Acuff's book, also called Stuff Christians Like, is a funny, irreverent look at the Christian subculture—one of my favorite reads this summer. And it contains a particularly priceless riff: "Using the Desire to be 'Culturally Relevant' as an Excuse to Watch Family Guy". It talks about what happens when Christianity runs headlong into secular entertainment.
Do I love the Family Guy television cartoon or the new Lil Wayne album? No. But what can I do? Christianity needs to be more relevant. How are we going to change today's generation if we don't understand them? How can I witness to someone about the love of Christ if I can't hang in a conversation about Family Guy?
Seriously, what if I'm in the middle of walking someone through the gospel and they say, "That redeeming blood of Jesus thing you're talking about is interesting, but let me ask you something. Who's your favorite character on Family Guy?" and I can't instantly answer, "Glen Quagmire"? The whole conversation would break down right there. I'd look out of touch … and God would lose his chance to reach one more person. Is that what you want? You want heaven all to yourself? You're so selfish.
Now, y'all know where Plugged In comes down on shows like Family Guy: We think this stuff affects us on myriad levels—often in ways we don't fully realize or understand. The Fox cartoon makes for poor sermon illustrations.
But I get the desire to use culture to further the Kingdom, too. I mean, that's been a hallmark of Christianity from the very beginning—its ability to take pieces of the secular and to mold them to reflect something better.
Which means there's gotta be a line somewhere, regarding what we can (or should) use, and what we can't (or shouldn't). Or is there? And more to Acuff's point, how often do we draw that line where we want, just 'cause we don't want to give up something we enjoy?
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