Council for Christian College and Universities 2006 Technology Conference “Tools of Engagement” Council for Christian College and Universities 2006 Technology Conference “Tools of Engagement”

“If you could live forever, would you and why?” “I would not live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we we’re supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever.” ---Miss Alabama (1994 Miss USA contest)

“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry... …I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” --Mariah Carey

“Smoking kills. And if you’re killed you’ve lost a very important part of your life.” --Brooke Shields

“It’s boring. We walked out after, like, one minute.” Paris Hilton on The Passion of the Christ (Entertainment Weekly, June 11, 2004)

I. The Elements of Contemporary Culture

Major Influences In an Adolescent’s Life Major Influences In an Adolescent’s Life 1.Family 2.School 3.Friends 4.Church 5.Other 1.Family 2.School 3.Friends 4.Church 5.Other 1.Friends 2.Family 3.Media 4.School 5.Church 1.Friends 2.Family 3.Media 4.School 5.Church 1.Media 2.Friends 3.Family 4.School 5.Other 1.Media 2.Friends 3.Family 4.School 5.Other 1960’s 1980’s Today

Local Culture Local Culture Elite Culture Elite Culture Popular Culture Popular Culture The Cultural Landscape Popular Culture Popular Culture

II. The Influence of Popular Culture

“Will and Grace, WWE Smackdown, Eminem, and Madonna have more to do with the direction of our culture than all of Congress.” Bill Wichterman Policy advisor to Senate Majority leader Bill Frist

“More theology is conveyed in, and probably retained from one hour of popular television, than from all the sermons that are delivered on any given weekend in America’s synagogues, churches and mosques.” Phyllis Tickle Publisher’s Weekly “God-Talk in America”

My faith is "... just a really incredible state of mind. It's just a beautiful place to try and be at. It's basically about constantly growing and making yourself a better person and focusing on what you want for yourself and the world and really putting it out there. It's amazing." Kate Bosworth

Brian “Head” Welch

III. The Christian and Culture

Three Approaches WITHDRAW Offended by Culture

Three Approaches Delighted by Culture WITHDRAW Offended by Culture ASSIMILATE

Three Approaches Delighted by Culture WITHDRAW Offended by Culture Distressed by Culture ASSIMILATE ENGAGE

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Council for Christian College and Universities 2006 Technology Conference “Tools of Engagement” Council for Christian College and Universities 2006 Technology Conference “Tools of Engagement”