Christianity Today

But the gospel above all else is revealed propositional truth—truth that speaks to all of life. Yes, the gospel is simple enough for a child to understand. Yet if you want to study doctrine and worldview, you need the capacity to think. You need the capacity to engage ideas cognitively.

Doctrine and biblical teaching are not—as some "emerging church" advocates believe—dry, dusty, abstract notions. This truth has to be carried into the heart and applied. But there is no escaping that it is truth that must be learned.

Sure, skits and catchy music are good tools for drawing people in, and good Christian music on the radio can inspire us. But these things aren't an end in and of themselves; they should engage us in learning and applying truth.

When Postman published his book two decades ago, he feared television would impair our capacity to think. He was right. Can we learn from this—or are we destined to follow suit, the church blissfully amusing itself into irrelevance?

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Colson's article has already provoked discussion on several blogs.

More Christianity Today coverage on worship includes:

Raising Ebenezer | We are misguided when we modernize hymn texts. By Gary A. Parrett (Jan. 5, 2006)

Old Words, Vibrant Faith | Christian pop/rock band Jars of Clay explains why the church needs more Redemption Songs. (Oct 21, 2005)

'Hymn for Easter Day' | Charles Wesley's 'Christ the Lord Is Risen Today' brings alleluia's historical significance to modern audiences. (March 24, 2005)

Whatever Happened to God? | One of evangelicalism's most respected theologians says most worship is clubby and convivial rather than adoring and expectant. (Feb. 1, 2001)

The New/Old CCM | Classical Christian music, especially the sacred works of Johann Sebastian Bach, finds a young, and large, audience. (Dec. 18, 2000)

Cease-Fire in the Worship Wars | A dispatch from the Calvin Symposium on Worship and the Arts (Feb. 7, 2000)

The Profits of Praise | The praise and worship music industry has changed the way the church sings. (July 12, 1999)

We Are What We Sing | Our classic hymns reveal evangelicalism at its best. (July 12, 1999)

The Triumph of the Praise Songs | How guitars beat out the organ in the worship wars. (July 12, 1999)

Recent Charles Colson columns for Christianity Today include:

A More Excellent Way | Changing the law isn't enough. (Jan. 23, 2006)

My Soul's Dark Night | The best of evangelicalism didn't prepare me for this struggle. (Dec. 7, 2005)

Machiavellian Morality | One reason teenagers, among others, are jammed in our prisons. (Sept. 22, 2005)

Verdict that Demands Evidence | It is Darwinists, not Christians, who are stonewalling the facts. (March 28, 2005)

The Moral Home Front | America's increasing decadence is giving aid and comfort to Muslim terrorists. (Sept. 23, 04)

Reclaiming Occupied Territory | The Great Commission and the cultural commission are not in competition. (July 21, 2004)

Societal Suicide | Legalizing gay marriage will lead to more family breakdown and crime. (May 24, 2004)

Evangelical Drift | Outsiders say we're the status quo. Our call is to prove them wrong. (March 29, 2004)

Confronting Moral Horror | It's a witness even the most jaded find impressive. (Feb. 04, 2004)