. I hope I made some sense.
Robert,
Thanks for coming back. Honestly, I think we agree here. My post isn't intended to be a all-encompassing statement...and upon reading it again, not necessarily a well written one either. You are absolutely correct to be mindful of the direction in Corinthians. It is important, and trust me, given what I do here, I run up against it all the time. It does ultimately come down to people choosing what is right based on their own conscious.
The Cult of Me I'm referring to I find when dealing with people immersed in corporate Christian culture rather than the Bible.
I concur with your funnel statement, it is how I introduce my kids to content. A little at a time so they can learn to mind themselves and their souls. I get frustrated when I see more and more Christians trade in the funnel for a straw, never widening their kids' view of the world - or their view for that matter.
In regards to Joi's point: The works of many composers, artists and writers aren't Christian in the slightest but still manage to reflect upon the beauty of existence - God's creation. Praising the beauty while disagreeing with the message is like praising the sugar that covers a poison pill. I think it is valid and important to acknowledge both if they are there. The contrast between the artistry against the corruption of the message can be a valuable tool.
Scott, I see your point and we probably do agree. Now that you mention corporate Christian culture, I know where you're coming from. I was probably a little quick to post my first comment, but couldn't pass up the chance to discuss this.
Sorry, the computer was logged into my wife's account. That last comment is Robert M. Lindsey.
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