Throughout my life, learning to navigate being passionate about both arts/entertainment and the Church/my faith in Jesus, I’ve noticed that those two worlds and two communities don’t always understand each other or get along well a lot of the time, and that breaks my heart. I don’t believe it has to be that way or that God wants it to be that way. So, in this episode, I share from Scripture and my experience three practical ways Christians can better love, value, support, and relate to artists and entertainers of all kinds who create art in what some in the Church would call the “secular entertainment” industry.
Episode Outline and Bible Passages
3 Ways Christians Can Love Artists and Entertainers Better
1. Appreciate the work of artists.
The Bible does not teach that secular entertainment is inherently sinful or inherently not valuable to our lives. (More about in this episode: Can Christians Listen to Secular Music?) Christians are free to enjoy mainstream arts and entertainment as long as it’s being used in a way that honors God and the Scriptures and is not in conflict with God’s truth as revealed in the Bible, and according to the personal convictions God has given each individual Christian.
So, we should not mindlessly endorse everything that an artist may do in their art or lifestyle. And we should discern what ideas and practices align with God’s Word and which ones don’t, so that we can be wise and biblically faithful in our entertainment choices. (More on discerning secular entertainment as a Christian in this episode.) But whatever you are able to appreciate and celebrate from the art and life of an artist while being true to your faith as a Christian, true to the principles and boundaries of the Bible, and true to your personal convictions, do so.
- 1 Timothy 4:3-5
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Romans 14
- 1 Corinthians 8-10
- Philippians 4:8
2. Treat artists with respect
Because the careers of artists and entertainers, and subsequently their lives, can be very public in a lot of cases, sometimes believers wrongly conclude–even unknowingly and unintentionally–that we have the right to treat them and talk about them any way we want, but that’s not the case. If you speak to/about an artist or speak up with biblical perspective on something that happens in culture or entertainment, make sure you are led by the Holy Spirit and make sure speak with the attitude and approach Christians are called to in Scripture.
- Ephesians 4:14-15
- 1 Peter 3:15-16
- Colossians 4:4-6
- James 1:19
- Romans 12:9-11
- Ephesians 5:1-2
When interacting with people who did not yet know and follow Him, Jesus perfectly illustrated the balance of love coupled with truth. He called people out of sin and into faith in Him, following Him, and spiritual maturity with mercy, grace, kindness, and compassion. And called us as His followers to the same approach: compassion, prayer, sharing the gospel, and discipling those who believe.
- John 8:1-11
- Matthew 9:35-38
- 1 Timothy 2:1-6
- Matthew 28:18-20
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
3. Pray for artists.
In the Christian faith, praying for someone is a great act of love for that person. When you pray for someone you’re having compassion, you’re joining with them in whatever they’re going through, and you’re asking God to help them. You’re saying you care enough about that person and what’s happening in their life to take time to talk to God on their behalf.
As Christians we pray because we believe that God hears us and works in the world through prayers, so it really does make a difference in people’s lives. The Bible teaches that the prayers of a Christian that align with God’s will are powerful and produce wonderful results. Three simple ways to pray for artists based on 1 Timothy 2:1-4: Thank God for them. Ask God to help them. Pray for their relationship with God.
- 1 John 5:14-15
- James 5:16-18
- Romans 15:30-32
- 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Resources to help you pray for artists and the entertainment industry:
Fun Stuff and Other Resources
Book: Imagine: A Vision for Christians In the Arts (This is my favorite book! I highly recommend if you are a Christian working in the arts, a Christian fan of the arts, or just a Christian wanting to have a biblical framework for engaging arts and culture.)
Podcasts: Here are some of my favorite podcasts/YouTube channels with great interviews with artists or discussing music, mostly, and some TV/film/musical theater.
- Zach Sang Show
- Daniel Wall
- The Terrell Show
- Ten Year Town with Troy Cartwright
- And The Writer Is
- Apple Music (especially Zane Lowe’s and Kelleigh Bannen’s long form interviews)
- The Bobby Bones Show | The Bobbycast
- Switched On Pop
- Variety (love their Actors on Actors series)
- Broadway.Com
- *Hollywood Changemakers by Hollywood Prayer Network
- *Narrow Way to Broadway
- *Christian Music Bros Podcast (shoutout to my friend Brendan Burke who hosts this show!)
- *NewReleaseToday: Website | YouTube (I have the privilege of being a staff writer on this team covering Christian music news and supporting Christian artists!)
*The starred podcasts are faith-based. The others ones are not and may cover all kinds of topics, and speak with people from all walks of life. I may not agree with or endorse every piece of content in the podcasts, every piece of art presented, or everything discussed in every conversation. But overall, I have found these to be enjoyable, insightful, and inspiring places to keep up with the entertainment industry and some of my favorite artists. Choose to watch/listen or to refrain only as you would find them fun, interesting, and helpful to you, as you are led by God, and according to the personal convictions God has given you.
Watch these Everyday Walk Podcast episodes for more on navigating faith, entertainment, and personal convictions as a Christian: - How Christians Should Handle Personal Convictions and Gray Areas
- Can Christians Listen to “Secular” Music?
- How I Discern “Secular” Entertainment As A Christian
LET’S TALK! How did this episode confirm or change your perspective on how the Church/Christians can relate to mainstream artists and entertainers? Discuss this episode in the comments below.
