A few weeks ago a couple friends of mine decided to delve into the world of Christian entertainment while simultaneously shunning all secular entertainment. How impossible is that? To protect their identity I’ll call them Ynot and Evad. My two friends blogged about there 7 day experiment @muddiedwaters.wordpress.com. Please understand I’m not trying to slam my two friends. I think very highly of them and value their ministry and the influence they have. I’m just bringing in a different point of view.
As I read their blog day after day I noticed how they began to debunk most Christian entertainment and compared it to their secular entertainment, and to hear them speak of their particular indulgences they are precious. They talked about how they missed their secular music, TV shows, internet, etc. You can read it @muddiedwaters.wordpress.com. I admit I have been tempted and indulged in secular entertainment and justified it because it was just funny, or high quality and I enjoyed it, but then found myself in the middle of compromise. ouch!
In some areas I agree with them when it comes to the lower quality of some Christian entertainment. (Who’s fault is that?) However, how much Christian media did they expose themselves to? Was it enough to make a true comparison?
I wonder if we really miss the point of Christian entertainment especially if YOUR A CHRISTIAN! Doesn’t the bible speak about the things that enter our mind through our eyes and ears, hmmm! and what about the things that we think about, somewhere in Philipians, hmmm! Something about protecting our soul and spirit and heart and mind from negative influence. We do teach our kids this stuff don’t we? Oh well, I guess I’ve read to much of that bible stuff. Maybe I’m a closet Jesus freak! Time to come out. Especially in light of recent developments concerning some of my colleagues.
Of course we know that entertainment is a matter of taste and in that respect their is no bad entertainment as long as there is an audience/consumer, But we as Christians must, must, must , filter the kinds of entertainment we consume. Believe it or not, what we put into our minds, trickles into our spirit and soul and it will re-appear in our actions, life style and the way we influence others.
As a father of three, my wife and I always tried to expose our children to the best Christian entertainment we could find. I admit at times it was hard to find quality Christian entertainment that will relate to a younger generation. Again, (Who’s fault is that?) But, we felt if we were restricting their intake of secular entertainment then we were obligated to give them a good Christian alternative, we somewhat succeeded. All three of our children now ages 25, 23, and 16 are very active in Christian music/media and other ministries in there respective churches. Do they use secular enternment? Yes. But they know where to draw the line when it comes to compromising there Christian beliefs. Do they always make the right decisions? Maybe not but, I hope they do. Do You?
Ah, here’s the rub. When we as adults are teaching the youngsters about the pros and cons of entertainment consumption we are obligated to teach them the why’s. What I mean is this- what is the purpose of a particular type of entertainment? – the character and motive of those producing the entertainment and is it acceptable according to the Bible that say we believe and trust.
I guess at least one point I’m making is that we must be careful about what we allow into our lives. I’m not saying all secular entertainment is bad or evil. However, as Christians we should be aware of the spiritual implications of the secular media whether it is music, movies, TV, radio, photograph, video or written. Yes, spiritual implication. We believe that God is a Spirit, and that we receive His Spirit when we are born again into the Kingdom of God, therefore we must believe in the spiritual and supernatural. We however seem to forget that there is an apposing Spirit called Satan out there who uses secular entertainment to influence the minds of those who will partake.
I could go on and on but I’ll try to bring this to a close. One more question.
Why is it so important that we be entertained? What is the obsession? Please comment. We want to know you opinion.
Rich
davewebb87 Said:
on June 13, 2009 at 7:14 pm
We like to be entertained because it plays on all of our different emotions and we are very emotional people. I think it really goes back to our basic need of not wanting to be alone but rather have someone to share with. You make many valid points that I agree whole heartedly with, however I’m still not convinced that Sports should be labeled as secular. MAny player are Christians themselves and prayer is said before and during games. While I discovered I really didn’t miss most of the stuff I usually indulge in, I did miss ESPN….I’m such a heathen I know
pastordunn Said:
on June 13, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Don’t take me wrong Dave I don’t think your a heathen. You do have a point about sports. We all battle the entertainment demon. I believe with much discussion among believers and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can Walk where God wants us to walk. I love ESPN as well!
muddiedwaters Said:
on June 13, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Dichard!
This is the discussion i think we need to be having as people of faith. Your question of “Why is it so important that we be entertained?” is a great question. One that i honestly don’t have an answer for. i do hope there is entertainment in heaven though!
i do consume Christian entertainment on a regular basis but not exclusively. For years after my conversion i engaged on only Christian entertainment. But my eclectic taste in music left me feeling pretty low. Which lead me to the question: why do we demonize music in particular but most believers have no problem consuming non-christian TV, movies, sports , etc….
just something to conversate abouth
pastordunn Said:
on June 14, 2009 at 8:48 am
Good comments Ton = and “the beat goes on”
Dichard’s Response -Tony « Muddied waters Said:
on June 13, 2009 at 9:07 pm
[...] http://reallifeword.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/entertain-me/ [...]
eden Said:
on June 13, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Indeed this is a good topic nowadays, since our world has been so indulge with secular things and most of the time, not sometime, we, the ones who are so called christians..lived a double standard life…because we tend the need to belong. that is why it is very important to not only teach our children, but also to model to them that we are living what we preach to them…my 16 y/o daughter can relate to a parent who always evaluate and check what she watches, listen, too..who are your friends , places to go…..I think she is so over it…..just like what you mentioned what ever we see….that goes in and eventually will manifest what are you really in to….the apirit of god will reveal that….because light and darkness will never be together……you cannot serve 2 masters……either you love the other or leave the other one……THIS IS A VERY GOOD TOPIC….esp. with teenagers……
pastordunn Said:
on June 14, 2009 at 8:50 am
Thank for you comments-Eden -Our children are our most valuable commodity we must protect them even against their will.
Teresa Said:
on June 14, 2009 at 1:26 am
I agree w/ all points for the most part. From my own experience the closer I get to God the more I want of Him. The less the world in any form of entertainment has to offer! Secular music although NOT all bad does little if truthfully nothing to edify Christ or my spirit man therefore if my soul is hungering and thirsting after Christ as it should how can I then feast upon and receive valid nourishment from what the world has to offer? The closer to God we get the more we want of God NOT this world! The things of the world (when we are REALLY serving God) pale in comparission and offend us. Now, There is absolutely nothing wrong with a sports game or non-demoralizing song (which there are only a hand full) or a tv show or movie, or book etc. It is wrong and unhealthly when we as followers of Christ began to indulge in these things to the point that we began to forsake time with God, time in His Word, and ministry. Many times ENTERTAINMENT which is a flesh pleaser can become a God. We give it more time then we do to our Lord and feeding and nourishing our souls
Now should we abandon all that is non-spiritual? No, I don’t believe so but, if it is sinful, immoral, or leads us astray RUN away from it don’t walk!!! I believe the key word here brother’s and sister’s is BALANCE! It is a struggle I believe for probably MOST Christians. I wonder how many lives could be changed if Christians put as much time and effort into ministry (WINNING THE LOST) as we do in entertaining ourselves. Like the wasted hours on these computers for example hmmmmmm ouch! I am guilty at times of getting caught up and I wonder how many God appointed opportunities I may have missed. To quote the Apostle Paul “ALL things in moderation…” You see although somethings may be good and not bad or evil or sinful in any way…… if they rob us of our time with God, the Word, and minstry well…. then its wrong “I am a Jealous God and will have NO other gods before me”
“God Bless You All!”
pastordunn Said:
on June 14, 2009 at 8:53 am
Right on Teresa, Sometimes the world gets in the way of our ministering to the world. Wait a minute that is another good topic! Although, It was Paul that said, I become all things to all people in order to win some.
Teresa Said:
on June 16, 2009 at 12:20 am
Yeah, That would be a GREAT topic. I was just thinking along the lines of the BALANCE point that I made. Sometimes as Christians we become so “heavenly minded that we are NO earthly good!” to borrow an old cliche. We have to know what is going on in the world so that we are able to relate and minister to ALL people. Some Christians put themselves in such a thick bubble that they cut themselves off so completely that they are then un-able to minster to those God may send their way. Jesus mingled with the tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, murderers but (BALANCE) He also spent time with His brothers in the Lord and of course the Heavenly Father! He was balanced! He built Himself up in the Sprirt through prayer and fasting (mant times you read “…He with drew to a lonely place to pray, or on the side of mountain to pray…etc” ) Therefore Full to overflowing with the Holy Ghost so that He was able to minister to those He came in Contact!!!
Tammy Said:
on June 15, 2009 at 1:38 pm
I agree, Pastor Dunn. It disturbs me that Christians are so focused on entertainment. I’m afraid it consumes way too much of our valuable time, and interferes with our sacrificial living and reaching out to others with the message of Jesus Christ. Instead of indulging our carnal desires, we so need to be careful about what enters our minds, for that is the way our enemy seeks to destroy us.
pastordunn Said:
on June 15, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Thanks for your comments. I like all types of entertainment, but to be entertained should not be our goal in life.
Jacob Dunn Said:
on June 16, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Wow! This topic is really entertaining! ha ha ha! I think most people want to be entertained because they are afraid of being bored. (being Alone, feeling an emptiness.) Being entertained can become an idol. I am guilty! ouch. Paul writes in 2 timothy 3 of the the godlessness in the last days and how there will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Im not saying that entertainment is bad. but… big but. we can not put our pleasures before God. I hear alot of people say that the bible is hard to understand or is boring. I seem to think the bible is cool and is entertaining. but wether the bible is cool or not is completely irrelevant. The Bible, Gods word is the truth. And the truth will set us free.
oh and dad,,, i love the new blog. and i would say that this type of entertainment is not bad. these are thoughts and discussions about God. and people need to share with each other. i need this
critzpastor Said:
on June 16, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Richard,
Obviously a very relevant discussion and a Real LIFE word!
I find it interesting that in the church we divide things into Christian entertainment vs secular. Would it be correct to apply those tags to other areas of life? For instance, Christian jobs vs secular employment? Is it the function of the job that makes it Christian (church work) or is it the presence of a Christian on the job the makes the difference?
How do you draw the lines between secular and Christian anyway? Does what is Christian cease to be Christian when decisions in the church reflect politics instead of spiritual discernment? When someone purposefully or inadvertently begins to serve their own interest instead of Kingdom purposes is that secular?
I agree with your points above for the most part. Instead of rules and regulations we should be training/teaching our children and others to make Biblically based decisions in all areas of life. To use a well used phrase, “What would Jesus do?”, should be at the center of every thought and not just on bracelets! Then they (or we) will be able to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling”.
Here is a question I encountered recently: If truth is truth is it truth when it comes from a source different from the Bible? On Mars Hill in Acts 17:28 Paul said, “28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
Secular truth, embraced by Paul and included in the New Testament?
The popular song, “Jesus take the wheel” has been played and sung in churches and Christian radio stations across the land, but it is on an album that is distinctly secular.
Biblical discernment, not labels!
pastordunn Said:
on June 16, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Thanks Jack for your comments. You bring out a good point about labeling entertainment Christian or secular. I guess to me Christian entertainment would be derived from the word Christian, meaning Christ-like. The Christian entertainment would edify the Christian by alluding to Christ, God, and or the Holy Spirit in a positive method. Entertainment can’t be considered relevant no more than truth can be considered relevant. To the Christian truth is measured by the word of God. True Christian entertainment should be held up to the Spiritual and moral standard that Christians are supposed to be living, according to the truth of the Word of God. Jesus said, that Satan was a lier and murderer from the beginning. All truth, just like all good comes from God. Secular entertainment would be anything entertainment that was not intended to edify the Christian specifically although Christians may be entertained by it. I don’t believe all secular entertainment is bad. I enjoy much of it. To enjoy secular entertainment in not sin. But if the entertainment compromises Christian values should we partake or do we risk filling our hearts and mind with un-Godly influences that will eventually corrupt our spirit and soul. Again thanks for the comments keep them coming! Rich
Pam Said:
on June 17, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Richard,
Love this discussion..you’ve brought some great thought-provoking ideas to the table. But I guess credit for the original spark has to go to Dave & Tony, huh? As a PK who grew up with marvelous parents who’s motto was ‘garbage in, garbage out’, the tv, movies and most of the music was pretty well monitored at our house. Christian music was encouraged but secular wasn’t outlawed. The only downside I see is that I have had to learn that I can’t judge others for what they choose to listen to, watch, do, etc.
But on the flip side that also doesn’t mean I’m a sanctimonious, holy roller because I choose to not let my kids watch the majority of popular ‘teen’ movies
. They hear & see plenty of trash in their world, I can’t control that, but I’m the ‘censor’ at my house and I choose to err on the side of caution.
pastordunn Said:
on June 17, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Thanks Pam,
Good stuff. We were pretty strict on Lyndsey, Jacob and Anna as well. We didn’t allow them to partake of Secular entertainment of any kind if we could it. Like you said Sometimes we couldn’t help it. Along that note we must understand that when our children are young they aren’t spiritually mature enough to determine when entertainment is good or bad. If we as adults sometimes have a hard time controlling our fleshly desires how much harder is for our kids. I always say, “a child will make a childish decision, a teen will make a teenage decision, only adults make adults decisions.” Therefore we must help our children make the right decisions.
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on June 18, 2009 at 9:54 pm
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