Can anyone explain why they only listen to Christian music or stations? That seems a bit culturally incestuous. It may be that if you only are exposed to Christian subculture than that is ALL you know. No wonder we can't relate to the world when trying to evangelize. Christ told us we would be known by our love for one another (again, I am bad with references...help?) not by our music or books. Anyone heard of a christian group called The Normals (they signed with forefront records about 6 years ago and have at least 2 CDs out)? Their major influences are U2, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sting, and Willie Nelson, to name a few. Does that make them a bad "christian" band? Do those creative influences mean that their music is tainted? Or possibly could that be that they see, in the creative process, the hand of THE Creator. So its a song by Green Day? Can you listen and see if maybe God is there somewhere? Can you listen and maybe begin to understand a generation's need for something real or a generation's pain? Perhaps then we can begin to love like Christ with compassion. In high school I wanted to play a Phil Collins instrumental for a friend. He wouldn't listen because he was going through a period where he wouldn't listen to anything secular. I disagree with that mindset and think it harms our ability to be a presence for Christ in the world. We can bring this into books, art, and theatre as well. Have any of you read or seen Angels in America by Tony Kushner? That play opened my eyes and allowed me to see men and women who are gay as humans who bleed and hurt. You are inhuman and your heart is caloused if that doesn't cause you to feel anything but compassion for someone. Yes, there are consequences for sin. That is between God and the person.
If we are to Love like Christ, I don't understand how sequestering ourselves from the rest of the world will enable us to feel compassion for those not yet aware of Christ's Sacrifice and Yahweh's gift of grace.
Grace and Peace