Because the media is possibly both
the antichrist and the Message..
it seems obvious that churckklesia would be intentional about cultivating a fluid, working theology of media;
not diving for the ditches of
the Luddites
or
Mediolaters
but being submergent and emergent sensitive
Why?
Media creates.
McLuhan's most widely known work, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964), is also a pioneering study in media ecology. In it heproposed that media themselves, not the content they carry, should be the focus of study –- popularly quoted as "the medium is the message." McLuhan's theory was that a medium affects the society in which it plays a role not by the content delivered over the medium, but by the characteristics of the medium itself. McLuhan pointed to the light bulb as a clear demonstration of this concept. A light bulb does not have content in the way that a newspaper has articles or a television has programs, yet it is a medium that has a social effect; that is, a light bulb enables people to create spaces during nighttime that would otherwise be enveloped by darkness. He describes the light bulb as a medium without any content; states that "a light bulb creates an environment by its mere presence."[36]
That last line connects to an intriguing old Tom Fogerty lyric , in which media/the"Media Man"
is found "Creating situations you don't understand"
What do we, the most creative people on the planet, creating?
Because
"every Christian worship ad that comes out on Fox Soccer Channel is even more embarrassing than the last" (link),
and
some of the most anointed and creative messages are coming through "secular" media and stones. ("Some things," Madeline L'Engle mused, "are so secular that they're sacred")
..it is high time we dare to assume with Clinton Arnold, Walter Wink et al that all the powers/structures/world systems are fallen, and
structures like media can be called back into serving their redemeptive purpose.No, this doesn't call us to create another TBN, cheese, or worship ads on Fox Soccer channel.
BUT..
Read and wrestle with the articles by Shane Hipps on others on "Getting naked with The Talking Heads in church video cafes"
and
McKenzie's "Orbiting the Giant Hairball"
Maybe even study the theological implications of Winky Dink for
wikichurch!..then let's talk.
Goodbye, media man Goodbye, media man Goodbye, media, goodbye, media man
You spread your paranoia all over this land
Creating situations you don't understand
If I could get next to you & turn you around
At place that we all could share & get on the ground
Goodbye, media man
Goodbye, media, goodbye, media man
Believin' in your power, it's what you can do
You gotta help change the world, there's nothin' to lose
Come out & do the people's will, your masters are hate
You gotta help bring the changes to the masters of fate
Stop flashin' pictures of the power
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