This is going to be a two part series, as far as I know. We will look at the relationship between Culture and Christianity and how the two should relate to each other.
What makes a movie, book, or music album, good or bad? I am not thinking about the quality of the acting or singing, or the skill of the writers, what I am thinking about is the content and the underlying themes. If the outcome of a book or video is good, does that give Christians the freedom to wade through all the mud to get to the “good” ending? You can’t play with fire and not get burned, and you can’t wade through the mud of secularism and not get soiled.
A quote from “Time Changer-Directed by Rich Christiano” comes to mind. The star, Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin), is going to see a movie with the church group on a weeknight. Keep in mind that he has just come from the past and everything is foreign to him. I mean, this guy has never seen a computer, car, or movie for that matter. So he shows up at the movie theater and goes in with the group. Halfway through the movie, you see Carlisle come running out into the theater lobby shouting to the employees, “You must stop this movie! You must stop this movie! The man on the screen just blasphemed the name of the Lord! This is an abomination!” He then rushes out of the theater.
In the next scene he is at the home of one of the Christians and they are discussing the movie.
“ I just can’t understand why they would allow the actor to blaspheme the name of the Lord.”- Carlisle
“Look it happens all the time, it’s not that big of a deal”-speaker 1
“Yeah, I mean, it was a moral film. The guy went back to his wife at the end.” -speaker 2
This (“Yeah, I mean, it was a moral film. The guy went back to his wife at the end.” -speaker 2) illustrates my point. This attitude is becoming all too common. “As long as the movie is “moral” it’s a good film. Look past the garbage and look at the gold.” However, let me mention a Bible verse.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
Is it honoring to the Lord to watch a movie that depicts evil such as witchcraft, just because the wizard uses his power for good? Witchcraft and sorcery are evils that are blatantly wrong. The bible says to not even mention what the wicked do in secret. So, should the hero of a movie, a wizard, be portrayed as a good guy? In the last days men will call what is good, evil, and what is evil, good. Herein is a direct fulfillment.
There is no clear cut line dividing the entertainment industry into secular and Christian segments. Many people choose their entertainment based on their personal convictions, but they often lack discernment and so fall into the snares of the enemy. Please take caution, Carlisle was in total shock when he saw what happened in the film, but to many of us, these things are not even noticed. Christians are becoming desensitized to the dangers of the entertainment industry. A level of evil that would shock people 50 years ago, is now viewed, by many, without a second thought.
Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Romans 12:9b
God Bless.
Erik B.
Table of contents for Culture and Christianity
- Culture and Christianity-part 1-Where is the Balance Between Culture and Christianity?
Good stuff, Erik! I can’t wait for part two and I will give my comments then
Good post, Erik. This is something that I’ve definitely been convicted of recently–isn’t it fine to play that video game (because it’s fun) even though there’s a lot of swearing? That movie wasn’t that bad, right?–though mainly my sanctification process has dealt with video games.
But now God has directed my thoughts to know what is good and wrong, and to not ask, “Is this allowed?” but to ask, “Is this glorifying to God?” He has shown me that it’s not about what we can get away with (which is sin–legalism–anyway), but what we can do to more honor and reflect His character in our actions everyday.
As far as witchcraft/wizardry goes, I’m really convicted by what you’ve said, for I love “The Lord of the Rings,” both movie and book. And this is something that I truly am just not sure about. Hopefully God will show me what is pleasing to Him, what is legalistic (which might even include NOT watching the movie or reading the book), and so on.
In Christ,
Bennett
P.S. How do you make things italicized and so on?