Am I in the Christian Ghetto?
Our good friend Clayton Bell posted today asking for more content on the net that is produced for Christians. He used theBeerean.com as an example of just this. But he ended his post with the question:
Am I asking for the type of content that will continue to entrench Christians in our own little ghetto?
I would have to say yes and no to this question. This is actually that I have been struggling with over the last week. I was asked by someone on the 4th of July why I don’t just do a beer blog…why does it have to be a Christian beer blog. Now before I give you my answer, let me inform you of something first.
I hate (yes hate…I want to use a word that strong) the Christian ghetto. If you don’t know what the Christian ghetto is, it is the world that Christians have created so they don’t have to interact with the rest of the world. The easiest way to recognize it is how the word Christian is thrown in front of everything. Christian bookstore, Christian music, Christian t-shirts, Christian radio stations, Christian restaurants, and Christian amuesment parks are a few to start. The last time I checked, Christian was an awesome noun and a horrible adjective.
So to think of the possiblility that I might be added to the ranks of the Christian ghetto scares/hurts me. I hope you never get the idea that I write this blog to keep you from having to interact with any other aspect of the beer world. That has never been and never will be my intention. If anything it is quite the opposite.
So back to my answer to the question posed by my friend on the 4th. I don’t write a Christian beer blog. I write a beer blog from the perspective of someone who has been radically transformed by the gospel. My reason for writing isn’t to create our own little Christian beer blogging world, but to give you a different perspective as you do go into the world of beer. I want you to see that beer is more than just a tasty beverage. I want you to see that beer is an instrument to be used to bring glory to God. This blog is used to encourage you to get out of the ghetto and to glorify God with everything that He has given you.
So to answer your question Clayton, I think the content that you ask for could just add to the Christian ghetto. If it’s just offering up the same content as the world and slapping on the label of Christian so people don’t get “dirty.” But you’ll never see that on this blog (and if I ever do…call me on it).
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Comments
Well, since I’m the one that started this whole mess, I’ll chime in…
I was torn myself while writing the post, which is why you see the question at the end. I’ve continued to mull it over, and I think the answer is yes and no as well, and yes and no about your endeavors.
I think the blog, IMHO, for the most part is from a Christian perspective to help other Christians think Christ-like about culture, and beer specifically. I think the podcast is just a non-religious tip and encouragement for better beer drinking. I think both can co-exist, and both can reach different audiences.
I think there’s a place for Christian content, like the Relevant Podcast, that helps Christians discern and understand culture from a Christian perspective, but there doesn’t need to be a Christian comedy channel. Just be funny and everyone will laugh. Beer is beer is beer. But how you act in bars, how you think about where and how much to consume, that can have a distinctly Christian perspective to it.
So, to use a phrase I loathe…I think it’s “both and”
Dude, rocking post and so well stated.
I’m with you. I hate, no HATE, the “christian” sub-culture that exists in the world today. I think it’s wrong and is completely the opposite of the great commission.
You’re in a unique spot my friend, because some of the stuff you post on your blog wouldn’t make sense to unchurched people since drinking beer is completely normal for them and they don’t even question the morality of it. On the other hand, many “christians” (again, I use the term loosely) would have a major fight to pick with you on whether or not drinking beer is the “christian thing to do.”
So you really don’t fit into either culture! 
So keep writing what you’re writing and I’ll keep reading.
Brad Ruggless last blog post..Please Explain Something To Me
It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the Christian sub-culture we tend to self create. Thanks for your thoughts and even some explanation on why you have this blog.
Kevin Mattisons last blog post..Heaven and the Colbert Report…
@Brad: What’s interesting Brad is that as I’m in the middle/between of both cultures, I have yet to receive questions from the left or hate mail from the right. It’s kind of sad. I really am looking forward to my first hate mail or comment.
@Kevin: Thanks for reading Kevin. I’m still amazed everyday that anyone would even come by this site. So it is truly an honor to have you as a reader.
I love the line, “The last time I checked, Christian was an awesome noun and a horrible adjective.”
Well stated, my friend!
Jared L. Stills last blog post..God Values the Journey. What King David can teach us about the nature of God
What Brad said.
Keep writing, Greg. I don’t get by here as much as I mean to… but, I think you have a great blog.
Renee Anns last blog post..links for 2008-07-09
[...] have created so they don’t have to interact with the rest of the world.” (Read more here) Most of Michael W. Smith’s songs create the image that a life with Christ is very [...]
Slightly related… the google ads for this post are awesome.
I feel ya on the hate.
portorikans last blog post..This is Why I Don’t Enjoy McDonald’s and Nothing Else Needs to Be Said