Entertainment, An Evangelical Heresy

[IslandRose]

I found this link on another board. It applies in some ways to several of the discussions going on here at Worthy.

Entertainment, An Evangelical Heresy

IR

[Gerioke]

I found this link on another board.  It applies in some ways to several of the discussions going on here at Worthy.

Entertainment, An Evangelical Heresy

IR 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with some of what this person says where we shouldn't go to church to be entertained or worship to be entertained but what is wrong with going to a concert where the band is playing worship songs? Why can't we let God entertain us through movies and music and literature as long as it is scriptural?

I remember a while back when there was a big stink about wrestlers bringing "christianity" into their shtick. This was obviously wrong as the whole idea of wrestling alone , goes against scripture. But would Jesus rather have us going to a rock concert that glorifies His name, or to some death metal concert that glorifies the absence of God?

[Trust & Obey]

Thank you for the link.

I love AW Tozer. One of the greatest Christian thinkers of all time.

[Trust & Obey]

I found this link on another board.  It applies in some ways to several of the discussions going on here at Worthy.

Entertainment, An Evangelical Heresy

IR 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with some of what this person says where we shouldn't go to church to be entertained or worship to be entertained but what is wrong with going to a concert where the band is playing worship songs? Why can't we let God entertain us through movies and music and literature as long as it is scriptural?

I remember a while back when there was a big stink about wrestlers bringing "christianity" into their shtick. This was obviously wrong as the whole idea of wrestling alone , goes against scripture. But would Jesus rather have us going to a rock concert that glorifies His name, or to some death metal concert that glorifies the absence of God?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What's wrong with wrestling? If you are referring to the WWE wrestling on TV then I know where you're coming from. But, wrestling, in and of itself, is just a sport/activity.

Plus, we know Jacob wrestled with God (Gen 32:24).

Rachel wrestled with her sister (Gen 30:8)

And, of course, we wrestle against the forces of darkness (Eph 6:12)

But, all in all, I think Tozer's point is that our mission in life is the Great Commission. To follow Jesus with all of our hearts and to lead others to Him.

Sometimes it can appear that the Christian world is living sort of a normal worldly life in that the daily pursuits are for those things that entertain. Sort of a "Christian hedonisitic" lifestyle.

Nothing is wrong with enjoying life, but the problem occurs when we now have a Christian version of everything that the world offers. Remember, we are to conform ourselves to Christ, not conform Christ to the world.

[Guest benji]

I found this link on another board.

[Iryssa]

I did agree with a lot of what this guy was saying, but I do think that he made a lot of blanket statements. He makes very good points about the deficiencies caused by dependancy on things that entertain, like church plays, but there is little to address the benefits of having such things in moderation.

I've been to churches where there is nothing but entertainment, I mean, NOTHING. Seriously, I can think of one in particular where this article should be circulated in the mail boxes of all the church members. (They didn't even do communion during regular hours for fear of slowing it down too much and boring people)

I have also been to churches where there are plays, choir concerts, exciting youth events, and even the odd concert, but where there is also an undeniable love of God. It matters little whether the youth are leading the music for the service, with our strong electric guitar and upbeat tunes, or if there is only a piano or an organ to accompany for a more quiet service at a larghetto pace. It matters little whether the remote projector on the ceiling for Power Point is running smoothly to help the congregation with the words, or if it's broken down and we're using our hymnals and maybe an old overhead projector.

Absolutely, avoid dependancy on entertaining things, but I don't think there's any cause for pitching the scripts for your church's next Christmas dinner-theatre.

Edited May 29, 2005 by Iryssa

[eric]

I know one or two people on this board, including myself would give Mr, Tozer a big for that sermon.

e

[Shane]

I am one of those Eric.

[tsth]

I haven't read the link yet, but this statement by Trust and Obey, certainly stood out to me:

Remember, we are to conform ourselves to Christ, not conform Christ to the world.

That is what it boils down to. Is God Holy? Are the things of the world holy? So, why are we trying so hard, to blend them together? They do not go together.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

I know one or two people on this board, including myself would give Mr, Tozer a big   for that sermon.

e

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, that would be me as well!

IslandRose, forgive me, but I just had to add this thread here:

Whose Sanctuary Is It Anyway?

In His Love,

Suzanne