LOG LANE COMMUNITY CHURCH WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, October 22, 2006
What the Church Believes - Entertainment
[continued from October 15, 2006]

What is the moral harm or danger of attending movies in film theaters? What about others forms of secular entertainment such as television, theatrical plays, etc.? Are there cautions to be taken when seemingly neutral forms of entertainment become an increasingly large part of one’s life?

A final principle separates those who just want to get by with the least possible effort from those who want to please their Lord and fully experience His presence and power in their lives. Some entertainment is definitely wrong and participation would constitute sin.

But there are contemporary forms of entertainment that never existed in Bible days and would therefore not be recorded for our guidance today. This principle might be labeled lawful but not expedient. The apostle Paul underscored this principle twice in his first letter to the Corinthians. “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” [1 Cor. 6:12, NKJV]. Paul was talking about meat that had been sacrificed to idols, but the principle applies to all activities, including entertainment. A little later in his letter he says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” [1 Cor. 10:23, NKJV].

Some entertainment can become an addiction. Any form of entertainment in which one participates in excess robs the Christian of valuable time with God. Instead of being built up in Christ, one is often neutralized or dulled spiritually simply by over-indulgence. As Christians we should beware of being brought under the power of anything other than God. Our desire should be to please God with our whole being-mind, soul, and heart [Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27], In light of this truth there are times we as believers must ask ourselves, “Does this entertainment edify or build me up in my relationship with God?” or “Can I spiritually afford the temporary distraction the particular entertainment will bring to my life?” Christians should remember that not every entertainment that might be morally permissible is spiritually profitable.

There is a place for wholesome entertainment. Young children who have not yet reached the age of making their own moral choices should enjoy “fun times” with the family. Times of laughing and playing together will contribute much to family solidarity in the difficult teen years. The entertainment need not always be didactic, though learning can come from wholesome entertainment experiences. Some entertainment is neutral, dwelling neither on the portrayal of evil or that of a church service atmosphere. Parents can wisely choose such neutral forms of entertainment for the entire family to enjoy together. The choices will vary with the ages of the children and should be things they can share excitedly with friends. Such experiences will be remembered years later when the children are taunted by peers who say Christians can’t have any fun. But the caution to avoid anything that portrays sinful behavior in a positive light should be heeded.

Movies and Videos. The producers of story-plot entertainment have accommodated public demand by labeling their products to warn of content and age-level appropriateness. This labeling system is secular, not religious. A production can receive an “R” rating for violence, nudity, sexual content, and offensive language. These would be the very things we would caution all ages to avoid because they are anything but edifying. Then there are ratings like PG13, TV14, NC17, etc. The reasoning of the secular rating system is that some content is not appropriate for lower ages because they may not be able to distinguish the fantasy from reality. But the system also encourages one to think, “I’m beyond that age now, so I can and want to see it”. What the secular censors say is permissible, though, is not necessarily what the principles of God’s Word would say. Would not our spiritually vitality be stronger if we did not immerse ourselves in such portrayals that approve of actions and lifestyle that are contrary to God’s Word!

A word of caution should be mentioned on “G” rated films and videos. Though there may be none of the “R” rating content, the system does not rate the philosophical mindset behind the plot. A seemingly harmless story in the hands of an activist writer or producer can plant seeds of doubt about biblical truth and Christian behavior. Parents and all adults must be aware of this possibility for children and for themselves. Christian literary critics should be alert to these deviations from truth and warn fellow believers about them.

It is not necessary to physically view many of the entertainment programs to see if they provide acceptable leisure time activity for a Christian. In addition to the rating systems, printed reviews of various entertainment media will warn about unwholesome presentations. It is unfortunate that the rating systems provided to help morally concerned viewers avoid violence and sexual content are also used by others to find it.

[Conclusion next Sunday]

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2 (RVR)
¹ Así que, hermanos, os ruego por las misericordias de Dios, que presentéis vuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, agradable a Dios, que es vuestro culto racional.
² No os conforméis a este siglo, sino transformaos por medio de la renovación de vuestro entendimiento, para que comprobéis cuál sea la buena voluntad de Dios, agradable y perfecta.

Saturday Kids Night Out
October 28th 4:00 - 8:00 P.M.
Movie and games and refreshments
Call Brother Randy or Sister Betty 768-24450 or 768-4720