Recently, I posted a note about The Bachelor/Bachelorette on my Facebook account. I asserted that it has become patently obvious that the show is clearly as scripted as "pro wrasslin" and can now no longer be thought "real" by any reasonable observer. Various light-hearted and humorous responses ensued and then suddenly I was smacked with a well-intended and very blunt question by a minister friend: "Mike, why in the world are you watching that trash?" This question deserves a thoughtful response.
As a Christian and a minister of the Gospel, I feel no conviction about watching certain TV shows or movies that portray themes and convey messages and values that are contrary to those I hold dear and that I preach and teach. When I watch such things, I am not influenced to adopt those values and in fact I am often repulsed by what I see. In seeing them though, I am seeing a meaningful reflection of sinful cultural understandings and values that are affirmed and embraced by millions of persons whose lives are being corrupted and destroyed thereby. When I watch such a program and enter into conversation with persons whose own relationships are much like those portrayed on the Bachelor/Bachelorette series, I am equipped to dialogue with them about the bankruptcy of such Godless, empty, and destructive relationships in context. I know what they are seeing and I can discourse with them about the subject from an informed perspective.
The scripture I love and spend much of my life studying, applying, and sharing with others, portrays sin as sin is, in often graphic terms, and very often in the context of telling the stories of what sinful life is like in the lives of real persons, real nations, and real cultures. I am thankful that the redemptive message of the scripture reveals that sin is horrible and deadly and that God's love calls us to salvation and transformation. When I watch The Bachelor, or Family Guy, or some other popular secular program, I am seeing a depiction of the worldview and operative principles of untold millions of persons. As I prayerfully and carefully reflect on these messages I know that the viewing and reflecting becomes a part of my being enabled to address the ministry of the Gospel to the realities of those who have no relationship with God. My values, my beliefs, my life are not changed by or conformed to what I see.
I did take down that post though. I removed it because I also know that the scripture teaches me not to use my liberty in Christ as an occasion that might hinder any other from receiving my witness to the truth of God's redeeming love. My intention in the post was to evoke thought among the viewers of that particular show; I wanted them to consider that even if the show was not scripted, it is vapid and untrue. But my preacher friend's question caused me to consider that a less thoughtful person might misunderstand, might not consider what my motives are in watching the show or in offering the thought I posted. They might imagine that if I, as a minister, watch the show, maybe it's OK. So, I took it down.
I'm glad my friend posted the challenging question and I'm glad I spent time honestly considering it's implications. I am also glad to know that it is God and not others who will finally and rightly judge my thoughts and actions. At times, I have been guilty as well of judging the things others do, of perhaps reaching the wrong conclusions. I am thankful to God that He has set me free and I want to be prayerful in seeking to avoid abusing my freedom in Christ.
Humbly,
Dr. Mike
