From The Publisher

Chaplain Mike’s recent post on the Disney-ization of faith has created quite a firestorm of responses. We welcome (most) all voices here at the iMonastery, and are glad we can be a home for the discussion, both measured and impassioned.

I want to point out that Chaplain Mike and our other writers write as individuals. They do not have to clear their topics or specific essays with me beforehand. I trust each as men and women with hearts that long after our living God. That said, I wanted you to know I wholeheartedly endorse all that Chaplain Mike writes in his essay. The dumbing-down of the faith in our culture has now gone to the “idiocy” stage.  Our best response is to laugh at these people. If you think that is a cruel response, I would say that reducing inspired Scripture to the level of a theme park is hideously cruel to those whose faith is at stake.

Now, enjoy your time here at the Internet Monk. You never know what we might skewer next…

The Disney-ization of Faith

By Chaplain Mike

NOTE from CM: Comments on this post are closed. Please join us on current posts for further discussion.

• • •

Let me say it right from the beginning — I have always enjoyed Disney movies and characters. From my infancy, when mom and dad took me to Disneyland, to my childhood when I swam the churning ocean with Pinocchio to escape Monstro the Whale, to the days when we and our young girls enjoyed The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast together, to today, when I am introducing my grandchildren to what are now deemed “classic” films, Disney has been a part of my experience and my family life.

But I know what Disney is and what they do — They take classic stories and make cartoons out of them.

Disney does not fool me into thinking what they do is great art containing profound insights into life and the human experience. I accept and enjoy them for what they are, no more. Their artists and animators are first class and what they do, they do well. But whether you are talking about their films, their theme parks, or their pervasive merchandise, the bottom line is that Disney is an animation corporation. They take stories that are classic because of their universal themes and dumb them down so that the kids can enjoy them with mom and dad. They remove all the messiness, complexity, nuance, and grit from these tales and sanitize them for a G or PG-rated modern entertainment audience. They are enjoyable, but as subtle as a punch in the face; as deep as the puddle in my driveway after a light rain.

Unfortunately, many American Christian leaders seem to think the Disney way is the way forward for the church. I could write a long book about all the examples of this across our land, from the many ways we market Jesus in books, music, and media, to the kistchy excess of the televangelists and the corporate “excellence” of the megachurches, to iconic monuments like the Crystal Cathedral. So much of it represents the “Magic Kingdom” mentality.

In the cartoon world of contemporary American evangelicalism, it’s all about bigger, better, and simpler. Help folks think their dreams can come true. Create “moments” for people in the congregation that they will never forget, that will “bless” families in safe and sanitized settings. Remove the messiness and reality of day to day life. Instead, put a sentimental, heart-tugging version of life up on the screen and make people feel it. Embrace the possibilities.

Evangelicalism has become “Disney-ized.”

For example, enter the Mickey Mouse world of Ken Ham and his theme park vision for the Christian faith.

Continue reading “The Disney-ization of Faith”

Christ’s Good Works and Mine

By Chaplain Mike

The Advent and Christmas season is traditionally a time for participating in good works and giving to those around us. For your contemplation today, here is a passage from one of Martin Luther’s Advent sermons on the subject. I find his words wonderfully down-to-earth and clear. In summary, Luther teaches:

  • To God, we are called to give faith alone as our only “work”. We trust in Christ’s works, which are sufficient. No “religious” works will avail to make us righteous in his sight. God does not call those who are rich in good works, but those who recognize their poverty.
  • In Christ, we are called to live a life of good works toward our neighbors. The life of the Christian should be devoted to loving the needy around us, not practicing “religious” works. Some, calling us to “serve God only,” direct us to “churchianity.” In Luther’s day, his attack against this was directed toward Roman Catholic leaders. Today, there are many requiring the same. However, the good works God requires are not “extraordinary” works of religion, but simple “wordly” acts of goodness for the benefit of our neighbors.

From “Sermon for the Third Sunday in Advent” (Matt 11:2-10)
A sermon by Martin Luther from his Church Postil, 1520’s

…Faith receives the good works of Christ, love bestows good works on our neighbor.

…Christ teaches us rightly to apply the works and shows us what good works are. All other work, except faith, we should apply to our neighbor. For God demands of us no other work that we should do for him than to exercise faith in Christ. With that he is satisfied, and with that we give honor to him, as to one who is merciful, long-suffering, wise, kind, truthful and the like. After this think of nothing else than to do to your neighbor as Christ has done to you, and let all your works together with all your life be applied to your neighbor. Look for the poor, sick and all kinds of needy, help them and let your life’s energy here appear, so that they may enjoy your kindness, helping whoever needs you, as much as you possibly can with your life, property and honor. Whoever points you to other good works than these, avoid him as a wolf and as Satan, because he wants to put a stumbling block in your way, as David says, “In the way wherein I walk have they hidden a snare for me,” Ps. 142, 3.

But this is done by the perverted, misguided people of the Papists, who with their religious ceremonies set aside such Christian works, and teach the people to serve God only and not also mankind. They establish convents, masses, vigils, become religious, do this and that. And these poor, blind people call that serving God, which they have chosen themselves. But know that to serve God is nothing else than to serve your neighbor and do good to him in love, be it a child, wife, servant, enemy, friend; without making any difference, whoever needs your help in body or soul, and wherever you can help in temporal or spiritual matters. This is serving God and doing good works. 0, Lord God, how do we fools live in this world, neglecting to do such works, though in all parts of the world we find the needy, on whom we could bestow our good works; but no one looks after them nor cares for them. But look to your own life. If you do not find yourself among the needy and the poor, where the Gospel shows us Christ, then you may know that your faith is not right, and that you have not yet tasted of Christ’s benevolence and work for you.

You can read the entire sermon HERE.

Advent II—How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place

Note from CM: As we light the second Advent candle, we thank God for his gift of peace. Ephesians 2 speaks of the peace Christ brings to those far and near, calling them together into the one household of God (Eph 2:11-22). Thanks to Damaris today for the following meditation on God’s dwelling place.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!”

• Psalm 84:1

What is the dwelling place of the Lord?  It can be a Gothic cathedral, surging upward like flames, like trees drawing their strength from the ground and flowering into a hundred branches far overhead.  The stained glass scatters bright jewels of color on stone.  This building points upward, saying “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:  who created all these?”  (Isaiah 40:26)

Or a Byzantine church, paradise not pointed to but enclosed, beneath the dome, within the arms of Christ Pantokrator.  A cloud of incense; a cloud of witnesses seen through the icons, the windows of heaven.

Or a Quaker meeting house, empty and clean, like a shell scoured by the sea.  Bare wood, plain lines restful to the eye, lit by the happy light pouring through windows.  Silence; peace.  How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts.Continue reading “Advent II—How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place”

The New Liturgical Gangstas (4)

Today, we present the fourth installment renewing IM’s popular feature, “The Liturgical Gangstas,” a panel discussion involving representatives from different liturgical traditions who will be answering questions regarding theology and church practice. Lord willing, the Gangstas will appear near the end of each month to share with our IM audience.

Today two of our Gangstas weigh in on the value of keeping the Church Year.

  • Rev. Angie Gage is an associate pastor in a United Methodist church in Arkansas.
  • Rev. William Cwirla is a Lutheran pastor (LCMS) and one of the hosts of the excellent podcast, The God Whisperers.

Today’s Question: THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Many churches use the Christian calendar as a pattern for organizing their ministry and approach to spiritual themes throughout the year. Even churches that are not traditionally liturgical are using elements of the Christian year in their ministries now. In your tradition, how much does the Christian calendar inform and order your church’s practice?Continue reading “The New Liturgical Gangstas (4)”

Saturday Ramblings 12.3.10

December? December already? Why didn’t someone warn me? I need to get started on my Christmas shopping. Chaplain Mike wants an Ernie Banks bobblehead. Adam Palmer wants a Tom Brady bobblehead. Mike Bell wants a Gordie Howe bobblehead. Joe Spann wants a good night’s sleep. Damaris and Lisa want someone else to do the dishes on Christmas day. I think I will get them each a huge helping of Saturday Ramblings.

Do you know what is the best thing about buying egg nog ice cream at the store? No one else will eat it. I don’t even have to hide it behind the bags of frozen peas. Just sayin’…

Now, on to the Ramblings.

So you’ve already gone through the Creation Museum in Kentucky and don’t know what to do next. Well, Ken Ham and his team are planning to build a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark. Hopefully you will be able sail down the Ohio River aboard the boat. And if they are looking to borrow some animals, the world-class Cincinnati Zoo is just across the river. And after you have explored all 600 cubits of the Ark, you can take short drive up I-75 to see the Big Butter Jesus statue rising up out of the water.

And then you can travel to Iowa to see a nativity scene carved out of butter. Let me say that again. A nativity scene carved out of butter. Really. I can’t make this stuff up. And isn’t that the great commission? To go and make statues of Jesus out of butter?

Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 12.3.10”

And One Final List of Christmas Favorites

Nativity, Francesca

Yesterday, Jeff and I posted lists of some favorite Christmas albums. Music is such an important part of the Advent and Christmas season! I got into a habit early in our adult life of buying Christmas CD’s as gifts to mark my wife’s November birthday (she loves music as much as I do), and so over the years we’ve been able to build up quite a sizable collection.

Yesterday, I gave a list of five (OK, I cheated: six) favorite records representing more contemporary styles. Now I want to share a list of more traditional sounds — choral, brass, etc.

Christmas is one time of year when people will take time to listen to and enjoy types of music that don’t necessarily fit their “tastes” or preferences. Some may want praise bands rather than organ and choirs week in and week out at their contemporary evangelical church, but they don’t mind (in fact, they may insist upon) a more traditional approach at Christmas.

Here is my list of favorites. Continue reading “And One Final List of Christmas Favorites”

…And a Few More Christmas Favorites

By Chaplain Mike

In usual fashion, the Very Right Reverend Jeff Dunn has thrown down the gauntlet by posting five of his favorite Christmas music selections.

You didn’t think I would keep quiet and not respond, did you?

Actually, I’m going to give you two lists. Jeff focused on folk and contemporary expressions of seasonal music, from Bruce Cockburn’s earthy tunes to the sublime Celtic renderings of the Chieftains, to jazz and pop standards. I love his list, by the way, and I think one of the reasons the Chieftain’s album is #1 is because it is more expansive than one genre and draws the listener in as part of a great gathering to celebrate Christ’s birth.

That said, I need more than folk or contemporary music to help me contemplate the spirit of the season. It’s not Christmas to me without the traditional music of the church and community—ethereal choirs echoing the angelic chorus in Bethlehem’s fields, brilliant brass ensembles playing warm and sparkling arrangements of beloved carols, the stark simplicity of early music voices and instruments, the pageantry of gala festival music.

I’ll start with my more contemporary list, avoiding duplication with Jeff. Some of these may be kind of hard to find today—they have grown on me over many years. However, I urge you to seek them out, for they are the real thing amid all the fool’s gold out there.

Continue reading “…And a Few More Christmas Favorites”

A Few Christmas Favorites

Christmas is a season, not just a single day. Part of the fun of Christmas is celebrating the season with media we don’t usually consume the rest of the year. Books, movies, music all help to create a festive atmosphere in our homes. So I thought in this season I would share some of the special things that help prepare me for Christmas morning. Today, we’ll look at Christmas music.

I actually have—or had—quite a stack of Christmas albums. I suspect if I were to visit my daughters’ homes, I might find some CDs that “migrated,” but ’tis the season for sharing, right? As always, these are my picks. Just because I don’t include your favorite doesn’t mean it isn’t good. You are welcome to listen all day to Tennessee Ernie Ford Sings Frosty The Snowman if you like. But if you were to come to my house, chances are these are the Christmas albums I would be playing.

First of all, a couple of honorable mentions. When the producers of A Charlie Brown Christmas suggested jazz music as the soundtrack for the half-hour animated special, the executives at NBC went nuts. Jazz was adult music, and this was a kids’ show, right? The producers kept pushing, and good thing. Forty five years later, the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas is the soundtrack for many people’s Christmas. Simple, yet delightful.

Continue reading “A Few Christmas Favorites”