I was reading reviews on a movie that I saw around a year ago. You’ve probably heard of it: There Will Be Blood, which stars Daniel Day Lewis, who plays a greedy oil prospector in the early twentieth century. I honestly had mixed feelings about viewing this movie before I actually did watch it. “It’s anti-Christian!” some said. Others were just opposed to the idea of lots of blood in a movie, although the fact is, there really isn’t that much (at least, compared to some of the torture porn movies…aka Saw series…favorited by many these days…yikes). What I found after viewing it was a really good, thought provoking movie about greed and evil human nature. If you want an excellent review from a Christian perspective, check out this one that was posted to the Christianity Today online magazine. He came to the same conclusion that I did: I wouldn’t recommend it for those who have impressionable ideas about Christianity, since Christian faith is not overtly represented in a positive way. The guy that wrote this review is Jeffrey Overstreet, who is a Christian film reviewer and author. You should most definitely check out this interview that he had with Christianity Today. They asked some hard questions, and he had some very good answers: Studying the Silver Screen: An Interview With Jeffrey Overstreet.
This brings up an excellent question though, and I’m sure that it’s one that you have struggled with as well if you are a Christian: What movies are acceptable to watch as a Christian, and why should a Christian watch movies anyway?
Obviously, I can’t answer that question for everyone. I have wrestled with this issue before though. I really like what Overstreet said (in the above interview – bottom of the first page) in reply to a question about offenses to the conscience through the viewing of film:
“I’m learning to proceed with caution, but I’m also learning to reject the approach I learned growing up in the church. I want to quit lamenting culture and start engaging it. We need to approach movies the way we approach people. Jesus and the apostles got involved with messed-up people all the time and walked in to some of the most pagan places. But they did so with discernment, conscience, discipline, and, above all, grace.”
Right on, Jeffrey! I usually come to the same conclusion that I always do when I think about such things, and that is this: Perhaps the best way to live life is not in a state of extremity, but rather in a state of continual temperance through God-given wisdom and prudence.
3 responses so far ↓
Christianity and the Movies « R/-ND0/// SL/-NT // October 28, 2008 at 11:34 am
[...] Christianity and the Movies Posted on October 28, 2008 by Daniel I just finished up a blog about Christianity and the movies. Check, check check check, ch-check it out! http://lastline.wordpress.com/2008/10/28/christianity-and-the-movies/ [...]
Miss Spider's Web // October 29, 2008 at 4:23 am
There are certainly some good movies although I never go to the theatre to watch them. Have you heard of the international film movement? http://www.filmmovement.com I subscribe to them although I have’nt bought any movies from them yet. The library in Arizona carried most of the movies they offer now that I’m elsewhere I may order. They have very good movies that challenge you and make you think and they are not Hollywood movies. They are produced by directors worldwide. Gives a nice global perspective. Have you seen Sophie Scholl the final days? Theres also “A peck on the cheek”, and the BBC has a good movie called “The Lost Prince,” theres many others. Have you seen Luther? you can get it from christiancinema.com I always moniter myself by thinking what if Jesus was sitting here next to me would he waste his time on this? Some movies are a waste of time good or bad.
Nice blog. I found you from a link that linked to my wordpress blog.
Charlotte
Jacob // October 30, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I am right there with you. What do you think about going to see a movie for enjoyment? Not in an ungodly sort of way. But I think it is important for unbelievers to know that Christians aren’t people who are trying their hardest to not enjoy life. So there are some things that I listen to, watch, etc because I simply enjoy them. Not that I am not using discernment when I do this, but what’s the point in discerning something if you’re not trying to do something with the glimmers of truth? It’s not the job of a Christian to police the behavior of others. It’s our job to attest to the truth of God. If that is through movies, music, or whatever.