The Medium is the Message: Hip 2B Holy and the Corpse of Jerry Falwell
by Sam on May 26, 2009
Last night Global Television premiered their latest venture into the realm of television documentaries, the oddly titled Hip 2B Holy.
Hip to B Holy focuses on the pop rebranding of evangelical Christianity through such ventures as the Connexus Community Church, which holds its services in a multiplex rented for the morning. Complete with flashy lights, sound, and ‘Christ Washed’ Connexus looks to proselytize to youth by giving the ecclesiastical experience the simulacrum of a rock concert — essentially creating a spectacle.
This isn’t exactly an original concept, as Jerry Falwell pioneered this formula for a ‘mega-church’ in the middle of the twentieth century.
Similar venues have sprang up around the United States capitalizing on the gospel revival of the last ten years.
All of this reminded me of something else: Marshall McLuhan
and his timeless axiom “The Medium is the Message”
With this phrase, McLuhan proposes that the medium influences how the
message is interpreted and received.
This can be applied to the study of televangelism and megachurches, as what Falwell specialized in, to a more traditional sermon delivered by a minister in a more traditional church or basilica.
Mega Churches and Televangelism are a money making enterprise, with the producers working to create a spectacle that includes theatrics such as faith ‘healings’ — with the phrase
“May the power of Christ compel you!” reaching near idiomatic status among televangelists — and eschalogical ramblings. In comparison a minister at a local church whom forgoes celebrity status as a ‘national preacher’ in favor of spreading the word of God through charitable works and outreach to those in need in the community. While the message of repent and the love of God remain the same, the medium influences how the message is interpreted.
With a televangelist like Falwell or the youth pastor featured in the programme, Nate Gerber, the message is interpreted through the lens of morals and the political sphere: social activism promoting the reintegration of Christian morals into society and the convergence of
Church and State is the only way to save our now heathened society in its fall from grace.
This ‘McFaith’ that both Falwell and his reincarnates featured in the programme has no place in our society and should be phased out as quickly as possible. It is a patent assualt on reason and knowledge, that should have not made the jump into the 20th century. Nothing annoys me more than to see these people willfully forgo their education in their misguided pursuit of the divine. Furthermore people like Gerber who try and brand Christianity into something it is not through creating spectacles as documented on this show.
On a side note, The Simpsons did a particularly sharp and witty episode a while ago entitled “I’m Going to Praiseland” that targeted inauthentic neoevangelicals like Jim and Tammy Bakker.
Check it out, its one of their better episodes.
5 comments
As a Connexus insider, it was good to see Global’s Hip2BHoly.
We knew it was airing, but had no idea how it would be slanted, or spun.
It was a fair representation of an outsiders view of Connexus, it seems.
As for “the Medium is the Message”, I think Connexus uses the Medium FOR the Message.
There are people of every type attending this church. Of all ages, socio-economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. What brings them together? Not completely sure, but it’s a beautiful thing.
If good quality musicianship, a good sound system and high quality environments make Connexus a ‘spectacle’, than so be it… I’m thrilled to put my abilities, and resources behind this church as a volunteer.
Have a great day
by Dave Mc on May 27, 2009 at 8:30 pm #
Quick question Dave Mc. When you say “There are people of every type attending this church. Of all ages, socio-economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. What brings them together? Not completely sure, but it’s a beautiful thing.” I am happy for you but I am troubled. You should know or at least have some clue as to what it is that brings people together at Conexus. If you don’t then you could literally be like that saying. “Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.” The one thing we must be most certain of is what we stand for the truths of our salvation. It lies in the sacrifice make on the Cross. They can go to a rock concert to be entertained by a good sound system or high quality environment. That is not going to get them into Heaven.
by John Hof on June 4, 2009 at 9:23 pm #
You should ponder on if all those lights and sound make for an authentic religious experience? Or is it merely a spectacle?
by Sam on June 4, 2009 at 9:46 pm #
So, what do you know about Falwell? What do you know about the Christian message? Are you missing some important pieces that could satisfy your questions?
I agree with your criticism of the “spectacle” of the mega church and the “lights and sounds” that thousands of people “experience” every week. Flashy “spectacles” and “sensual experiences” will get no one into heaven.
However, if these “spectacles” cause one to consider the gospel message in its most genuine form, then and only then are these churches accomplishing what Christ commissioned, “to go and make disciples of all nations.” God is not pleased with the “show” alone, that’s why the Pharisees were called hypocrites by Jesus himself. (see the gospel of Matthew)
Having known Jerry Falwell personally as a student at Liberty University, I know his passion was to live out what Christ commissioned. He used methods that he felt were the most useful to accomplish that purpose. The TV cameras didn’t follow him into downtown Lynchburg, where he would empty his wallet and strip down his clothing to help those in need. Falwell wouldn’t let his life become a “spectacle” even if some came to his church solely for that purpose. He drove a rusted Chevy suburban until he was placed on a terrorist’s hitlist. Then he drove a bullet-proofed suburban around like it was his rusted one(he drove over the curbs on campus just to say hello to students)
I ask you to consider the heart and passion of the individual before you collectively criticize his/her methods of worship. I feel the “rock n roll” is only a method of opening the ears of a generation who doesn’t know about Jesus. The gospel hasn’t changed, and God have mercy on the person who tries to change it.! Falwell would love the fact that people are questioning his methods, though. It’s the reason he decided to try something different 52 years ago!
by mwlantz on July 29, 2009 at 11:44 am #
Thanks for writing, I very much liked your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you evidently have natural ability for blogging!
by OnequeAnero on March 7, 2010 at 12:38 pm #