I got to sit down with Left-Behind co-author Jerry B. Jenkins to discuss Christians & the Arts. My questions are in bold. Photo cred: Dan Cristian Pădureț (Pexels).

You’ve been involved in Christian entertainment for a long time. When surveying the broad landscape of Christian art, are there any trends that excite you? Are there any that worry you?

The trend toward plausible imagining and super relatable characters on screen (as evidenced by The Chosen) is especially encouraging.



Growing up in the Church, there were times when I felt guilt for consuming entertainment that wasn’t necessarily Christian (a moving novel, a captivating song, a cinematic thriller). Can you speak into this guilt & how we got here?

I suppose it was a product of misplaced fundamentalism. I am a fundamentalist in doctrine, more ecumenical in practice. I believe as we age and, hopefully mature, we recognize that ALL good gifts come from the Father of lights.




In your view, do Christians have an obligation to preach the gospel and evangelize through the art (movies, songs, films) they produce?

Clearly we have a biblical mandate, from Jesus Himself, to “go and make disciples.” That may mean overtly in witnessing, preaching, writing, filmmaking, etc., and it also may, at times, mean doing some subtle watering, softening hearts, turning them toward the truth so that someone else might reap the harvest.



What might be some stumbling blocks to Christians creating good art?

Assuming that because it’s Christian-themed and well-intentioned it doesn’t have to be excellent. We’re competing with the best in the world at some of these disciplines, so we should settle for nothing but the best. We enjoy a power source they don’t have.




What might be some stumbling blocks to Christians enjoying good art?

Not seeing the value in it simply because it’s not done by fellow believers. We must recognize quality in whatever form it comes. We shouldn’t judge the world as if it shares our beliefs.


Christian music and Christian films are often criticized as lacking quality. Do you feel these criticisms are warranted or do you feel something else might be going on?

Sadly, for too long this has been warranted. And believers who rarely attend general market movies or listen to popular music are so warmed and encouraged by even mediocre Christian stuff that they believe it’s as good as what the world puts out. That doesn’t mean there’s not a place for it, and God often works in spite of our mediocre efforts. But when I hear someone say that a clunky, amateurish Christian movie is the best they’ve ever seen, I have to wonder if they’ve ever seen Schindler’s List or Gone With the Wind or any other classics.




Are there challenges that Christian fiction-writers face today that were not present ten or twenty years ago? What about opportunities?

A woke culture wants to label Christian fiction pejorative or exclusivist or unrealistic, etc. We must not let this stop us.




For those in the Church who want to make great art, do you have any advice or tips?

Study everything, especially the classics. Don’t settle for good enough just because it’s Christian-based. We must compete in the marketplace if we want to do more than just preach to the choir.




What is a go-to novel for you? A favorite movie?

To Kill a Mockingbird

It’s All Over but the Shoutin’ [a nonfiction classic]

The Godfather

Sixth Sense

The Sting

Jaws

Rocky

Bonnie and Clyde

All the President’s Men

The Verdict

Green Mile

About Jerry Jenkins:

A prolific author, Jerry Jenkins has a platform created to help fiction and non-fiction writers reach their full potential. The father of Dallas Jenkins (of the Chosen), Jerry is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and has published over two-hundred books.