Transforming culture . . . from the inside

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education

The late Bob Briner’s book Roaring Lambs came as a wake-up call to thousands of Christians artists, entertainers and record companies. At a time when they were developing a dangerously entrenched posture, Briner asked: “In light of Christ’s call to be salt and light in the culture around us, why do we want to keep all this talent huddled behind church walls?”

Briner earned the right to be heard in the culture-at-large through his influence as an Emmy Award-winning television executive, a professional sports agent (he co-founded the Association of Tennis Professionals) and a business person. He believes the most effective spokespeople for Jesus Christ will:

1. Never ask for money on radio or television.
2. Not be employed by a Christian organisation.
3. Earn the right to be heard through competence and class in their own “secular” profession.
4. Be an excellent communicator.
5. Know and love God’s Word.
6. Understand Christianity’s relevance to all of life.

“I can almost hear the groans of disbelief,” he writes. “The conventional wisdom will say our best spokespersons are the Chuck Swindolls. . . . Their great followings will be cited, as will their communication skills and their commitment to the truth of Scripture. . . . But, guess what. Out where I spend my professional life—in the headquarters of the television networks, in the advertising agencies and in the offices of the professional sports leagues—people have never heard of Chuck Swindoll.”

So, who speaks for Christians today? asks Briner. “The answer is simple. You do. Not your pastor, a famous Christian author, or one of the well-known personalities on Christian radio or television. You do. . . . Very few of us ever consider ways we could engage our culture with views that have been shaped by the transforming message of the gospel. And because of that, Christian thought and values are missing from [popular] culture.”

And how have Christians typically engaged culture? By appropriating, condemning and consuming it. This is according to William Romanowski, author of Pop Culture Wars. Our true calling, he says: to transform culture. And I’ll add: from the inside.

And why it’s hard to imagine

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education

Anders Breivik is a racist. The confessed killer who gunned down 77 people—mostly teenagers—in Norway told a court last week he sees himself as a militant nationalist heroically fighting to defend “ethnic Norwegians” from a “Muslim invasion.” Breivik insists he is a “caring person” who spent years meditating to “de-emotionalise” himself.

Hate based on race is hard to imagine, but you see examples of it in the Bible. Jesus couldn’t get a room in a Samaritan village because of His Jewish heritage. The woman at the well was surprised Jesus asked her for a drink. And Peter made a “highly irregular” visit to a Gentile friend. “Jews just don’t do this,” he says (Acts 10:28, The Message).

Hate based on race is hard to imagine because race has no biological basis. Yes, biology sharpens racism, but there are no human racial categories, only a variety of humans. If racism has nothing to do with biology, and everything to do with socially structured beliefs and behaviours, then it can also be socially unlearned and unstructured.

Hate based on race is hard to imagine because Jesus challenges us to not just love those who love us, but to love those who hate us. Notice, too, how God treats you. “Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love” (John 15:2-3, The Message). Follow His example.

A Malaysian-born minister of a church in Melbourne once said we should draw people to Jesus through positive examples of how to relate to other people. “You need to treat another person as God’s creation. This understanding will bridge many gaps. Understanding brings respect.”

He’s been reading his Bible. “Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross” (Ephesians 2:16, The Message). He died for everyone—Asian, Caucasian; Islamic, Christian. “Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18, The Message). That’s plain enough, isn’t it?

 

God calls artists; is He calling you?

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education

I am an artist. This is how Joanna Darby refers to herself despite once thinking of a career in the arts as “selfish.” Jo received the Gabe Reynaud Award at the Manifest Creative Arts Festival last year. “As I study the nature of beauty and the purpose of beauty, I feel impelled. God affirms my calling by placing incredible opportunities in front of me. How can I ignore this?”

God calls artists.

The call comes with a caveat. Jo again: the arts teach us “any of our creation is only thinking God’s thoughts after Him. . . . Our creativity is on loan.”

Remember the parable of the talents? If your creativity is on loan from God, repay that loan with interest.

Ben Milis received the Psalter Music Award at Manifest. He describes his talents as “a precious gift from God.” Ben’s been reading Matthew 25. “I take it as my honour and duty to use these talents to bring glory to [God].” Jodie Barnes co-wrote the winning song. “If I don’t use my talents for Him, I’m hiding the light He’s given me.”

God wants our best.

What if you think your work’s not good enough?

Glendon Harris wanted to share his faith but felt uncomfortable speaking about it, so he turned to filmmaking. He received the Hope Award at Manifest for a documentary about Sarah Chambers, a young adult who suffers adult onset acne. Glendon loves sharing stories “that touch me because there’s a chance at least one other person might be touched, too.” His advice? “Have confidence God will use your talents for His glory.”

God helps us achieve our best.

Creating something that helps someone realise God loves them is “the Holy Grail of creative challenges.” These are Scott Wegener’s words. He won the Signs Award for best original written piece at Manifest. Scott’s a proud member of Team Love who wants “to bring glory to [God] wherever I can.”

God helps us achieve our best to inspire others.

Is the arts your first love? It’s one of God’s—the Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created . . . .” Is God calling you to do the same?