Question: What guidelines should a Christian family have in deciding which movies are appropriate to watch?
My Response: There are some great comments and helps mentioned in the comments section! Be sure to read those!
Media is a powerful influence in our generation. What we bring in to our hearts and minds has a long term spiritual impact. Jesus said that if a man looks at a woman and lusts after her, he has committed adultery in his heart. That principle should guide our standards in the appropriateness of movies.
Movie ratings themselves provide some helpful insights.
NC-17: No one under 17 permitted. That should speak for itself. I don't know how a believer could defend viewing the content of this rating.
R: Restricted. This movie contains "adult" material not generally suited for children. Movies receive an R rating based on gratuitous sex, graphic violence and/or language. Which of these would be appropriate for any of us to consume?
PG-13: Not suitable for children under 13 years old. There aren't many things that are unsuitable for a 13 year old that are suitable for any of us. Care should obviously be taken here.
PG: Parental Guidance. This suggests that there may be inappropriate material presented.
G: General Audience. While not always true -- This rating suggest that what is presented is safe for all audiences. Even here, however, a biblical world-view can be negatively portrayed.
There are exceptions to any rules or ratings. There is no single set of standards that fit everyone. I think all media should be evaluated by the Jesus standard. Would He approve?
"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes"- Psalm 101:3
ReplyDeletePhilippians 4:8 "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
ReplyDeleteI believe it is possible to find appropriate entertainment that fits the exhortation of Phil. 4:8 History, Laughter "doeth good as a medicine"
ReplyDeleteLessons to learn, values to seek after.
Ps. 101:3
ReplyDelete...but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. ( I Thess 5:15 )
ReplyDeleteprove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. ( I Thess 5:21-22 )
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish justice in the gate: it may be that Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5:14-15)
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Rom 12:9)
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:21)
...for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage. (2 Peter 2:19)
Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (3 John 1:11).
The decision should be made by fullgrown men as described in Heb 5:14 (those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil).
"Everything is permissible" — but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" — but not everything is constructive. (1 Cor. 10:23)
ReplyDeleteI found a lot of good Scriptures and information on Focus on the Family (link below). Here are a few scriptures:# Psalm 101: David’s pledge of purity
ReplyDelete# Romans 12:9: Hate what is evil
# Ephesians 5:11: Have nothing to do with darkness
# Philip...pians 4:4-8: Your heart’s best defense
# 1 Thessalonians 5:21: Test everything
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/entertainment/mediawise/raising-mediawise-teenagers/what-the-bible-says.aspx
Also, I am just getting back from Detroit Fine Arts and the youth choir song says it all. Here is Verse 1:
It's About To Go Down
The Battle Has Begun
It's Time For You To Choose
Whose Side Your Gonna Be On
The Devil Is Recruiting
Tempting Every Man
But He's Already Defeated
All We Have To Do Is Stand
No Time For Mixing Light With The Darkness
Be Black Or Be White
No More Shades Of Gray
Be Separate, Be Holy
No Matter What You Do
Don't Bow
And Even If You Stand Alone
Stand Anyhow
Think about things that are pure and lovely and of good report. Will they be uplifting to your spirit, or are they dark and depressing. Anything that you watch will be imprinted on your brain and thought life.Do you want to have pleasant dreams or have bad dreams of evil and wizardry and such? Marty
ReplyDeleteSometimes a good answer is a sloppy half-truth, Is life always admirable, true, praiseworthy and lovely! I will set no evil thing? What if you don’t “set” it there but have to walk around it? Where is the context for teaching your kids to look the other way and keep walking? Are we missing teachable moments? Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from?
ReplyDeleteIf ClearPlay shortens a 1 1/2 hour movie to less than 1 1/2 hours maybe you should look for another movie?
ReplyDeleteguidelines?theres not such a thing
ReplyDeleteI told our kids to stop and ask themselves if they were certain and at peace in their hearts that should the rapture take place while they were in a dance, movie theater, etc. they would be taken, then that is up to them. I personally do not go to movies, but don't condemn those who do. That's the way I was raised--if you went to a movie theater you were certainly bound for hell.
ReplyDeleteWill actors act in heaven, singers sing, comedians tell jokes, Will there be baseball and body building, fishing and camping. Will God still have made all things for His pleasure?
ReplyDeleteSo what guidelines do we need to follow. I think we need to follow the guide of Scripture, the conviction of the Spirit, and the directive of Paul that teaches, if by us doing a thing causes a younger Christian to fall we should not do that thing. This goes for all things including food and drink and movies. Romans 14 entire chapter.
ReplyDeleteA great website for a biblical worldview of movie reviews is:
ReplyDeletewww.pluggedin.com
Then remember if its not fit for your kids, its not fit for you. Mom & Dad, you set the standard for your home. God will richly bless you as you purpose Joshua 24:15. Steve Hansen
Once my wife asked friends of ours to come over to our house to watch a movie. She wanted it to be grown-ups only, so she said, "Let's have an adult movie night."
ReplyDeleteThat was pretty funny. Especially when my wife's face turned red when she realized what she said.