that could be a christian film/book/song!
Posted: June 5th, 2007, 9:12 pmi remember back in 2001/2002, when i used to share a flat with a nominal christian friend, we would watch a lot of MTV and i discovered that i could wind him up really easily by arguing that you could interpret such-and-such a song as having christian lyrics (of course i would deliberately choose songs with the most tenuous spiritual connections possible, such as the latest Britney Spears or Shakira offering, and swear blind that it was 'as good as a sermon' while keeping a completely straight face.) Going further back, i remember that tons of churches and youth groups jumped on the same bandwagon when Bryan Adams' song 'Everything I Do' first came out, claiming that the words could easily be those of Jesus to the church (personally i think they sound much more like Christ's words to the Father, but that's by the by.)
anyway, what i was going to ask was whether, and in what ways, people's spiritual lives have been boosted by art that makes no claim to be christian: especially if the creator/composer is not a professing believer. Also, whether people think this is a sign of certain secular artists being 'close to the spirit of christ' or whether it's a 'balam's ass' type scenario: ie: God can speak to us through whatever means he wants, regardless of the 'vessel's' intentions (though no doubt it varies depending on the example.)
Personally, I've always foung 'Goodwill Hunting' a very powerful film, and have no doubt God has spoken to me through it (especially the scene towards the end-quoted in 'Wild At Heart' when Will breaks down in his counsellor's office.) it evokes so much the sense of God looking at the heart, while man sees only the outside. I feel such an affinity for Will, blaming himself for all that's gone wrong, while his counsellor (Sean) just wants to reassure and affirm him, telling him constantly 'it's not your fault!'
anyway, what i was going to ask was whether, and in what ways, people's spiritual lives have been boosted by art that makes no claim to be christian: especially if the creator/composer is not a professing believer. Also, whether people think this is a sign of certain secular artists being 'close to the spirit of christ' or whether it's a 'balam's ass' type scenario: ie: God can speak to us through whatever means he wants, regardless of the 'vessel's' intentions (though no doubt it varies depending on the example.)
Personally, I've always foung 'Goodwill Hunting' a very powerful film, and have no doubt God has spoken to me through it (especially the scene towards the end-quoted in 'Wild At Heart' when Will breaks down in his counsellor's office.) it evokes so much the sense of God looking at the heart, while man sees only the outside. I feel such an affinity for Will, blaming himself for all that's gone wrong, while his counsellor (Sean) just wants to reassure and affirm him, telling him constantly 'it's not your fault!'