Entertainment and the Church

[Ecclesiastik]

What is your view on entertainment and the Church? Should they be completely separated? Is it alright to entertain parishioners or to use entertainment in evangelism or is this abominable? What about entertainment in a Christian's personal free time?

Consider the following quote from A.W. Tozer in 1955:

For centuries the Church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was--a device for wasting time, a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience, a scheme to divert attention from moral accountability. For this she got herself abused roundly by the sons of this world. But of late she has become tired of the abuse and has given over the struggle. She appears to have decided that if she cannot conquer the great god Entertainment she may as well join forces with him and make what use she can of his powers. So today we have the astonishing spectacle of millions of dollars being poured into the unholy job of providing earthly entertainment for the so-called sons of heaven. Religious entertainment is in many places rapidly crowding out the serious things of God. Many churches these days have become little more than poor theaters where fifth-rate "producers" peddle their shoddy wares with the full approval of evangelical leaders who can even quote a holy text in defense of their delinquency. And hardly a man dares raise his voice against it.

 

[CRC]

God’s spirit moves those who receive it to be chaste, peaceable, and full of mercy. We would do well to ask ourselves, ‘Does the entertainment I choose encourage positive qualities in me?’ The wisdom from above is “not hypocritical.” Those who are influenced by God’s spirit do not preach chastity and peace to their neighbors and then revel in watching sadistic violence, listening to debased music and or other forms of immorality in public or in the privacy of their homes even in the name of entertainment.( 1Corinthians 10:31,32)[SUP] 31[/SUP] Therefore, whether YOU are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. [SUP]32[/SUP] Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God

 

[Gjolll]

What is your view on entertainment and the Church? Should they be completely separated? Is it alright to entertain parishioners or to use entertainment in evangelism or is this abominable? What about entertainment in a Christian's personal free time?

Actings, plays should be a no-no. Adults don't need them. They are for kids. I agree with Tozer and there is no warrant for it from the earlier church, where to be an actor or an actress was to be excommunicated.

 

[2Thewaters]

Church is not entertainment
entertainment is babylon
worship should be reverent and silent

The celebration apostasy that came in in 1970 turned the church
from a reverence to God
to self worship

 

[blueorchidjd]

In my own personal opinion, I feel that it is important that men use the gifts God created them to have...if it is song, music, preaching etc..
But if a person makes church a large theatrical experience without substance, what is the point of church?
I don't think it should be dry as dust, so no one goes either.
I think the lord expects us to worship him in all ways
Diversity in the body of Christ is absolutely beautiful.
To believe as children. * but also not to lose discernment * cough * lol

 

[Ecclesiastik]

I don't think it should be dry as dust, so no one goes either.

But how can church be dry if people are preaching the word of God? Isn't this exactly the mentality that leads to entertainment infiltrating the church? That is--the mentality that we need to update our methodology in order to not be perceived as boring.

If we live holy lives, preach the word of God, and give our all to Him, isn't the Lord Himself going to add to our numbers?

 

[Tintin]

What a one-sided thread. Thank goodness, BlueOrchid has a clue.

 

[Ecclesiastik]

What a one-sided thread. Thank goodness, BlueOrchid has a clue.

Thanks for contributing with an intellectually stimulating and well-drawn out response.

 

[p_rehbein]

Church is not entertainment
entertainment is babylon
worship should be reverent and silent

The celebration apostasy that came in in 1970 turned the church
from a reverence to God
to self worship

Not according to Jesus............Nor David.

 

[p_rehbein]

Maybe the Author will clarify, but it seems to me he/she is speaking of the "church building?" Church service?

As well, I don't see an "exact definition" of what he/she means by "entertainment."

Hard to offer an intellectual stimulating response when the OP is so vague.

 

[4enlightment]

What a one-sided thread. Thank goodness, BlueOrchid has a clue.

[video=youtube_share;7hRSfvpOz4A]http://youtu.be/7hRSfvpOz4A[/video]

 

[Ecclesiastik]

Maybe the Author will clarify, but it seems to me he/she is speaking of the "church building?" Church service?

As well, I don't see an "exact definition" of what he/she means by "entertainment."

Hard to offer an intellectual stimulating response when the OP is so vague.

I asked some pretty straight-forward questions. The topic is broad by nature just as forms of entertainment are broad and the way Christendom includes the forms within their own lives (whether in a church building or outside of one) is also broad.

I'm certain this topic will offend some because most folks like to take the path of least resistance. To insinuate that there is anything they could possibly change in order to be more holy, why that's just bad taste. Who cares for holiness anyway? We are just human. Right?

 

[p_rehbein]

The video is ok, but how does it relate to this thread? Clearly the setting was not a church building or service as far as I could tell, so I don't see how it relates............

 

[4enlightment]

The video is ok, but how does it relate to this thread? Clearly the setting was not a church building or service as far as I could tell, so I don't see how it relates............

I noticed that everyone want everything to be in a certain way or order, or following their same pattern.

John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

 

[p_rehbein]

Broad brush statements only serve to cause confusion however, do they not?

Let's try this...............

As people are entering the church sanctuary before the start of service, there is someone playing a spiritual hymn on the piano. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

When the congregation is seated, a Worship Leader stands to welcome everyone to service, and reads a Scripture and prays an opening prayer. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The Song Leader stands to lead the congregation in a hymn..........."Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow....."
IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

Brother R. Eally Greatvoice stands to sing the hymn........"In the Garden." IS THIS ENTERTAIMENT?

The Worship Leader stands to lead the congregation in testimonies of praises for God's blessings, and witnesses of prayer requests asked by various members. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The congregation, led by the Song Leader, sings another hymn, "Take It To The Lord In Prayer." IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The Pastor stands to deliver the days Sermon. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

(just wondering what "entertainment" is defined as)

 

[4enlightment]

Broad brush statements only serve to cause confusion however, do they not?

Let's try this...............

As people are entering the church sanctuary before the start of service, there is someone playing a spiritual hymn on the piano. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

When the congregation is seated, a Worship Leader stands to welcome everyone to service, and reads a Scripture and prays an opening prayer. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The Song Leader stands to lead the congregation in a hymn..........."Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow....."
IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

Brother R. Eally Greatvoice stands to sing the hymn........"In the Garden." IS THIS ENTERTAIMENT?

The Worship Leader stands to lead the congregation in testimonies of praises for God's blessings, and witnesses of prayer requests asked by various members. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The congregation, led by the Song Leader, sings another hymn, "Take It To The Lord In Prayer." IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

The Pastor stands to deliver the days Sermon. IS THIS ENTERTAINMENT?

(just wondering what "entertainment" is defined as)

Those patterns that you have mention, is pattern after someone. I noticed that some people love opera, and which they get all into it, like it is poetry to their ears; but i doesn't love opera, and it cannot grasp my attention. Some people can be entertain by it, and some is less interested. Saul loved David's harp music, but I can't sit and listen to the sounds that comes from the harp; because it doesn't move me at all.

entertainment [ˌɛntəˈteɪnmənt]n1. the act or art of entertaining or state of being entertained
2. an act, production, etc., that entertains; diversion; amusement

 

[Ecclesiastik]

I looked back and found a definition in the Tozer quote.

"For centuries the Church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was--a device for wasting time, a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience, a scheme to divert attention from moral accountability."

 

[my_adonai_]

1) Will there be entertainment in Heaven? Or is there any biblical reference of it being there?
2) What are the spiritual consequences of engaging in anything entertainment?
3) Do ALL things have to be edifying for us to engage in them?
4) Is there such a thing as FUN for a Born Again Christian?
5) Can Entertainment be the Counterfeited copy of our Rejoice and Worship of The LORD? considering they carry that sudden relaxation and forgetting of all WORRIES!!. Is this what God wants for us?
6) Are there more talents than those mentioned in the word of God? Do we all just Evangelize, be pastors, etc
7) Do these forms of entertainments have GODLY roots?
8) Can there truly be a middle sided view of things, and can both be correct on the basis of how they view things ?
9) Is the truth of Gods word Subject to a persons feelings, and current life situation or ABSOLUTE to the TRUTH that JESUS is the ONLY WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE!!?

Questions Questions.

God bless you all...

 

[2Thewaters]

since 1970 the enemy has instilled the celebration movement to teach the children CHU
RCH is about ENTERTAINING ME not respecting God

so no one has a clue anymore about reverence honor and mercy

unless you read your Bible and change your mind
you will never enter the heavenly temple.

IT is not what You want
it is about what God wants

 

[4enlightment]

I looked back and found a definition in the Tozer quote.

"For centuries the Church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was--a device for wasting time, a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience, a scheme to divert attention from moral accountability."

Isaiah 51:11
Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.