This post is likely not headed in the direction you might be expecting.

I used to love watching the Grammy’s & Oscar’s – that is until it became less about celebrating art and more about political angst. But I digress.

The 20th century philosopher and Christian apologist, Francis Schaeffer, was a brilliant man, intelligently able to discuss biblical theology as well as Led Zeppelin.

In her award-winning book, Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey writes about spending time listening to Schaeffer teach at his residential ministry located at L’Abri, Switzerland.

Pearcey shares,

“It is common for Christians to attack Hollywood or television or music in tones of aggrieved anger, berating their immoral content or mocking the pretensions of postmodern political correctness.”

Personally, I’ve always thought, “Why do we get so upset and angry when lost people act lost?”

Pearcey continues,

“Schaeffer would have none of that. Even when raising serious criticisms, he expressed a burning compassion for people caught in the trap of false and harmful world-views. When describing the pessimism and nihilism expressed in so many movies, paintings, and popular songs, he demonstrated profound empathy for those actually living in such despair.”

Pearcey finishes by quoting Schaeffer:

[What we see and hear produced by Hollywood and the music industry] “are the expression of people who are struggling with their appalling lostness. Dare we feel superior when we view their tortured expressions in their art? The men and women who produce these things are dying while they live; yet where is our compassion for them?”

Obviously, this year’s Grammy winners would scoff at being described as “lost” or “tortured.” But then again, maybe some of them feel lost or tortured. We only see the hard, outer shell. Who knows what might some might be dealing with below the surface?

Just as disagreement doesn’t mean hate, compassion doesn’t mean agree. Jesus was able to profoundly love people while simultaneously profoundly disagreeing with their lifestyle. 

Schaeffer’s point was we see people who’ve never met Jesus the same way Jesus sees them – the same way Jesus saw us before we trusted him. The same Jesus who loves and died for you, loves and died for them.

I actually have a short list of celebrities I regularly pray for. I often pray something like this…

“Oh Jesus, please break their hearts to know you. Send someone across their path who can share with them how much you love them. May they understand that true peace, hope, love, and life can be found only in you. We ask great things of a great God. This is my prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen”

nw

***Pearcey taught in the School of Apologetics at Houston Christian University, where I did my graduate studies. Having invited her to speak at an event before, I can say with confidence she is as kind as she is intelligent.