BlogThree23

Below is my short Amazon review of Phil Cooke’s book, The Last TV Evangelist: Why the Next Generation Couldn’t Care Less About Religious Media. If you are involved in faith-based film and television or just interested in seeing “Christian” television & film improve and truly inspire then this book is a must read. I found it to be an honest modern-day assessment of faith-based content creation that shows respect but does not hold back. It may not be what you want to hear … but is what you need to hear.

The only downside (and this is probably just me) is there are a couple of spots in which the narrative feels a bit like a text book, making the read for a postmodern gen’Xer slightly tedious. That approach is perhaps needed though, given the broad overview of faith-based television presented in the work and the author’s desire to reach the next generation of content creators. That being said, the author makes up for it by incorporating interesting stories from his own work in faith-based media creation, insightful applications of scripture to modern media-esk situations, and solid thoughts on media trends occurring in the now. In particular, I enjoyed the last three chapters in which the author wrestles with the future of faith-based media creation. Here he finds a way to uniquely verbalize what many faith-based content creators (self included) struggle with … how to, as he says, “embrace the ambiguity” of life while not compromising the Message.

A solid book full of insightful nuggets any faith-based content creator is sure to take away … and a book that challenges to create better in order to effectively engage the culture for Christ.

Global Awakening and the show, “God Squad“

I wonder, is it a good thing to have faith-based reality shows? albeit the one in the link above is pretty radical, and one that I would personally watch … sort of like David Blaine meets Jesus and does “street” healings. Wow that is some serious bold faith if these guys are legit.

Here is a report by ABC news that poses a similar question.

… I think Craig Detweiler’s comment in the report is one for the ages … Does the art or content creation of a follower in Christ often just mirror or in some cases downright copy that of non-believers? Its a difficult one to grapple with for anyone who is trying to work on faith oriented content with quality in mind. You could take this as far you wanted, all the way to asking… is the art being created in the “faith in film” movement or in the Christian music industry or any other faith oriented media creation, really original? If I have a direct connection to the creator of the universe than why is so much of my work seemingly, not creative, and just copying things I’ve seen others do?