The truth of Jesus Christ is not entertaining; it is essential.
The media atmosphere has perpetrated a new gospel. Christianity has become a project for the big screen, not a process for the individual heart. I feel that we're in danger of duping Christianity, while we try to explain it in an entertaining way. We need to be careful. The Scriptures says not to add to or subtract from the words of the Bible.
We need to be careful. Are we being led by the Holy Spirit?
There are many wonderful Christian films and other media outlets, and I take away so much good from many of these presentations. I, myself, must be careful in how I present this issue. The last thing that I wish to do is to quench the spirit of wonderful writers who have used their God-given talent to advance the kingdom of God. I'm so grateful for their creative talents.
Nevertheless, are Christian films and other media outlets substituting entertainment for experience? Sometimes, I think it's more appropriate to allow the Holy Spirit to lead the individual heart rather than to "show them how it's done?". Is it always a seeking after God that results from an encounter with a Christian film, or is it a seeking after a concept portrayed by human talent? I both fear and look forward to the day when those who have been caught up by Christian media influence begin to look deeper and see holes in the theories presented. From that group, a rare breed of thinking Christians will have emerged.
Wouldn't it be great if our talent could really portray true Christianity? But it can't. The fact of the matter is that it's in spite of our "talents", God uses imperfect portrayals to draw others to Himself. How gracious our God is to allow us to take part in the storytelling of the greatest story ever told! Yet, sometimes, I wonder if we're not getting in the way, as opposed to pointing people to the Way?
Please examine your hearts.
I confess that I've recently watched some Christian films, and that I'm also caught up in the deliberation over The Da Vinci Code. My concern stems from sensationalism. What we may be accusing secular authors of doing, might be exactly what we ourselves are doing. Some Christian films get caught up in sensationalizing the story, as well. In one particular movie, people are peeling off their skin to reveal that they are demons.
Do we really have that kind of liberty with the gospel story?
The Da Vinci Code was written by a secular author. He doesn't have the internal code that we as Christian authors propel our works from. He needs sensationalism to make his theory sell. We don't, as Christians. Christianity appeals to me because it draws away from sensationalism and allows me to center on the Center of Jesus Christ, who is the center of my faith.
Sensationalism doesn't draw me. Christianity does! Please have confidence in your readers and viewers, to know that they, just like you and I, are looking for something better than sensationalism.
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