Monday, May 16, 2011

Popular Culture and the Construction of Identity

The SMH recently carried this hilarious article about the end of hipster cool. Walking down King Street later that day, I saw nervous Angus Stone look-alikes peering into increasingly mainstream 'alternative' clothes stores to find out what the next indy trend will be. And we all look forward to the delivery of King Street Tattoos new season's tattoos catalogue.


As a member of Gen X (born 1964-1980) I am probably too old to have pulled off the whole hipster thing. Yes, I live in Newtown. Yes, I do ride a scooter. Yes, I have been seen in skinny jeans and a flannelette shirt. I practically live opposite the Vanguard.

More seriously, though, I know as a Christian my identity is found not in what clothes I wear, which bar I am seen in or whether I hate the bands you like.

2 Corinthians 3:18 reminds us that "we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

My identity, along with all for whom the veil has been removed, is found entirely in the one who opened my eyes, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus came to earth, whatever had looked glorious before "has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory." (2 Cor 3:10) And the glory of Jesus is the glory that lasts. When our identity is found in him, everything else is shown to be dull and fading.

Even Angus Stone look-alike beards. Because Angus obviously copied Jesus.