Formulating my thoughts on this topic in a coherent way has been a struggle. My gut tells me the answer to the above question is NO. However, explaining what i mean by that and why the answer is no is a very complex thing. I asserted my position on this in a Facebook post back in October of 2014. A friend challenged me to explain and i promised him an answer. I’ve been putting this off for 6 months because i am fully aware that many will not understand what i am trying to say, and i am struggling with a way to explain this in a way my friends will tolerate and understand.
Here Goes!
Christian is an adjective that literally means like Christ. It was originally used by non-believers as a way to describe those who were believers in Christ in the city of Antioch in Syria in the first century. It described the lifestyle of these followers of Christ in that they appeared to those in Antioch to be people who based their lives on the teachings of Jesus and who believed that Jesus was God’s Son come in the flesh and who lived and then died for them and was resurrected. It was not necessarily a compliment.
Over the centuries, people have begun to use this adjective as a way to describe not just people, but other things. Christian is now a term used to describe a religion, buildings, books, music, art, nations and individuals. The more broadly this adjective is used, the less exact its meaning becomes.
The primary issue which is at the heart of my objection to calling a piece of music, a book or a work of art “Christian” is the lack of an adequate definition of what that means. The secondary issue i have is the concept that “christian” art, music or literature is somehow better, or more to be preferred than those same things without the adjective “Christian”.
Time to Elaborate
What does the adjective “Christian” mean? How is it defined? I fear it is somewhat akin to pornography in that it is vaguely described by “i know it when i see it”. If it simply meant that the artist/author/composer was a Christian, a follower of Christ, then i could get on board, but many who are Christians in fact produce what can best be described as secular works. For example, John Grisham, a self-described believer, writes some excellent books, but it would be a stretch to label them with the “Christian” adjective. The same can be said for musicians and artists. Da Vinci painted the Last Supper, but he also painted the Mona Lisa. If a Christian artist/composer/author can produce non-Christian works, then what makes a work Christian?
Can a non-Christian write/compose/create a “Christian work? If you say no, then we have a conundrum. We must then find out and evaluate the personal beliefs of every author/artist/composer/musician so that we can determine whether they truly are followers of Christ before we can safely label their work as “Christian”.
If a work can be considered as “Christian” without regard to the personal beliefs of the creator of the work, then we must conclude that the work is Christian not because of its creator but because of the work itself. What then makes a work “Christian”? Must it mention Jesus? Must it mention the Gospel? Must it quote scripture? Is it enough that the work seems to have a Christian worldview, without ever being specifically or overtly scriptural or Biblical? Most would say the later, but you can see the nebulous territory this can lead us into. We have moved toward a place where we are defining something as “Christian” essentially on the basis of it being inoffensive to Christian beliefs. We are defining it not by what it says or does, but by what it does not say or do. It’s the philosophy of many believers who, after becoming Christians, gradually eliminate from their lives things they consider non-Christian. People who are not believers. Music that isn’t played on the local Christian radio station. Books not sold in a Christian bookstore. R-rated movies, etc. etc. These people transform their entire world into one insulated from things which they perceive as being not “Christian”. However, there is great subjectivity in this approach. It is an approach of ‘not’ and an approach of isolation, an approach of separation. And most importantly, it is an approach absent from the Bible. We’ll come back to this at the conclusion.
The second issue: is “Christian” art/music/writing better than that which is not “Christian”. I will answer this unequivocally and adamantly, NO! Merely creating a work that speaks about Jesus or the Gospel or quotes scripture or has a Christian worldview, does not make it of good quality. I can personally testify to some “Christian” music, writing and art that is pure schlock. Work which would never have an audience of any kind if it did not bear the label “Christian”. Being a Christian does not necessarily gift you with abilities or skills in creating art, music or writing. Not being a Christian does not mean that you have no skills or abilities as an artist, author or musician/composer.
Conclusion
Fortunately, for those of us who are Christians, there is a solid and Biblical answer to the issue i have raised.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
This is the Biblical instruction we have. Stop trying to label things as “Christian”! Instead, look for literature, art and music which are true, honorable, just, pure. lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Think on those things. Listen to that music. Read those books. Look at that art. Yes, those terms are subjective, but then we are not creating a label for them as approved, we are asking that each of us be intentional, deliberate and astute in choosing what to expose ourselves to. This means that there are some non-Christian things you could/should be reading or listening to or looking at, and also some “Christian” things which you should not be watching, listening to or looking at.
I look forward to your comments.