Christians Only Liking Christian Art

Sometimes I get tired of listening to "Christian" music.

Sometimes my brain cannot read one more word of another "Christian" book.

There are even times that I can only watch so much TBN...okay, that's a lie. I could watch TBN all day, ever'day.

Did you gasp and think "Can he say that? Think it, don't say it!"

There was a time that if I turned on secular music, I wondered who God loved more than me. My perceived backsliding left me guilt ridden. The heavens would open up before me and I would see a barefooted Rich Mullins tell God, "He thinks you are putting on a ritz. Show him the lightening in your fists."

God would hear my swift repentance, as I sacrificed a goat. Immediately, I would turn on the local Christian radio station only to hear "Awesome God" playing.

But the truth of the matter is I like listening to music, watching movies, and reading books that aren't "Christian".

Does this make me a bad follower of Christ?

Understanding our place in the world can be difficult. This is something that many Christians struggle with. 

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you before he died? And that he clearly wants you to be a part of this world? The prayer is found in John 17. Jesus prayed for his followers, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one"  (John 17:15).

Why? Because he wanted you to influence and help him to redeem the world. 

It's okay if you like music, art, or literature that isn't labeled "Christian". Perhaps it is more alarming, if you only consume products labeled as such. Hate to burst your "Christian" bubble.

Now if it's filth, you shouldn't be listening or watching it.

But just because art isn't labeled "Christian" doesn't mean it is Satanic garbage that is flung at us to make us stink. (Unless it is country music.)

Anything that inspires us, moves us into action, or speaks to us where we are at is redeemable art.

Question:
How do you determine what you listen to or watch?

*Great article by Michael Gungor, "The Problem with Christian Art," in the current edition of Relevant magazine. Check it out at www.relevantmagazine.com.