I think part of the problem with the Christian subculture is that a lot of Christian artists are 1) only paying attention to other Christian artists and 2) assuming that because they are Christians and artists everything they do has to be directly (and blatantly) related to Christianity. I think Christians, and I am one, should be broader in our approach.

As an example, some of my college roommates were in a band that played a fair number of shows around town. They were all Christians, but weren’t a “Christian band”– some of their lyrics dealt more directly with faith, some didn’t, but they weren’t only hanging out with Christians or only marketing themselves to Christians. I think their approach was better than Christians retreating and making our own little subculture– which is usually more expensive and less quality than what we’re imitating.

Seriously, though, I had to chuckle some at Sean’s comment. Bach and Michaelangelo “may have had brilliant secular careers”? They were each among the most famous people in the world at the time of their deaths, and we’re still talking about them. Their careers were plenty brilliant. You may not like that they were Christians, but it’s not like the man was holding them down in obscurity.

Oh no, I’m not saying that. Just lamenting the fact that in order so survive and work at all, some great artists of the past had to subjugate their creativity to either the church or some rich person’s patronage. And its different for every artist. To use my examples, from what I’ve read Bach l loved the church but Michaelangelo chafed under the pressure to paint the Sistine chapel ceiling and would have rather worked on something else. I mean, if I could only work as a musician (as I do) if I did work for the glory of the church or only at the whim of the rich I’d go nuts. Yes, Bach and Michaelangelo are brilliant and their work will likely amaze people for hundreds of years more. I enjoy both very much and could care less if they are christians. For me an artist’s work comes before their belief. But what would they do today, unshackled from those pressures? Maybe the same thing, maybe not. It should be for the artist to decide though and not the church. And for the record, Bach was almost lost to history, partly due to so much of his work being kept in the church and partly due to changes in musical styles. He was rediscovered years after his death thanks largely to Mozart.

Just meant as more examples of how those in power want to control everything.