Christians within Journalism: Applications for People of Faith Entering the Field

This thesis seeks to provide practical advice for an evangelical Christian entering the field of journalism. Two ways for Christians to work within journalism were examined throughout the research process: one, Christian publications and two, Christian people working at secular publications, which is given the bulk of the attention. Research included various books and articles on journalism, journalism history, and people of faith in various occupations. Marvin Olasky, a leader in Christian journalism, was interviewed, as was Dr. David Aikman, a Christian who worked within secular journalism. The results of this research provide information for Christians entering secular journalism, from a look at journalism’s past, to problems journalism has in the present, to what Christians can do in journalism in the future. Information is presented to encourage Christians who plan to spread Christ by working in secular journalism. Christians within Journalism 4 Christians within Journalism: Applications for People of Faith Entering the Field Introduction “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18, King James Version). In the past few decades, the secular world has seen an onslaught of Christians inserting themselves or their beliefs into the professional world again. These Christians assume positions once held by people of the faith hundreds of years ago only to be relinquished in the past century. Men and women have taken their religious beliefs back into politics, academia, and the media. Christian television, books, magazines, and political activist groups are commonplace. In the 2008 presidential race, both Time and Newsweek devoted columns and sidebars to areas in which religion influences politics, and special features on faith are widely read by the magazines’ subscribers in a country that only years before had tried hard to separate religion from current events and faith from living. On the side of religion supporters, the change has been met with excitement and an ever-increasing push to continue to make religion part of news and everyday life. This is especially true in journalism, which is an obvious vehicle for championing worldviews. David Outten, in a personal interview with George Wallace for a thesis about biblical newspaper journalism, said: As a journalist, a Christian has a tremendous opportunity to share God’s truth, not only to those he personally comes in contact with, but a large audience hungry for understanding. Furthermore, if Christians stay out of journalism, they leave the Christians within Journalism 5 entire business of explaining of current events to those who do not believe in God. (as cited in Wallace, 1991, p. 117) While Christians are pleased with the changes within journalism, there are many people who would rather have the predominately secular field of journalism be free of all religious influence. Attacks from the nonreligious can be expected, but even some religious people fear that the world of journalism will somehow be tainted by Christian beliefs. Deborah Krause (2006), the academic dean of the ecumenically-minded Eden Seminary, says, “Not everyone is enamored with the concept of ‘Christian journalists’ bringing their biblical perspective to the media work that they do. ‘I say, welcome to the American Taliban’” (as cited in Corrigan, p. 18). Krause’s main fear is that Christians will assert one view over the views of others, which will bring difficulties not only as people of faith see matters differently from the world but also as people of different faith then share their interpretation of issues adamantly. The “chauvinistic” attitudes of Christians within the media will only cause more problems (as cited in Corrigan, 2006, p. 18), whereas regular journalism presumably would not face such concerns. The criticism of Krause and others can be expected since Christians have often erred in the past. Common are modern-day crusades of evangelicals trying to change the world only to alienate unbelievers through hypocrisy, ignorant thinking, or strident imposition. Still, Christians must pursue the mandate to reach the unsaved world for Christ, and thus they must devise a way to get Christians into secular fields in a way that they can be a help, not a hindrance. Many schools of thought exist for how Christians should operate within secular fields, and journalism has its own unique wrinkles and dynamics in the discussion. For Christians within Journalism 6 example, some think that religion can be covered like any other event – like a stock car race or foreign election, for example. That which is seen by the secular world as merely “religious” events, however, can actually be life-changing matters of conviction and the perceived truth to Christians. Men and women of faith attest that religion is not just another facet of life; rather, it is something that can change lives and perspectives, something that can make this world a better place in a way that no sports team or government program can do. Christians enter all facets of life with a worldview intact that not only says their God has all the answers, but also that they need to share him. The field of journalism is no exception, although the way Christian journalists share their faith in Christ may be more subtle. Mainstream journalism does not necessarily understand the workings of faith, however. Eric Alterman (2003) wrote that religion is “by definition, a matter of faith. How is a reporter trained in ‘who, what, when, where, and why’ to treat reports of, say, a miracle or a visitation? ” (p. 104). After hearing about objectivity and facts in journalism schools, reporters are right to be skeptical of anything they cannot see, prove, or back up with an authoritative source. Therefore, Christians entering journalism are likely to find hostilities as their convictions are insinuated in their work. They must not only survive in this field, however, but also thrive if they are to be effective witnesses for Christ. Christians can succeed within journalism, but first they must understand their Biblical convictions (including having a Biblical worldview), then they must understand the vast field of journalism and the many problem areas within, and finally they must be prepared to deal with the hostilities and misunderstandings between religion and the media before forging Christians within Journalism 7 a productive future within journalism for other people of the faith. The Christian journalist who does it right will be an asset because he or she will do a job well with utmost regard to people, ethics, and the overall improvement of the world and those within. A Christian can succeed in the world of journalism as both a strong Christian and a strong journalist. The purpose of this thesis is to give practical application to Christians entering journalism today.