By Filings on
Christian Living
Television
Entertainment

“The worst way to respond to legalism is to swing to the other extreme, naïvely suggesting that everything is ‘redeemable’ and nothing is off-limits for the wise Christian viewer.” - TGC

Discussion

Wed, 06/03/20

My daughter just asked for more freedom when it comes to what we’re okay with her watching. I agreed if she would read this and we could discuss first. Thanks for posting.

Thu, 06/04/20

Point 4:

We shouldn’t think it obvious that Jesus would always avoid anything R-rated or gritty. After all, he moved toward, not away, from lots of gritty, “R-rated” people—in ways that scandalized the legalists of his day.

Exactly how does watching a movie more you toward the “R-rated” people in a ministry way? This is specious reasoning. Jesus met with and ministered to “R-rated” people, it is true, but they were real, live people, not images on a screen (or paintings on a wall).

Point 5:

Paul seems to indicate in Romans 14 that in matters where Christians have different tolerances or weaknesses, sometimes it’s best to abstain from something that might be ok, for the sake of the community (v. 21).

Not the point of Romans 14. The items at issue are totally indifferent, it matters not one way or the other (in a moral sense) whether you participate or not. The issue with movies/TV etc is, “is it moral?” not “is it indifferent?”

So… first three points were ok, but 60% is a D+ at best

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Thu, 06/04/20

[Don Johnson]

Point 4:

We shouldn’t think it obvious that Jesus would always avoid anything R-rated or gritty. After all, he moved toward, not away, from lots of gritty, “R-rated” people—in ways that scandalized the legalists of his day.

Exactly how does watching a movie more you toward the “R-rated” people in a ministry way? This is specious reasoning. Jesus met with and ministered to “R-rated” people, it is true, but they were real, live people, not images on a screen (or paintings on a wall).

Point 5:

Paul seems to indicate in Romans 14 that in matters where Christians have different tolerances or weaknesses, sometimes it’s best to abstain from something that might be ok, for the sake of the community (v. 21).

Not the point of Romans 14. The items at issue are totally indifferent, it matters not one way or the other (in a moral sense) whether you participate or not. The issue with movies/TV etc is, “is it moral?” not “is it indifferent?”

So… first three points were ok, but 60% is a D+ at best

Yes I agree. Disappointing to see the article (which I thought was otherwise good) make this argument. The argument is a common one that’s used to justify all sorts of foolishness. Jesus ate with sinners but he didn’t go watch their sin for entertainment. The two things are not even remotely comparable. Also, the sinless Lamb of God can handle temptations that we cannot.