Since its inception, the movie theater has been a medium not for just entertainment, but for worldviews packaged as (or by) entertainment. Whenever I see an “old movie,” typically considered to have the pre-1950s family values, etc., I’m constantly shocked at the actual content of the dialogue and the not-so-subtle sexual innuendo. The movie theater is often a refuge, a place to escape reality for a couple of hours and, with defenses down, become a passive observer of someone else’s life–the perfect place to influence people’s ideaology. And if we’re not careful, an emotionally-charged story might cause us to question our deepest convictions about truth and life.
With movies such as ‘Million-Dollar Baby’ and ‘The Island’ (and so many others) on the forefront of the cultural conversation (or, at least in the forefront of my mind), I was reminded this morning of Chris M. Leland’s insightful article from a few years ago titled It’s Never ‘Just a Movie’. I think I’ve posted about it before, but I thought a re-post was in order. He writes:
The Christian community must do a better job of showing people how to ask the questions that make a person media literate. If we are indeed the “royal priesthood” that we are described as, then our job description includes the command of Ezekiel 44:23 [show] [23]They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. (ESV)
, “They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.” We must live not as passive sponges but as mindful agents.
I agree with Dr. Leland; the answer for us isn’t to abandon movie-watching, but to abandon mindless, passive, undiscerning movie-watching. I think the various expressions of our cultural mandate (Gen. 1:28 [show] [28]And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (ESV); Matt. 28:18-20 [show] [18]And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV); 2 Cor. 10:5 [show] [5]We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (ESV)) require it.
I’ve quoted the meat of his message above, but the gravy and the side dishes are quite tasty, too–check out the rest of his article–I’m sure you’ll enjoy what Dr. Leland has to say.
Dr. Leland is Senior Fellow — Christian Worldview Studies of the Focus on the Family Institute.
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