ADDICTED TO MEDIOCRITY: contemporary Christians and the arts (revised edition)
by Franky Schaeffer
pub. Crossway Books, (C) 1985 (original 1981), 127 pages

Comments: Here's some of his points:
Creativity and communication need no justification. p. 20
Christian art and culture is addicted to mediocrity. p. 23
mediocrity posterboy: Thomas Kinkade (sorry to those who think his work is good art)

Spiritual vs. secular is a false dichotomy. The true dichotomy is NOT sin vs. sin. p. 27
Darwinism brought utilitarianism to the forefront, and so, worth has come to be measured by usefulness. p. 29
The most repeated phrase in the Genesis 1 creation account is “it was good.” People and things have inherent worth and utilitarianism degrades that inherent worth. p. 36
Responses (p. 40-51)
1)Be free from slavery to usefulness
2)Be free from boxed in spirituality that focuses on false dichotomies
3)Resist junk creativity and search out creativity that has integrity.
4)Demand higher standards.
5)Encourage the arts in your midst.
6)Support the arts.

Real spirituality is involved in real life. p. 57
The creative expressions of your “self” praise God. p. 59
If you are a real Christian then it will show in your work. p. 63
Fight evil, yes, but we must also affirm life and goodness. p. 65

Addicted to Mediocrity may be a bit severe, but the message is still all too applicable. Very sad.

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