Christian Music and art is often criticized for copying one another or the world. Why is this happening and how can we fix this?
Photo: Mercedes Monique
It was a cozy Sunday evening. After 3 services of church, a fat lunch and a quick cat nap, I still was not done partaking in the fullness of Sabbath. I rested, praised God earlier, now all that was left was to enjoy the sanctuary of company with what we always did every Sunday: a movie or a show.
I casually suggested the popular TV series "The Chosen." I was pleased with the story thus far and their newest episodes released every Sunday. I figured we could keep the good Christian mood with an entertaining show about Christ. After explaining the contents of the story I was hit with an all too familiar question Christians get when it comes to entertainment or art. The question: Is it one of those cheesy Christian shows?
"If God, the creator of the universe was so creative, why are His children copying the world or copying each other?"
Now of course I was not taken aback. I mean, how could I be? We all know that Christian shows, movies, television and music tends to be on the corny side of things. The same 'ole chord progressions mixed with the same 'ole plots and topped with the same 'ole endings makes consuming Christian media somewhat of a drag.
We ended up watching a football game that evening; but my head kept swimming. If God, the creator of the universe was so creative, why are His children copying the world or copying each other?
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I like to think of myself as pretty creative however, I know when I am licked. To try to find the answer I talked to one of the most creative people I ever had the pleasure of meeting: Mercedes Monique. A singer, photographer, videographer, dancer, stage designer and I am sure I am missing other things. She is an artist's artist and walking creative magnet.
I met up with Mercedes to discuss the issues of creativity and Christendom. Of course she did not disappoint.
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Why do you think Christians copy each other?
Mercedes: I feel like christians copy each other because of a lack of uniqueness. I think if we go deep enough He will show us. A lack of depth or skill also. With David in the Bible, the Lord called him skillful so sometimes it's a lack of practice and being skillful at something.
How would you say Christians can get out of surface level art?
Mercedes: Try something new sometimes. This past week I wrote a song and it was something I've never wrote before. My friends loved it. Sometimes its about getting out of your comfort zone.
What advice do you have to creatives that may be having trouble getting inspired
Mercedes: So, I go to a church called "Mercy Culture," and we have these things called "Connect with God." There's different ways you can connect with God like through nature. That's one of the ways I connect with Him. So, I would say, go to the place where He always speaks. He won't leave you there high and dry.
How can we ensure that we are inspired by each other rather than copying each other or the world?
Mercedes: My friend Laz said that the Lord has all called us all to different things. To not copy we have to go to God, we have to ask "how does this make us different?" We all have different things we burn for so we should not all be the same. Him saying that has stuck with me to this day.
How critical is the daily encounter with God to you concerning your creativity?
Mercedes: It's very critical. It's every day. It fills the creativity. God is the ultimate creator. It allows me to plug into the source and take what I learned into the world.
So speaking of art, when is your next project coming out?
Mercedes: I have an album coming out this summer. It's called "Enlightened" and it's about my journey moving from North Carolina to Texas and how God has enlightened me through that. I created this project around the scripture Psalms 28:18.
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