Thursday, 29 October 2009
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Christians, Get Creative
I hope that I am not alone when I say that I can’t help but cringe when I enter a Christian bookstore. Forget the fact that they bear a resemblance to what seems to be a modern-day version of the temple court filled with money changers, what bothers me the most is the lack of creativity.Yes, I understand that we must be relevant in order to reach the unchurched world, but why does this mean that we need to make sub-par imitations of so-called “worldly” things? Is there really a necessity for t-shirts with a “Jesusified” John Deere logo on it? I’ve heard it said that these are great witnessing tools, but, if we’re being honest, has anyone you know been converted because of a t-shirt?
Christian music is another culprit when it comes bad imitations. While musicians such Sufjan Stevens and the boys of mewithoutYou are giving Christian music hope, there are still entirely too many bands out there trying to be the “Christian version” of insert-secular-band-here. There is a bookstore at home that has a four-foot comparison chart in their music section. If you’re a fan of nearly any “ungodly” musician, they have a “safe” alternative for you (Which makes you wonder, when did Christianity become synonymous with “safe,” anyway?).
What terrifies me is that some of my brothers and sisters genuinely question my salvation solely based on the fact that I don’t like Christian music (meaning Contemporary worship/Christian rock and the like. I’m a huge fan of old, old church music from pre-1900s). It saddens me to think that there are those who do not even give a second thought to judging a person because they listen to secular music. It also scares me to think that there are people out there who are willing to buy almost anything with the name of Jesus on it or just because the band may mention God once or twice.
It comes down to the question, “Why does creativity matter?” As Christians, we believe in a God who created the universe, who painted every sunrise and sunset since creation, who placed every star in the sky, and who gives us music itself. If we are, in fact, made in the image of God Himself, why are we just trying to copy the world? If we are truly made in His image and we are following Him with our entire being, where is our creativity?
Exercise creativity. If you feel that you are not a creative person, pray for creativity. Paint, dance, write a song, play instruments, make a t-shirt. Consider worshiping God in a new way every day. Remember that each and every one of us are made in His image and He is the God of creativity.
Have you experienced Christian imitations of worldly books, music, or clothing? Are you doing anything to be a creative Christian?
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About the Author
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- From: sierrraa@xanga
- Name: Sierra
- About Me: I love G-d. I like languages, purses, and buying cheap things. I hate shoes and Christian culture. I'm awesome and we should be friends.
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Comments (21)
actual, there's no such thing as bad publicity...
My favorite was the Subway knock-off "HisWay" t-shirt.
I think it's totally dorky, and totally cheesy. If anyone tried to convert me with one of their stupid
3 nails
+ 1 cross
= 4given
things ever again I will not be able to stop laughing.
"It also scares me to think that there are people out there who are
willing to buy almost anything with the name of Jesus on it or just
because the band may mention God once or twice."
That scares me too. Although this subject (or at least somewhere near the same lines) has been posted quite a few times on revelife, it's always a good reminder.
I listen to mostly "Christian" music (whether that means it's made by Christians, or has Christian themes - whatever) but I'm kind of like you that I don't like tons of CCM.. or at least the CCM that makes it on the radio. I like a lot of band on Tooth and Naiil records. At T&N they want people to buy their stuff because they make good music - not just becaus it's "Christian."
So, I'm with you, but I would like to say something about "safe alternative" bands. Yes, some bands actually brand themselves as the "Christian whatever" but I think a lot them just want to make the kind of music they enjoy, and since they enjoy music that is popular, they end up becoming the Christian alternative to all the secular bands in that scene. It's not like they set out to be that way.
I hate how revelife edits posts.
@sierrraa@xanga - This one get a lot of editing? That sucks... btw, have you ever read HM Magazine? It's a Christian music magazine and they have a great column about Christians and Art that talks a lot about this kind of thing.
@sierrraa@xanga - Really? A little christian censorship happening here is there??? Good enough to use your labor for there ultimate glory but only there way and under there conditions. Sounds like you been PAWNED girlfriend! lmao!!!!!!!
I am also disquieted by people who buy into things solely because the Jesus stamp is on it (whether He's being used as a logo/slogan, or by a politician). And I LURVE traditional hymns/old Christian folk songs. I miss going to a more traditional church where hymns were sung and the music was a giant organ. My boyfriend's church that I go to is basically a rock concert (Willow Creek. Yeah. That one. ahahahahaa) But old folksie, poor people's gospel singing and the like is what I really feel. Then again, I don't like much secular pop music anyway. They all follow the same form. Sniff. I like your post, even if it is a repeat, because I like the tone and voice of your post over the other ones written on the same subject. Mhm..
@sierrraa@xanga - Feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions about the way Revelife edits posts. Thanks!
I love my christian T-shirts. I am not into buying music just because it is "new". I listen for the anointing on the music. Over my 20 years as a christian I have listened to black gospel,hymns and worship music and christian reggae. There are different musics for different cultures too. Nothing wrong with it.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! I've been saying
this for years and other Christians just chastise me for being "too
critical". When they came out with the Christian version of DDR I vowed
never to step foot in a Christian book stores again. That might be a
bit extreme, but it causes me so much anger and frustration that it's
not worth going into those stores, when I can buy what I need from a
local book-seller at half the price, literally.
@angelsdelight@tripcrazed - "I listen for the anointing on the music." - What does that even mean?
You're so far from alone it isn't even funny. I've had my salvation questioned too, especially in my Youth Group days (that's a whole nother mess) because I preferred Palestrina to Petra. Then I discovered lots of fun ways to mess with people's minds.... ("You don't even know who Henry Lytton is, and you call yourself a believer?")
It's not just Christians, either. I just did a post on atheist kitsch.
Of course, part of the problem is that the bad art of today simply hasn't had a chance to fail the test of time yet. There was no shortage of artistic rubbish back in the days of the good old art we admire; it's just that the good stuff has survived and come down to us. I take comfort in the fact that the bad art will be laughed at today by people who care, and laughed at tomorrow by everyone. See Christian Album Covers of the past for a preview of the future.
Meanwhile, let's make and/or support any good stuff we can today!
@thepurpleporpoise@xanga - There was a Christian version of DDR?! As someone who is a video game fan and junkie, that's a game I've never heard of, but part of me is not surprised to hear that.
There was also a Christian real-time strategy game called Left Behind: Eternal Forces. In addition to completing missions involving converting a number of people, there is also armed combat in the game, which received a great deal of criticism.
@modernmelody - There most definitely is a Christian DDR, but that Left Behind game sounds hysterical to me.
@modernmelody - Praise Praise Revolution. It was bad. I think one of the leaders almost bought it for our youth group.
I think the most relevant thing a Christian can do is live out the Gospel and not compromise it for anything.
And I mean ACTUALLY live out the Gospel, and not just say you're a Christian and hate the gays and condemn abortions.
If it's not creative it's mediocre. God is a God of excellence ( look around if you don't believe me). If God is a God of excellence, then shouldn't we strive for the same thing? I feel so many things that are "Christian" were just thrown together or " a copy" of what a creative "worldly" person created. Like for instance DDR, Apples to Apples, BIBLEOpoly ( shudder), and I could go on.
So if we really want to honor God with our talents, lets stop copying the world and dig inside our own brains for something new...and we don't need to include any "Christian words" either...
now guys, let's not be forgetting the almighty praise ponies!
because secular my little pony is leading our daughters ASTRAYYY.@sierrraa@xanga - Wow, I can only imagine how ridiculous that game must be. Right on par with Guitar Praise. Yep. That's right.
@sierrraa@xanga -
I kind of feel the same way. For me it means that I listen to hear if the music has what seems like an unqualifable component to it that conveys a deep, moving personal experience and a passionate heart. I hear it in some Christian music & artists, not in others. It's completely subjective for me.