My previous post considered the sources of influence upon women in regards to appearance and fashion. Today it was suggested to me that the influence of entertainment should be examined. Good idea.
I say good idea because at no time in the history of the United States had there been such an abundance of free time and extra money. To complicate matters, the Protestant faith calls for an enjoyment of things temporal "all to the glory of God", to use their terms. So not only is the potential for abuse present, the excusing of such abuse is present as well.
I do not intend to go into what is valid, legitimate or valuable in terms of entertainment but only want to discuss the reality and undeniability of influence.
The main difference between the last post and this one is the state of the question. In the previous post, I asked the question concerning the position of influence upon women attire and appearance. In this post, the question is a little more complicated. This is more of a question about what influence there is of entertainment upon the mind and soul.
As I did with the previous post, we need to consider the fruit of influence. In the former post, the influence consisted of taking on the appearance of the one influencing. In this post, I need to ask just what is the influence. Once we determine exactly what is the influence then we can determine what is the fruit of that influence.
In regards to attire and appearance, one either consciously or unconsciously chooses a model to follow and then takes on that particular appearance. In regards to entertainment, one hears or sees what is being articulated, and then either consciously or unconsciously accepts or rejects that message. Much of this will be determined by the maturity and cognitive abilities of the hearer.
One cannot appeal to the idea of an unavoidable influence of a message being delivered. We are told to live in the world but not to be of the world. This presupposes the ability to make that choice. This then articulates a difference between "being" or "seeing" something as opposed to "eating" something. One cannot eat a cheese burger and reject the fat. But one can read a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, for example, and reject his argument and conclusions.
The same can be said of movies and music. The hearer or watcher must be diligent enough to recognize and understand the message being delivered and either accept it or reject it. If one is not capable of doing so, one should not be viewing or hearing such a thing. It is not acceptable or wise to merely take in whatever is being said or shown and merely accept it without thinking.
It's really pretty straightforward. If the message that is being communicated in the movie or music is changing your thinking toward unholy and sinful things, then the influence of the entertainment is negative. This needs to be recognized and addressed.
The other question that needs to be asked is in regards to what we find entertaining. If we are entertained by something that is wrong or sinful, this reveals something about the state of our soul. We have been negatively influenced by worldly culture.
The last consideration is the question of how any particular form of entertainment affects our body. Did the music or the movie (or sporting event, play, opera, symphony, etc) move us to aggression or lust or depression? We should stop and give this some thought. Ought we to be entertained by something that motivates our passions?
I say good idea because at no time in the history of the United States had there been such an abundance of free time and extra money. To complicate matters, the Protestant faith calls for an enjoyment of things temporal "all to the glory of God", to use their terms. So not only is the potential for abuse present, the excusing of such abuse is present as well.
I do not intend to go into what is valid, legitimate or valuable in terms of entertainment but only want to discuss the reality and undeniability of influence.
The main difference between the last post and this one is the state of the question. In the previous post, I asked the question concerning the position of influence upon women attire and appearance. In this post, the question is a little more complicated. This is more of a question about what influence there is of entertainment upon the mind and soul.
As I did with the previous post, we need to consider the fruit of influence. In the former post, the influence consisted of taking on the appearance of the one influencing. In this post, I need to ask just what is the influence. Once we determine exactly what is the influence then we can determine what is the fruit of that influence.
In regards to attire and appearance, one either consciously or unconsciously chooses a model to follow and then takes on that particular appearance. In regards to entertainment, one hears or sees what is being articulated, and then either consciously or unconsciously accepts or rejects that message. Much of this will be determined by the maturity and cognitive abilities of the hearer.
One cannot appeal to the idea of an unavoidable influence of a message being delivered. We are told to live in the world but not to be of the world. This presupposes the ability to make that choice. This then articulates a difference between "being" or "seeing" something as opposed to "eating" something. One cannot eat a cheese burger and reject the fat. But one can read a book by Friedrich Nietzsche, for example, and reject his argument and conclusions.
The same can be said of movies and music. The hearer or watcher must be diligent enough to recognize and understand the message being delivered and either accept it or reject it. If one is not capable of doing so, one should not be viewing or hearing such a thing. It is not acceptable or wise to merely take in whatever is being said or shown and merely accept it without thinking.
It's really pretty straightforward. If the message that is being communicated in the movie or music is changing your thinking toward unholy and sinful things, then the influence of the entertainment is negative. This needs to be recognized and addressed.
The other question that needs to be asked is in regards to what we find entertaining. If we are entertained by something that is wrong or sinful, this reveals something about the state of our soul. We have been negatively influenced by worldly culture.
The last consideration is the question of how any particular form of entertainment affects our body. Did the music or the movie (or sporting event, play, opera, symphony, etc) move us to aggression or lust or depression? We should stop and give this some thought. Ought we to be entertained by something that motivates our passions?
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