POPCULTURED
Thinking Christianly about style, media and
entertainment
By Steve Turner
IVP. 254 pages. £10.99
ISBN 978 1 844 749 058
‘What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem?’ Tertullian mused in the third century. He was asking whether biblical faith has anything to do with secular learning.
In his new book, Popcultured, Steve Turner claims that the question is only slightly different in the 21st century: what has Jerusalem to do with Hollywood, or Silicon Valley, or Time Square? Or, to put it another way, how can we be faithful Christians while enjoying, or even creating, popular culture?
Popular culture is a pervasive influence in our society. We are immersed in it, from morning until night. None of us are immune. Yet too often Christians have a simplistic response: either embracing it all as a blessing from God, or rejecting the lot as a worldly temptation. Turner suggests a more nuanced approach that requires both engagement and discernment.
Understand and test
Turner begins by convincingly setting out the reasons why Christians should engage with popular culture. He then takes us on a whistle-stop tour of film, journalism, celebrity culture, fashion, comedy, advertising, technology, photography, television and leisure pursuits. Across the mediums, he urges us to understand the arguments, to test them all, and to hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5.21). Towards the end of the book he also stops to consider the way in which popular culture presents Christianity, looking at TV shows and films as diverse as EastEnders, Family Guy, Evan Almighty and The Passion of the Christ.
Creativity precedent
Finally, Turner addresses those Christians who are involved in creating our popular culture. The biblical precedent for creativity is strong, from Bezalel the artisan to Paul the tentmaker. How can we apply the same biblical faith to a drastically different culture? Those with a particular interest in this aspect might do well to also Imagine: A look at Turner’s 2001 book, Vision for Christians in the Arts (IVP).
As Turner has made his name as a music journalist and biographer, it is a shame that he chooses to barely mention music in his analysis. Nonetheless, the chapters are engaging and practical, reminding the reader of the central question: how should I respond? He offers lists of suggested books, websites, and discussion questions as a helpful starting point.
Turner also poses a challenge to any Christian who thinks that popular culture does not interest or affect them — try spending a day without TV, radio, films, music, your computer or your phone. I imagine that, if you attempt it, you may well find yourself in line at the bookshop the very next day, purchasing a copy of Popcultured.
