A Response to Jon: Don’t search for pearls in feces

Hey Jon,

Thanks for your response.

I have never thought about the use of Paul quoting the poems in Acts as a form of him engaging with the everyday media. Very interesting.

I must say, I think we more agree than disagree on the topic. I think you are right when you say engaging with non-Christian media is not bad in of itself. After all, what is it that makes something Christian? Is it the creator, is it that it is about Jesus or Christianity, or is it simply that it contains themes that are consistent with the Christian message? 

There is no clear answer and thus engaging with strictly “Christian” media becomes rather subjective.

I also agree with you – as I mentioned in my first post – that what we engage with can form you and have a negative influence on you, so it is good to use discretion when choosing the media we choose.

Despite many of our similarities in opinion, I still think there is a point or two I would like to respond to.

Is all Creativity from God?

Firstly, you seem to suggest that all art is to some extent “from God”, by for example using the illustration of the craftsmen inspired by God to do their work, and by ending your response with the quote “all art emanates from God, but, in our fallen world, it bears the marks of imperfection”.

Here I disagree. Art can be horribly and terribly misaligned with God. More than simply imperfect, it can be outrightly against the will of God – as an instrument of the devil to steal, kill and destroy. 

There are countless movies, books, podcasts and art that I could mention to back up my point. Media that is created for no other purpose but pure debauchery. 

While God created humans, and he is the ultimate creator, not all works of creativity reflect Him. As it says in Romans 1:30 that people can become “inventors of evil things.” In other words, they use creativity to create new ways of being evil.

The enemy can take what once was good (creativity) and use it and twist it for his own gain. 

Don’t search for pearls in feces

Secondly, you mention that God can work through “non-christian” artists, finding echoes and imprints of Him in secular works.

While I agree with the sentiment that God can be where we least expect it, I think we should be more nuanced in our approach. Namely, just because God can be perhaps found in a secular work, does not mean we should be seeking him there. 

In other words, why eat the crumbs when the feast is available for us.

Justifying engaging with media that contains some amount of Christian themes, but mixed in with a large amount of rather “UnChristian” themes/imagery is like searching for pearls among feces.

You likely won’t find much, and even if you do, you will greatly dirty yourself in the process.

Again – just as you said –I don’t think it is inherently wrong to engage with media that is not “Christian”, but I do think we (as Western Christians as a whole) should be much more aware of the impact media has on us than we currently are.

Thanks again for your thoughts, and I look forward to reading your response to me tomorrow.

Blessings,

Aaron

Theophilus Newsletter