"Pop" goes the Christian...

We've run into a consistent idea as Christians connected to the arts, that of what do we think or do about "Pop" culture? How do we interact with the light, sappy, "here and gone" type of art and music that is rif throughout our culture?

Is there a standard for what is beautiful and what is "succesful"? Is this standard such that we can say one piece of work is bad...or ugly (or unsuccesful)...and another is a masterpiece (and therefore successful)? It would seem "Pop" culture falls under that which is not beautiful (and yet succesful) whereas those things that last would be seen, more likely, as beautiful (and as far as success?)?

The only standard that we have concluded is God's character. What is God's definition of success? His character is the only standard for which we should judge beauty and success. But how does one bring to bear God's character on material things of art, and success, here and then judge them as beautiful or not, or successful or not.

Denis Donoghue has some thoughts in regards to this area in his book, "Speaking of Beauty". He surmises that we shouldn't talk about standards of beauty. That if we attempt this we get bogged down and then end up talking very little about the things that are IN FACT beautiful. We need to talk about what is beautiful. Do we talk about the good poems, the good paintings, the good music...from past and present?

Sounds almost like a "sanctification" process for beauty.

(We also suggest reading Betty Spackman's book "A Profound Weakness: Christians & Kitsch" - Piquant Editions www.piquanteditions.com - for even more insight)

We need something more than American Idol and Christian Broadcasting Network as the standards of what stands against and for the Christian perspective. Both are inadequate examples of the breadth of God's reflection of what is good and beautiful.

What are the ways we can raise the mediocrity level of either perspective? Do we ignore the things like American Idol, The Apprentice, etc? Do we put our support behind only what is produced on CBN? Or is there perhaps as some friends in our circles have said a "third way"?

Just a note...most of the past winners of American Idol have apparently been Chrisians...Kelly Clarkson, Ruben, Carrie Underwood...or at least came from a Christian background.

Mako concluded, "I think God may be way ahead of us."

Amen, may it be so...

Peace,
Kirk, Mako, Bryan, and Kevin...