Page 113 - Religion in the Media Age Media, Religion & Culture

102 Articulating culture in the media age

He speaks frequently of the books he and Liz have read, have shared
with each other and with friends, and have given their children to read.
His acquaintance with prophecy is a theme that has found some conso-
nance in the popularity of the Left Behind series of books, which he
considers to be “tremendous.” At the same time, though, it is important
for Glenn to be open and questioning – “analytical” as he put it above –
and for his children to also be free to make their own choices. He makes
a connection between media, particularly books, and what he assumes
to be the more coercive and prescriptive practices some parents engage
in. The interviewer asks about how Glenn thinks about the religious,
spiritual, or values resources his sons may come in contact with through
media.

Interviewer: So, for the boys, for instance, do you ask them to be sure they
are using different religious stimuli in their daily lives to reinforce
these things you have built in them? Do you ask them to listen and
watch Christian programming? I know they go to church.
Glenn: Yeah, well that is something that is a good question because I
don’t, I’m not a firm believer of Bible thumping... by that I mean, I
don’t go in there and say “Are you reading your Bible every day? Are
you praying every day? Are you doing this, are you doing that?”
Because they see me read my Bible. . . . So, the foundation I laid for
them I think is very important but do I actually do that? No, I don’t.
Because I found that the lessons they learn in life when they run into a
situation, then I can say to them, well, did you check that in the
Word? Did you look for that in the Bible? Have you prayed over that
situation? Where is your Walk now? You seem a little distant. So it’s
more that than saying “Gosh, you should really read that series Left
Behind. It’s a great series on the Rapture” and all that. I mean, they
may decide to read it and they may not . . . but do I put books in their
room? No. . . . I really don’t because what I found is that until they
understand that it is relational . . . those things are really
meaningless. . . . So, maybe I should push that a little more but I am a
firm believer in planting the seed and letting the Holy Spirit water it.
And, by that I mean, they’ve been given the foundation. They know
what it is to be a Christian. They know that they need to be salt and
light in the world. . . . And so, I think that is the way that I have devel-
oped it . . . more a personal relationship rather than being a teacher
and saying “here, you need to read this book or you need to be
listening to this radio station.” I found music on the Internet that they
downloaded and I said “That is not appropriate.” So, when I find
those things, I bring it to their attention. And, I watch them turn
around like that [snaps his fingers] in a heartbeat. He is now down-
loading all Christian music.