Is this a true statement?
That's the big question at this blog. Reading through the blog, the writers are predominately of one mind with regard to their answer to this statement. And, when a differing opinion comes in, I haven't seen a whole lot of grace demonstrated in the response. Before I respond (if I do), though, I wanted to get my thoughts down on my own. The question comes from Tim Steven's new book, "Pop Goes The Church", which I have reviewed. In the book, Tim asserts that above statement is true. So, is it?
First, what does the statement mean: Christ being incarnate in pop-culture? As I read the statement, it asserts that Christ can be found in pop-culture. In other words, if we look for Him there, we will find Him. This statement does not imply that He has somehow "come back" through popular culture. Instead, I take it to mean that as I can look at creation and see the hand of God, so I should be able to see Him in popular culture. This what I think the statement means - which is important if I am to consider its veracity.
Second, before I can consider the statement's truth, I should consider the following questions:
- What is Jesus' role in creation?
- What is the authority of Jesus today?
- Is there any Biblical precedent for God manifesting Himself in popular or common culture?
What is Jesus' role in creation? Speaking of Jesus the Son, Paul writes in Colossians 1:15-17 (KJV),
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Jesus' role in creation is paramount and central. For by Him, all things were created - not most, not some, not a few, but all. As I consider this thought, it seems to me that each writer of every song ever written was created by Jesus - by God. Jesus, having created the writer (or artist, or videographer, or actress, etc), may be seen in what that created being produces. But, the emphasis is on "may be seen". By the definition of a holy God, He is not the author of evil. Period. However, given the centrality of Jesus' role in creation, that which is not evil, may be of God.
What is the authority of Jesus today? Absolute authority has been given Jesus. He says in Matthew 28:18 (NIV), "...all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Not some authority, not a little authority, but all authority. Jesus boldly proclaims His Father's authority to Pilate in John 19:11. That means that Pilate, though he was a tyrant and evil, was allowed to be in authority by the supreme sovereignty of God. Nothing on earth exists or operates without being under the sovereignty of God - even that of popular culture. Though some parts of popular culture grieves the heart of God and should grieve His children as well, it exists nonetheless underneath His supreme sovereignty.
Is there any Biblical precedent for God manifesting Himself in popular or common culture? Although this is admittedly a stretch, I know of at least one. In the book by his name, Habakkuk complains about the injustice of the leaders in Judah and God answers by "raising up the Babylonians" against His people. Clearly evil and prideful ("whose own strength is their god"), the Babylonians (or Chaldeans) are nonetheless used by God to accomplish His perfect will. Habakkuk, after receiving this unexpected response, wonders how God could use this evil hoard to "swallow up those more righteous than themselves." The answer he receives and that we should take comfort in every day is that God can do what is pleasing to Him because He is supremely sovereign and still very much in charge. Was this clearly "popular culture"? Not quite. But this remains an example whereby the righteous of the day couldn't understand how God could manifest His will with the unrighteous. And, based on what I've read so far, the righteous of the day seems to be struggling with something similar.
Do I believe that this statement can be true: Christ being incarnate in pop-culture? Based on what I've considered in this posting, I believe He can be in some portions of it. But, because He is never the author of evil, then there are those portions where He is clearly not. Some of those tv programs and music examples have already been brought forward in other blogs and I won't mention their names here.
Another side result of working this through is that I believe that the popular culture can be used by the church to communicate with the unchurched (also considered "the crowd") in such a way as to bring them to a saving knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. The popular culture cannot replace the Word of God - even if anyone wanted it to. However, popular culture can be used as a bridge to bring those on the highway to hell into the family of God in order to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
But, the next question is: if popular culture can be used to reach the lost, then how can the church do this and remain the set-apart, wholly devoted bride of Christ we are called to be? In two words: prayerfully, carefully. On our knees, we humbly come before the sovereign One and, laying our callings before Him and relying on His Word, we ask for the razor-edge discernment required to navigate through these waters. We plea with Him to help us use the common culture as a way to bring in the crowd, love on them, and be a part of the miracle of the spiritual birthing He has called us to. In the church, we are to be ministers of reconciliation. Only He can help us learn the language of those to be reconciled and use it for His kingdom.
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