Perhaps you’ve seen the painting of Charles III of England where his kingly image is overtaken by red swirls—practically disappearing on the canvas.
I see something similar happening in popular music. In addition to the droning synth tunes, teens stream vibe-based “mumble rap” with undecipherable lyrics. One type of music has no distinguishable beat and the other has no substantive meaning.
Drawing on this same cultural ethos, actor Dan Levy said, "The concept that everything is on a spectrum, and that nothing is clearly defined, is just such a clear path to empathy." So, in his understanding, compassion primarily comes from having no values or distinctions. Interesting . . .
I know that this puts me at odds with millions, but I reject these cultural values. Fortunately I'm not in a popularity contest or running for office. I don't really care if I raise the ire of the ruling classes. If some despise truth, then I will be encircled in their hatred.
I am convinced that the worldview we see in the modern Western media undermines beauty, productivity, and truth. All things are not the same, and they don’t all have the same underlying value. When people fight so hard against a definable shared reality, the delusion only goes deeper.
Maybe if we would close down the TikTok videos and stop listening to narcissistic influencers, the age-old truths might be more apparent. Sadly, some power-brokers believe that peace comes from numbing the masses—and that's what they're advocating for behind the scenes.
The Bible reminds us of truths that should be better understood. The Lord, for example, distinguished the night and the day. They are not one and the same: “God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4).
He also drew a clear line between the land and sea: “God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.’ And it was so” (Genesis 1:9).
This might be an inconvenient truth for some, but the Lord also made clear distinctions within humanity. In the same way that he divided the land and the sea, he also distinguished man from woman. Scripture declares: “In the image of God he created them—male and female” (Genesis 1:27).
As the gatekeepers of society try to sidestep many of the particulars, meaning becomes a casualty. The Apostle Paul writes: “Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?” (1 Corinthians 14:7). Beautiful music always has distinct sounds.
I understand the yearning to lift up the individuals who are hurting. We should always endeavor to love the “unlovable.” There’s little doubt that many feel out sync with the natural order (whether individuals are genuinely out-of-sync or not might need to be discussed). All of us must cast off the ungracious attitudes and work to honor people in every reasonable way. It, however, does society no good to create a “mashed up” world where there are no distinctions. In the end, the widely embraced lies only serve those who are corrupt.
I know many can sense what I am saying. Someone recently asked, “Why can’t I find any decent songs or movies?” I told him that art mirrors the underlying values of a society, and until Americans re-embrace truth, beauty will remain elusive.
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