Entertainment Media and the Good Life: An Analysis and a Christian Response

We are surrounded by persuasive stories from popular culture, where happiness is portrayed as the good life. Such media stories usually emphasise pleasure, image, possessions, experiences, and personal worldview explorations. These key values reflect that consumerism, materialism, and individualism are influential idols in our contemporary Western culture. At the same time, the media stories also express deep longings for true identity, real community, deep joy, and authentic freedom. This talk explores how we may respond appropriately to these strong idols and deep longings from the perspective of a holistic biblical worldview. Such a response has significant implications for our communication and everyday life as Christ’s disciples and witnesses. Case studies from popular media stories are included in the talk.