Beauty is also very personal. We tag our reviews section, “Encounters with Art,” because, just as we don’t assume to have a unique handle on truth, we know that what we find beautiful, others may find bland and vice versa. But we do our best to shine our spotlight on what we consider to be “signs of life.” Our purpose at Paste is to help spread the joy that comes from discovering art that simply moves us with its beauty, whether it’s a gentle ballad or an abrasive punk tune. Kurt Cobain captured youthful angst in his lyrics, but it was his mastery of melody that made him a rock star—and makes us want to go back to those songs years later.

People often try to distinguish between art and entertainment, but there’s beauty in the whip-smart banter in an Aaron Sorkin TV show, the strong lines of a comic book or the hook of a club song. We don’t have to feel guilty for the pleasure they bring unless we’re ignoring other responsibilities for their sakes.

Because of this, art and beauty need not be subservient to message. There’s no need to artificially imbue every work with a Gospel presentation. It’s not simply a tool to wield for ulterior purposes. Beauty, whether natural or man-made, exists to be enjoyed. It enriches us and gives us hope, and that’s enough.

RE-ENGAGING CULTURE

Some will see this as an attempt to use Scripture to justify a watereddown modern Christianity that would be unrecognizable to those first identified as Christians at Antioch and potentially abhorrent to Christ himself. All along this journey, we’ve tried to imagine what God thinks of what we’re doing and all along, we’ve searched our consciences. This is where we feel called to be.

It’s clear to us that nothing shapes our current cultural landscape as significantly as popular media. It’s also clear to us that for too long, the disengagement of Christians from creating and participating in our popular culture has been to the detriment of our civil discourse and to both the Church and the world at large. A misguided theology that believes nothing worthwhile can come from outside the Church has resulted in a bunker mentality that has limited the influence of the ideas we Christians hold dear.

We believe that by seeking out, celebrating and sharing works of popular culture that we have the bigger opportunity to “push back the darkness” and ultimately reveal more light. We believe that we can learn from culture, partake of the artistry of our neighbors and find joy in creativity. It’s ludicrous to lament the state of music, film or even television when the signs of life are all over the place and with the slightest bit of effort, easy to find.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What is a “sign of life” (an expression of the good, true, and beautiful) you have experienced in an unexpected area of pop culture recently?

“Safe for the whole family” is a phrase that the authors challenge in this Short. How has this phrase shaped your thinking in the past and how will you view this perspective going forward?

There is an underlying principle shared that good things can come from people who are not Christian. Do you agree or not agree with this premise? Share some examples from your experience.

The authors refer to “two kinds of truth.” Have you ever thought about truth in this context or do you think all truth is capital “T” truth?

How has this Short changed your way of thinking about popular culture? Moving forward, how will you find and celebrate the good, true, and beautiful in our society?

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