Why does the contemporary church tend to reject its artists, and why do so many artists reject the church? Can we do anything about it? In the episode, Justus and Michael explore some of the bones of contention and roots of bitterness which keep so many artist Christians on the fringes of the church, and they explain how reconciling the church and her artists would be of inestimable benefit to both.
Stay tuned at the end for “In the False Church,” from Songs for Friends by Physick, a raw denunciation of the lukewarmness of contemporary Protestantism, styled in the language of the Old and New Testament prophets.
If the church removed non-biblical restrictions on art, would that create too much freedom? How far is too far? Michael and Justus discuss how censoring yourself, as an artist and as a consumer, is a necessary component in ensuring that artistic liberty remains constructive and encourages discernment. Freedom should never be license for sin. Stay tuned at the end for “Father Song” by Brock’s Folly off of I Have Seen the End.
Along with our first-ever guest, visual artist Joe Goode, Justus and Michael discuss the crucial difference between seeking unity and seeking uniformity in the church. One crushes diversity, while the other necessitates it. How could the arts play a part in this? Stay tuned at the end for “Primary Issues,” by Brock’s Folly from their sophomore effort The Great Commoner, a song borne from the hope that there can be unity in the essentials of Christ’s Spirit.
Why do most professional critics and unbelievers hate “Christian art”? Is it because they’re prejudiced against the Gospel? Should their opinions matter to Christian artists or Christians in general? On this episode of the Renew the Arts Podcast, Michael and Justus talk about the God’s Not Dead movie franchise, the dubious label “Christian art,” and why Christians need to listen carefully to what unbelievers think and feel about the creative work the church creates and endorses.
Stay tuned at the end for “Steeples,” by Fiery Crash, from his album In Clover, which we think exemplifies a nuanced and compelling approach to making persuasive artistic appeals to those who are at odds with God and the church.
The story most American Christians have believed concerning the national abortion epidemic is that, with Roe v. Wade, with a stroke of a pen, activist Supreme Court justices loosened the nation’s morals when they loosened the nation’s law. But the statistics tell a different story, a story which confirms that politics are downstream from culture. Join Justus and Michael as they explore this timely and surprising topic.
And listen until the end to hear Warbler’s “Kool-Aid,” from his most recent record, Sea of Glass—a stunning, faith-filled denunciation of contemporary politics in the form of a folk rock protest record.