Pop Culture

When I first published Church Zero ten years ago, the biggest criticism I received was that it was too full of pop culture. The reality was, I had just come off the mission field in post-Christian Europe where the biblical illiteracy was at an all-time low. Church attendance of any mosque, Buddhist temple, or Christian church (liberal or conservative) was at a 1.4 percent of the population. When The Matrix hit the theaters in my first year there, it was a God-send. I could talk to people on the factory floor or the city streets about the veil that lay over our eyes in regards to spiritual things.

In today's increasingly diverse and interconnected world, pop culture has emerged as a powerful tool for communication. It transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, creating a common language that resonates with people from all walks of life. Within this post-Christian context, where traditional religious frameworks may be waning, movies, TV shows, and music have taken center stage as vehicles for conveying spiritual truth.

In the first century, Aramaic and Greek served as the languages of everyday people, enabling early Christians to convey the teachings of Jesus to a wider audience. Similarly, in our contemporary world, pop culture acts as a universal language, providing a platform to explore and share spiritual truths in a post-Christian society. Movies, TV shows, and music have the power to reach millions, sparking discussions and provoking introspection on profound topics that resonate with audiences across diverse belief systems.

When I lived in Wales for 12 years, the film I am Legend explored themes of isolation, loss, and the indomitable human spirit. In this post-apocalyptic world, the protagonist, played by Will Smith, grapples with his loneliness while preserving hope and seeking meaning in the face of despair. The film serves as a metaphor for the human condition, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the significance of connection, purpose, and the search for spiritual truth even in the darkest of times. But what he doesn’t expect is to find that God is still with him during the film. In fact, the opening shot of the film centers on a poster that reads, “God has not abandoned us.” Later in the film, Smith’s daughter sees a butterfly right outside the window of the helicopter moments before she’s killed. She says, “Daddy, teacher says whenever we see a butterfly, it’s proof that God has not abandoned us.” He forgets all of this, until in the final moments of the film; the zombies are coming through a bulletproof glass barrier, and he sees a butterfly pattern emerge on the glass as it begins to shatter. With a resolve to sacrifice his life, Smith simply holds his arms out like Jesus and allows them to come through after placing the vial of blood with the cure in it into a safe with the messengers of hope; in effect, a gospel. Prior to his death, Smith has been trying to tell the zombies, “I have the cure! The blood can save you!”, yet they don’t understand.

Don’t get me started on Star Wars. That’s where the battle between light and dark played out in my generation. The iconic Star Wars franchise has captivated generations with its timeless themes of the battle between good and evil, the hero's journey, and the power of hope and faith. Characters like Luke Skywalker and Rey navigate the complexities of their identities and confront the darkness within themselves and the world around them. These narratives provide a rich tapestry of spiritual teachings, emphasizing the importance of balance, inner strength, and the ultimate triumph of love and compassion. We may not speak in terms of “sin nature” and “the flesh” in today’s society, but everyone knows that they have a proverbial dark side within them.

The Walking Dead phenomenon probed questions of morality and existential tension. It delves into the realm of survival in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. Amidst the chaos, characters face profound moral dilemmas and existential questions. This exploration of humanity's capacity for both goodness and darkness raises introspective queries about the nature of existence, the importance of ethics, and the search for purpose and meaning in a world stripped of societal norms. It prompts viewers to reflect on their own values, choices, and spiritual journeys. It’s one of the few places in popular media today where God is discussed without shame and bible believing Christians are not only depicted, but depicted honestly.

In a post-Christian society, pop culture has become the common language through which spiritual truths can be conveyed, understood, and debated. Whether it be through movies like I am Legend that explore the depths of the human spirit, Star Wars with its timeless battle between light and dark, or The Walking Dead that poses existential questions, these cultural touchstones provide a platform for discussing and contemplating profound spiritual concepts. By engaging with pop culture, we can discover profound insights, spark meaningful conversations, and foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, bridging the gap between the secular and the spiritual in a rapidly evolving society.