something new
Last night at the Oscar’s John Stewart had a hilarious opening monologue. One of the things he joked about was how out of the mainstream Hollywood is. He spoke about it being a “den of ill repute, a bastion of liberalism, the Gold Coast of Sodom and Gomorrah …” He then finished this with his typical wry grin by saying, “I really don’t have a joke for you, I just thought you should know what the rest of the world thinks about you.”
Shortly after this he finished his monologue the first award of the evening was presented by Nicole Kidman, for the Best Actor in a supporting role. And the Oscar went to George Clooney. I was delighted to see this as I myself loved the idea behind Syriana . He strode up to the platform, and began his acceptance speech. He joked a little bit, and then said,
“You know, we are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood every once in a while. I think it's probably a good thing. We're the ones who talk about AIDS when it was just being whispered, and we talked about civil rights when it wasn't really popular. And we, you know, we bring up subjects. This Academy, this group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I'm proud to be a part of this Academy. Proud to be part of this community, and proud to be out of touch.”
I wanted to jump up and cheer for what he said. I thought “Yes you are right George you do pave the way!!!!” Directly on the heels of my being excited however was the disappointment of realizing that the Church is not able to say the same thing. You see we are out of touch, but not because we are leading, rather we are so far behind that we are in gross danger of becoming irrelevant. If Hollywood are the ones walking around with the next generation of iPods then the Church are the ones who are whooping and hollering about their new Sony Walkman screaming, “… look it plays tapes!”
I know I sound cynical, and I think it is because when I do see followers of Jesus leading the way, I see them get stuff thrown at the back of their heads. When the Church thinks she is doing something “really cool” it generally is a cheap imitation of the real thing.
Take the world of “Christian” music (Christian by the way serves as the worst of all adjectives). Why is this music so far outside the norm? Why are so many artists who label themselves “Christian Contemporary” said to sound like such and such a band. I have actually had people say things like, “Oh if you like Coldplay then you will like _______________(name of some Christian band here).” Why are there so few groundbreaking artists who are following Jesus?
Take the world of politics. We have all of our bumper-stickers lined up on our cars so that everyone knows where we stand (the other day, I actually saw someone with one of those yellow ribbon magnets on their car. They had it turned sideways so that it looked like the “Jesus fish” that was also on their car). What is that saying to everyone behind them? Are they really saying that this war and Jesus are somehow connected? Some say that they are “pro-life” and some of the same people are savagely vengeful in relation to the death penalty, and were cavalier about the war in Iraq. So a follower of Jesus stands up, and says, “Wait, maybe there is another way …” He is yelled at by the right, and viewed as a liberal socialist living in an ideal world.
Take the world of film. Two words “Left Behind.” I am aware that Kurt Cameron really wanted to make a comeback, but he would have had better luck as an extra during a battle scene in Lord of the Rings. Those movies were an embarrassment given from the poor quality of production, to the poor acting, to the poor story line (no Tim LeHaye’s view of end times, may not be exactly right). Then there is an executive that goes to work everyday to the Fox Studios Lot in Hollywood. He is passionate about following Jesus, and makes great films. He is approached by major studios to produce films. Yet he is chided by other Christians for being in the “den of ill repute.”
Have we ever stopped to think that maybe the reason this world is so screwed-up is because the Church has given up its right to speak as a valid voice in our world. We have shut ourselves up and held on to all of the light. Maybe that is why things have gotten so dark, all the light is inside, and it has gotten so bright we are blinding ourselves with it. We are so dated in our viewpoints on cultural issues that people have stopped listening. Bono (who by the way is a prime example of a follower of Jesus who is out there leading) in speaking about the aids crisis in Africa commented, “I could not believe that the evangelical church, one of the most powerful organizations in America, was not doing anything. That less than 13% of churches were doing anything for the lepers of our day.” (Kudos to Rick Warren who is leading the change in the Church in regard to Africa).
What on earth are we doing? We are very good at throwing cheap shots at things that scare the crap out of us, but we are more like guerillas in that respect than we are gallant soldiers. We run out strike, and retreat back to the perceived safety of our enclaves. The Church must become a respected voice in our world if we are ever to change it. This does not happen, by imitating something that exists. This does not happen by making crappy films. This does not happen by jumping on the republican (or democrat) conservative (or liberal) political bandwagon. This does not happen by putting bumper-stickers on our car. This does not happen by inviting people to our turf, forcing them to sit idle for an hour and having to sing and listen with no other option.
This happens by our being students of our culture, (think Paul in Acts 17). This happens by asking God to see the wisdom and power that he has for us. This comes by engaging in the arts and sciences. This comes with an absence of fear, knowing that God is more powerful than evil. This comes by cheering on the Bonos, the Switchfoots, and the Jim Wallis’ of our world. This comes by standing up and challenging the staus quo that is getting worse each week in our pews. This comes by calling the American Church to an uncomfortable place … renewal. Understanding that we have to stop putting so much into ourselves, and that we MUST begin putting more into the lives of those who do not follow Jesus.
Serving, loving, showing mercy, aiding, sacrificing, thoughtful discussion … all these things are more powerful than anger, bombs, or protests. I believe that the Church has her work cut out for her. But, like Hollywood I believe we can become out of touch, and lead our culture and world toward peace, hope, joy and ultimately ... Jesus. This is my heart, and I beg God that I will see it in my lifetime, I ask him all the time, “Do something in my day that I would not believe even if I were told.”