Should Christians Watch Television, especially Hollywood movies?

[aChristian2]

Not quite. That is only a tiny portion of the film and its overall message. Here is how Wikipedia describes the plot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Changer

Plot

In the year 1890, Bible professor Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin) stops and scolds a boy named Roger for stealing his neighbor's marbles. He makes the boy return the marbles, and demands he apologize for his unjust action, only for Roger to run away. Carlisle has also written a book manuscript promoting themes of bringing forth Christ's teachings apart from His name. The book is on track to receive a unanimous endorsement from the board of Grace Bible Seminary, until colleague Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod) objects, arguing that teaching morality without Jesus as the standard would be detrimental to future generations. The Dean puts the vote on hold until Anderson and Carlisle work out their differences.

Anderson invites Carlisle to his home later that evening to show him something that would prove his point. Carlisle turns him down, and urges the Dean to proceed with the endorsement without Anderson's vote. However, the Dean firms that the vote must be unanimous. Carlisle finally meets with Norris the next night, where Norris shows him a top secret invention: a time machine invented by his late father. Refusing to believe time travel is possible, Carlisle laughs Norris off as crazy before leaving. However, Carlisle relents and returns to Norris the next night after deciding their differences must be resolved.

Anderson prepares to send Carlisle 100 years into the future. Sending him on a Saturday afternoon, he instructs Carlisle that he has until Wednesday night, and must return to the exact location where he was sent. He further instructs Carlisle not to tell anyone where he is from, nor is he to learn of his own fate. However, Anderson does urge him to find a Christian librarian named Michelle Bain, who helped Norris when he himself traveled to the future.

Arriving in the late 20th century, Carlisle, although fascinated by society's advancements, is shocked at its moral decay: half of all marriages end in divorce, teenagers talk openly about underage drinking, children are disrespectful to their parents and treat moral sins, such as theft, as fun and games. Immodest apparel are openly sold in retail stores, movies and TV shows contain blasphemous language and inappropriate content. Jesus and the Bible are now banned from public education, and many professing Christians in the church do not really follow Jesus. Carlisle finds Bain (Jennifer O'Neill), and with her assistance, he learns that society decided to remove the Biblical foundations the country was built on in the 1960s, after deciding that morality was good enough on its own. Finally realizing the error of his ways, Russel begs God for forgiveness.

Anyhow, the movie does a good job, in my estimation, of showing not only the decline in morality, but also some of the causes for it. In this sense, I believe that it is not just entertainment, but that it has some true Christian value to it.

A+ for effort & detail

 

[aChristian2]

I don't watch television. The last time I had a television in my home it was my parents home, the tv was black and white, and there were three channels to choose from, all of which would need horizontal adjustment from time to time.

I do watch a lot of movies. Many of them I won't watch again due to the content. The ones that offend me the most I stop watching mid-movie. I enjoy relaxing and watching a movie in the evening. I especially love comedies. It's okay with me so it doesn't really matter what others might think about it. If I knew a brother looked down on watching movies I wouldn't offer a movie for entertainment while they were visiting, anymore than I would offer a glass of wine if I knew the person was a teetotaler. But after their visit was over, I'd go back to watching a movie most evenings.

I don't understand why people spend the money they do for streaming services. But that's there thing... I not their judge. I've never spent a penny and don't expect I ever will spend so much as a penny on a streaming service.

thanks for the post, appreciated

 

[aChristian2]

Phones and the internet is no different than TV shows, movies.

nicely said

 

[aChristian2]

Whole lotta filth just about no matter where you look...

yes and the filth can surprise, like GODS NAME in vain right out of the blue, as one example....

 

[aChristian2]

Hmm, yes... Tom and Jerry is just the gateway drug, no doubt.

you make me want to sing....haha

 

[Lynx]

you make me want to sing....haha

 

[aChristian2]

I was listening with my finger on the pause button( I try hard not to listen to secular music) the tune was so catchy, and soothing... then when I heard JESUS I was so relieved and comforted (not convicted) I could just listen to that tune.... when I drive by I will listen to that tune some more,, thanks for that Sister!...and again I say thanks... I am going to listen to it again before I log out....

 

[aChristian2]

my birds like it too, they are a chirping,,haha

 

[aChristian2]

my birds like it too, they are a chirping,,haha

one more time, or two with the bluetooth,,haha,,, I love this song...haha

 

[aChristian2]

my birds like it too, they are a chirping,,haha

on the cover, they look like they have some good home cooking, and sharing a smile (conversation).... yummy, (wholesome conversation) and the food looks good too

 

[aChristian2]

one more time, or two with the bluetooth,,haha,,, I love this song...haha

ohh I did it, I am singing along,,,, you did it!, I knew you could,,haha (bring it out in me, been hold up my singing)
now your contagious,,(singing,) most excellent,,,, and I hit the replay,, again,, I can't stop,,,haha

 

[hornetguy]

ok a man that does not watch t.v. based on somewhat his own convictions..interesting..

and your signature, I did not know Charles Spurgeon said that..
thanks for the post

As you will likely find out, many of my posts are tongue-firmly-in-cheek....
I do watch TV some, but usually later in the evening before I wind down for bed. My wife watches a lot of it, being retired, and all...
There is a lot of garbage on there, but I'm old enough to know what is garbage and what is not.
I lean towards dramas and good story series... I don't watch any "reality" TV...
I think, like most other topics, moderation is the key. Also, if you are not particularly strong in your beliefs or your "world view", which should be a Christian one, then you likely should not watch TV, to avoid bad influences.

 

[Magenta]

thanks for that Sister!

Lynx be a Tom cat...

 

[aChristian2]

As you will likely find out, many of my posts are tongue-firmly-in-cheek....
I do watch TV some, but usually later in the evening before I wind down for bed. My wife watches a lot of it, being retired, and all...
There is a lot of garbage on there, but I'm old enough to know what is garbage and what is not.
I lean towards dramas and good story series... I don't watch any "reality" TV...
I think, like most other topics, moderation is the key. Also, if you are not particularly strong in your beliefs or your "world view", which should be a Christian one, then you likely should not watch TV, to avoid bad influences.

thanks for clarifying

 

[aChristian2]

I don't watch television. The last time I had a television in my home it was my parents home, the tv was black and white, and there were three channels to choose from, all of which would need horizontal adjustment from time to time.

I do watch a lot of movies. Many of them I won't watch again due to the content. The ones that offend me the most I stop watching mid-movie. I enjoy relaxing and watching a movie in the evening. I especially love comedies. It's okay with me so it doesn't really matter what others might think about it. If I knew a brother looked down on watching movies I wouldn't offer a movie for entertainment while they were visiting, anymore than I would offer a glass of wine if I knew the person was a teetotaler. But after their visit was over, I'd go back to watching a movie most evenings.

I don't understand why people spend the money they do for streaming services. But that's there thing... I not their judge. I've never spent a penny and don't expect I ever will spend so much as a penny on a streaming service.

I indirectly got something from your post.... when you were talking about not offering wine to a tea totter,

along the lines of being less selfish,,, appreciate that

 

[aChristian2]

Lynx be a Tom cat...

Shh.... the cat is purring, lots of laughs

 

[Lynx]

Shh.... the cat is purring, lots of laughs

She's right though. I'm a brother, not a sister.

And you don't have to worry about keeping your finger on pause with any song I contribute. It's all Christian. Might be bluegrass, might be Jamaican, might be rap, might be heavy metal, might be country, but it will all be Christian.

That group, the hemphills, is pretty good. I have more than eight running hours of their music in my collection.

 

[Lynx]

But I'm derailing the thread now. Let's get back on topic...

Lots of good Christian music on the TV. Whole entire TV stations devoted to Christian music.

 

[TabinRivCA]

I'm watching The Magnificent Seven w/Yul, SteveMcQueen etc today, in between my Bible lesson for tonight🤩

 

[aChristian2]

She's right though. I'm a brother, not a sister.

And you don't have to worry about keeping your finger on pause with any song I contribute. It's all Christian. Might be bluegrass, might be Jamaican, might be rap, might be heavy metal, might be country, but it will all be Christian.

That group, the hemphills, is pretty good. I have more than eight running hours of their music in my collection.

sorry brother, in the video (top left corner )there was a picture (thumbnail),