There is a sentiment that Christians should support Christian art as a strategy for cultural impact. And to a large extent, I agree with this. However, this emphasis could be a strategic misstep in our culture that could expend resources better spent elsewhere. While it is true that the Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of The Rings, and more have had tremendous cultural impact, investing in creating the next epic is a shot in the dark, especially in today’s environment. But ultimately, the urge to emphasize the arts is putting the cart before the horse.
Media Fragmentation
The landscape of film and television distribution chaotic. Movies need to be memeable or really cheap to make decent returns, it seems. Popcorn flicks that would have been blockbusters a decade ago struggle to turn a profit today. People are fatigued of bad, woke movies. However, the market for “Christian movies” rarely exceeds a $20 million box office performance, regardless of genre.
The streaming environment is consolidating as consumers are not interested in new platforms. Thus, if you can’t get on Netflix, Prime, or HBO Max, good luck getting seen. The era of water-cooler television is over, for now.
This is to say that pouring resources into affecting change in this industry is a high-risk, low-reward endeavor as the market currently exists. It must also be pointed out that theater kids are not the most reliable personalities you would want to promote.
Alternative Solution
Instead, Christian capital needs to be boldly deployed, acquiring cash-flowing assets and houses. It needs to start businesses that empower their owners with sizable discretionary earnings that can then be boldly deployed elsewhere.
The Manhattan Institute is an excellent example of what I’m talking about. The reason why Chris Rufo isn’t all that based, why this organization hires sodomites and transvestites while claiming to be conservative is that its patroness, “Suzy Shofar” is a liberal Jew. Imagine a think tank organization like the Manhattan Institute, beholden to based Christian whales, instead.
If the patrons improve, those funded will also improve. It’s not to say we should abandon the arts entirely, but we should look at a classical solution, patronage networks, rather than prioritize artistic endeavors that will cost a lot and be seen by few. We need patrons before art patrons.
One Response
Another problem is that the examples you cite of Christian art with “tremendous cultural impact” is that they embody the medieval pagan-Christian synthesis that so disastrously crashed during the 17th.