Movies and Ministry

Overheard after Seabiscuit:

“I loved how everybody clapped at the end,” Mary smiled.

Nodding, Derek said, “I think that will be one of my favorite movies.”

“What was your favorite part?” Mary asked as they walked outside the theater.

“I think it’s the whole idea of getting a second chance. Redemption. You know, another shot at something you messed up on. I can relate,” Derek replied thoughtfully.

Mary looked at him. “What did you mess up on that you got another shot at?”

Derek laughed. “Life. Let’s grab a Coke and I’ll tell you about it.”

World view Discussions
Philosophies presented in the movies can be a great springboard to start a spiritual discussion with a non-Christian friend. The drama of the big screen can remove barriers and open up conversations about another’s world view. Many biblical themes, such as grace, redemption, goals, commitment, sacrifice, forgiveness, death, reality and unconditional love, are masterfully illustrated in some films. Movies can be a catalyst that sparks conversations about spiritual issues, and ultimately, about God.

An individual’s world view describes their understanding about God and his role in the world. Conversations focused around world views can be an opportunity for Christians to testify to the redemptive, holistic nature of God and how his nature affects their daily lives.

Author William Bennett refers to world views as “the modes of expression and conversation, official and unofficial, which express who and what we are, what we believe, and how we act.” As Christians, our world view (our convictions, beliefs and actions that back up those beliefs) should focus through the lens of the Holy Spirit. Your world view as a Christian will probably be different from those of your non-believing friends, and they may want to know why.

The Bible encourages us to be ready to give an answer to those around us who may question why we think certain things. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages believers to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have” (NIV). Our hope is Jesus, and every issue in life can be affected by that knowledge.

Wise Film Choices
This said, let’s be frank. While films can be used for good, the content of some is just plain evil. As Christians, we are encouraged to live our lives focused on “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Many films contain material that is far from being pure or praiseworthy. How do we make wise choices about what entertainment we expose ourselves to?

Some people let a movie’s rating make their decision for them. Ratings were designed to alert parents to objectionable material that their son or daughter would see in a film. But just because a person turns seventeen, does that mean that his or her heart and mind can be subjected to the graphic gore or sexuality of an R-rated movie without it causing harm?

Even within the movie industry, there are questions about the reliability of ratings. L. A. Times film critic Kenneth Turan proposes that the rating system doesn’t serve to protect viewers as it was designed to do. He observes that “as films go farther and farther out on the ledge of acceptability . . . standards of even the most minimal kind have become a laughable and almost quaint idea.”

Maybe what is more disturbing is that Hollywood makes no apologies for potential harm their industry may be causing. In fact, Pat Sajak, longtime host of “Wheel of Fortune,” asserts that “they [Hollywood] see no connection between what they do and the results of what they do. . . . You’re not really families and communities. You’re ratings, demographics and sales.”

Unfortunately, negative repercussions can evolve from the movies. Vocabularies, relationship norms, dress patterns and conflict resolutions are constantly pushed to the extreme by Hollywood. In our media-saturated society, “not all preachers stand in pulpits,” claims author Bob Smithouser.

Protecting our hearts and minds from worldly influences can be a daunting task. God has called us to an intentional balancing act: to be in the world but not of the world. And in relation to movies, this seems to take extremes at times.

Extreme 1: We should condemn all movies because of the immorality generally condoned by Hollywood. It is unrealistic to cut ourselves off from the world’s pulpit. We need to know what is influencing our society, the society that God has called us to minister to.

Extreme 2: We can watch whatever we want; it’s just entertainment. Film critic Michael Medved convicts me with the comparison of media addiction to drug addiction. He says that “the temptingly available alternate realities offered unceasingly to consumers of pop culture . . . bear an unmistakable resemblance to the allure of the most powerful narcotics.” If we are not willing to give up watching a particular movie because of the offensive content, then there is a problem.

Proverbs 3:21 encourages us to “preserve sound judgment and discernment; do not let them out of your sight.” God does call us to use our eyes to look upon certain things, but he wants them to be things that honor him and his creation.

Clare Cook in Boundless magazine suggests that instead of checking out a movie’s worth by actually going to the theater, ask someone you know who has already seen it. Also, there are review sites on-line which analyze films from a Christian world view. They can give you red flags on films you can afford to miss, and others that are a “must-see.”

When it comes to movies, there are no hard and fast rules. Instead, we must draw near to God and hear his voice. He will help us discern whether to ask a friend a pertinent question after a film, or walk out on an offensive show.

Just look at the amazing world in which we live, and it is obvious that we have a creative God. Film critic Denis Haack even states that “all art forms are a gift from God, to be used to his glory, and film is no exception.” God is creative, and we can use creative means to reach those on our campus for Christ.

—Serenity Schoonover is an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire IVCF chapter. She currently lives in Laurium, Michigan with her husband, Bill, and teaches middle school. In her spare time she gets her arm ripped off when taking her labrador for a walk.