Rat Poison, M & M's, and Pop Culture
Recently, I spent two hours watching a documentary entitled, Hell's Bells Vol. 2. The main thrust of the documentary centers around the opening of the audience's eyes to the massive impact that music has on our worldview. For me, it accomplished its purpose.
It begins with a live quote from Marilyn Manson and proceeds to expose an intensely vivid, real manifestation of spiritual warfare within the context of music. A gut-wrenching knowledge of lyrical content, sound, art, and video content is established first through hardcore rap, and then through heavy metal/alternative bands. The sheer mockery of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. This documentary truly allowed you to take a small glimpse into the mind and heart of Romans 1 depravity on steroids. I had never seen such unbridled blasphemy in all my life.
The video then takes a twist. The following statement was examined: "It is not like I listen to hardcore rap, or Marilyn Manson; I just love the beats." This is the most common reason given as to why people listen to Britney Spears and other pop culture hits. Moms don't have a problem buying their young sons and daughters the latest 89 degrees CD. After all, they could be listening to Godsmack, right?
Various clips were shown from awards ceremonies, Britney Spears videos, Jessica Simpson videos, NSYNC, etc. They put a main focus on the following phrases: "Look within yourself"; "Follow your heart"; "Live like you want"; "My way"; "Listen to your heart"; etc...I was amazed at how many times these phrases were repeated over and over and over and over and over again throughout the songs. It was like a broken record.
Who is having the greatest impact on the pop culture? Spears, or Manson? The documentary provided a great illustration to emphasize its point. They heavily monitored a room full of 6-year-olds, and placed a bowl of rat poison on the table in the middle of the room. As time passed, NOT ONE child even bothered to give it much more than a glance. Rat poison (representing Manson) was just not attractive to them; it was easily rejected. Next, they placed a bowl of M & M's (representing Spears) on the same table. The audience was then asked to imagine the M & M's as being filled with rat poison. I believe you can imagine what the children began to do...
The music we listen to every day in our vehicles has a deceptively huge impact on our lives. It whispers that "have it your way" heart condition so much louder than you might think. Next time you hop in your car to drive from point A to point B, tune in to the most popular station in your area. Listen.
I have my thoughts on so-called "Christian" pop music as well. What are your thoughts?
posted by Russ at 8/25/2005 02:21:00 PM
10 Comments:
Russ... I've noticed the symbolisim of you last 3 post having titles of groups of 3. Very deep Russ, very deep!
Russ, as usual, very thought-provoking. And, as usual, my pastoral perspective on the thought-provoking inquiries is, "What is the church I pastor doing about this problem?"
Honestly, what it takes is for children -- and I mean young children, because by the time they go to school, it's likely too late -- to be trained to detect rat poison even when it's made to look like M & M's. There is ONLY ONE source of such training, and that is God's Word. Children can learn God's Word, and they must!! Only by their knowing the Truth is there any hope that they will be free.
Yep, I agree with the verdict- good post.
You briefly began to mention Christian pop at the end of your blog. I will try not to get on a soapbox on this (though I have been known to about this subject in the not-too-distant past), but I sometimes inwardly cringe when I listen to the content of some "Christian" music. Now, I don't mean that Christians can't write love songs, silly songs, or songs that aren't overtly about God. Quite the contrary - I am a ameteur songwriter myself and write about all kinds of things. However, I have noticed that a noticable percentage of popular overly "Christian" songs lack depth, good doctrine, and sometimes common sense. Instead, they glorify the self, emotionalism, or a cotton-candy version of Christianity lacking sound doctrine and bibilcal teaching. It's like eating a bowl full of icing - a little is nice on cake, but eat too much of it on an empty stomach and you may get sick. Unfortunately, some bands/artists write out of a poorly-developed knowledge of God and the Scriptures to begin with -their lyrics AND lifestyles, I'm afraid, reflect this more often than some would like to admit. I would love to hear more songs written with deep conviction and from a clearly biblical worldview. Okay, exit rant mode - I hope I did not offend any readers. Feel free to contact me if I have...
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Don’t stop bloggin’ and postin’ Your ‘ s is too good!
Thanks – Samuel
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Hey Russ, when are you gonna write that blog on evangelical fundamentalism as it relates to the hypostatic union of Christ through the your 5 points calvinistic lense which explains why you are so committed to the infralapsarian position that has been helpfully nuanced and adequatly corrected by you christian reconstructionism and realized eschatological moorings?
- Just wondering...? Christman
Yes.... ?? :)
Russ, I do like the direction of your post. It was directed at believers rather than the world. Do you ever think about the amount of time Christians spend admonishing the world for being the world? Why do we expect them to live a life worthy of the calling when they have not yet been called?
Do I think Christian children should be allowed to listen to secular radio? Yes and no. Do I think they need to be aware of the messages being sent and educated on why they aren't truth in God's eyes? yes. Do I think they need to immerse themselves in popular culture in order to be able to 'relate'? No.
For instance, do I need to be a prostitute to relate to a prostitute? No. I can relate to a prostitute because of the recognition of my own depravity. I don't need to stand on the street and sell my body to be able to relate to her. I relate to her because of the universality of my sin. Can I point my finger at her and call her a sinner for standing on the corner? No. As I judge so I'll be judged. Instead, I stand on the corner and hold her hand and let her know the only thing different between us is acceptance of the gift of God's grace and love.
There are those Christian parents who want their children taken out of the world to never be exposed to the depravity of man. That's not how we're called to live the Christian life. There are those who want their children to be part of the world so they can 'relate' to the world. (granted sometimes I think this is more about acceptance then relation). Do I need to live like them to relate to them? I don't think so.
I ultimately say who cares about Christian pop. If you are getting your theology and spiritual food from a song on XYZ radio, the ultimate problem is not the song. Granted, if any Christian song has incorrect theology, it should be challenged...no matter what genre. There are many modern day worship songs we sing that are wonderful but not quite right. For instance there is one that says, "like a rose trampled on the ground, you took the fall and thought of me...above all." Did Jesus think of us above all or was it the glory of God he thought above all?
Thank you for the post...great things to think about.
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