January 29, 2001
Evangelicals called to embrace media
___FORT WORTH--In an increasingly media-filled world, Christians must learn to embrace and use mass media rather than fear it, according to speakers at a Christians and Media Conference at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
___The conference, sponsored by Biola University of Los Angeles, focused on how Christians working or considering a career in mass media can have a positive impact on the media and the culture it represents.
___"Christians withdrew from mainstream culture for a variety of reasons," said Tom Nash, a professor of communication at Biola. "But the world is in a mess. It has not worked very well for Christians to be on the side complaining."
___Christians ought to be involved in the media to minister effectively in the world, he said. "It's a lot harder but a lot more productive to be in the middle of culture making a difference from the inside." he said.
___Another keynote speaker was Michael Warren, a writer/producer of family-oriented sitcoms for Warner Bros. His credits include "The Partridge Family," "Happy Days," "Perfect Strangers," "Family Matters" and "Step by Step."
___"I've seen a tremendous change in the business philosophically," Warren reported. "Words no longer respond to reality. There are no norms. Value is represented solely as diversity. The highest and perhaps only real virtue is tolerance. We live in very dark times."
___This philosophy makes it difficult to produce programming that supports a God-centered worldview, Warren said.
___"That's the world that I work in," he said. "Creating TV shows in that world is very interesting. How can I make something that appeals to what they're looking for and also accomplish what I'm trying to do?"
___Other speakers agreed it is necessary for the church to reach into the culture in order to make a difference, even if it's hard.
___"If the church is going to do the work it has to do, it's got to get out of the four walls of the church. The electronic media should be used for the cause of Christ," said David Clark, vice president of broadcast communications for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
___However, this does not always mean a straightforward presentation of the gospel.
___In fact, some religious programming--particularly the kind that preaches and asks for money--does more harm than good, he charged. "For most unbelievers, that form of religious programming confirms a stereotype which is unfortunately permanently stamped on our culture. It may do more to inoculate sincere seekers against the gospel than it does to open them up to the gospel."
___Phil Cooke, a producer of music videos and television specials and commercials, agreed with Clark.
___"There's a legitimate place for what we would call 'Christian broadcasting,'" Cooke said. "Christians need to be fed. Our problem is 99 percent of our programming is for that audience. We're out of balance."
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