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Last week I found myself in an interesting conversation. I was telling someone about the current series we’re in (The Gospel According to Hollywood) in which we’re watching and discussing four movies. The person I was talking with was shocked and perhaps even appalled that we would do something like this. They said, “Movies are a complete twisting of truth - Hollywood’s distorted version of reality and we definitely don’t need more of that in the church.”

In a way, I agreed. The body of Christ does not need, and should not incorporate things that are not true. But he went on.

“Long ago I decided to not watch movies - to stay away from them altogether.”

Christians have often chosen one of two paths when faced with the messages and mediums of culture. One response is to wage war by declaring all ‘non-Christian’ music - film - art - etc. as the enemy and doing everything possible to annihilate it. A second response is to retreat - to run away from the messages and mediums of culture. The belief here is that by avoiding it, we’ll remain pure. I don’t think that either of these choices are best. But, there’s a third option: engaging and transforming culture.

I believe that God calls us to meet culture where it is at and then do two things. The first thing we do is claim the parts of our culture that are true and beautiful as coming from God. The Scriptures tell us that God is the giver of every good gift, no matter where it is found, and we need to celebrate this truth. We need to point people back to this foundational reality. Truth doesn’t come from Hollywood. It doesn’t come from an Academy-award-winning actor. It comes from God.

The second thing we do as we engage culture is partner with God to redeem it. If there are parts of our culture that are promoting hate we, as God’s people, call these parts out and hold them up against God’s love. If there are parts of our culture that are fueling injustice we, as God’s people, need to take a stand and work to establish God’s justice. If there are parts of a movie that tell a story contrary to the story God is writing, we point people back to what is true.

Now, I will admit, engaging culture is a whole lot messier than waging war and retreating. But the last two options do little to usher in the Kingdom. And this is what God is always calling us to - to be used by Him to spread love and truth which will change the world.

I didn’t know I had so much to say Maybe you do too. Please feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.