White Horse Inn posts a review from Anthony Parisi on the Courageous movie. I haven't seen the movie, but I resonate with the reviewer's take on the state of Christians and this kind of "art." If you have seen the movie, what are your thoughts on the review? Even if you haven't seen the movie, does the review reflect your concerns about how some Christians do art? Here's a teaser...
While surely produced with good intentions, Courageous is likely to further entrench the misguided culture wars and bring harm to the Christian witness in the world.
While Courageous might not be my cup of tea, I'm really uncomfortable with someone telling me what should and should not be considered "art". I do agree that there are some objective standards, but often reviews like the one above demonize not only the "art" but the people who enjoy said art. If someone really liked Courageous, are they going to feel encouraged and edified by someone saying the movie will "bring harm to the Christian witness in the world." I mean, come on, that's a little much, don't you think? When I read reviews like that one, I always feel like the subtext is "Hey you, who spent lots of time and energy making something. Well guess what, it sucks. You should stop doing that forever because you're no good and it makes things worse for the rest of us Christians who actually know what we're doing." I realize that's a gross exaggeration and not what most reviewers mean, but that's how it comes off.
Why can't we be encouraged that a church is willing to devote a significant amount of resources to something that they enjoy, which brings God glory and provides opportunities for the gospel to be heard?
I don't mean to come off like a jerk about this, but it's very easy, and almost encouraged, for Christians to blast "inferior" Christian art and that really bothers me. Why can't we be OK with "art" that we don't like? If the only art that Christians can make has to be completely appreciated by "those in the know" then we might as well stop now.
chris
ps. I've been around the arts my whole life and my dad heads up one of the best university conducting programs in country so good "art" does matter to me. Does it matter enough to make me take shots at others? No way.
Posted by: twitter.com/chrisblackstone | 10/11/2011 at 12:24 PM
I haven't seen the movie, but it's clear from the outside critics' reviews that Courageous focuses on message and preachiness rather than on the art of being a really good film. That bothers me. Christians in the arts should be focusing on doing really good art. The Christian worldview should then filter through in the movies that they make.
From the descriptions in the review of the various scenes in the movie, it sounds like Courageous has all of the subtlety and nuance of a lame Saturday morning cartoon. It definitely sounds like something I'd be embarrassed to invite any film-loving friends to, be they believers or not.
Posted by: Cjhubbs | 10/11/2011 at 12:29 PM
I believe it has nothing to do with ' art'. And those that think a movie is art never will get the message. Those that could possibly be 'negatively-affected' will never see the movie anyway. So it's quite a moot point.
Posted by: Bill M. | 10/11/2011 at 01:03 PM
To me, hating on this film because it isn't good enough art is like hating on Pilgrim's Progress because it isn't Shakespeare. It is what it is, and what it is isn't all bad. In fact, it has been an encouragement to many by the reviews I've read.
A year or so ago, I took my wife to see the local production of "Little Orphan Annie." We live in a very small town, so let's just say that the production was certainly off Broadway. Waaaaay off Broadway. But we had a good time, and we enjoyed the show. Should they have abandoned it because their art wasn't as high as Broadway?
Posted by: Brad Williams | 10/11/2011 at 01:08 PM
Thanks for the link. I agree that we need to strive for better art and, even more importantly, art supported by better theology than I have seen in these films. Blessings,
Posted by: Matt | 10/11/2011 at 04:05 PM
One of the things that an artist need to consider when it comes to y Christian art is that it reflects a part of your personality. Think about the type or kind of picture depicted first. Most Christians like to pick an artwork theme that they find interesting or simply their favorite topic
Posted by: Christian Art | 11/05/2011 at 05:51 AM