Entertainment used to be a part of every Bible-based church’s instruction (sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes not), but in our current church climate it almost seems like breaking a special unspoken rule to talk about it. It is seen as a private area that is entirely at the discretion of the individual. But is that a biblical way to look at it?
It was an interesting experience in September 2017 revisiting Matt 5:8 after twenty years and offering my thoughts on how Scripture guides Christians in thinking about and engaging with our entertainment culture. People who have been at AFBC for a long time know I’ve thought a lot about this subject. Others who are newer may have been a bit taken aback and felt a little beat over the head. It’s a hard issue because Americans spend more time and energy entertaining themselves than just about any other activity. I am heartened that several families have mentioned they are using these sermons to discuss these issues together.
Entertainment used to be a part of every Bible-based church’s instruction (sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes not), but in our current church climate it almost seems like breaking a special unspoken rule to talk about it. It is seen as a private area that is entirely at the discretion of the individual. But that’s not a biblical way to look at it, and Christians have never seen it that way until very recently. It is a holiness issue. There are greys in it, but also clear lines.
But one must start at the bottom line. The bottom line is: stories, songs, drama and film are not morally neutral. They teach, they model, and they draw the heart in a particular direction. They have the power of moral influence, and the can use that power to lift up or cast down. They can reinforce moral principle or tear it to pieces. They shape people’s thoughts and affections. But Scripture tells us we are to be “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).
As an activity, pick-up basketball is morally neutral. Bowling is morally neutral. Bird-watching, gardening, mountain climbing, bee-keeping, and ice skating are all morally neutral. That is, these activities in and of themselves do not pose moral dangers. We can sin in doing such things (cheating, having horrible attitudes, poor sportsmanship, making idols of recreation), but these recreational activities do not speak to us in moral terms. Books, songs, stage plays and films do… often in very powerful ways.
So a Christian does not approach content-rich or dramatic visual forms of recreation without prayerful consideration. Questions to be asked include: Is this honoring God? Is it taking me places I shouldn’t go? Showing me things I shouldn’t see? Does it shamefully use the performers? Is it a morally uplifting contribution to our culture at large, or is it furthering the erosion of morality and godliness?
Films, books, plays and songs that offend God or transgress boundaries God has placed on mankind should simply be rejected. Period. It is spiritually healthy to say “No” to worldliness. It’s a way to flex one’s spiritual muscles and grow stronger in holiness. It keeps the conscience tender and helps one realize that we belong to a different kingdom.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom 12:2)
Yours in Christ,
Originally printed in The AFBC Pony Express. Vol. IX, No. 5, May 2016.