In my last article, it was requested by a few people that I followup discussing how the Catholic Church might respond to the modern media/entertainment industry’s agenda. How might the Church, and for that matter Christianity at large, respond to a narrative that is largely adverse to Her teachings? The answer is as frustrating as it is simple: be proactive. First, why it is frustrating.
Christianity, if it is true (and it is), must hold the keys to all that is true. It claims to, does it not? And if it claims to, and in fact does hold all that is true, then She the Church must have the ability to attract people to Her. She claims that God is beauty, and that God is the key to human happiness, and I believe her. She also claims that man reaches his pinnacle when fully given over to Her. Well said. Then why, one might ask, do we not see new and attractive Churches?
Our Church is rightfully focused on feeding and clothing people, that is providing sustenance to their body. Our Church is also rightfully quick to provide sustenance to the mind, as the intellectual texts the Church contains are fathomless. What the people of Our Church have, as of late forgot, is the sustenance of the soul: splendor. Think about it: when you are down, does not a sunset give you peace? Can you not feel a breeze...or for that matter watch a happy movie and feel better? What about an old familiar song? A great story?
Our Christ was the greatest artist in the History of the world (makes sense doesn’t it?). He knew the power of the story - most of his teachings were memorable parables. He knew the power of Creation: He made the universe. And He knew the power of irony and creativity when He brought forth the most unsuspected artform forever in this world: The Eucharist. It is here that He achieved what every artist’ dreams: to capture truth in it’s purest form. And Christ did this in literally a heartbeat. So what are we doing?
Have we forgotten the excellence of the Gregorian Chants? The power of Order? The splendor and genius of truly good art? How many people would rather download Summa Theologica than go see the pieta in Italy (answer: not many)? We have settled to respond to multi-million dollar productions with things that are second rate. So what do we do? It’s simple: be proactive.
Repeat. The answer is simple: be proactive. Do not settle. And support the arts within the Church. Entertainment can instruct, and the highest of art forms do both says Horace, and I agree with him. It is not enough to feed and clothe people and give them heavy books. Their soul needs splendor, needs to find creativity. People thrive with movies, music, video games, anything that will provide the human soul delight. Even if the Church does not respond, that void will be filled negatively and it currently is. God is the one, true, good, and beautiful. If we ignore any of these qualities, we create a vacuum by which perversion and problems seep in.
Here is a component to being proactive: be forward thinking. Truly forward thinking. Not the progressive definition (which is actually regressive), but actually be on the cutting edge of discovery in craft. Stained glass is important, but we must also portray through new forms. What does the new stained glass look like? Digitally? Think about it.
And another thought: we need a place for our creative minds. The world’s creative industry is full of money, venues, and ability. But Christians need not apply. If you refuse to compromise, count on being marginalized in academia, count on being scrutinized and having your art torn apart (especially if it is good), count on being accused and looked at suspiciously. Count on carrying a cross. But a cross that is unnecessary. Instead of the marginalization, let us give the creative minds what Thomas Aquinas called all of us to do: to be Christ in their vocation. There is enough brutality in the creative process itself to be a full cross. Let people thrive carrying this Cross. Let the burden be the struggle for artistic perfection for Christ.
It was the de Medici’s, even in their scandal, that enabled some of the greatest innovations in history simply by enabling people like Michelangelo. It was Mozart who was funded by the royal court and the Church. Something else cool: given some of the scandals of old, we have an amazing opportunity: we can move to even greater heights.
There were many scandals in these times during the church. What would a more holy age look like? One that has the discoveries with less scandal? An age with religious fervor, the support of creativity, and the creative minds dedicated to serving the Lord. What a miraculous sight this would be!
So how are we going to go about this? By doing what is above (within all of it prayer), and finally, developing, proactively, new theories on the creative process that reflect the awesomeness of the Church. We must create based on these theories. What of deconstructionism? What of queer theory? These theories are funded with tons of grants and cush academic jobs. We must do more than criticize. Let us show how great the theories of truth are. Let us create a place for our academic minds...and reflect the natural law in modern, marketplace terms. Aristotle is vastly important to the entire western world, but our Church allows us to respond with Her laws to each generation differently. Let us move to grasp the new philosophers as much as the old. Let us embrace what is true progress, what is true response, what is true intellectualism.
So again, the simple but frustrating answer: be proactive. Let’s build.
Straight forward article? Just remember, I was asked.
 | About GP Galle G.P. Galle, Jr. has spent over 10 years studying the intersection of faith, politics, and pop culture. He is a writer and producer, previous works including A Dream Worth Living a culture of live musical, and vivace, a Christian Art extravaganza. He has a law degree from the University of Alabama Law School, and graduate magna cum laude from Auburn University. |
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