There was a flurry of messages from a friend of mine recently. I had just recorded the audio for my first youtube video on my new channel. Foolishly I had described it as a podcast and posted a few pics of my new recording kit on instagram. I was making progress. Slow progress. But progress nonetheless
Without warning this same friend demanded to be on my podcast. His offering for this guest spot? A debate over the symbolism of Superman as Jesus. It is a debate that needs to happen. I am all for it. Just not now!
Arguing About Jesus and Superman
Lets be honest, my friend is pushing a dead argument. Which is difficult to affirm when you take into account the history of Superman’s publication origin. Though if you know nothing about the history of Superman and have only seen the television shows and movies, the conclusion is plausible. Dang!
As I tried to edit audio and add images to the first video, his demands changed from request to calling me out. I am quite sure that when you look at the entire history of Superman any connections to Jesus are only found since the 1970’s. It did not stop him.
I had not even posted my first video or set up my channel. There was no content and already I was being called out. “You’re afraid” he messaged. Yes I was. Of moving faster than I could. Of the first post being taken down. Of running before I could walk. It was just too soon.
The First Swear or Prayer
So after being honest that it was all too soon. He relented. I was able to post the video on that Saturday evening. It is a simple nine minute piece. The idea for it came to me earlier this year. I rate whether a piece of pop culture is a swear or a prayer.
Where I can I point out the theological and biblical connections. Hopefully this will help the audiences understanding of the concepts involved. Of course, there are loopholes I can use. It would not be theology proper if I judged everything harshly.
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The first entry focuses on the 1980’s hit song Heaven is a Place on Earth. Hopefully you are old enough to remember Belinda Carlisle singing it. I chose it because there are direct connections to Jesus claim of bringing the Kingdom of God to Earth.
A Week Later 21 Views
It has been a week since I posted the video. No take down order from Belinda Carlisle or Universal, yet. Twenty one views as of writing this article. Not shabby at all. Please add your view too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_McMqUyVm-E
My inspiration to begin all this? Podcasts and writing articles like this one. The podcasts that I do listen too are by people who write and actually get paid for it, sometimes. They write critical articles, reviews and sometimes publish their own stuff.
What kept nagging at me was that I do all that here. Should I not try and build an audience elsewhere? There is the possibility of making more. More of what? Honestly not many people make that much money from YouTube. But it is a wider audience.
Haters, Flame Wars More Content
A wider audience means a few different things. Writing for christianitytoday.com.au does not involve having to deal with unsolicited comments. The comments are off for a reason. Taylor Swift is right about one thing ‘haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate’.
I have not been flamed or had a flame war start, yet. One video is a small drop in the huge ocean that is YouTube. So we keep moving forward and set plans into motion. Look at the other YouTube blogs how did they grow? Copy, innovate, adapt, survive. Bear Grylls did give good advice.
That means more content. Sigh! After having to create and find images for the first video I understand why so many speak to camera. Not going to do that right now. There is no need to put my face up there again. Yes there was a time when I was casually posting videos to YouTube. If can find them good for you.
Is there more Swear or Prayer? Well…..give me a few ideas. There is one song I want to do. Like, really want to do. I will hold off for now. Other playlists will emerge in the weeks and months to come. Nothing too long now. Slowly. Slowly. Get one out this week, hopefully.
Sneak preview you ask? Well, why not. Heresy, He-Man and St. Nicholas. That is all you are getting. Check on it. It should be up by the time of this articles publication.
Like, share, comment, subscribe. Oh dear that was, that was reflex. Sorry.