Christian Arts and Media and the Cultural Mandate Redeeming the Arts

Objective: Great Commission - Evangelism Cultural Mandate - To MAKE DISCIPLES

Great Commission -

Evangelism

Cultural Mandate -

To MAKE DISCIPLES

Partnership Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it .

Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it .

4 Dimension of Christian Arts Historical Biblical Strategic Cross-Cultural

Historical

Biblical

Strategic

Cross-Cultural

… on Arts and the Bible "As evangelical Christians, we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life. The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. We have misunderstood the concept of the Lordship of Christ over the whole of man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives, and for our culture." Francis Schaeffer Theologian, Philosopher, Pastor 1912-1984

"As evangelical Christians, we have tended to relegate art to the very fringe of life.

The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality.

We have misunderstood the concept of the Lordship of Christ over the whole of man and the whole of the universe and have not taken to us the riches that the Bible gives us for ourselves, for our lives, and for our culture."

Francis Schaeffer

Theologian, Philosopher, Pastor

1 Samuel 17:45-47 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.

47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Challenge in Media 25% have the ‘f’ word 61% take the Lord’s name in vain 71% contain vulgar references to intercourse or the genitals 50% imply sexual intercourse 13% show intercourse 30% feature explicit nudity 75% display moderate or severe violence 74% depict alcohol or other drug abuse

25% have the ‘f’ word

61% take the Lord’s name in vain

71% contain vulgar references to intercourse or the genitals

50% imply sexual intercourse

13% show intercourse

30% feature explicit nudity

75% display moderate or severe violence

74% depict alcohol or other drug abuse

1 The Challenge Where is Christ’s voice in the arts and culture? Who is bringing the Word of the Lord to this generation? Where are the Christian artists, visionaries, film-makers, musicians, actors, dancers, and television producers?

Where is Christ’s voice in the arts and culture?

Who is bringing the Word of the Lord to this generation?

Where are the Christian artists, visionaries, film-makers, musicians, actors, dancers, and television producers?

Matthew 5:13 “ You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“ You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

Hebrews 2:8 … you put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

… you put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

Revelation 11:15 …“ The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

…“ The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

ARTS are NOT NEUTRAL All of the arts have tremendous subliminal power to affect cultures and shape history . They either honor or dishonor God. They often guide and instruct the culture in which they are birthed. Artistic works can weaken or destroy the civilization in which they were created. And because artistic expression is a part of life, Art inescapably affects all of us.

All of the arts have tremendous subliminal power to affect cultures and shape history .

They either honor or dishonor God. They often guide and instruct the culture in which they are birthed. Artistic works can weaken or destroy the civilization in which they were created.

And because artistic expression is a part of life, Art inescapably affects all of us.

That the arts can be corrupt does not mean that Christians should abandon them. On the contrary, the corruption of the arts means that Christians dare not abandon them any longer. Art (like all things human) needs to be redeemed." --- Gene Edward Veith Culture Editor -World Magazine

That the arts can be corrupt does not mean that Christians should abandon them.

On the contrary, the corruption of the arts means that Christians dare not abandon them any longer. Art (like all things human) needs to be redeemed."

--- Gene Edward Veith

Culture Editor -World Magazine

The Battle Ground We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of people on a global level . And whoever gets their attention and communicates their language wins. Hence the call for creative and relevant forms of Arts and Media.

We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of people on a global level .

And whoever gets their attention and communicates their language wins.

Hence the call for creative and relevant forms of Arts and Media.

More Challenge… We are being bombarded on every front, especially through the media, with images and ideas that are anti-God. Have you ever asked yourself why Harry Potter and endless movies about the supernatural are allowed to take such a stronghold? Has the false theology of religiosity deterred the artist and the visionary from the midst of contemporary Christian culture, leaving big holes for the enemy to stake his territory? Have we made the mistake of defining ourselves only through negatives? What do we stand for? Are we providing a true creative alternative to the culture of our day?

We are being bombarded on every front, especially through the media, with images and ideas that are anti-God.

Have you ever asked yourself why Harry Potter and endless movies about the supernatural are allowed to take such a stronghold?

Has the false theology of religiosity deterred the artist and the visionary from the midst of contemporary Christian culture, leaving big holes for the enemy to stake his territory?

Have we made the mistake of defining ourselves only through negatives?

What do we stand for?

Are we providing a true creative alternative to the culture of our day?

2 The Call To Act

1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work .

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work .

Strategic Weapons Song, dance, drama and the visual arts are capable of being some of the greatest offensive weapons we have in the body of Christ. In a highly audiovisual generation that is becoming increasingly multimedia oriented in its language, God desires to pour out his divine creativity to captivate the imaginations of this generation. He needs willing and devoted vessels to do so. Creative/Worshipping warriors are required for the job. Prophetic evangelism and disciple-making is the way of the future.

Song, dance, drama and the visual arts are capable of being some of the greatest offensive weapons we have in the body of Christ.

In a highly audiovisual generation that is becoming increasingly multimedia oriented in its language, God desires to pour out his divine creativity to captivate the imaginations of this generation.

He needs willing and devoted vessels to do so.

Creative/Worshipping warriors are required for the job.

Prophetic evangelism and disciple-making is the way of the future.

We have been given spiritual weaponry to bring down every thought and idea that exalts itself above the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:5). In the times to come, creativity and boldness will exemplify the front-line in the battle for mankind. And it will be the people who know their God that shall be strong and do great exploits to the glory of God (Daniel 11 :32).

We have been given spiritual weaponry to bring down every thought and idea that exalts itself above the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:5).

In the times to come, creativity and boldness will exemplify the front-line in the battle for mankind.

And it will be the people who know their God that shall be strong and do great exploits to the glory of God (Daniel 11 :32).

3 The Battle Plan

Our Objective Our objective is to take the gospel to all people throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. We must constantly refocus our attention to make sure we are on track. Security involves knowing about your enemy and having continual protection against him. I believe there are very specific powers and principalities that have controlled the performing arts arena for a long time, and we need to identify what these are and advance forward to conquer these ruling authorities and dislodge them from the high places of power. We can’t afford to waste time and energy fighting the wrong enemy, for example, criticizing and competing with one another. It’s time to know the real enemy and expose him, for our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the spiritual realm (Eph 6:12).

Our objective is to take the gospel to all people throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations.

We must constantly refocus our attention to make sure we are on track.

Security involves knowing about your enemy and having continual protection against him. I believe there are very specific powers and principalities that have controlled the performing arts arena for a long time, and we need to identify what these are and advance forward to conquer these ruling authorities and dislodge them from the high places of power.

We can’t afford to waste time and energy fighting the wrong enemy, for example, criticizing and competing with one another.

It’s time to know the real enemy and expose him, for our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the spiritual realm (Eph 6:12).

Pitfalls artists need to be aware: Self-promotion Lust - Self-conceit Pride and Insecurity Fear of man Jealousy Bitterness, Criticism, Unforgiveness, Self-pity, and Self-righteousness Spirit of religion Spirit of Death

Self-promotion

Lust - Self-conceit

Pride and Insecurity

Fear of man

Jealousy

Bitterness, Criticism, Unforgiveness, Self-pity, and Self-righteousness

Spirit of religion

Spirit of Death

God, in His mercy, reveals these things to us that we might understand and know the poverty of our own spirits and turn to him with utter dependence and reverence. Humility is something we are required to cultivate. Don’t ask God to humble you - humble yourself under His mighty hand. These unclean and demonic spirits are not afraid of you when you are hiding in your own darkness and deception but when you confess the sin in your heart and turn from it, God’s holy presence takes over possession of your soul and sin cannot survive in that environment. Then, you are equipped and prepared to face the outside enemies.

God, in His mercy, reveals these things to us that we might understand and know the poverty of our own spirits and turn to him with utter dependence and reverence.

Humility is something we are required to cultivate. Don’t ask God to humble you - humble yourself under His mighty hand.

These unclean and demonic spirits are not afraid of you when you are hiding in your own darkness and deception but when you confess the sin in your heart and turn from it, God’s holy presence takes over possession of your soul and sin cannot survive in that environment. Then, you are equipped and prepared to face the outside enemies.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Acts 2:17 “‘ In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

“‘ In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Matthew 13:24-30 24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' 28 "`An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?' 29 "`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

28 "`An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

29 "`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.

30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"