ReformedWretch
Puritan Board Doctor
I post on a board where many inmature believers post. I try to help in any way I can without being judgmental.
But look at this post!
Any responses would be appreciated as I am too angry to reply at this moment and may feel that way all day!
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STEVE CASTO wrote this article on a very hot issue. He's got some great points - see what you think?
What do we do about PG-13 and R-rated movies are they good for us or not? Why don't most others have any problem watching them?
"Part of Maturity is understanding that most people in the world will not see things in the same way that you do."
We live in a culture that glorifies money, sex and violence. Our first inclination as a "holy people" is not to be tainted by the disgusting riff-raff around us. But WAIT !!!! Doesn't God love that disgusting riff-raff? If we quarantine ourselves from the rest of the world to the point that we don't understand their culture, how in the @#&! are we going to be able to reach them?
Entertainment could be considered the pulse of America. Hit movies are a hit for a reason. They strike a chord which is common to the sentiment of America. Do you want to know what's going on in the American heart? Go see a movie or listen to a new pop or rap song.
Most fears about entertainment stem from the propagandist view of "garbage in ... garbage out", which isn't even scriptural. There are a few scriptures that deal with this issue. The first is don't set before your eyes any unclean thing. The second is brothers whatever is pure, whatever is noble, ... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.
First let's understand God's heart. Why would God tell us to guard our hearts? It's because we are stupid sheep. We'll follow a juicy carrot right over the edge of a cliff. That answer is bull$#@+! WE HAVE THE MIND OF Christ ! WE HAVE THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT ! So, using logic we can deduce that Christ's mind is weak and the Holy Spirit is powerless to steer our hearts if we believe in that stupid sheep theory. Sure, I have a free will, but I choose to make every ounce of my being follow and love Christ. It is a choice based on a desire that God has given to me.
Ok, back to entertainment. Do I get a thrill from suspenseful, violent film? Sure. Am I going to kill someone right after the movie? NO. Do I think that the woman who got naked was pretty? Sure. Am I going to bag the first pretty woman I meet after the movie? NO ! Am I going to lust after women more? NO ! Am I sad for her lack of self-esteem and discretion? NO! I am pretty sure that she thinks nothing about being naked in front of other people and is fairly confident and proud that she looks good. Am I going to start using the F-word and GD and the S-word since it was in the movie? NO ! I learned that from my friends in the Army. I also learned that it was a vital part of communication at times when you wish to convey a point rather strongly. Another thing, they are four-letter-words. Their connotations are meaningless and yet have many meanings. In my opinion I feel that what comes out of the mouth has it's source in the heart. So, before we condemn those who use a foreign language that we consider vulgar; let's pray that God condemns those gosh-darn fornicating privateers of smut to burn in heck for making such offensive entertainment.
My point here is that we live in a world full of sin. I still sin more frequently than I would like to admit. Sure, I go to movies and listen to music that I enjoy; and yes, it would be offensive to some. But am I going to do what that entertainer is telling me to do? No. Is all vile entertainment an attack against christians to make them stumble? NO. What people write about is coming from their hearts. You can learn a lot about a person's heart by experiencing their art.
Most importantly ... LISTEN TO YOUR OWN HEART !!!!!!!! That which God is telling you is acceptable may not be acceptable for me and vice versa. All I ask is that I am not condemned for believing a certain way and that those around me would keep me in prayer so that I may be able to hear His voice and understand His Word.
Don't condemn the world for being worldly. Love them. That's what Jesus did.
But look at this post!
Any responses would be appreciated as I am too angry to reply at this moment and may feel that way all day!
-------------------
STEVE CASTO wrote this article on a very hot issue. He's got some great points - see what you think?
What do we do about PG-13 and R-rated movies are they good for us or not? Why don't most others have any problem watching them?
"Part of Maturity is understanding that most people in the world will not see things in the same way that you do."
We live in a culture that glorifies money, sex and violence. Our first inclination as a "holy people" is not to be tainted by the disgusting riff-raff around us. But WAIT !!!! Doesn't God love that disgusting riff-raff? If we quarantine ourselves from the rest of the world to the point that we don't understand their culture, how in the @#&! are we going to be able to reach them?
Entertainment could be considered the pulse of America. Hit movies are a hit for a reason. They strike a chord which is common to the sentiment of America. Do you want to know what's going on in the American heart? Go see a movie or listen to a new pop or rap song.
Most fears about entertainment stem from the propagandist view of "garbage in ... garbage out", which isn't even scriptural. There are a few scriptures that deal with this issue. The first is don't set before your eyes any unclean thing. The second is brothers whatever is pure, whatever is noble, ... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.
First let's understand God's heart. Why would God tell us to guard our hearts? It's because we are stupid sheep. We'll follow a juicy carrot right over the edge of a cliff. That answer is bull$#@+! WE HAVE THE MIND OF Christ ! WE HAVE THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT ! So, using logic we can deduce that Christ's mind is weak and the Holy Spirit is powerless to steer our hearts if we believe in that stupid sheep theory. Sure, I have a free will, but I choose to make every ounce of my being follow and love Christ. It is a choice based on a desire that God has given to me.
Ok, back to entertainment. Do I get a thrill from suspenseful, violent film? Sure. Am I going to kill someone right after the movie? NO. Do I think that the woman who got naked was pretty? Sure. Am I going to bag the first pretty woman I meet after the movie? NO ! Am I going to lust after women more? NO ! Am I sad for her lack of self-esteem and discretion? NO! I am pretty sure that she thinks nothing about being naked in front of other people and is fairly confident and proud that she looks good. Am I going to start using the F-word and GD and the S-word since it was in the movie? NO ! I learned that from my friends in the Army. I also learned that it was a vital part of communication at times when you wish to convey a point rather strongly. Another thing, they are four-letter-words. Their connotations are meaningless and yet have many meanings. In my opinion I feel that what comes out of the mouth has it's source in the heart. So, before we condemn those who use a foreign language that we consider vulgar; let's pray that God condemns those gosh-darn fornicating privateers of smut to burn in heck for making such offensive entertainment.
My point here is that we live in a world full of sin. I still sin more frequently than I would like to admit. Sure, I go to movies and listen to music that I enjoy; and yes, it would be offensive to some. But am I going to do what that entertainer is telling me to do? No. Is all vile entertainment an attack against christians to make them stumble? NO. What people write about is coming from their hearts. You can learn a lot about a person's heart by experiencing their art.
Most importantly ... LISTEN TO YOUR OWN HEART !!!!!!!! That which God is telling you is acceptable may not be acceptable for me and vice versa. All I ask is that I am not condemned for believing a certain way and that those around me would keep me in prayer so that I may be able to hear His voice and understand His Word.
Don't condemn the world for being worldly. Love them. That's what Jesus did.
