I’m a little behind the curve on this book, just not as much as I was on The Screwtape Letters. The author, Bob Briner, was a leading figure in professional sports management, an Emmy Award-winning television producer, and president of ProServ Television before passing away in 1999. The entire premise of Roaring Lambs can be summed up in the statement that Christians need to not only embrace the arts, but reclaim them. For far too long the church as a whole has looked at the arts and wrote them off as evil. Then complain when those same arts are corrupt.
His cure is to abandon all boycotts and petitions in favor of better offerings. Instead of complaining about the movies that Hollywood produces, encourage our young to enter the entertainment industry and make a difference. Instead of having a book burning party, encourage our young to write, and to write well.
For too long we as a church have mistakenly propped up paid ministers and missionaries as the only people that can make a difference in this world. We all have talents that can and should be used to further the message of Jesus. We need to embrace those talents as being just as important as those gifted with a calling to be a missionary.
The following is a test printed at the beginning of the book and it didn’t take long for me to realize that this book was going to be good…and that I have a lot of work to do myself.
Take the following test by answering each statement Yes or No, then check your score at the end.
1. I have attended a school board meeting within the last year.
2. I have as many close friends outside the church as within.
3. I own at least one original piece of art.
4. In the last year I have written a letter of praise to a network or sponsor of a television program.
5. I support decent movies by attending wholseome ones and avoiding unwholsome ones.
6. I consider careers in the arts, journalism, literature, film, and television to be as important for the kingdom as pastoral ministry, or foreign missions.
7. I have written at least one letter to the editor of my local newspaper in the last year.
8. I have read at least one book on the New York Times Bestseller List in the past year.
9. I am active in the civic affairs of my community.
10. I have talked with at least one non-Christian about my relationship with Christ and what it means to be His follower.
If you answered Yes to:
8-10 — A bona fide Roaring Lamb
5-7 — Watch out, they’re starting to listen
2-4 — Mouth open, no sound
0-1 — B-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a
Filed under: Art, Books, Christian Life
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