Feb 23 2009
Writing the Message
Last night I watched the Oscars. And as I watched all of those talented, beautiful, skillful people being honoured for their work and sharing their love of this thing called Hollywood, I thought, “Can you imagine the impact Hollywood could have if it was devoted to God?” As you know if you watched the awards, various winners and presenters took the opportunity to share messages they’re passionate about. The movies, most notably Milk, shared the same messages. And while I (fervently) disagree with some of those messages, I was struck by the thought of how much power creative people have to spread them.
Just imagine if all that talent, all that charisma, all that beauty and humour, went into uplifting people and glorifying God. What if.
The other day a friend and I discussed the Jewish concept of sin as two-sided: sin is the wrong things you have done (“forgive us our trespasses”), but it is also the right things you have not done that you should have (“forgive us our debts”). As creative people, what should we be doing? Where should our talents be focused? What impact should be striving to make in the lives of others?
In a great post on Christian fiction, Rebecca LuElla Miller discusses two kinds of Christian writer:
The first group generally has overt Christian messages and may be accused of being too preachy. Authors in the latter group stress their creation of a story as art and are often accused of being too secular.
But art is about communication, she argues; and Christians ought to be conveying Christian messages — not to the detriment of artistic excellence, but using it.
You can read Becky Miller’s whole post here. And then I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject. For you, where do art and message intersect? As a Christian creative, how do you live out your calling?
[...] : 5.) book proposal for Complete Idiot’s Guide line of books 6.) reading through a non-fiction Writing the Message – rachelstarrthomson.com 02/23/2009 Last night I watched the Oscars. And as I watched all of those [...]
Thanks for linking to that post, Rachel. The discussion continues. I’m with you. I think “the creatives” have great opportunity, especially storytellers. And the secular storytellers get it, which is why a movie like Milk was made. Meanwhile we Christians worry about telling the truth in our fiction for fear we’ll be accused of being preachy or of writing nothing but propaganda. Hmmm. I wonder who benefits if Christians hesitate to include a clear message in our fiction.
Becky
I don’t think presenting our faith in our stories should lower the artistic power of our writing. On the contrary, shouldn’t our faith add strength and beauty to what artistic power God has already given us … ? If we trade off our faith and our art against each other, both will fail to reach their full potential and we will fail, somewhat, in the responsibility that accomplanies gift of “our” art. Actually, I think it’s okay for Christian writers to write “secular” books AS LONG AS those books don’t compromise their faith. But to write secular books and use, as a “reason” for not presenting their faith in their words, the excuse that it would lower their artistic power … I don’t think that’s okay. But that’s just my opinion! :) For myself, my faith and my art are so closely linked that while my faith would survive if I never wrote a story again, my stories wouldn’t survive if I never exercised my faith again. I’m still learning exactly where and how “art and message” intersect for me, but I know they DO intersect.
I think that Christians should endeavor to have their writing be the best of the best. “Do all to the glory of God” we are commanded. And why not? Do we not have the greatest story ever told as an example? I don’t think stories have to have the Gospel message in them to be “Christian” but they should contain the echoes. The Truth of the story if not the actual tale itself. Our God is a great artist; we should use our skill to the best of our ability to reflect His greatness.
I agree with Elizabeth and Leigh