A Pop Culture Apologetic

In theology-speak, the word “apologetic” has nothing to do with saying you’re sorry. Rather, it uses the classical Greek root to describe a form of rhetorical defense. For example, a Christian apologetic is a defense of the Christian faith that says, “I believe the Christian faith has it right because…”.

This approach runs the risk of making the classic rhetorical error of expressing only the positive aspects of a subject without naming or highlighting any of its drawbacks. Let’s face it, there’s always another view, and an apologetic approach can ignore that alternate perspective. I am going to make every effort not to do that here.

As a bit of an aside, I tend to prefer a “confessional” approach (at least with regard to faith) that says, “I believe the Christian faith is right for me because….” Whatever works for you on your path toward wholeness and holiness is between you and God. I can only witness to my own experience and pray that you find your path in a life-giving and healthy way.

Go and get a cup of coffee……that was only the introduction.

My pop-culture apologetic begins with an admission that I am, and always have been, a bit of a pop-culture junkie. I grew up swooning over Paul McCartney, David Cassidy and numerous other musician. Then of course there were the movie stars – Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and Steve McQueen, among others. I watched Hawaii Five-O every week and wanted to grow up to be Mary Richards so I could toss my hat in the air.

I am struck by the number of clergy-types I meet who have no knowledge or connection whatsoever with the sea of pop culture in which we swim. Granted, most ministry personnel are far too busy to sit and watch a lot of television, and I can’t argue with that. I’m quite often in that category myself. However, we all spend a bit of time in our vehicles where we might be missing out some great music, or books on tape. I watch television. There. I said it. I also read numerous books every month, so don’t be concerned about the atrophy of my brain. Besides, there are plenty of sentient options available on the television screen if you look for them.

The “too-busy-to-watch” folks I can understand. I am puzzled by the people who avoid all things relating to contemporary music, television and film because they feel it is somehow contraindicated by our faith. I heartily disagree with this position.

How often do we, as people of faith, express frustration at being stereotyped and misunderstood by the “unchurched” masses? We don’t like to be written off and ignored by people who have never actually heard what we have to say. I would argue that the same frustration exists everywhere, even in musical artists and actors.

An example: I don’t like to be grouped in with extremist religious groups who claim the right to speak for God. When I hear people like Falwell and his brand of “Christians” condemning anyone to eternal hellfire who isn’t just like him – well, it makes me want to puke.

So, by the same standard, isn’t it unfair to judge pop culture as irrelevant or damaging without experiencing it first? Is it fair to assume that all rap artists are angry, misogynist and violent just because some of them are? Some of it isn’t to my taste, but I think the matter goes well beyond personal taste. I would never encourage anyone to approach popular culture uncritically, only to avoid being dismissive of whatever is capturing the imaginations of the people around us.

Instead of wringing our hands and complaining about the youth that aren’t coming to the excellent church programs we have slaved over for months, let’s take a listen to what is really capturing their attention. Pick any teenager out of a crowd and they will know every word to their favourite ten songs and every detail about the artists performing them. Then ask them to name one of the four gospels.

Prepare for the sound of crickets…and then ask them why that piece of music matters to them. What does it say to them, what does it tell them about the world we live in?

Likewise, we need to do more than dismiss and label artists as non-Christian and therefore irrelevant to us. To think of Bono as just another rock star is like stepping back into the 18th century and saying that Ernst Schliermacher is just a contemporary hack. Make no mistake about it, artists such as U2, Kanye West, Tracey Chapman, and Neil Young have an important social gospel to preach.

If I were to go to any street corner in North America, I am certain that most of the people I questioned could name the last three winners of American Idol. On the other hand, if I asked them who Abraham, Jacob, John, Jesus and Paul were, they might wonder if they were the past winners of the British Idol competition. That’s the reality. Rather than criticize the people who followed AI (and they were in the millions) – let’s think about WHY the show has such appeal.

What works about this show? Well, I have to admit, there’s a bit of a “Gladiator” thing involved. We choose who we are rooting for and rejoice when they manage to sing for another week of competition. But there’s also the whole “living the dream” thing going on as well. At the end of the series, we see someone’s greatest wish coming true. Maybe that gives people a bit of hope. When the rest of the world seems to be more screwed up every day, at least this one thing can keep you believing that amazingly good things can happen to everyday schmucks just like us.

When Jesus was in his rock star phase and the crowds lined up for hours to see him or touch his coat, that’s what they were looking for. Hope. Just a glimpse of it was enough to get them through another day. We’re all looking for something to give life more meaning. I don’t happen to believe that it’s up to churches of any religious affiliation to determine what form of expression is used to convey that meaning.

There is some really intelligent and powerful television out there. Yes, there’s also plenty of fluff, but tune in to programs such as"Huff" (whose tagline is: Life. Sometimes you wake up in the middle of it.) "Six Feet Under" and "Entourage" and you find out about issues such as trust, grief, loyalty, loss, humour, and irony. If you turn off the set at the first curse word, you’re cheating yourself of an opportunity to learn something about the reality of contemporary life and the truth of the human condition.

I’m just sayin’…