The Secular Culture and Christianity

How involved should a Christian be in secular culture?

I like to read a lot, and when I say a lot I don't mean I read a lot of Christian books. I read Christian books, the good ones, the non-fluff ones that make me think, especially about the Bible and practically living my faith, but the majority of my reading is primarily of creative matter. I also really like the television shows Lost and the Office. I don't miss episodes. Lost makes me think and plays with my emotions and instincts. The Office makes me laugh hysterically and cringe painfully. Both shows are creative, original, and, I believe, not just repetitive, regurgitated content that so many popular culture objects are. Many books I read, like the Road by Cormac McCarthy, challenge many tenants of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible that I know are true. I constantly find interesting thoughts, ideas, themes, quirks, dilemmas, or conundrums in creative works that really cause me to think about and explore my faith in a way that non-artistic/creative/what have you outlets don't.

In the Road, a father and his young son are trying to survive in a world after some apocalyptic event has killed everything. The only life left alive is human life, and those left have to scavenge for old preserved food or turn on their fellow human beings. The father carries a gun with two bullets, partly for protection, but mostly to kill his son and himself if they are ever caught. He knows that if they are they will be tortured and eaten, and his son sexually abused. He can't let his son die this way. This calls into question, what is better, an ended life, or a life slowly ended through constant torture and abuse with no hope of escape? Of course the Bible tells me that suicide and murder are always wrong. If I were in this situation, what would I do? It is not right for my son to have to suffer this way, but it is not right for me to kill him or myself either. Giving in to murder and suicide show a lack of faith on my part. But what if God does not plan to intervene? What if this is part of his plan? What if some kind of good will come from this?

These are the questions that Wild at Heart will never force me to ask myself. These questions may be impractical and perhaps even senseless, but I like them. They force me to examine my faith in ways I never would, usually.

I laugh at jokes on the Office. It's a funny show. I laugh every time "That's what she said" is uttered. But here's the thing: Is that good for me? The Office may be an extreme case, as it is not an overly potty-humor type show like Family Guy, but it still has its moments. Are jokes like this planting an unhealthy sense of humor inside of me? Will this corrupt the sensibilities that God has blessed me with so that when I do encounter some kind of problem of this nature, my response will be affected? How am I different from the rest of the world, then? Others will question my effectiveness as a Christian and perhaps even the validity of my God if they see a life unchanged on the surface level.

The Bible says to focus on things that are "good," "true," and "excellent." (Philippians 4:8) I struggle to classify the Office or similar shows as "good." I don't feel like it changes or corrupts me, but I don't know if has a positive affect. Where do I draw the line?

Then there is the thought that God enjoys when I laugh or am entertained in a good way. When I laugh at the Office or am at the edge of my seat during an episode of Lost, perhaps God is enjoying them with me and is happy that I am enjoying a bit of life. However, there are several other options for humor and entertainment that do not even involve a television set.

This is a difficult question, and I'm rambling. At least I've given you and myself something to think about.