I just read a pretty sweet blog entry from my friend Jonathon Storment, on consuming stories. Here’s my favorite bit:
I’m not someone who thinks that the television is the Devil, or that movies are bad. What I am concerned about, is how much we listen to alternative stories. I’m concerned that the wrong narratives might become the grid through which we view our own. Because NBC is never going to tell you that in order to live you must lay down your life. Fox is never going to say that the last shall be first.
Well said, Storment! I think Christians have historically waved plenty of flags at cultural symptoms, things like too many curse words. Mostly, though, we ignore the big lies present in other stories, the alternatate interpretations of reality that come with other stories. The importance of the ability, not just to filter offensive details, but to critically digest and engage with a story that isn’t your own, is not really understood in the church.
Better change that.
Here’s the link to storment’s blog. He’s also got some great sermons on his site, if you like that sort of thing. (You know who you are!)
