Customer Reviews

Relevant

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Admittedly, I am slightly older than the "Relevant" demographic. But I'm not 40 yet! So there are a number of things here that do have some appeal to me. And I applaud the magazine for attempting to address culturally important issues.

Still, the magazine suffers from it's unrelenting fawning over the whole post-modern vibe and it's own sense of self-importance as a beacon for charismatic hipness. ("Hey, look out, world! We Jesus Freaks have iPods too!") Usually, the more something or someone sweats to proclaim their own relevance, the more danger there is that they can become irrelevant.

So, like it's spiritual cousin "Charisma," this magazine suffers from a somewhat shallow perspective on life and culture. It trumpets its ability to ask "the tough questions," even as it follows a relatively safe, politically correct post-mod/charismatic/hipster wannabe party line.

I mean, their idea of being cutting edge was to put Bono on the cover. If you want to be cutting edge, put the libertine Adam Clayton on the cover and ask him about Bono's faith. Now, I would read that article! (I am a major U2 and Bono fan. I'm not knocking him; just the lack of imagination at "Relevant".)

There's also way too much emulation of the world's perspective on generational heritage. "Hey, we're young, and we're smart, and we don't need to do anything the way our geezer parents did it." I guess having a little gray hair or wrinkles doesn't cut it in today's Paris Hilton culture, but I'd like to think that it might be a little different in a culture shaped by biblical values. Actually, "Relevant" seems to be a little afraid to say what "biblical values" are (beyond the obvious politically expedient ones); it all seems amorphous here.

I've never been a fan of the whole "what's hot/what's not" ethos. And, I'd like to give a little more respect to today's Christian young people to think they could handle something that didn't fall into that same faddish trap.

I am hopeful that they may get it right yet with "Relevant". At times, they seem tantilizingly close. But it takes more than a slick hairdo, male earrings, chin stubble, idolization of youth, culture icon quotations, and psycobabble "cool dude" theological lingo to make one relevant.

Relevant Magazine has great articles for people who are in to culture and faith. Many of the reviews are of secular artists, the spiritual content or message (or lack thereof) of the music they sing, films they make and books they write. They also review Christian artists, many who are on the fringe. This is a great magazine for those who are interested in these things. If you just want a 'youth-oriented' Christian magazine with Bible studies and how-to's you'll probably be disapointed.

I wish I could give this magazine 6 stars. Finally, an honest magazine for Christians. I am the target demographic, so I understand the style does not appeal to all, but the content can easily relate to anyone who is willing to get past their pre-concieved religious notions and desire Biblical truth. I sometimes get sick of the 'relevant' move because it frequently becomes used as an excuse for Christians to abuse their freedom as believers, but Relevant does a fantastic job of giving a balanced look at relevant faith. I don't always agree with every article, but I appreciate the open, honest, and sometimes opposing views. It is not a one-sided, or single minded publication. I wish I could afford to get a subscription for all the Christians I know.

My mom actually got me a subscription to this magazine, and she said I'd probably like it. She was right! I am twenty years old, attending a Baptist college, and I am tired of all the cave-Christians out there. We are called to shine God's light in the world, not to hide from the world.

This magazine addresses deep spiritual questions and issues, like how to worship in all you do and even information on fasting, something many Christians are afraid of. This magazine also has secular news and music blips. Some people may think that secular culture is all bad, but often if you look at the secular world you can find out how to reach people who are lost. This isn't for wishy-washy scaredy cat Christians. This is for people who want to make a real impact for God.

Is this an interesting magazine for Christians, as well as a good information source about movies and music?

Yes.

I was exceptionally excited to see a sample subscription arrive at my doorstep, I read it feverishly. The topics they cover are interesting and cool, and the photography and design is awesome. The bands they interview are the bands I listen to--and they do a heck of a job at it! I love reading their interviews, they're extremely informative and interesting.

Is this magazine relevant to the lives of the Christian youth, of whom I am one?

No.

As I read through the magazine after my initial hopping around through the various movie reviews and artist interviews, I decided to move onto the more theological stuff, the columnists. I could not have been more disappointed. What I read was wishy-washy Christianity. They take a stand for nothing, most of the articles either being about tolerance or some other "important" issue. Their theology is far from relevant in today's youth. Even an on suicide how we should remember that we're made in God's image in the January/February issue, came across as unconvincing, and was badly edited at best.

If the editors of this magazine want to claim Relevancy, then they need to push a message other than tolerancy and "understanding". And I'm not saying these aren't bad ideas. I'm simply saying that there are more important things to be thinking about in a world falling apart at the seems.

I picked this magazine up at Ichthus Festival in KY this year. I have read it cover to cover and have already subscribed. I haven't found another magazine that covers Christian issues for 20-somethings as well as this magazine. It is packed with a load of great music reviews as well.

I am in high school, and am Catholic. It's great o see how many positive posts there are! I have been subscribed since day one, and I am a huge fan of what relevant stands for. And I have to plug: if you haven't already, check out www.relevantmagazine.com and look at music, slices, God, and progressive. This is a great magazine--my entire school reads my issue each month!!!

Seriously, I'm so glad I found this magazine. It completely represents my life and worldview (I'm 27). I love God, and this magazine talks about knowing him more intimately. It talks about how to get the most out of life and how to impact the world we live in. It's not afraid of bridging the sacred/secular gap -- something the closed-minded Christian bubble sorely needs. Christ called us to go into all the world and make disciples, and Relevant does that. It helps me know God, see him move in my generation and in the world I live in. I'm so thankful for this magazine. It's the voice of what God is doing in my generation.

My wife (27 yrs) and I (31 yrs) *love* Relevant Magazine! We've been on the website since well before the print magazine launched and I have to say that they have stayed true to their word in providing a space for people to share their experience, successes and struggles in living and walking with God. The Bible asks Christians to be in the world, yet not of it. Another way to say it is, 'Be relevant.' Relevant Magazine is an example of this.

If you haven't flipped through an issue, you should definately give it a read and see for yourself.

I have been receiving Relevant since the first issue. Every issue I receive I look at, read a few of the articles, and head right to the movie review and CD review section where they rate not just the music lyrics, but the quality, and spiritual content. That has been useful (as oposed to the traditional avoid all secular music OR the gamble I used to take at the CD store).

The look and feel of the magazine is quite nice - I know that these folks are doing their best to create an inticing and fresh look to the pages - and it is working.

Honesty about Christianity is important to me - and after spending a couple of issues with Relevant - you will see it is to them. They have a freshness in wrestling with struggles and quetions without quenching the longing for pursuing God in my heart.

Lastly, there seems to be many people out there who just want to make money off magazine subscriptions. I appreciate the cost of this mag - they keep it affordable which means it fits in my budget...something that less and less is able to do these days.