Popologetics

Brain hurting today. Spent most of the day reading Ted Turneau's  book titled above.

Clearly written from an evangelical standpoint it throws out an important challenge to Christians who need to engage in all aspects of popular culture, which he defines as cultural activities away from 'spiritual spaces inhabited by the elite' Popular culture is found where the people are and includes TV  film, music social media etc.....

We shouldn't try to avoid or be frightened of such engagement  as 'popular culture can bestow on us a vision of reality that can influence the way we think about God'

He stresses the need to understand the 'world view'  that provides the foundation: presuppositions,  world story,  life philosophy  applied beliefs and practises which set the context for any work of popular culture.

There are notes of caution for Christians who thus engage: they must 'consider their motivation in engaging with popular culture. It is a gift of God,  and we may enjoy it wisely. Further we go to Popular culture for insight because our world is saturated by it and we want to love those who find their ultimate meaning there. But we ought not to rely on it... '

Turneau sets out five steps to aid Christians as they encounter popular culture- analysing the story,  looking for the world it inhabits and how one inhabits it,  looking for the good and bad and finally discovering Gospel links.

I suppose this is the bit I'm struggling with,  he sees all culture as a gift of God which is of course the Christian world view   he also draws parallels between participation in popular culture  and worship, his final summary refers to it as a 'mission field' I'm wondering if that's a bit cynical.  Interesting to consider how Turneau relates to Neihbur's typology. Is his starting point more about 'Christ Transforming Culture'  rather than 'Christ of Culture' which presents a more symbiotic approach?

Yes I shall seek to be discerning in listening to popular music,  Yes I shall listen to the words and approach the experience from a Christ centred perspective. Yes, I shall look for Gospel resonances but I will also want to meet people where they are  accepting their words and practises as authentic expressions of who they are. I note the warning that 'popular culture cannot be viewed as the pure voice of God' and will indeed seek the gift of discernment but also the gift of openness.

I obviously need to do some more thinking!

Having said that it's been a good day.  One last quote:'popular culture is a big, messy mixture of sin and grace,  light and dark that plays in deep and subtle ways with the desires of the human heart through imagination'

Off for a walk tomorrow  no words, just  pictures.  I hope the Derbyshire views will help ease my hurting  brain!