Michael compares and contrasts the great way that seeks first worldly prominence with the little way of the cross, defending and explaining the priority that Renew the Arts has placed on the little things that actually accord with obedience to God.
Stay tuned at the end to hear “Love Everybody,” a track from Be Alive, the just-released new record from Porchlight artist Brother James.
LINKS
The Screwtape Letters, Chapter 6, by C. S. Lewis
Father Zosima on “Active Love,” from The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Source of Paul Weyrich quote, “The Real Origins of the Religious Right,” by Randall Balmer
The Anti-Christ, by Friedrich Nietzsche
Ep. 68: “Porchlight at Audiofeed 2025: Mini-Conference on Hospitality” (Renew the Arts Podcast)
When you first started talking many years ago about starting a foundation for artists who were struggling to work within the church, we were on board. Then you said you wanted to encourage and help them to produce good music at no cost to them. What? We couldn’t imagine how it could be done and thought it was probably impossible financially. But here you are, still encouraging and edifying the body of Jesus. Thanks for explaining RTA’s journey so far and the vision for the path forward.
Also, thank you for this thoughtful and thought-provoking episode. I love the quote from The Screwtape Letters and its clear depiction of what is going on in the hate wars and the isolation, separation, and deterioration of relationships between people and communities in our land today. Your contrast between the often natural response to a huge problem being a huge solution and the simple plan of God in the gospel was insightful. It was convicting and encouraging at the same time.
And your discussion of the sour-grapes mentality of weakness and the true power of Jesus when He laid down His life was wonderful and reminded me of the article you wrote, Jesus is Dead, Long Live Jesus, which is beautifully edifying and well worth careful reading and rereading. Hallelujah!