Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Unjust Justification

“...I am struck by how Christian talk of cultural engagement has coincided with a watering down of Christian standards of behavior and, ironically, thought. I have lost count of how many times I have been told in recent years that Christians should be able to watch any movie, providing they do so with a critical, Christian eye....I have a suspicion that for some it might simply function as a rationalization for watching whatever they like and not feeling guilty about it...” (Trueman, pg. 97-98).
Personally, I have heard many people apply this very idea to music and books as well as movies. I find, however, that what we put into our minds is there to stay, no matter what we are thinking when we take it in. That which we ingest ultimately does affect our thinking on any number of subjects, and so that which we watch, read, and listen to does color our thinking on even the most important issues. As we seek to be Christians with hearts for God, should we not be seeking to fill our hearts and minds with Godly things?

To refute the argument that familiarity with questionable worldly movies/books/music/etc. helps us understand and better minister to unsaved people, would not a ready knowledge of God’s Word do that same thing, only so much better? And in our churches, how does this attitude and rationalization of behavior affect how our worship leaders lead others in worship (as well as affecting those whom they are trying to lead)? 

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