MUSIC, FILM & THE GRAND STORYLiving in Light of a Gospel Worldview

Taylor Tollison

MUSIC, FILM & THE GRAND STORYLiving in Light of a Gospel Worldview

Taylor Tollison

MAIN POINT:

The Gospel is not only for salvation.

It is also for life.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the

sun has risen; not only because I see it, but

because by it I see everything else.”

C.S. Lewis

WE ALL HAVE A WORLDVIEW

Definition: A comprehensive framework for

our basic beliefs

How Christian is my worldview?

WORLDVIEW QUESTIONS

• ORIGIN: How did it all begin?

• TRAGEDY: What is wrong?

• REMEDY: What is the remedy?

• HOPE: What do I have to look forward to?

• IDENTITY: Who am I?

• PURPOSE / MISSION: What am I supposed to be doing?

• TIME: Where are we in the story?

“Which is the real story of which my life is a part?”

Leslie Newbiggin

Every worldview has answers to the ultimate

questions & preaches its version of the “good life.”

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS

Underneath every worldview is worship.

therefore

Underneath every non-Christian worldview is idolatry.

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS

Each worldview seeks to give you

identity based on their story.

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & THE ARTS

Art inescapably carries a worldview.

“Art is a vehicle for worldview.”

Francis Schaeffer

“If you want to get to know a culture,

listen to its songwriters.”

Andrew Peterson

“Artists are the barometers of society, & by

analyzing the worldviews embedded in their works

we can learn a great deal about how to address the

modern mind more effectively.”

Nancy Pearcey

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & THE ARTS

Overindulge Think Christianly Overprotect

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & THE ARTS

Music & Movies get IN us more than other forms of art.

“… art affects us at the deepest level of the soul. It can shape

our thoughts, move our emotions, enlarge our imaginations. The

music we listen to, the images we plant in our minds, the stories

we tell — all have enormous power over the kind of people we are.

They both express and shape our beliefs and values.”

Nancy Pearcey

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & MUSIC & MOVIES

Music & Movies stir our emotions & direct our worship

(or love) toward particular values.

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & MUSIC & MOVIES

1) Focus on Tonight

2) Search for Love

3) Have a lot of Sex

4) Be Independent

5) Gather Possessions

6) Be Authentic

The “Good Life” according to Today’s Music:

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & MUSIC & MOVIES

1) Die for your Country

2) Be in Love

3) Be Tough

4) Don’t Care

5) Be Sarcastic

The “Good Life” according to Today’s Movies:

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & MUSIC & MOVIES

ALTERNATE WORLDVIEWS & MUSIC & MOVIES

THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

The Bible is the unfolding of the grand

sweeping narrative of universal history.

THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

• ORIGIN: How did it all begin? — CREATION

• TRAGEDY: What is wrong? — FALL

• REMEDY: What is the remedy? — REDEMPTION

• HOPE: What do I have to look forward to? — RESTORATION

The 4 Chapter Gospel & The Ultimate Questions:

THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

• IDENTITY: Who am I? — STEWARD OF THE GOSPEL

• PURPOSE / MISSION: What am I supposed to be doing? — MISSION

• TIME: Where are we in the story? — THE ERA OF MISSION

The 4 Chapter Gospel & The Good Life

We must embrace our Biblical identity as

stewards of the Gospel & be responsible

actors in God’s story.

THE BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

In light of the grand story of God, we must understand the world

through the following lenses:

1. My Life should be about Worshipping God

2. I am a Steward of the Gospel

3. I am on Mission with God to Redeem the World

THE BIBLICAL / GOSPEL WORLDVIEW

APPLICATION

1. Learn & Apply the Biblical Worldview

2. Recognize the Influence of Alternate

Worldviews & Think Christianly