Here’s a thoughtful article from Ted Turnau on how to partake in, engage, and respond to pop culture.
Here’s an outline of the main points:
- Whatever else popular culture is, it is not trivial, because it is an expression of faith and worship.
- Not all popular culture is equally meaningful.
- Not every piece of popular culture is appropriate for engagement.
- Popular culture works by creating imaginative landscapes for us to inhabit.
- When thinking about a piece of popular culture, it pays to know the tricks of the trade.
- Every piece of popular culture is a complicated mixture of grace and idolatry.
- Think carefully about how to undermine the idol, and how the gospel applies to the piece of popular culture you’re sharing with friends.
- Look for occasions where you can experience popular culture together with friends and family (both Christian and non-Christian).
Tanks JT, this is great!
I’m a missionary in the same city as Ted, and know his family a little. The movie nights he mentions briefly at the end of the article have been going on for over a decade and are pretty well-known. He has thought hard about these things and puts them into practice well. Good article.
This is a terrific article. Thanks for posting this JT.