As ambassadors for Christ, it is absolutely essential for
Christians to dive into the field of persuasion and advertising.
In an industry that entices the world with promises of beauty, status, peace, clarity, and ultimately fullness of joy, followers of Christ can view this work environment not merely as a showcase for their own creativity but also as their mission field.
However, this is no simple task by any means because of the pull between financial success and the way we ought to live and communicate truth as defined by the Bible.
Christians in the advertising world reach a moral dilemma when their companies and the nature of the industry expect near-idolatrous devotion and promotion to a product or cause that the Christian knows will not make any consumer truly happy forever. That cup of coffee, those shoes, that vacation, or whatever it may be produces a satisfaction that is temporary at best!
In an industry that entices the world with promises of beauty, status, peace, clarity, and ultimately fullness of joy, followers of Christ can view this work environment not merely as a showcase for their own creativity but also as their mission field.
However, this is no simple task by any means because of the pull between financial success and the way we ought to live and communicate truth as defined by the Bible.
Christians in the advertising world reach a moral dilemma when their companies and the nature of the industry expect near-idolatrous devotion and promotion to a product or cause that the Christian knows will not make any consumer truly happy forever. That cup of coffee, those shoes, that vacation, or whatever it may be produces a satisfaction that is temporary at best!
However, Christians in advertising can use their persuasive
powers for good. In a skillful and still highly persuasive way, the creative
Christian can capture their audiences attention by emphasizing the goodness and
enjoyment of their product in a wholesome setting (which drives consumers to
praise God), rather than taking the easy cop-out for grabbing attention by
emphasizing a product’s sensuality.
First Timothy 4:3-5 says that, "[Some] forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."
Not only can Christians enter the field and thrive because of the Holy Spirit inside them (Who can provide them with vision as to how to success in business and simultaneously glorify God), but Christians can also use visual rhetoric to promote non-profits that seek to help others and glorify God as well. Advertisers can use their abilities to promote self-sacrificing nonprofits, and even link them up with larger, more lucrative corporations and donors.
Rather than enticing consumers with unrealistic claims and misleading prices, the Christian persuader can be convicted by truth to use their abilities to send out messages for the genuine good of their audiences.
First Timothy 4:3-5 says that, "[Some] forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."
Not only can Christians enter the field and thrive because of the Holy Spirit inside them (Who can provide them with vision as to how to success in business and simultaneously glorify God), but Christians can also use visual rhetoric to promote non-profits that seek to help others and glorify God as well. Advertisers can use their abilities to promote self-sacrificing nonprofits, and even link them up with larger, more lucrative corporations and donors.
Rather than enticing consumers with unrealistic claims and misleading prices, the Christian persuader can be convicted by truth to use their abilities to send out messages for the genuine good of their audiences.
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