talentsinc: Christian Arts & Media and The Cultural Mandate

Christian Arts and Media Christian Arts and Media and the and the

Cultural MandateCultural Mandate

Redeeming the ArtsRedeeming the Arts

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Objective:Objective:

Great Commission - Great Commission -

Evangelism Evangelism

Cultural Mandate - Cultural Mandate -

To MAKE DISCIPLESTo MAKE DISCIPLES

PartnershipPartnership

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 4 Dimension of Christian ArtsChristian Arts

HistoricalHistorical

BiblicalBiblical

StrategicStrategic

Cross-CulturalCross-Cultural

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……on Arts and the Bibleon Arts and the Bible"As evangelical Christians, we have tended to "As evangelical Christians, we have tended to

relegate art to the very fringe of life. relegate art to the very fringe of life.

The rest of human life we feel is more important. The rest of human life we feel is more important. Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of Despite our constant talk about the Lordship of

Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very Christ, we have narrowed its scope to a very small area of reality. small area of reality.

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

for our lives, and for our culture."for our lives, and for our culture."

Francis SchaefferFrancis Schaeffer Theologian, Philosopher, PastorTheologian, Philosopher, Pastor

1912-1984

1 Samuel 17:45-471 Samuel 17:45-4745 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.”

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Challenge in MediaChallenge in Media

25% have the ‘f’ word61% take the Lord’s name in vain71% contain vulgar references

to intercourse or the genitals50% imply sexual intercourse13% show intercourse30% feature explicit nudity75% display moderate or severe violence

74% depict alcohol or other drug abuse

11 The Challenge 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?

Matthew 5:13Matthew 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.

Hebrews 2:8Hebrews 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 11:15Revelation 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 ARTS are NOT NEUTRALNEUTRAL

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.

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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 GroundThe 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.

More Challenge…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?

2 2 The Call To ActThe Call To Act

1 John 3:81 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.

Strategic WeaponsStrategic 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.

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 3 The Battle PlanThe Battle Plan

Our ObjectiveOur ObjectiveOur 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-promotionSelf-promotionLust - Self-conceitLust - Self-conceit

Pride and InsecurityPride and InsecurityFear of manFear of man

JealousyJealousyBitterness, Criticism, Unforgiveness, Self-pity, and Self-

righteousness

Spirit of religionSpirit 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.

Matthew 5:16Matthew 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.

Acts 2:17Acts 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.

Matthew 13:24-30Matthew 13:24-3024 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of 24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of

heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and

sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the

weeds also appeared. weeds also appeared. 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir, 27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, `Sir,

didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' weeds come from?'

28 "`An enemy did this,' he replied. 28 "`An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull "The servants asked him, `Do you want us to go and pull

them up?' them up?' 29 "`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the 29 "`No,' he answered, `because while you are pulling the

weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHERLET BOTH GROW TOGETHER until the harvest. At that until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat

and bring it into my barn.'"and bring it into my barn.'"