Let’s take a song like Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
Instead of just enjoying it (which most of us do), start asking deeper questions: What does it say about identity, guilt, or meaning?
Listen to lines like: “Mama, just killed a man… Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he’s dead…” There’s an immediate sense of guilt and moral weight. This isn’t a trivial world—actions matter.
Or: “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” Now we’re in the realm of reality and confusion—a kind of instability about what’s true.
And later: “Nothing really matters… anyone can see…” That’s a powerful statement about meaning—or the loss of it.
So now ask:
What is true?
There are real echoes of human experience here: Guilt is real, Our choices have consequences, There’s a longing to escape or be freed.
This is what C. S. Lewis meant when he talked about “borrowed truth.” Even secular art often reflects deep truths about the human condition.
What is distorted?
But notice what’s missing: There’s no clear redemption, No resolution to guilt, Meaning ultimately collapses into: “nothing really matters”
From a Christian perspective, that’s where it diverges. Because Christianity says: Guilt is real—but so is forgiveness, Brokenness is real—but so is redemption, Meaning isn’t lost—it’s grounded in God
I think the goal is not to reject everything imperfect. The goal is to recognize truth—and distortion—clearly. And, to not engage with things that lead you personally away from the truth. That’s what it means to engage culture like a Christian—not shutting it out, but seeing it truthfully.
Discernment Without Legalism
This is where things often go wrong.
Two Common Extremes
1. Total Rejection “Everything secular is bad.” This leads to isolation—and often shallow thinking.
2. Total Acceptance “It’s just entertainment.” This leads to uncritical consumption—and quiet formation by unbiblical ideas.
A Better Way: Thoughtful Engagement
Timothy Keller suggested that Christians should: Affirm what is good, Critique what is false, and to Reinterpret through the gospel. This approach takes both truth and sin seriously.
Asking Better Questions
Instead of asking only: “Is this allowed?”
Ask:
- What is this shaping me to love?
- What vision of the “good life” is this presenting?
- What does it say about identity, purpose, or truth?
- Does this draw me toward Christ—or subtly away from Him?
These questions move us from rule-following to wisdom.
Here’s a simple framework you can actually use:
1. Enjoy It: Appreciate creativity, storytelling, beauty.
2. Examine It: Identify the worldview underneath.
3. Evaluate It: Measure it against Scripture.
This allows you to stay engaged without being passive.
Can You Enjoy What You Disagree With?
This is one of the hardest questions. Can you enjoy a movie, song, or artwork that celebrates something you believe is wrong? The answer is: sometimes—but carefully.
You must be able to: Recognize what’s being celebrated, Distinguish between appreciation and endorsement, and Guard your heart from influence
If you can’t do that, it may not be wise to engage with it. But if you can, it becomes an opportunity for deeper understanding and even meaningful conversation.
The Power of Story in Cultural Change
Stories don’t just reflect culture—they shape it. Think about: How relationships are portrayed in media, how morality is framed, how identity is defined. These narratives slowly normalize certain ideas. Not through argument—but through repetition and emotional connection. How often are people appealing to “feelings” rather than “truth” or “consequences?” That’s why discernment matters so much.
Raising Thoughtful Consumers (and Creators)
If you’re leading others—or raising kids—this becomes even more important. Instead of only or always just saying: “Don’t watch that.” Try asking: What do you think this is saying? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? How does this compare to what Scripture teaches?
So, yes, protect your kids from things they shouldn’t see, but also disciple them into critical thinkers shaped by our faith.
For instance, we use a service in our home called VidAngel. It allows us to edit movies and TV shows in a custom way. I’ve shown my kids movies like Oppenheimer and Saving Private Ryan so they can see, in some way, the reality of war, for instance. But, cut out things that don’t necessarily need to be seen to understand what’s going on.
The Goal: Not Control, but Formation
My hope for this conversation is not to create a list of approved and banned media or to make people feel guilty about entertainment. The goal is something deeper: To form people who can think like Christians in any cultural moment.
I want you to be able to recognize truth, resist distortion, engage thoughtfully, and enjoy beauty without losing conviction.
Finally…
This week, try this: Don’t just consume media. Engage with it. Watch intentionally. Listen carefully. Think deeply. Because every story you take in is shaping you. The question is: Who—or what—is shaping your imagination?
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prays for His followers:
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:14–15, 18, ESV)
Jesus does not pray for removal. He prays for protection and mission. Christians are sent people. We live in the world, but we do not belong to it. Our values, loyalties, and identity come from another kingdom.
Nothing in this kingdom is neutral. Every piece of media is telling you something about reality. Let Scripture guide you and empower you to engage without total withdrawal. Because the goal is not to escape culture. It’s to live faithfully within it.