Featured Author: Kary Oberbrunner
The Fine Line The Review
“Relevance” has become a buzzword in Christian circles. So much so that its definition has become a bit fuzzy. In The Fine Line, Kary Oberbrunner recalls attending a pastor’s conference where a speaker encouraged attendees to make services more relevant by hanging draperies, lighting candles, and turning on a fog machine. Oberbrunner’s work tackles the subject of relevance at a deeper level, one that goes beyond such externals as worship styles.
Oberbrunner defines relevance in terms of the parable of the Good Samaritan. To paraphrase Jesus’ question, which of the three men who saw the wounded traveler bleeding in the road was most relevant to him? Obviously, the one who stopped to help. The central challenge of relevance, as Oberbrunner sees it, lies in walking the line (hence the title) of being in the world yet not of the world. Oberbrunner posits two camps in today’s church: the Separatists, who try to remove themselves from any taint of culture and thereby isolate the church and render it irrelevant, and the Conformists, who are so thoroughly immersed in the culture that they become just like it and hence have nothing to offer it. He points to a third group, whom he calls Transformists, who walk the line between these to camps and thereby maintain relevance.
One of the refreshing things about The Fine Line is that Oberbrunner sidesteps the use of other buzzwords, such as “emergent” or “missional” — words which, themselves, have been so much bandied about that they’ve become as fuzzily defined as “relevant.” He doesn’t hesitate to endorse novel, outside-the-box methodologies, but not at the expense of the gospel or the truth of Scripture.
The Fine Line is well thought out, convincingly argued, and steps beyond theory with illustrations of real people in real churches really walking the fine line. It’s a challenge to every reader to bring Christ to our culture without trying to sell Him out.
Keep reading to find out how you can win a copy of The Fine Line.
Q&A with Kary Oberbrunner
In your discussion of the “Separatist” camp, you focus on the tendency to add extra-biblical rules to the commandments of Scripture. What kind of these rules do you see frequently?
It varies. I’ve seen it manifested in certain Bible versions, dress, music style, everthing down to you are less spiritual if you give your kids vaccines or eat non-organic food.
You provide examples, through the stories of people you’ve known, of what it looks like to be a “Transformist.” If I’m a member of the “Separatist” or “Conformist” camp, and I want to move towards being a transformist what’s the first thing I should do?
Do BOTH AND not EITHER OR.
For example…Be a student of the word AND a student of the world. Love God AND love people.
Read The Fine Line and the stories of Transformists from both the Bible and from our world today.
You also discuss how Christian media and Christianized products form a subculture separate from the world, one that hinders Christians from being relevant. Since the best use of Christian media (radio stations, publishing houses, TV shows, music, etc.) is obviously not to create an insular subculture, what do you think is its best use? In other words, if you owned a Christian radio station, for example, what kind of programming would you fill the day with?
I would do GOOD programming NOT just Christian programming.
Let me explain with a quote from The Fine Line:
“We need to be aware of things that might destroy us or things that aren’t lovely, beautiful, or noble (1 Corinthians 6:12; Philippians 4:8-9). But just because something isn’t patently Christian doesn’t mean we should avoid it. God may intend for “worldly” things to play a role in our holiness. It’s through wrestling over issues with him that we become stronger and sharper. That’s what life is about: exercising faith and being in dynamic relationship—not in a static religion.”
You make special mention of how the church today has largely lost touch with the arts. What are we missing by neglecting them?
Also from The Fine Line:
“In recent times, followers of Christ haven’t been known for leading the way in the exploration of the arts. But this is only a symptom, not the problem. Over time the church has devolved into a place of artistic bankruptcy. And when we fail to take the arts seriously we export an impoverished theology.
Artists inherently know this. For many of them, the church is the last place they would go in order to feel encouraged and supported in their craft. The arts get placed on the backburner because they don’t seem practical or, more sadly, because they’re too risky.
In all this, we must not forget the arts are God’s gift to us. Beginning in the Old Testament, God purposed their use within the context of corporate worship. They are tools meant that tap into the way we think and feel about God. Shame on us if we’re too afraid to fuse the arts within our churches.
The Connected/Holistic worldview celebrates all of life, including the arts, as a potential means of glorifying God. Proponents are invited to explore, create, and incorporate all of who they are into their relationship with God.”
The Kary Oberbrunner [fun]Fact Sheet
If you could be on any TV game show which would it be?
Millionaire. My wife and I compete against each other all the time from the comfort of our living room.
In your opinion what is the most overrated superpower?
X ray vision. It’s only good if you work in the ER.
What word or phrase do you overuse the most?
Sweet.
What are you most proud of?
My 3 little kids. I love them.
If you could only do one thing to change the world, what would it be?
Create a countdown timer for people’s life span. I think it would help us all focus on eternal things.
What is your life verse?
Ephesians 5:16 “Redeem the Day.”
Hot Links
The Blog: Learn more about Kary on his website.
The Book: Purchase The Fine Line here.
Sounds like a great book. I’d love a free copy.
This sounds like a terrific book; it’s refreshing to see a book about engaging culture that doesn’t use the word “missional.” I’m very much looking forward to reading this.
Cool…I always like free books
Kary,
You do realize you spell your name like a woman. I’m kidding, relax. Take it easy there tough guy. Sheesh.
I look forward to reading this book, wither I win it or not. Winning it would be nice though.
Michael
Hey Kary, I just wanted to congratulate you on the book. I never would have heard about you had it not been for the magnificent social monster of Twitter. =) Thanks for being an encouragement. I just have been reading several books including, ‘Mere Christianity’ by C.S. Lewis as well as ‘Velvet Elvis’ by Rob Bell. Both are books centered around culture in relationship to Christ. I particularly like Rob’s approach to individual giftedness, in relation to ‘the church’ of which Western Civilization has prostituted, and how our identities are supposed to be founded in the basic principle of community. We need each other. Our Culture is based around everything everyone does around us. We have to find a way to reunite our beautiful ‘indie culture’ with our glorious pursuit of God. I would love to be selected for the copy of your book. Keep carrying the standard in His name! Be Blessed.
Man, this sounds like an engaging book that deals with real subject, culture and the arts. A free copy wouldn’t hurt. Thanks for putting some work into this I know it didn’t come easy.
This book has been on my Summer Reading Wish List for 2009. From what I’ve read in reviews and other info so far I think it could bring great clarity to some things God has been teaching me over the last 12 to 18 months. I find myself saying “it’s a fine line” or “there’s a delicate balance” over and over again but sometimes it just feels like a cop out phrase. Like I just don’t want to commit one way or the other. I think the “fine line” definitely exists, I just want to be able to voice it with more authority. HELP!
Free is good. The topic is vital. Looking forward to reading.
Borrowed your book from Keith Martin. Absolutely incredible. For the past month or so I’ve been going through what have been some very spiritually low and trying times. Your book was great. This past week God really used The Fine Line and a book by John Piper to speak to me.
Thanks for walking the Fine Line and keep the faith. God is doing a great work through you!
God Bless,
- Jonathan
We are living in a time where the lines that have been drawn so deeply within the ranks of Christianity are killing us. We are deceived and divided along with being irrelevant. We are white washed sepluchers & dead men’s bones. But that is NOT what Christ intended.
At the same time that several camps have become entrenched within the modern church biblical lines have been blurred to the point that very few know what it really means to be like Jesus. On a daily basis we are being told to “walk this way” and with every passing moment fewer Christians are checking what they hear with the Word of God. How troubling it is to see, not just to those of us who are leaders, but to GOD.
It sounds to me like “The Fine Line” is a book “for such a time as this.” If it bring clarity to the How refreshing to see a book that focuses on Scripture as the basis for “relevant” living. There is so much to be learned by the parable of the Good Samaritan. I have not yet had the pleasure of reading one of Kary Oberbrunner’s books. It sounds to me like “The Fine Line” has the ability to bring clarity to the confusion and unity to the division which is plaguing the Body of Christ. These conditions keep us from being the hand of Christ extended so if this book serves its purpose it will be well worth reading and passing on.
How to re-present the timeless, life-changing, transformational message of Jesus within a post-Christian culture is something that all Christ-followers should wrestle with and embrace. I think it is OK to live in the tension that is inherent when we are “sheep in wolves clothing” or as “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Thanks for the post… and I look forward to reading this book (when you pick me in the give-away)!
I was thinking of buyng this book, but free is better. Nice review!
As an artist, I’m especially intrigued by what The Fine Line has to say about the church and the arts. Love the sound of all of it, actually. I look forward to reading the book.
Good to read that the message of the gospel is central and shouldn’t change, just the presentation adapted for the individual. Bravo!
Thanks for reminding us that Jesus died to save us from the legalistic views of the Pharisees. When I returned to the faith, I often felt that I had to give up everything that wasn’t Christian or “churchy” to not be “of the world.” I now know that God wants me to be discerning, but just because something isn’t churchy, doesn’t make it bad. The challenge I face now is my level of discernment, particularly in TV shows that I watch or books that I read. Where do I draw “the line?” I’m looking forward to reading this book.
The very issue I have been wrestling with. Looking forward to getting a practical expression of what it means to be relevant in our culture.
Wow guys. I am humbled by your comments and interest in The Fine Line. I trust you’ll find it a stimulating book. Check out the book trailer here: http://vimeo.com/1455355
Well Kary is a class guy and I’d love a copy of the book.
Sounds great, would love to win!
Sounds like another great book from Mr. Oberbrunner – I’d love to read it!
Another discovery via Twitter, and very relevant to the book it seems. Will be looking at Mardell’s for this one.
I would love to receive this book. Our church is in a small town surrounded by larger cities. The larger churches surrounding our town have found niches between traditional forms of worship and contemporary styles. Our small town church is striving the centre so that we can minister to the whole family, and yet be vibrant and growing. I think your book would be very encouraging.
Thanks for this book. I am looking forward to sharing this with my book club!
I have enjoyed reading your book “Called” and as a Pastor have used your material to help others. thanks for your commitment to sharing God’s Truth. Thank you again for an opportunity to win a free book. We Pastors love free books especically if they are worth reading and sharing.
I am new to your website so I am just getting familiar. I came from a church where we were taught to be in the world but not of it. Frankly, we were not in the world. We were quite secluded as a church almost to the point of seeming to be cult-like. Now I am involved in a church where we celebrate the arts yet I would like to see more of it. My son is a recent graduate of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. I would love to see him incorporate his beliefs into his artwork and be and active part of our culture today. I would love to read more and pass this book along to him. There are christian artists out there and yes art if to be an expression of the glory of God. It should not be buried. I do hope i win a copy of your book.
I read quite a bit of this book already and wrote some recommendations. It really is amazing and fantastic and a totally new way of looking at how the two worlds can exist together. I’ve already tried to get a FREE book several times. If I don’t get one this time, I just might have to buy one. Don’t worry Kary, I will still continue to follow you on Facebook and twitter even if I don’t get a FREE book. But if I did get a FREE book that would really be “sweet!”
Last week I heard Dr. Ron Allen preach on Exodus 15 — “When Israel First Learned to Sing.” Ex. 15 is Moses’ psalm of rejoicing after the Exodus. Dr. Allen’s question: where did Moses learn to write poetry? Where did Miriam learn to dance? The answer: in Egypt.
Moses and Miriam took pagan forms and transformed them into means of glorifying God.
Very relevant to this thread, I thought.
Thanks for posting about this, I would like to read more about this topic.
Sounds like you’ve tackled an important topic! I hope to read this book soon.
I am very interested in reading this book – I have been fascinated with the Christ and Culture discussion for quite some time.