So I just came across GodTube.com (I must have missed Andy’s March 23rd article about it.) While going through some of the “Christian” videos, I found this one. I was intrigued by the message that this video blogger was communicating. If you have never visited GodTube.com, do that first, then watch this video about “Why GodTube.com is stupid”
I am curious what you think of this person’s take on “Christian stuff”?
GodTube.com: One Blogger’s Opinion
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May 17, 2007 at 02:21
One thing that I think we always seem to miss as “Christians” is the whole judging thing. Which unfortunately, maybe I’m doing now, but who knows. Does this guy have all the answers? I don’t necessarily think so. I think that it is good to have places to go both online and in the community that you know are safe and provide a Christian environment. It is in these places that we get restored and encouraged so that we can go out in the world and share the gospel. Now, not everybody needs that, and that is understood. But to say that they shouldn’t even exist?
When he talks about things that are “lame”, does that mean its lame for everybody? My wife and I really enjoyed the Left Behind series. Sure, it didn’t necessarily have the best acting and realism behind it, but the message was a good one.
God reaches us through many different ways. If He reaches one person through Godtube.com, wouldn’t that make Him happy?
May 17, 2007 at 08:58
The problem with “safe” places is that these are what proliferate the Christian ghetto. Sure, in theory it’s all well and good: People go there to be refreshed and then go out into the world. The problem seems to be that there isn’t really any significant going out into the world. And, further, couldn’t “going out into the world” involve being a part of online communities such as YouTube instead of GodTube?
I don’t disagree that we need personal places of refuge, places where we can interact with other Christ-followers (preferably tete-a-tete) and times when we earnestly seek and meditate on God. But let’s not be afraid of the world! We are, after all, supposed to be “in” the world. And walling ourselves off to the rest of culture (or even giving the rest of culture the impression that’s what we’re doing) is counterproductive in a Kingdom sense.
May 17, 2007 at 11:22
A couple of thoughts:
This guy’s t-shirt clearly indicates he has some strong emergent church leanings. Ditto for his quoting of Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis.” What this provides is some perspective on where this guy is coming from.
I have some very serious misgivings about the Emergent Church movement. I also have some very strong sympathies. But having said that, I find myself in agreement with his general premise. I don’t see why Christians don’t just post to YouTube. Why do we need a GodTube? And I like his thoughts regarding the use of the word “Christian” as an adjective. Also, he notes that Christians are generally willing to settle for something less than excellence in many areas. How a website looks and functions is just a small example of this. Why does “Christian” (as an adjective) have to be synonymous with “substandard?”
May 17, 2007 at 15:23
Yea, it sucks. Take this video: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=16865a73a38acc952ccd
It shows a skateboard ministry. Cool right? Wrong. The music is a western “sweet by and by” tune. Skaters are HARDCORE, not country gospel. Check out Mongo Crew on youtube. They are local skaters, some Christians. See the lok, hear the vibe. Check out MY skater/youth ministry on myspace.com/qrevolution. Not great but it does not suck. I fear that most Christians want to retreat from culture. God loves porn stars is from XXXChurch.com. I bet porn stars need to know God loves them. He loves David Lee Roth too.
May 18, 2007 at 01:27
I think Conibear Trapp is right on. I think it is interesting how the so-called ‘Emergent/Postmodern’ Christians (who apparently perfer to call themselves “Jesus-followers” because the name “Christian” has too many connotations), by going against Christian sub-cultures, have created their own by simply labeling themselves as ‘Emergent’.
There are some things that I don’t agree with about the Emerging bunch, and some things that I do. I’m just all for the idea of eliminating the “them and us” segregation between Christians and non-Christians. There should only be “we” in this world. Therefore, I don’t like the way Christians create such things as GodTube to cater for the Christians. Jesus never called us to find a place of comfort in this world. The reality of being a Christian is actually more difficult than being a non-Christian, and that is the way it’s meant to be. We find God in the midst of suffering.
May 18, 2007 at 17:30
I agree that many Christian products are substandard. That doesn’t mean that they are useless. It makes sense that sometimes Christian would create resources to help other Christians. It doesn’t mean that they are not “in the world” or that they are retreating from interaction with non-Christians. It just means that their focus in that situation is not the evangelism of non-Christians, but assistance for or teaching of other Christians.
May 19, 2007 at 03:35
As a Christian content publisher I appreciate GodTube because it is a site that is not banned by churches, organizations or parents. YouTube, MySpace and other on-line video sites are quite often blocked by aggressive filters, so GodTube offers us a “clean” alternative to publish our videos on.
We are a Christian Missionary organization who also post all of our videos on the so called “non-Christian” sites. GodTube allows us a way to interact with people who for whatever reason do not have access to, or avoid those sites.
May 19, 2007 at 07:26
I do not think the problem is us have our own Christian alternatives. The problem is that we are no good at what we do sometime and that seem to stand out to the world most. We are unique and different and that should reflect in what we do. I agree that godtube.com did not have to copy a navigation off apple.com’s website. I have been in Christian media for 7 years now I never copy!!!! everything we do is all original! we even have t-shirts that copy the world and music, and websites and saying, logos, fonts, and the list goes on and on and on. It seems the only thing that the world sees is how well we copy what they do. We need to stop copying and let our uniqueness shine and be original!
May 19, 2007 at 08:24
Thank you so much Caleb! Somedays – it is beneficial to post on a Christian website or drink coffee in the church coffee shop. Being continually assaulted by the images of worldliness is NOT productive. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7-8 about guarding our minds and also hit on the idea of that which is excellent or praiseworthy. Surely believers don’t deliberately do junk – don’t produce “Christian” art which is substandard and think by a label it is worthy. So I am somewhere in the middle on GodTube versus YouTube. But definitely don’t think it is isolationism to have a site that doesn’t include as “normal” inherently obscene or self indulgent topics. One person’s thoughts – tentative about sharing since I’m obviously much older than the norm here – but it isn’t about me is it?
May 19, 2007 at 16:56
I’m a teenage christian from N.I.
You shouldn’t see having all these christian things availible to you as a bad thing. A strong factor that helps people becomes christians are influnces, which comes from God.
And I can understand your “embarrassment ” from certain music or whatever is bad in your opinion but your just one person. Everyone has the right to express their love for God in their own way, even if it looks or sounds crazy, its still praise for him and that is what seperates it from everything else. Every Christian you are embarrassed of is a child of God, don’t be embarrassed of him!
You may think that your examples of webistes and book stores is the wrong way to reflect God into the public eye but God calls us to spread his word always. I can think of worst examples
eg 1 . In my school teenagers who have never even stepped foot in a church before are forced to listen and memorise the bible in a boring old fashioned method. The outcome? “The bible is boring , God is boring”
eg 2. On tv I veiwed a grown christian man who designed a website to sell something he said God told him to make. They were large wooden bats for “disciplining” children.
Iam not disagreeing with all your veiws i’m just saying I think you need to consider some others.
May 19, 2007 at 21:12
Linda Sue said: ...but it isn’t about me is it?
Yes. Yes it is about you. And about me. And about Andy, and about all of us who are called by God to serve Him and carry out His work; that work which He has specifically designed for each one of us.
There are two reasons why dear Linda Sue and many of us have this “but it’s not about me” echo in our heads any time we have an opinion on a matter or make a judgement.
First: It has been suggested repeatedly by some who would prefer for their opinions to prevail and establish the standard for all of us. Second: We have prefered to accept the opinions of others in the hope that God will not hold us accountable for having not followed the convictions He has placed in each one of us.
There certainly is authority that we must obey that has been instituted by God; but we can’t neglect the authority of the Spirit if he calls us to action. And if you notice those christ-followers never claim that it is the Spirit drawing them to separate themselves from the Christians. And what Andy said in the first paragraph of his comment is cause for great concern. Not wanting to be associated with the name Christian is nothing more than pride,and the desire to be loved by both the world and Jesus. And we know it just can’t be that way.
May 20, 2007 at 14:08
I wanted to respond to this statement from the Aesthetic Elevator:
“The problem with “safe” places is that these are what proliferate the Christian ghetto. Sure, in theory it’s all well and good: People go there to be refreshed and then go out into the world. The problem seems to be that there isn’t really any significant going out into the world. And, further, couldn’t “going out into the world” involve being a part of online communities such as YouTube instead of GodTube?”
I believe that the enemy can take any good thing and distort it into something bad. The way he could do that with GodTube is to create and environment for some people where they become “safe”. That’s unfortunate. But, at the end of the day, we are each responsible to how we walk.
Just as the enemy can use GodTube to do his work (keep in mind, he is quite the deciever and uses many good things, not just GodTube, to distract followers of Christ), God can use GodTube to do His work as well. In fact, we will never know the number of people not just in America, but in other countries as well, who are being pointed towards the Lord through the ministry of GodTube.
For example, check out this video:http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=027454a783c841250ba7. Muslims all over the world have access to this testimony, and God is using things like this short video clip to further His kingdom.
I guess what I’m trying to say is- GodTube is not just another “christian ghetto”. If some people turn it into that, then that is unfortunate. But the purpose of GodTube is not only to connect like-minded people, but more importantly, to advance the Gospel world-wide.
May 21, 2007 at 08:43
Seems like a nice place to consume Christian advertising.
May 21, 2007 at 10:39
There are a lot of interesting comments for this post. I’m a web designer by trade and what is surprising to me more and more is that the “church” seems to think they need to be hidden from what is in the world. Our own little community within a community. Quite honestly, I could care less if someone posts to YouTube or GodTube.
What matters more are the people around themselves locally. That is where the war is won. I can witness on the internet all I want but if I can’t talk to the person in the next cubical then what good am I to God?
We seem to think that we need to reach the world. When what we need to do is reach our neighbors one at a time and in God’s time.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” If you do that, YouTube and GodTube or WhateverTube will not matter because there will be a title wave of people coming to Christ around you.
Then, and only then will there be a difference in this world.
God gave us a wonderful tool (the internet) to communicate to the world. But he give us a personal life to live so those around us could see Jesus in us.
If the people around you see Jesus in you then that is when you are on the right track.
So I ask you, “Do your neighbors see Jesus in you?” If so, share that on YouTube/GodTube.
May 21, 2007 at 14:00
Well said, Albert.
May 24, 2007 at 08:24
First – thank you David Swink for referring to me as “sweet” Linda Sue! One point of clarification – when I use the phrase “not about me” – I mean it is about Christ and His very clear instructions about how to live our lives. I have strong beliefs/opinions – and see that too often as Christians – many shy away from “labels” as if a believers can be a Lone Ranger in their walk. Again – the issue of wanting to be acceptable in the world’s eyes – rest assured the eyes of the world are blinded. GodTube is not a cop out – You Tube is not the best thing since sliced bread. The internet is a tool – you can use a hammer to build a house or smash someone’s head – it is still just a tool without morals or values. The tool USER is the one to be held accountable. Thanks for the topic, David and all those who venture forth their thoughts. Good on ya!
May 28, 2007 at 09:39
Heh, and here I get accused of running a Christian ghetto with blogs4God …
... yeah, I think GodTube may indeed become a place for God-loving gutter snipes if they entirely follow the worldly model of YouTube.
Meaning, there’s going to have to be some serious quality control – which is always a messy proposition.