tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189322488280856738.post4056635320235710174..comments2023-03-29T10:11:21.724-04:00Comments on Beholding and Becoming: Reflection on “When the Kings Come Marching In: Isaiah and the New Jerusalem"Jamie Fugatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12865422725736396895noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189322488280856738.post-41985424460865611672008-09-23T10:22:00.000-04:002008-09-23T10:22:00.000-04:00Jamie, I cannot speak for Mouw on all these issues...Jamie, <BR/>I cannot speak for Mouw on all these issues you raise, so I will simply tell you what he states in the book. <BR/>1. Regarding the arts, I don't think he is arguing for a Christian counter-movement that offers a lower-grade alternative to the secular arts. We see this in Christian music trying to emulate pop-culture to be relevant don't we? He is saying (in line with your Kuyper quote) that all of the domain of existence belongs to God and should bring him glory. The arts are part of fallen creation that is tainted and infected with sin. But we should embrace a worldview that sees God's redemptive purposes in this area of creation, using them for God's glory not sin. (NOTE: I think your favorite writer Alan Jacobs is a good example of this in practical terms). <BR/><BR/>2. I haven't read Niebuhr's work yet, but Mouw does draw heavy influence from that work. Mouw is a shorter work that does not deal with all the facets as Niebuhr. Carson's work is an evaluation and long reflection on that work looking at it in a 21st century mindset. I am not sure it matters which to begin with, and there are other great works out there on this <BR/><BR/>3. Mouw does not spend much if any time on how evangelism relates b/c it is outside the scope of his purpose. Since he is examining Isaiah 60, he does not venture outside themes he finds there very often. I would venture to guess that he sees evangelism and culture as dependent on one another, in that evangelism must understand culture and show God's redemptive purposes in light of that culture. <BR/>Great questions, hope this was helpful.John Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01905434758347172226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5189322488280856738.post-1003243818368461042008-09-22T20:01:00.000-04:002008-09-22T20:01:00.000-04:00John I have a number of questions about this book ...John I have a number of questions about this book that I hope you can answer for me. <BR/><BR/>1)You mention that Mouw says that we must be involved culturally in the arts, I have a gnawing suspicion that when many say that they are simply embarrassed by the low-brow status of Christianity and long for the status of being a high-brow artsy type. Is this the case with Mouw and if not how does he guide into a biblical understanding of the arts?<BR/><BR/>2)I am curious how this book compares with Niebuhr’s work and with the recent book from D. A. Carson and where you advise us to begin in a study of how a Christian is to interact with the culture at large? <BR/><BR/>3)I am also curious on where evangelism fits within the scheme of cultural engagement in his view?Jamie Fugatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12865422725736396895noreply@blogger.com