Prophetically Incorrect: A Christian Introduction to Media Criticism by Robert Woods & Paul Patton (Brazos Press, 2011) $19.99

This new book is a spectacular read, a serious (and seriously enjoyable) text about texts. Yes, media can be talked about as texts. How do we read them? Do they shape us, or do we evaluate them? How can we enjoy the good gifts that come from TV and film but also be wise about what is good, true, beautiful, insightful, and good for the common good? Can we be prophetic in our critical discernment and still be clear that we appreciate the good gifts of popular media? What does it mean to have a “prophetic imagination” without reducing our concerns to depressing sloganeering? There are many questions that those in media, or those media promotion/education/review need to ask, and these authors can help.

Woods and Patton know their stuff, walk the fine line, offering solid and balanced insight in ways we need to hear. They both are experienced media producers and they are now professors with PhDs; their learning comes from years of involvement. There is a splendid introduction by the excellent writer, Quentin Schultze (author of the important study of a Christian view of mass media, Communication for Life) under the heading, “The Audacity of Prophetic Truth.” It is itself a tutorial on how to think faithfully—critically, but not as a curmudgeon—about popular culture.

Not many books on evangelical media literacy have rave reviews from the likes of esteemed, progressive Bible scholar Walter Brueggemann, but this isn’t your ordinary cheap book merely showing that religious people can be with-it and hip. It is a rich and provocative read, thick with meaning and insight. It is up to date, a bit edgy, intellectually stimulating, and, I’d suggest, may never have been published in the evangelical publishing world it if weren’t for the ground-breaking work of the William D. Romanowski a decade earlier (a book we’ll celebrate, below.) Despite Prophetically Incorrect’s intellectual rigor, it is quite readable, and, at times, very tender, as in when they warn about depression or cynicism or other common “occupational hazards” for those drawn to a calling in media criticism. Very highly recommended.

------------------------

Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture by William D. Romanowski (Brazos Press, 2001) $21.99

Although significantly expanded in a revised, 2007 edition, the first version of this remarkable work broke new ground in 2001 with its savvy awareness of pop culture and its profound realization that the popular arts are artistic artifacts and should be treated as such. Few Christian scholars (and even fewer preachers and pundits) understood this—MTV videos or SNL skits or rock songs weren’t taken seriously as art, and usually, the preachers spoke against the vulgar and profane nature of some pop culture.) Romanowski led the way suggesting that faith communities nurture a more balanced perspective, a view of what people made in God’s image can make, treating popular entertainments as art-forms. The book, with its clear and passionate Biblical basis, made a powerful, new case.

As a former entertainer (and a bit of a jokester) himself, Romanowski understands the child-like joy of music and film, TV and video games. But he also has a studied Christian perspective on aesthetics, giving him an astute ability to deeply understand the arts. An even earlier serious book by this same vibrant author (Pop Culture Wars) demolished the philosophical distinction between “high culture" and “low culture” so often assumed (especially by evangelicals warning against diving into the streams of popular entertainment) which paved the way for a generation of evangelical thinkers to not only appreciate popular entertainment, but to study it with engaged, gutsy determination. A virtual cottage industry of thoughtful writers about film, sports, rock music, advertising, electronic media and the like soon developed.

The author’s “in but not of” the world worldview is clear and he wisely makes the case for discerning but active cultural appreciation and engagement as clearly as any book up until that time—many think it is still unsurpassed today. (Interestingly, in the second edition, some of the Bible study was taken out as it seemed to the editors that Bible believing Christians simply didn’t need convincing that it was appropriate to watch secular TV or go to the local cinema. The book had done its job and expanded into somewhat deeper territory.) I not only think this accessible, lively book is brilliant, but that it was a game-changer, pioneering and brave. Many of the more recent books cite it. It remains essential.


You can order both of these books at Hearts and Minds Books. Mention Q Ideas when you order and receive 20% off.

1. How do you critically evaluate media for the common good as a follower of Jesus?
2. What are the best practices for engaging media that presents a questionable message?

Editor's Note: The artwork above was found here.

Comments

Leave a Comment