Entertainment Theology?

Barry Taylor (2008), Entertainment Theology: New Edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic

Barry Taylor is artist in residence for the Brehm center and an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught classes on music, film and contemporary theology. He is also an associate rector at All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills.

The engagement of Christianity and culture has always been a thorny issue and in the past many would have been burnt on the stake for their heretic views. However, with post-Christendom, post-modernism and the rise of Web 2.0, the context of theology and Christianity has radically changed.

However, Christianity has not been willing to change but cling to its old structure and organisation. Taylor argues for a 'democratized spirituality' in that Christianity must decentralise and become a people's religion. He is arguing for a change in the form but not the content of the faith. The form will ride along the with the 'new globalized cultural imaginary.' There will hence be many Christian spiritualities instead of one 'old fashioned Christianity.' These Christian spiritualities will embrace many of the good features of the prevalent culture. The gospel message will be transmitted along the channels which entertainment is delivered to us today.

Taylor makes a strong case for Christianity to remain relevant to the prevailing culture. However, he sometimes skirt too close to the line that demarcate inclusiveness and exclusiveness of Christianity.

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