Movies and Christianity have an intense past; discrimination, hate, controversy, and judgement. For many years Christians kept their distance from movie theaters... or at least they went in secret.  Christians have always battled with the grey area of right and wrong when it comes to film. To deal with the uncertainties of right and wrong Christians have drawn a bold line that, I would argue, is too far on the rated-G side of things. 

Just because a movie has nudity, violence, sex, etc. doesn't mean that it should be banned to the depths of Hell automatically. It is one thing when these elements are used simply to entertain or to draw in viewers but it is completely different when they are used to serve the purpose of something greater. Take Schindler's List for example. This movie was very well done and opened the eyes of a lot of people as to what happened during the Holocaust. It brought to mind the issues of racism and discrimination that existed then as well as challenging many to look into themselves and contemplate their views of marginalized peoples. BUT this movie was very graphic and had nudity in it. So should we write it off as sinful, never watch it, and condemn others who do watch it? I don't think so.

A movie, a piece of art, a song or a play do not have to be created by a Christian to be Christian. Many works by non-Christians have nobel messages of morality, messages that explore the human condition and that challenge people to live nobler lives. God does not care whether you are a Christian or not, He will accomplish His purpose through you. It is very snobish of Christians to think God only works through them because we are all created in His image. 

There are definitely many movies out there that are not worth $8 and two hours of your time to go and watch, but there are many that are. As a Christian I can go and see a "Christian" film and leave completely unaffected as well as go to a mainstream movie and leave deeply impacted. I think that the hatred Christians have towards movies is fading and we are learning to appreciate good films. I would even dare to say that you can learn something from almost any film you watch if you watch it with a critical eye but it is important to use discernment as to how much we take in the non-beneficial entertainment the film industry often puts out. 

Virtual is to community as paper is to samon

Oh the good old days... when I used to talk to my friends face to face and then go play in puddles together. Yes, the days when families got together and actually were all physically present in the same room. The days when you could have an hour long conversation with someone without being interrupted by the latest Britney jingle. Those days are quickly fading. We are now is the era of virtual communication.

I make a conscious effort to have at least two people over to my place once a week for a meal. When I ask people to come over it is interesting to see their reactions. People are often surprised or caught off guard and then eventually agree with somewhat amusing replies: "I, uh, well, ghee, ugh, umm...okay, sure, why not." It seems that our culture is slowly loosing the art of tangible community. Instead of going and visiting my sister I send her a quick email to let her know that I care and to see how she's doing. You may argue that you are just too busy and that there is not enough time to meet face to face with people. Well, if you didn't have to keep in contact with all your friends at all times, or you gave up creeping on Facebook for an evening or two you might be surprised how your schedule opens up.

Our attempt to be in touch with all people at all times is encouraging the breakdown of real, solid, unpixilated relationships. If you are having a deep conversation with a friend, co-worker, or whoever and your cell rings, suddenly the person that is right in front of you becomes, somehow, of lesser importance. I would argue that email, Facebooking, and texting have become mini gods that people build their relationships, their time and their lives around. "All this technology is great because I can keep in touch with so many more people! I have 250 friends on Facebook. How about you?" It goes to show that capitalism has deeply penetrated our culture: quantity is far better than quality. 

cover thee eyes!

In many cases Christian parents do whatever is in their power to shield their child from the dangers "out there." The child is only allowed to watch Christian cartoons, read Christian story books and listen to Christian songs. It is important to raise a child in safe surroundings because their first years are when they are shaped most profoundly as a human. One of the problems of overprotecting a child is that they will not know how to cope with the world outside of mommy, daddy, and Veggie Tales.

As a child grows it is important to expose them slowly to the good, and yes the bad of this world. The key is that the parent should come along side the child and explain to them what they are seeing/hearing and how to deal with it. David Bedsole raises the issue in Understanding Evangelical Media that if we protect young people and condemn the media for it's "secular" content then the bible could just as easily be condemned. Take the story of David and Goliath...what a lovely children's story. Young David confronts the giant, kills him with one stone to the forehead, and then saws off his head. According to the regulations Christians have put on media this story should be rated R and no God-fearing Christian would go to an R-rated movie.

So what is my point? My point is that it is unhealthy to keep the difficult, sometimes disturbing, real issues-media away from children and young people. It is so common to see young Christian people leave home after graduating high school and fall flat on their face. They don't know how to cope...they have never been taught how. The better method is to expose children, adolescents, etc, to the real issues of this world as they are cognitively ready and teach them how to understand, how to process and how to react to what they are seeing/hearing.

But what can I say...I am only 22 and most definitely not a parent, so I probably still need to work a lot on my theory. 

WWJD: Periodicals

Michael Smith asks the question ,"What would Jesus do?" in his article in Understanding Evangelical Media (P 79). He discusses how Jesus would run a newspaper today. First of all, I have become very annoyed with the question, "What would Jesus do?" as if He is not "doing" already. The question is not "What would Jesus do?" but "What is Jesus doing?" 

Michael asked whether Jesus would "provoke social reform by telling well crafted, engaging stories that make readers think and lead them to servant-action? Or would He preach sermons?" My answer is that He is doing both. Jesus is here and working. It isn't like He is sitting up there looking down us thinking, "If I were down there I would do that totally different." Christians are Jesus to this world and Jesus is working in uncountable ways in all the corners of the earth. 

Jesus does not just use his foot (media) or his hand (preaching) or his eyes (social action), but He uses his whole body. It is not fair to ask if Jesus would preach, teach, work among the homeless, be in politics, own a magazine or be a televangelist, as if we can say one way of reaching others is better than the other. All parts are needed whether they appeal to us as individuals or not. 

Evangelical Radio

I have to admit that I don’t really listen to Christian radio. Christian radio stations that I have listened to in the past often annoy me with cliché catch phrases that are empty and shallow. In-between advertising for the local bible college and a Christian bookstore they rattle off a phrase like, “Pray, and see the hand of God move in your life.” What the heck does that mean? Why can’t we delve into subject matter that is real, that you can grab onto and that makes you think instead of brushing off the reality of this world with an “easy-way-out” one-liner?

 

Evangelical radio stations play music that I would enjoy singing in church but not that I would really want to listen to for enjoyment. I find the same thing with a lot of contemporary Christian music: It is void of thought provoking, stimulating, intellectual material. Not to mention that the music itself is not that great in my opinion.

 

I like the concept of what The Hub is doing as mentioned in “Understanding Evangelical Media” by Schultze and Woods, which I believe is also the way that God Talk operates in Winnipeg. The message, topics, and discussions are not always overtly Christian. They discuss issues and play music that appeals to a greater audience. I wouldn’t be too interested in listening to a panel of Christians discussing popular culture, but I would be interested in listening to a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, and an Atheist talk about it.

 

I don’t believe that God only works through Christians and Christian media to reach His world and to accomplish His plan. God can use a secular song, a Buddhist Monk, or a radio talk show that originated in a bar too to impact people’s lives for His purpose.