Last week Jeff and I saw Social Disortion in Nashville. Guys told Jeff that the club, Rocketown, was a Christian club, but we were pretty sure the D wouldn't be playing there. Come to find out, it is a Christian club, somewhat like Club Fathom in the 'Nooga, but with an amazing performance hall, all courtesy of Michael W. Smith. (Though I'm not completely familiar with Christian Contemp, he kind of seems like the Donny Osmond of the genre.)
So anyway, there we were, with Christian kids on the inside waiting for the show with their spiked hair, slutty goth chic clothes from Hot Topic, and tough attitudes, and the exact same looking though non-Christian kids on the outside smoking, getting drunk and waiting for the show. Mike Ness came out on stage and immediately ragged the club for not selling liqour, but other than that went on to play a fairly clean show, probably especially so for them. BTW, they rocked out and played a great show, but didn't come close to when I saw them in '95, which was the greatest rock show I've ever seen.
So, for 30 year-old guys who don't drink or smoke, but can still hold our own at the front of the crowd (avoiding spikes, boots, and sweaty punks in the pit,) we had a great time. Was awesome to get home from a show without stinking of beer sludge, other's BO, and all types of smoke.
I kept thinking about how similar all the kids were there, and maybe I'm assuming too many of them were Christians, but I feel like it was about 50/50. It finally brought to a head some thoughts I've been having about "cool christianity," though I've haven't resolved anything yet. I've been getting Relevant magazine thanks to a very thoughtful and generous UTC student, which I love reading, but I think I've resolved that I disagree with the basic premise of the mag, the blending of God, life, and progressive culture.
It is a very cool magazine, but since when did being cool have anything to do with Christ? (Not that he wasn't cool..) Isn't the definition of cool trendy, fashionable, or whatever is hot? It's just bizarre to me how so many young people fit Christ into their wardrobe of fashion, music, and pop culture. I am not judging people, and I'm glad Christ is being preached at any cost, in any way. It's just the coolness factor I'm worried about. What if it wears off?
What about the danger of trying to be cool? Moses striking the rock, Ananias and Saphira, the criminal on the cross (not the forgiven one, but the one who continued to mock Jesus..)
I guess my thoughts/worries are best summed up by an episode of King of the Hill where Bobby falls in with some skater punks. The kids turn out to be Christians who are all radical for Jesus, which Hank has trouble with. Not that they aren't doing something good, but Hank shows Bobby a box from the garage of all the past hobbies, sports, pets, etc., that he had tried and gotten bored with. Hank speaks for me when he says, "I just don't want our Lord to end up in this box."
How's that for melding God with culture? Thanks Mike Judge.
Posted by cmwillis at March 14, 2005 10:48 PMMike Ness is a Christian, right? That's what I've heard before.
As far as Relevant, I think it's brilliant. It's not talking about how we need to make Christianity cool, it's actually talking about how Christ/Christianity is "relevant" to our culture. Mike Ness would be an example � he's very much in the culture, but a Christian. Relevant isn't about Christianity being cool, it's about it being smart.
Posted by: Kevin at May 7, 2010 3:45 PMHi - enjoyed your blog. Just curious: who is lifereels@hotmail.com? They posted something on my blog as well.
Posted by: Justin B. Dean at January 19, 2006 3:58 PMHi - enjoyed your blog. Just curious: who is lifereels@hotmail.com? They posted something on my blog as well.
Posted by: Justin B. Dean at January 19, 2006 3:57 PMAs I believe you already know, Christianity is a matter of the heart, not our own works to clean ourselves up on the outside (good works) or the inside (self-help psychology). His grace is what changes us and frees us to make decisions that bring glory to Him. It’s one thing to be dressed like you work the street corner—and a completely different issue to be dressed like a “tough guy.” I’ve known some seriously Godly men (even a couple of them who are pastors) who dress in all the leather get-up and hop on their hogs riding with a bunch of unsaved people down the highways. The next day they take their place in church wearing their nicely pressed suits. Hypocrites? Far from it.. The point is, who else will reach out to those people sharing the love of Christ and meet them where they are in their lives?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think possibly the ones that were inside who weren’t smoking and drinking were only doing so because maybe its not allowed inside Rocketown. I’m more amazed that the club would host Social Disorder.
As far as the magazine goes, I’ve read it and I agree with you and disagree at the same time. We’re supposed to be “in this world, but not of,” right? On one hand, we aren’t to be legalistic Pharisees pointing out why the world is all wrong, but on the other hand, we are not to be tolerant of sin—not that we are without sin, just that we have been forgiven of sin and by His power it no longer has a stronghold over our lives.
Let me challenge your thinking a little. To what degree will you let your toddler pictured on this page fit in with his unsaved friends? Will he himself even be saved? That makes all the difference. Some get around it by taking their kids totally out of society and putting them in a bubble. It’s called homeschooling—and I’m not saying homeschooling is all bad, but this is definitely a by-product.
What if it wears off? WWJD, Prayer of Jabez, and Purpose Driven Life came and went—very quickly. I believe its much more cut and dry than that. Check out Matt. 7:15-23. They never knew the Son to begin with. I went to church for years and served long and hard singing in the choir for a while and playing in the orchestra, too. I was a modern day Paul. I kept all the rules and regulations on the outside with faithful attendance, regular tithing, and even working with the youth, but I had no clue about a personal relationship with Him. For me, it was time to get real with God, admit I had screwed up, and bow the knee. There’s nothing wrong with getting your new pair of Nike Pumps, a spiked haircut, or expensive iPod. It’s about your heart being right before Him. And as long as you’re still doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with your God, I say enjoy life! Once you’ve met the Son, you’ll find there’s no box big enough to hold Him.
Posted by: LifeReels@hotmail.com at March 25, 2005 11:34 AMI don't think people are coming to Christianity thinking it's a big party---if anything, people are scared because they know it's just the opposite. And I think that the new wave of what some would call "cool" Christianity is just a way that people of this day and age are adapting to religion. We have figured out that it's not all hymns and tradition...church and religion don't have to be boring...and neither does Christianity.
Posted by: Steph at March 23, 2005 12:09 PMChris-
Unfortunately, the "coolness factor" ALWAYS wears off for people who come to the Lord thinking Christianity is a big ol' party.
Posted by: Bill at March 15, 2005 9:43 AM