Further. Every. Day.

The Christian And Yoga, Should You Practice It?

Introduction: If it offends my brother, I will not eat meat. All things are legal, but not all are expedient. To the Pure all things are pure. Thou shalt not have the names of other gods on thy lips. Yoga, Yay or Nay? Let's breathe in, look deep within ourselves, and the cry out to God of God, why did I look into that wicked heart.. As we stray Further Every Day.

To yoga or not to yoga?

To Yoga camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkrlGJfMIyk

An Argument not to yoga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjjbev4zWms

0:00-3:05

Theology: What did God say about the practices of other religions' rituals?

Deuteronomy 12:29-32

"When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, "How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise." You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Jeremiah 10:3-5

For the customs of the peoples are futile;

For one cuts a tree from the forest,

The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

They decorate it with silver and gold;

They fasten it with nails and hammers

So that it will not topple.

They are upright, like a palm tree,

And they cannot speak;

They must be carried,

Because they cannot go by themselves.

Do not be afraid of them,

For they cannot do evil,

Nor can they do any good.”

1 Kings 11:1-5

But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.

Ezekiel 8:13-17

And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing." So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these." So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east. And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

Philosophy:

If the original intention of yoga was to invite the spirits into one's body, what are the ramifications of repurposing yoga for exercise and stretches? What did Christ say about an empty home?

Culture:

When people of the Hindu Faith see the Christian doing yoga, what assumptions are possibly made? How should the Christian navigate this?

Politics:

Yoga is now being taught in schools:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY11gpWmRZw

How should the Christian navigate the presence of yoga in school?

Economics:

Yoga DOES have physical benefits. How should we navigate the value of Yoga vs exercise and stretching? What has the economy around mindfulness become?

From Insider:

“The business of mindfulness is fast becoming a pillar of the $4.5T wellness industry. The US meditation industry is now worth $1B. By 2027, the global alternative healthcare industry—including meditation, acupuncture, breathing exercises, yoga and tai chi, and chiropractic services—will be worth $296.3B.”

https://insider.fitt.co/meditation-mindfulness-startups/

Final Thoughts:

Last Question: Favorite Car

Regenerative Farming: We'll All Die In 50 Years. Did God Warn Us?

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/soil-depletion-and-nutrition-loss/

Theology: What were the tenets of Biblical Farming? Why did God do this? What is the Spiritual Reasoning?

There From Farming God's Way:

'Conservation agriculture is Farming God's Way without God. But it's the God part of this picture that really changes attitudes,' says Craig Sorley. He explains the core principles:

Minimal disturbance of the soil (no tillage) – the practice of plowing destroys soil structure including the micro organisms that live in the soil, leading to erosion and rapid water loss;

Permanent organic cover in the form of mulch. In Farming God's Way, this is called ‘God's blanket', says Craig Sorley. 'In Creation we observe that God does not leave the soil bare.' says Craig Sorley. Covering with protective mulch:

Stops soil erosion

Improves water filtration of the soil

Minimises evaporation of water from the soil

Adds organic matter, improving fertility

No burning of crop residues – these are used to cover the soil instead;

Weed faithfully – labour saved on plowing is transferred to regular weeding;

Practice crop rotation – because God's garden was diverse;

Pay attention to detail. 'Since we serve a God of detail, we should give careful attention to everything on our farms throughout the year, including the proper spacing of plants, how fertiliser or manure is added, how seed is planted, etc,' he says;

Pursue high standards in all things – 'God is glorified when we strive for excellence';

Incorporate trees into your farming system – 'Agroforestry is not something invented by man, it is something God demonstrated in the very first garden. Agroforestry combines both agriculture and forestry with conservation practices for long-term sustainability,' he says.

https://www.faithplans.org/post/farming-god-s-way-a-biblical-approach-to-agriculture

I love this article too: https://disciplenations.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ten-Biblical-Principles-for-Agricultural-Development-David-Evans-2013-update-1.pdf

Philosophy: If the universe is a painting out of the mind of God and the work of Christ, then what lessons can we glean from the land failing to yield crops after years of overfarming?

Can we not say that God ordained a time for everything:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;”

Leviticus 25:4 “But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.”

What does it say about our belief in God when we fail to listen to His order? See the children of Israel and the manna.

Culture: What initial impacts would the Biblical farmer have on their production? What type of witness would that have when you are working contrary to the flow?

In America, we used to practice Crop Rotation, a form of the Jubilee, but then in WWI, we decided we needed more crops and so the “Green Revolution” started to rear its head. Pesticides, and growth chemicals were introduced to make more crops while “maximizing” the land's potential. This would also lead to killing the crops, potentially also causing the debated increase in diseases like cancer and autism. I don't know if that is what happened, but all of that round-up isn't good for your system.

Politics: How has government subsidization of farming harmed the economy? How has it come to harm small farmers?

How has the government's subsidies of ethanol incentivized the increase in corn growth?

We see massive spending on corn for ethanol as detailed by thoughtco here:

“In the final days of 2020, however, Congress passed another coronavirus relief bill providing approximately $900 billion in spending across a variety of sectors. The package includes $11.2 billion in relief to be distributed by the Office of the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, giving newly appointed Tom Vilsack discretion to provide support to biofuel producers. Specifically, the bill states that the Secretary “may make payments to producers of advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, conventional biofuel, or renewable fuels with market losses due to COVID-19.”

And for what? Comically inefficient gains in energy production:

https://thefern.org/2024/01/ethanol-is-just-comically-inefficient-solar-energy/

But what have we done to the soil? From ACES Illinois:

“Leveraging a 20-year field experiment, Illinois crop scientists demonstrated significant risks associated with continuous corn rotations, both for the soil microbial community and for environmental health on a larger scale.”

https://aces.illinois.edu/news/20-years-making-rotate-corn-better-soil-health

And what has this cost farmers?

From Colorado.edu:

“One-third of the fertilizer applied to grow corn in the U.S. each year simply compensates for the ongoing loss of soil fertility, leading to more than a half-billion dollars in extra costs to U.S. farmers every year, finds new research from CU Boulder published last month in Earth's Future.

Long-term soil fertility is on the decline in agricultural lands around the world due to salinization, acidification, erosion and the loss of important nutrients in the soil such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Corn farmers in the U.S. offset these losses with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers also intended to boost yields, but scientists have never calculated how much of this fertilizer goes into just regaining baseline soil fertility—or how much that costs.”

https://www.colorado.edu/today/2021/01/12/soil-degradation-costs-us-corn-farmers-half-billion-dollars-every-year

Economics: What is the fundamental biblical principle of letting the land rest? How do we cause more harm when we fail to tithe, abide, and give with our wealth?

When we allow the ground to go fallow and the crops that do not make it into the bin to be taken by the poor, we also nourish the soil. How does this correlate to tithing, offering, giving?

Final Thoughts:

One Last Question: Favorite Farm Product?

Singleness and The Christian. What Did Jesus Do?

How did Christ live His life? Are we commanded to marry? What does the Bible demand of the single individual? Does a spouse “complete” you?

Introduction

Theology: How Did Christ Live His Life?

Philosophy: What is the Purpose of Marriage?

Culture: What pressures are on the individual to marry?

Politics: How does singleness provide opportunities for one to serve the Lord with more focus?

Economics: Millennials and Gen Z are avoiding marriage, but many are even avoiding relationships and sex. How does the economic reasoning reveal the motivations of these generations and how we as a culture have failed to inculcate selflessness?

Theology Segment: Was Jesus Married? Was He Single?

We'll address the content of these articles:

https://bib.irr.org/how-do-we-know-jesus-was-not-married

https://www.gotquestions.org/why-didnt-Jesus-marry.html

Through innuendo, many have claimed that Christ was married to Mary Magdalene. The Burden of Proof resides on these people as there are no eye witnesses claiming such a wife. (The Davinci Code styled theories have less Historical evidence than the Lochness Monster, and by that we mean 0 evidence, only wild conjecture and Christian Fan Fiction in the form of the 2nd Century Gospel of Mary or 3rd Century Gospel of Phillip, neither written by the proposed authors)

We have 2 genealogies of Christ, and neither mention His Children, a common occurrence from marital intimacy.

Jesus was here on a mission that would leave a widow: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, 1 Peter 1:19-20, and Luke 18:31-33. He gave the duty of a son to care for His mother to John. Why would He not do something similar to His widow?

Such a widow would have been idolized and very likely been a salient feature in the Church, yet we only hear of other women like Pricilla and likely Junia.

Such a relationship, where two become one flesh would likely compete with Christ's meticulously prepared image of His Bridegroom of the Church. The Church is His Bride, not a hypothetical 1st century wife with no evidence to her existence.

Philosophy: What is the Purpose of Marriage? Can one fulfill God's Purpose as a Single?

God has 3 purposes for Marriage:

Companionship

Procreation/Discipleship

Glorious Purpose in Image Bearing

Obviously Companionship is at the heart of romance and marriage. But there is something interesting in the soul of the human heart that longs for a specific relationship, that which results in creating a new life. This facilitates not only the creation of a new life, but also the chain reaction resulting in biological and spiritual drive to disciple and protect the new life. In all of this, there is a Glorious Purpose in that we are a reflection of our Creator, creating life and nurturing it, as He does every day.

Can a Single Person be a part of this image and fulfill this as Single? In short, yes, but in a different way. We as Singles are obligated to spend time discipling others. In such, we can experience a different sort of Companionship (with Christ as we can only successfully disciple when in communion with Him). We also see a different type of duplication or discipleship with the unbeliever, or newer believer. In such actions, we may carry out our Glorious Purpose in Image Bearing Christ to the world and other believers.

So yes, yes you can be effective for Christ as a Single. In fact it's required of you.

Culture: Should the Church Pressure Kids to Get Married?

What is happening in our culture in regards to marriage?

From BGSU: “The U.S. marriage rate (the number of women's marriages per 1,000 unmarried women 15 years and older) is the lowest it has been in over a century at 31.1—that is, roughly 31 marriages per 1,000 unmarried women.

• The marriage rate was highest

in 1920 at 92.3.

• Since 1970, the marriage rate

has declined by almost 60%”

https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/college-of-arts-and-sciences/NCFMR/documents/FP/FP-13-13.pdf

From Axios: “Even as the marriage rate is falling, the institution still holds value in the U.S., said Susan Brown, co-director of the National Center for Family & Marriage Research.

Case in point: High school seniors' attitudes toward marriage have remained relatively stable over the past several decades.

In 1976, 74% of seniors said they expected to get married, and in 2020, 71% said so, according to an ongoing University of Michigan study.”

But the way we think about marriage is changing.

"It used to be a basic institution that everyone had to buy into in early adulthood," Cherlin said. "You got married, then you moved in together, and then you got a job."

"Marriage is now becoming the last step into adulthood." And it's an optional step. People are more likely to want to finish their education, find a job and pay off debt before getting hitched.

As a result, many are delaying marriage.

The number of women entering their first marriage between the ages of 40 and 59 has jumped 75% since 1990, Brown said.

The bottom line: Expect far fewer 50th anniversary parties in the future.”

https://www.axios.com/2023/02/25/marriage-declining-single-dating-taxes-relationships

Also note that 60-90% of divorces, are initiated by women, depending on whose studies you're going by. This also adds to the cultural resistance towards marriage. We used to be pressured into marriage, now we're pressured out of it.

One issue we need to take care of, however, is the assumption that one is not complete unless they are married. Is this biblical? Is Christ not our Bridegroom? Was Christ incomplete? Or is it rather that our family is completed by a spouse that the children grow the family? It is important to not add extra-biblical hoops for the Christian to jump through.

Politics: What opportunities exist for the Single to serve the Lord?

How should we be affecting the world as Singles? (Not very political, but more in a cultural strain, what power does Singleness provide the Christian to exert influence on the world?)

What do we often spend our time on when single?

From PsychologyToday.com:

“1. Every day, single people spend an average 52 minutes more on educational activities than married people do.

2. Single people spend 43 minutes more per day on sleeping and personal care.

3. Every day, married people spend an average of 41 minutes more on household activities than single people do.

4. Single people spend an average of 40 more minutes per day on leisure and sports.

5. Married people spend an average of 38 minutes more per day working.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-single/201901/how-do-single-and-married-people-spend-their-time

Economics:

Gen Z, when polled had this to say about marriage, via the Hill:

“While the traditional ideas surrounding marriage may be shifting, 83 percent of participants said they would like to get married at some point. Though, 85 percent also reported that they don't feel marriage is needed to “have a fulfilling and committed relationship.”

“The report found over three in five unmarried couples live with their partners, though more millennials live with their partner than Gen Z — with a difference of 65 percent to 35 percent.

As for what motivates couples to move in together, over half — 54 percent — said it was related to finances, while 85 percent said they moved in because they wanted to. Sixty percent of participants moved in together after dating a year or less.

Nearly one in five share a back account with the partner they live with and around one in six share a credit card, although living costs aren't always split equal with half of participants stating they don't split their mortgage or rent equally, the survey said.

Thirty-seven percent said they find their relationship is financially unequal.”

https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/4107946-2-in-5-young-adults-surveyed-say-marriage-an-outdated-tradition/

What does this say about the culture's value of commitment? How have we as a church failed to prove the value of marriage?

Closing thoughts

Final Question: Have you ever had a celebrity crush? If so, who?

Would Jesus Watch the Chosen?

A show made about Himself. Is it OK to make a series about the life of Jesus or is that off-limits because we can't possibly “get it right”? Can sinful men make a series about a sinless Jesus? Would Jesus watch it even if they did? Join us as we tackle these questions and more in striving Further Every Day!

Introduction of Panel

Additional comments before we start.

Further Every Day is not promoting The Chosen one way or the other. This podcast is merely trying to help people understand the debate and controversy around the series. We encourage each individual to do their own research and come to their own conclusions around this series.

Framework for the Discussion

The debate that rages as it pertains to the Chosen - should we watch it or should we not? Is it “anathema” or legit?

If we watch it, how should it be watched?

Should we allow shows like this in our culture?

Would Jesus even watch it?

The Debate That Rages

There is substantial debate about The Chosen. Here are some of the questions:

Theology: How can the show be good if it is supposed to be based on the Bible and we

take “creative liberties” in making the show by adding things we don't find in the Bible?

Philosophy: Can sinful men really make a show about a sinless Jesus and it be “right”?

Culture: Wouldn't a show like this have a negative influence on the understanding of the gospel by non-believers? What possible good could come from this show in affecting our culture positively.

Politics: Would it be possible for the government to use a show like this against Christians or non-believers?

Economics: Is it right to make money off a show that is Biblically based?

How Should It Be Watched

So if we watch this show, how should it be watched? What should we remember or be aware of if we watch the show?

Theology: To make a show like this to reflect 100% on what we see in the Bible would take an extremely long time. It would go beyond 7 years like this show's projection! So,

some elements are “combined”.

Let's see an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZDvcEkjthA

(first 2:40 of clip)

Philosophy: It is classified as FICTION! That means it may or may not be true. If you

want to know the facts, go to the source. In this instance, that is the Bible!

Culture: The portrayals in the series regarding the culture of that time may or may not be 100% accurate. A person should research what the culture may have been like at that time.

Politics: Very similar to what is shared from the chair of Culture. Additionally, what was Rome like at this time? What were the Pharisees like at this time? What were the Sadducees like at this time?

Economics: Well, they make money. That should be understood. A person should also understand the motives of the people producing this show. That's where additional research should take place.

Should We Allow Shows Like This In Our Culture?

Theology: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 101:3; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8

Philosophy: Another question to ask here is this: Can a show like this lead people to Christ? The words of Jesus - as read in the Bible - are being spoken in the show. Are they no longer “good” just because they are found in a television show or through theater?

Culture: The series has not had a negative impact on the culture, as a whole.

Politics: Would it be possible that the government would eventually want to shut down this show?

Economics: The show provides income for a number of people (actors, actresses, producers, directors, artistic people, etc.) and the show is not negatively impacting culture as a whole.

Would Jesus Watch The Chosen?

Theology: An excellent question from a theological standpoint. It is interesting to note

that Jesus used story-telling (parables) as a means of teaching!

Philosophy: Is there only one mode/method for teaching? If so, what is it?

Culture: Jesus did a number of things that were “counter-cultural”. He ate with sinners, He met the woman at the well, and He touched/healed people that were unclean.

Politics: Jesus did not care about political things. He obeyed the law but politics did not concern Him whatsoever.

Economics: Jesus is all for people making the number they need to live and give back to Him.

Close

Favorite scene in ANY Bible-based movie.

Additional Links:

https://www.gospelmattersblog.com/post/the-chosen-should-christians-watch-it

https://theologyforwomen.org/2013/05/some-things-you-should-know-about-women-and-the-old-testament.html https://www.foxnews.com/world/taliban-vows-publicly-stone-women-death-direct-message-western-democracies Part One We don't have to look far to see that women have not been treated equally or fairly throughout History. But……..Does the Bible promote women as one of lesser Value than a Man? Let take a deeper look as we stay Further Every day. History of Women Suffrage: The advancement of Women in Society: *The right to Vote in State and Federal Elections *The right for married women to own property and purchase property. The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, officially giving women the right to vote for the first time in American history. (When the nation was founded only White, land-owning men were allowed to vote) Individual States gave certain rights to women to purchase property and conduct Business. By Jone Johnson Lewis Jone Johnson Lewis Women's History Writer • B.A., Mundelein College • M.Div., Meadville/Lombard Theological School Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute. LEARN ABOUT OUR EDITORIAL PROCESS Updated on July 13, 2019 By 1900, every state had given married women substantial control over their property. But women still faced gender bias when it came to financial matters. It would take until the 1970s before women were able to get credit cards. Before then, a woman still needed her husband's signature. The struggle for women to be financially independent of their husbands extended well into the 20th century. 1970s before women were able to get credit cards. Before then, a woman still needed her husbands signature.

https://theologyforwomen.org/2013/05/some-things-you-should-know-about-women-and-the-old-testament.html https://www.foxnews.com/world/taliban-vows-publicly-stone-women-death-direct-message-western-democracies Part One We don't have to look far to see that women have not been treated equally or fairly throughout History. But……..Does the Bible promote women as one of lesser Value than a Man? Let take a deeper look as we stay Further Every day. History of Women Suffrage: The advancement of Women in Society: *The right to Vote in State and Federal Elections *The right for married women to own property and purchase property. The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, officially giving women the right to vote for the first time in American history. (When the nation was founded only White, land-owning men were allowed to vote) Individual States gave certain rights to women to purchase property and conduct Business. By Jone Johnson Lewis Jone Johnson Lewis Women's History Writer • B.A., Mundelein College • M.Div., Meadville/Lombard Theological School Jone Johnson Lewis is a women's history writer who has been involved with the women's movement since the late 1960s. She is a former faculty member of the Humanist Institute. LEARN ABOUT OUR EDITORIAL PROCESS Updated on July 13, 2019 By 1900, every state had given married women substantial control over their property. But women still faced gender bias when it came to financial matters. It would take until the 1970s before women were able to get credit cards. Before then, a woman still needed her husband's signature. The struggle for women to be financially independent of their husbands extended well into the 20th century. 1970s before women were able to get credit cards. Before then, a woman still needed her husbands signature.

Did Christ Celebrate Easter? What Did Jesus Say To “Do In Remembrance of Me?” Counterpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqy33IJHE8M Point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMMJ00nPze0 This fellow has some points, but is clearly not researching beyond “Modern Christian Scholars”. However, his general point is close to the mark: We should be celebrating Passover and not so much the Rabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6zlKWTIlqI Messianic Haggadah: https://sixtyguilders.org/2016/03/24/a-short-messianic-haggadah/ #respect #goodguyswinning #Guns #trans #nra #transgender #brettcooper #mattwalsh #changemymind #stevencrowder #michaelknowles #benshapiro #fed #woke #podcast #christianity #furthereveryday #america #rights #listenable #abortion #deathofthewest #israel #palestine #hamasattack #israelhamaswarnewstoday

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Intro: Today, at Further Every Day, we're going to change up our format and just answer some common questions that are asked of Christians: Are there errors in the Bible? Can't Atheists be just as moral as Christians? Does Christianity answer life's profound questions adequately? Did Christ really rise from the dead? Did He even exist? No. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Let's break that down as we try to remove our selves from this world, Further Every Day. Section 1: Are there errors in the Bible? This guy thinks so: https://youtube.com/shorts/ul6JbmV_ogI?feature=shared Dr. Dell Tackett from the Focus on the Family struggled with this question when he encountered it, but a bit of historical research showed him this: https://youtu.be/TRQGgEl9dec?feature=shared 46:16-50:09 Section 2: Can't Atheists do anything moral that a Christian can? https://youtu.be/XqFwree7Kak?si=Z-9kmhQDsNjLx5rn The obvious answer here is: the two commandments that Christ summed the law into: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself. You obviously cannot do the first from the atheistic perspective. But what else is missing here. If you refuse the reality of the next world, NDEs are bountiful evidence of this, then you also have doomed your neighbor to an eternity of suffering. Section 3: What are the questions that every person who has walked this earth asks? Who am I and what is my purpose? Where am I going? Is there life after death? What defines morality? How does Christianity offer a better solution than any other religion? Section 4: Did Christ really rise from the dead? Did Christ rise from the dead? Is there a succinct defense of the Resurrection? This interview with Dr. Gary Habermas provides many great pieces of info, but here is a succinct breakdown: Many Christians start with the authority of the Bible, but Dr, Habermas starts with a review of the Historicity of Christ. If you listen to his articulation, you will notice that you do not need an inherent Bible to prove Christ's Resurrection, Deity, or His claims that the Bible is God's word: 6:12-11:48. Near Death Experiences alone are one of the greatest, Extra-Biblical, evidences that there is a beyond and that one who made claims such as Christ could come from such a beyond. Wrap up Last question: Who has done the most in recent memory 300 years or less, to destroy the roots of western civilization?

What Is Art? And Why Can't Christians Make It Anymore?

What is Art? And what happened to Christian Art in the modern landscape? We went from the The Robe and The Ten Commandments to the cringey: Jesus, Man? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRGndldqxlQ Well, Christians aren't the only ones to lose sight of objective beauty and art, but to understand why, we should ask the question: What Is Art? Join us today as we watch art stray from objective beauty Further. Every. Day.

What is Art?

Merriam Webster: “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects”

Webster's 1828:

“1. The disposition or modification of things by human skill, to answer the purpose intended. In this sense art stands opposed to nature.

2. A system of rules, serving to facilitate the performance of certain actions; opposed to science, or to speculative principles; as the art of building or engraving. Arts are divided into useful or mechanic, and liberal or polite. The mechanic arts are those in which the hands and body are more concerned than the mind; as in making clothes, and utensils. These art are called trades. The liberal or polite arts are those in which the mind or imagination is chiefly concerned; as poetry, music and painting.

In America, literature and the elegant arts must grow up side by side with the coarser plants of daily necessity.”

But these hardly describe what most people think art is. Some say that art is subjective, and to a small point, it is. However, no one listens to Beethoven, Mozart, or Handel and says that they were poor artists. However, if we slap a Christian label on a pop singer's songs, one who could never have hit the top charts, or convert a simple Hallmark style movie to a Christian Script, these products will see success in a new way. What is the difference between Art and whatever this phenomenon is?

Jordan Peterson attacks the Disney film Frozen from a philosophical point of view here and then goes on to describe the difference between art and propaganda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaokmHs71qg

So what differentiates the woke left from the Christian Consumer on the Right? When we fail to understand the power of art, and just make films like Courageous, Fireproof, etc. I'm not ragging on these, but what happened to the days when we made movies like the Ten Commandments, big budget films with a focus on beauty? We were more engaged in the culture in the 50s, perhaps that is the truest indictment on our nation is that our songs and movies used to depict an interest in God and now we only see shallow vapid Christian art in an onslaught of depraved Hollywood blockbusters.

But there's something else. We've also seen a change in the Culture's pursuit of excellence, morality, and standards. In a postmodern, post truth world, one created by the vacuum left by the Church's negligence, we see the deestruction of beauty. Where there is no God, there's no higher truth and beauty to be explored. The longer the culture sits without God in the forefront, the more vacuous and depraved the culture's art will become.

Theology: What does the Bible say about Art?

Exodus 28:3: Says that our Art is for His Glory

Isaiah 64:8 Says that we are the clay in the Potter's Hands, we're His artwork

Eclesiastes 3:11 Tells us God made everything beautiful in its time, in a way that is bigger than the human understanding or imagination.

Psalms 19:1 Says that the Heavens declare the Glory and work of God's hands

Philipians 4:8 Tells us to focus on whatever is true, right, and beautiful

Exodus 35:31-33 Details the acts of artists, working to build a beautiful Tabernacle to God

2 Chronicles 2:13-14 Detail the artists who build the Temple to God

Colossians 3:23 Admonishes us to do all things as unto the Lord

Philosophy: With these Scriptures in mind, what should we as Christians do with our art? How should we reflect the artistic nature of our Creator?

Culture: When the values of the Culture shift, so does the art. But when the art shifts, so does the Culture. How does the Culture influence art and the art in turn influence the younger generation?

Politics: As worldviews diverge, we see both sides of the political sphere harness the artist for their propaganda. If art is a powerful expression of truth, how do we do the world a disservice by producing poor art in the form of propaganda?

Economics: How should we as Christians consume art? How does this affect the culture around us?

Last Question: Favorite Musical Artist