On Saturday I wanted to listen to both Lady GaGa and Christmas music. I tweeted that Lady GaGa should make some Christmas music so I could listen to both at the same time. Some friends told me that Lady GaGa had indeed made a Christmas song and, thanks to my iPhone and a solid 3G connection, I was able to download the song while finishing up dinner at BJs. Not really to anyone’s surprise, though, the song, called “Christmas Tree,” has less to do with Christmas than it does with sex.
I am all for musical artists freely expressing themselves. Music is a great way to express thoughts and ideas, even if those ideas are contrary to my own worldview. I may not agree with everything NWA or 2Pac said, but they gave me insight into an aspect of American society from which suburbia had sheltered me. I am a little disturbed, however, when songs or ideas are taken out of context and warped to fit something else. Lady GaGa can sing about poker faces and disco sticks all she wants, but does she have to hijack Christmas in order to communicate her worldview?
Another example of a song taken out of context comes from the film Watchmen. In that film, Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” was played over a sex scene. The word “hallelujah” literally means to praise Yahweh; it is a very specific word with a very specific intention. The singing of that word seemed completely dissonant with what was happening on the screen. The song itself, however, uses the word “hallelujah” for its own purposes; ignoring the word’s very specific meaning and intention.
Obviously my view on Lady GaGa’s song and on the use of the word “hallelujah” in music and film is shaped by my worldview. I’m a Christian and I am more sensitive to our culture’s use of Christian imagery, holidays and words. As Christians, though, how are we supposed to respond when our larger culture uses aspects of our faith for its own gain? Should we shun anything other than Christian culture? I don’t want to only watch Kirk Cameron movies.
A lot of people have already discussed how Christians should interact with culture and, instead of rejecting the larger culture, Christians should do their best to redeem culture. That doesn’t mean just making Christian knock-offs of popular culture; I can just imagine Christian Ed Hardy shirts that trade bedazzled tigers and snakes for bedazzled doves and angels. Redeeming culture means creating culture that is inspired by a faith in Christ and honoring to God. We shouldn’t necessarily create something Christian intended solely for Christians. We should create something of value influenced and inspired by Christ that engages people from all walks of life.
How do you think Christians should interact with a culture that uses and possibly abuses Christian imagery, holidays and words?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
By remaining true and aware of their purpose and meaning.
ReplyDeleteI think it is likely anyone who "uses and abuses" Christian imagery, holidays, and words...has already, or will eventually come across the true meanings to those things and what they are meant for.
If we remain true to their purpose and meaning, there is a stronger chance they will be upheld to a higher extent than if we do not.
I'm being vague...I guess what I am trying to say is it would be good for us to know the true meaning of what is often misconstrued by others, so that it is never lost. People will always abuse the true meaning of things, but it will affect those things less if there remains people who do not.
This would also mean not blatantly supporting or encouraging misuse of these things. Viewing Watchmen, a movie that may be misusing a word is not bad...but carrying the misuse out of the theater would only do a further disservice.
There is not a whole lot we can do that could not equally in part do some harm, such as imposing upon people the true meanings and possibly irritating and bothering others...
but this is something we can do.
Kyle,
ReplyDeleteThat's great insight into our responsibility as Christ-followers. It is important for us to sort of preserve the true meanings behind Christian words, holidays and symbols. Regardless of what's happening in the greater culture, we need to preserve the values and stories of our Christian subculture. We also need to guard those from other who would say they follow Christ yet speak of God's hatred and judgment. It's like God said to the Israelites, they needed to share their stories and tell their children everything that God has done. As followers of Jesus, we should do the same thing.