Addicted to Mediocrity

Rating:
Summary: Powerful but flawed
Review: This book is a scathing critique of the fundamentalist subculture's approach to the arts. However, Frank Schaeffer is a very very angry man. As in his other books, his anger gets in the way of the points he tries to make. More a polemic than a reasoned discussion.

Rating:
Summary: Franky argues convincing against separating secular from sacred
Review: This book is an excellent book on how Christians have compromised their once great devotion to worshiping God through creativity and in other 'secular' ways. Franky argues that there is no separtion between secular and sacred. We can worship God (even)by painting, even if it doesn't have some Biblical scene! Franky speaks of how Christians have narrow mindedly decided only things that are practical are good (following the pragmatic worldy ways)instead of simply worshiping God in all that we do. Overall Franky writes a very compelling argumen

Rating:
Summary: addicted to mediocrity (20th century christians and the arts
Review: This book is both inspiring and liberating. Inspiring because it would encourage artists to start working and stop discussing about what is "christian" arts. Liberating, because it would free us from the fear of being criticised, free us to do what we do best. The Q & A portion was most helpful. Kurt Mitchell's illustrations are witty! This book is a work of art, I am tempted to frame it and hang it on the wall!

Rating:
Summary: addicted to mediocrity (20th century christians and the arts
Review: This book is both inspiring and liberating. Inspiring because it would encourage artists to start working and stop discussing about what is "christian" arts. Liberating, because it would free us from the fear of being criticised, free us to do what we do best. The Q & A portion was most helpful. Kurt Mitchell's illustrations are witty! This book is a work of art, I am tempted to frame it and hang it on the wall!

Rating:
Summary: Very honest, though painful evaluation of pop-Christians.
Review: This is a very thought-provoking book dealing with Christians and the arts. All too often, mediocrity is actually encouraged by "Pop-Christian" thought processes - people too seldom ask hard questions, and evaluate things such as art and music by very superficial criteria.

Rating:
Summary: Eyes Wide Open...
Review: This should be mandatory reading. It takes to task the pabulum that is Christian art. A timely book for today's fast food Christian mentlity. A much neeed indictment of the Christian camp's artistic selling out. As a Christian and an artist, this book lifted the burden and helped to clear the haze of confusion surrounding the responsibility of Christians in the marketplace whereas artistic expression is concerned. Also, ART & THE BIBLE, by Francis Schaeffer and ART NEEDS NO JUSTIFICATION, by H.R. Rookmaaker are excellent books.

Rating:
Summary: mediocre, unfortunately
Review: Yes, Schaeffer's point is valid. This book, however, reads like a rough draft--too many redundant thoughts, too many one-sentence paragraphs, and not enough specifics.