I can be an annoying person to watch a movie with. I frequently argue with the plot, criticise the casting and complain about the script. If it’s a mystery, I like to predict the ending. If it’s a romance, I like to point out to my children the unrealistic nature of the scenario that’s being played out. For instance, that ‘you can’t marry a man you just met’ (thank you, Frozen for finally making that point!). My husband prefers it when we go out to the movies, because then I bite back my criticism ... plus he gets to buy popcorn.
In this edition, Ingrid Barratt investigates some Christian attitudes to the movies, recognising that bringing our faith to bear on our movie choices is not as simple as saying, ‘I’ll only watch a G-rated movie.’
So, what criteria do we employ when going to the movies? For me, I want to watch a movie that gets me thinking, and I do often find myself having conversations with Jesus about what I’ve seen. Recently, I watched a horror movie with my son. The suspense was terrifying (and brilliantly executed). At the end, the message was given that there is good in the world and there is evil—and we need to choose which side we're on. That was a great takeaway and led to some really interesting conversations.
The older I get, the more discerning I am about what I watch. I choose not to watch movies with lots of sex, for instance. I don’t watch the TV series Games of Thrones, but I’ve been interested to note the increasingly widespread criticism of the nudity and sex scenes in that show. I’m certainly not alone in arguing that ‘less is more’ when it comes to seeing sex on screen.
I don’t believe we are passive sponges mindlessly soaking up all the messages of the movies we see, but neither is it good for our souls to unquestioningly watch anything and everything. As 1 Corinthians 10:23 says, ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say —but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ —but not everything is constructive. Let’s not leave our faith at home just because we’re heading to the movies.
Christina Tyson
Editor
Ephesians 4:32
‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’
Epeha 4:32
‘… kia ngawari to koutou tikanga tetahi ki tetahi, kia pai te ngakau, me te hohou roa iho i te rongo tetahi ki tetahi, kia pera ana me te Atua i hohou nei i te rongo ki a koutou i roto i a te Karaiti.’