If you look at the life of Jesus and how he related to others’ you’ll notice a pattern. He was harder on those closest to him and expected more. Conversely, when it came to those who had not had the opportunity to know him yet, he was the loving beacon in the badlands. He wanted nothing more than to bring them into a place of healing and restoration. As a Christian myself, it is from that viewpoint that I write from when I speak a hard truth.
Let’s face it. We as Christians and conservatives have lost the culture war.
Whether out of laziness or ignorance we have surrendered our youth to the pop stars of today in every medium. Taken out of context this can sound outdated but hear me out. We have not lost the culture war because we have failed to produce alternatives. We have. And for the most part, the substitutes are horrible. When the young (and young-at-heart) have Batman we give them Bibleman. A low-budget, unrealistic who that cops ideas from a dozen other franchises. Then there are the talking vegetables, creepy old men in boats and Beck’s failed “Liberty Treehouse”.
At the same time, I see pastors mention their favorite franchise from the pulpit. But what they forget is that Star Wars was created by a self-proclaimed “Buddhist-Methodist” who was a supporter of the liberal agenda. They are also quick to support the comics industry which is hard at work at pushing those values. Don’t get me wrong, I love pop SciFi (I am more of a Trekkie though) but the point is that we seem to live in a constant state of duality.
I asked my former pastor about this some time ago. Here’s what Dusty Kemp said:
“Christians have a problem sometimes because they don’t see they have a double standard. They have a church side of life and then “the other one”. There are things in that second life that they allow which they shouldn’t, but they still have their church side which justifies them I guess, in their own minds. They don’t see there is just one life to live and keep it holy before the Lord.
They think if it’s Christian then It should be like church. Otherwise it’s ‘secular’.”
We are quick to quote “we are in the world but not of this world” but the part that we seem to forget is the “we are in the world” part. Yes, we are here. And while we are here we have an obligation to produce original work that is innovative, epic and yes, rivaling (if not better) than the popular franchises of today. We need to set a higher standard and remember that our LIVES are the message. As a Science Fiction author it’s been my experience that when people get to know your work they get to know you, the creator of the work. And when they do, that’s when relationship comes in and takes over. That’s when they see Him.
That’s when they see the values that He represents.
Leonardo Ramirez is an author of Science Fiction, a husband, father, and a Karate instructor with a 4th degree black belt. His works include Haven of Dante, a sequel to Dante’s Inferno as well as the Children’s Steampunk Series, The Jupiter Chronicles.
You can learn more about the author at Leonardoverse.com
Leonardo Ramirez lives with his wife Kristen, their daughter Mackenzy and their two dogs, Duchess and Tinkerbell in Nolensville, Tennessee.
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