Art is a complex issue with no clear answer by Christians. “Left Behind” series is long past but still a controversial issue. Why bother bringing it up? Because art is valuable and I like to champion art. The pushback on the series by all in the Christian community is cringe worthy. We need to engage in the arts and not shoot our own when they create art. What we did to Tim LeHaye we continue to do with other artists.

“Christians struggle with art” ~Tim LeHaye

When the series started and the first movie came out, it was an interesting time. Somehow my dad got tickets to an event where we sat in on a small table discussion with Tim LeHaye. The discussion was on the series and the movie. In this, Tim made the statement about art. This perplexed me, but it rings as true. Arguably for at least a generation, the church largely abandoned the arts. None of my discipleship training really contended with the arts, except a couple of professors at Bible college.

“The books and the movie are not where you get your theology.” ~Tim LeHaye

Tim drew out the critical question: How do you make art that is theologically correct? Even in his view of Revelation, he took liberties with the book because of needs to writing or the needs of movies. Both are different forms of art with different requirements. Hence movies are different than books and both are different than a theology textbook. Tim did not have an answer but he raised a good question: What determines theologically good art?

“Good art points to good conversations.” ~Tim LeHaye

Tim’s goal seemed to be that through the books and the movie people would open up their Bible and engage the truth. He was clear that theology should be developed with your pastor and your Bible. Tim also alluded to the arts not having to be in in opposition to good theology. He wanted Christians to engage the arts so he lead by example. And we metaphorically shot him for it.

Why bother?

Why should Christians bother with the arts and open themselves up for overwhelming ridicule? Those who would agree theologically with Tim critiqued the art like a theology textbook. Others decry it as pop-dispensationalism, which it did become. Others who do not agree with Tim theologically did they same and largely criticized Christian art. The point communicated: If you engage in the arts expect to be shot at rather than championed. As a Christian community we are too quick to pounce on what is wrong vs what was right, as if Philippians 4:8-9 didn’t exist in our Bibles.

Response #1: We need clarity on art

There needs to be a robust conversation about art in the Christian community. Art creates deep conversations. We need deep conversations. But art is not an accurate one to one depiction of reality. This is where Christians seem to get hung up the most. It is also why I did not read the Left Behind series. Bible College and Seminary made it hard to turn off the discernment switch, much like why many in the military hate military movies. Some can flip the art switch on and some cannot. A big reason for all of this, we don’t discuss what art is and what makes for good art.

Response #2: Be patient with artists

Being good at art takes time and skill. Most people are not great at the start but they become better. One could take out “Left Behind” and put “Facing the Giants” and the article would still ring true. What is missing is championing progress towards engaging the arts. We need art. Art helps build depth and process thoughts and emotions. Our criticism should be to improve artistic engagement and not trash the person or art. The later is what we largely do. Love is patient, and as Christians we should get the hint.

You should write…

A couple of skits were developed to help set the stage for the sermon. (Another artistic expression that got decried by the anti-church growth crowd.) A few stated I should consider writing. When asking why, my because was simple. I don’t want to be the next Tim LeHaye. In counting the cost of doing art, I did not see what would be the inevitable shooting of our own that would take place as worth it.

What we “left behind” is art and those equipped for such pursuits. We can do better.