A while back I was surfing the Internet and
came across some interesting early Christian writings.
260-330 AD Lactantius "I am inclined to think that the corrupting
influence of the stage is even worse [than that of the arena]. The subjects
of comedies are the deflowering of virgins or the loves of prostitutes....
Similarly, the tragedies parade before the eyes [of the audience] the murder
of parents and acts of incest committed by wicked kings.... Is the art of
the mimes any better? They teach adultery by acting it out. How do we expect
our young people to respond when they see that these things are practiced
without shame and that everyone eagerly watches." (Lactantius Institutes
bk. 6, chap. 20, paraphrased)
140-230 AD Tertullian "The father who
carefully protects and guards his virgin daughter's ears from every polluting
word takes her to the theater himself, exposing her to all its vile language
and attitudes." He asked rhetorically, "How can it be right to look
at the things that are wrong to do? How can those things which defile a man
when they go out of his mouth not defile him when going in through his eyes
and ears?" (Matt. 15: 17 20). (Tertullian The Shows chaps. 21,
17)
260-330 AD Lactantius "He who finds it pleasurable to watch a man being killed, even though the man has been legally condemned, pollutes his conscience just as much as though he were an accomplice or willing spectator of a murder committed in secret. Yet they call these 'sports'-where human blood is shed! ... When they see men placed under the stroke of death. begging for mercy, can they be righteous when they not only permit the men to be killed, but demand it? They cast their cruel and inhuman votes for death, not being satisfied by the mere flowing of blood or the presence of gashing wounds. In fact, they order the [gladiators] -although wounded and lying on the ground-to be attacked again and their corpses to be pummeled with blows, to make certain they are not merely feigning death. The crowds are even angry with the gladiators if one of the two isn't slain quickly. As though they thirsted for human blood, they hate delays.... By steeping themselves in this practice, they have lost their humanity.... Therefore, it is not fitting that we who strive to stay on the path of righteousness should share in this public homicide. When God forbids us to kill, he not only prohibits the violence that is condemned by public laws, but he also forbids the violence that is deemed lawful by men. (Lactantius Institutes bk. 6, chap. 20, paraphrased)
One phrase by Tertullian sums up it "How can it be right to look at the things that are wrong to do?" Most movies and television shows can be honestly summed up as "presentations of sin." This is a serious matter, countless Christians have allowed themselves to sin in this manner.
Matt 5:27-30 "Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell." (Remember this applies just as much to women lusting after men!)
The idea here is not that when you sin you should pluck out you eye, but that you should avoid sin at all cost. Truly, if you would have been better to have lost an eye or hand to escape hell; then being careful in what you watch should be a minor issue.
I want to leave you with this, before you watch
a movie or television show, consider what the content of that presentation
will be. Don't watch things which are sinful - turn the tube off, walk out
of the theater, whatever it takes. And finally, remember Tertullian, "How
can it be right to look at the things that are wrong to do?"
PS - a good resource for movies critiques based on language and content is
http://www.kidsinmind.com/ or www.screenit.com.
These sites tell explicitly and numerically the number of foul words and describes
explicitly the story of movies - often even reading the summarized story of
a movie is very disturbing (these sites are not for kids - viewer discretion
advised).
Ryan Sollars
(Adapted from quotes found on www.bible.ca)
Interested in further study? Please contact Phillip Martin @ pwmartin@gospeldefender.com