According to her, we must address both, and that if we leave one or the other out, we are not truly expressing a biblical worldview.

I think there are two issues at work here. Making disciples which is the great commission. We are all told to do that. And live our lives with a biblical worldview. Indeed we are to have compassion on the lost. But I don’t think compassion for the lost translates to appreciating the fruits of the lost. On an inividual level I agree that we can engage an individual about the origin of their talent.

However, quoting from the original Nancy Pearcy passage,

Similarly, a Christian radio personality recently wagged a stern finger at Elvis Presley for the immoral content of his songs, without ever asking whether his songs were good as music (which they certainly were),

That seems to me to be a bit much for her to condemn the Christian for “wagging a stern finger at Elvis Preseley” and at the same time calling the music itself “good”. By whose standard does she declare it good. Without going into the lyrics many of his songs speak of lust and other such things. The melodies may be beautiful but put with those lyrics they lose any sense of beauty. So why is Nancy condemning the Christian?

Perhaps the radio DJ didn’t present his truth in the best manner. But how many of us will ever get the opportunity to ask a famous pop star about the origins of their talent. Meanwhile, when we refuse to speak against such debacuhery and filth the standard continues to slide downward.

Why isn’t Nancy Pearcey engaging the DJ in the origins of his talent instead of condemning him?

How many Christian children are now attracted to country music because of the “beauty of its melody” yet the lyrics promote very ungodly things. Are we supposed to listen to it so that we can “engage the culture”? I would love discuss the origins of some of these “talented” country stars with them. But until I’m given the opportunity am I supposed to just sit and enjoy the music?

The difficulty when we talk about engaging the culture is the weakening that inevitable happens in the believer as they engage them. It is undeniable. Bad company corrupts good morals. This is a truth of scripture.

So we must look at all things from a biblical worldview. And when we engage the culture we don’t suspend the standards in the process. Condemning the Christian for condemning Elvis Presley does exactly that.

According to Nancy Pearcey, “Our first response to the great works of human culture-whether in art or technology or economic productivity—should be to celebrate them as reflections of God’s own creativity.”

So is she asking us to evaluate Elvis Presley this way…. in his God given smooth baritone voice, Elvis lures the listener into lust?

I’m sorry but that’s just not something I celebrate as God’s creativity. His talent is indeed from God but in its corrupted state, I don’t thing we are called to celebrate it. No matter what our cultural mandate is.

Now, “just having kids and filling up the earth.” When you have a whole lot of people, you have a culture. And it can either be a terribly sinful culture, it can be a culture that has only an outward change, or it can be a culture with a biblical worldview. We need to work to change the people’s hearts on this earth to develop a godly culture.

Maybe it’s just me, but going from “be fruitful and multiply” and “subdue the earth” to create laws and design computers seems like a stretch. When God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, it seems like he just meant “have kids and fill up the earth.” And I’ve always thought “subdue the earth” was telling them to take over and take care of the beautiful garden God had put them in. Building a bridge or a computer doesn’t really follow, imho.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to build computers or make music, but I don’t really see this verse telling us to do all those things. Thoughts?