Should Christians be interested in films?

To be interested in films does not necessarily mean we have to watch them. It is possible to know about films without actually seeing them.

You can read reviews in the papers, including this one, look on websites, in film magazines, and books about movies. Knowing about a film in this way can help us to decide whether we, or our children, could watch it with a clear conscience. Five principles can be applied in making this decision. We must remember that impurity is internal, not external (Mark 7.14-23). We must be fully persuaded in our own minds about the propriety of our choice (Romans 14-15). We should be seeking to grow in maturity of faith in Christ as we learn to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5.14). We must admit that not everything is beneficial (1 Corinthians 6.12). And we must set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3.2). If we then conclude that it is not appropriate to see a certain film, we can still research its plot, themes and philosophies so we can talk about it with others.

Why bother?

But why bother to do this? Why should Christians be interested in films? Why should we invest/waste (depending on your point of view) time on researching films, and spend money on cinema tickets to watch films which will often include bad language, erotic sex scenes outside of a marriage context, cartoon or realistic violence, blasphemy and anti-Christian philosophies? Some Christians regard films as a no-go area, considering them harmful and ‘worldly’. On the other hand, Christians who do see films often do so without stopping to critically evaluate their content. To develop this ability, Christian websites which offer reviews and Bible studies on films can be helpful in starting the process in learning to evaluate films from a biblical perspective, e.g. www.damaris.org.uk

Conversations

Conversations about films can be heard wherever we go. Time was when perhaps one film a week would be released at the local cinema; now in multi-screen cinema complexes it’s possible to choose from many films each day. The globalisation of life means that the same films can be seen in an astounding range of countries and cultures. Even the poorest people in slums have access to television or a cinema screen somewhere. As a result there can be moments of global conversation going on about the same film. Some people watch films to escape from the realities of life, but increasingly, the content of films demands some thought and philosophical response. A Christian who is familiar with the storyline of the film, or who has seen it, can join in these conversations by analysing the films’ themes and philosophies from a Christian perspective.

Watching films

This is for individuals who can maintain a clear conscience before God. We need to make spiritually discerning decisions about what to set before our eyes. Consider Psalm 101.3. David was a man of war and had committed adultery and murder, yet knew the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness in his life. He prayed for wisdom in what he set before his eyes (perhaps with hindsight realising that this is how his sinful relationship with Bathsheba had begun?). Israelites living in a small theocracy among pagan or idolatrous enemy nations did not often experience an environment of peace, purity or tranquillity. So the important thing to see here is David’s prayer as a reflection of his heart attitude in wanting to please God by controlling what influenced his thoughts. We too must seek to do this, as it is a New Testament command that Christians be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12.1-2). Films can stimulate us to think in a more godly way.

How can films do this?

(1) By making us work hard to know the Bible worldview about God, the world, Jesus Christ, other religions and ethics (i.e. have a biblical worldview).

We must saturate ourselves in the Bible’s teaching. Studying other worldviews, philosophies and religions is helpful so that we can join in people’s conversations. But unless we know what the Bible says about ‘life, the universe and everything’, we will not be able to bring any challenge to their pre-suppositions. The Bible is realistic. It portrays the world as it is, and explains why the world is as it is, that humanity was created by God to reflect his image, but became corrupted by sin and is now limping through life with broken relationships with the Creator and other people.

(2) By requiring us to make critical evaluations in the context of that worldview.

Like a ruler against which all other lines can be shown to be crooked, the Bible reveals to us the way of God’s grace which is our guide in life (Titus 2.11-13). It is as we know the grace of God that we can make godly judgements about saying no to temptations. This does not mean that we should always avoid watching unpleasant and hard things in films. The Bible conveys its truths to us through a realistic presentation of life. There is no skating over sexual immorality, violence, cursing and blasphemy, nor are these sins counted more heinous than some that we treat with misguided lightness. See the list in Romans 1.29-31, for instance.

We are perplexed by what is revealed about God’s sovereignty, the effect of sin and evil in people’s lives. There are prayers of revenge, feuds, family quarrels, gang rape, murders and treachery; while false religions and philosophies constantly infiltrate the lives of God’s people. They are not shielded from these things; they have to learn to overcome them. As Christians we should not expect to find films portraying a falsely nice, peaceful world. Films reflect the fact that the world is full of bad news and needs redemption. Our task is to tell people there is an alternative, that men and women were created for a different way of living, and there is future hope for all those who believe the message of the Bible. We can bring the concept of biblical redemption to people’s attention as we discuss films with them.

(3) By forcing us to distinguish between what is real and unreal.

Through films we enter a world where we have no responsibilities, but which allows us to reflect on our world. Films portray the world as it is, but usually from the viewpoint of philosophies or religions outside the biblical worldview — as someone thinks it was or could have been, again from other viewpoints or other beliefs, e.g. evolution, or as someone imagines it might be (science fiction). In films people can do anything (magic, matrix, adventure), and explore the implications of ideas with moral consequences (e.g. Minority Report).

(4) By presenting to us an art form which we can critically evaluate.

Films bring fulfilment to their creators; to entertain the public; sometimes to provide distraction from real life (escapism); more often to provoke thought about issues of life. They make money for those who profit by the industry, which does not generally seek to glorify God, although the content of some films can do this. Like any art form they are part of the ‘conversation’ of this world — like TV, radio, books, literature — so keeping in touch with current films, or knowing about those which have made an impact on society can enable us to join in the conversation, and make a biblical contribution to other people’s thoughts.

Not compulsory

However, it is not compulsory for Christians to engage with films. Some may find it unhelpful or even regard it as sinful (Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8.4-9). Those of us who enjoy watching films must take care not to indulge ourselves excessively and unthinkingly in this leisure activity; not cause others to stumble in the exercise of our freedom to watch; and not feel guilty about watching discerningly as a means to grow in grace to the glory of God.

Conclusion

We should not assume that any film accurately portrays biblical principles. Non-Christians might portray biblical principles without being actually submissive to the authority of Scripture, or they might not, without any malicious intent. Or they might deliberately portray anti-biblical philosophies with or without malicious intent. However, we cannot assume that Christian directors will necessarily be biblically accurate. Distortions of biblical teaching can be shown through misunderstanding, or different interpretations of Scriptural teaching.

We should remember that films can influence thought and behaviour in good and bad ways. The relationship between media exposure and behaviour is difficult to quantify — as is the relationship between other influences in life — especially people we respect or love, or despise and hate. However, people are influenced by what they see. This is why we as Christians need to arm ourselves to approach all films in a discerning manner, for ourselves as individuals, for our children and for the non-Christian friends to whom we owe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

CALK

(Adapted from a seminar talk at Carey Family Conference 2004.)