So, I've got a question. And I'm sure I will get answers on BOTH sides of the fence on this one, so I'm not necessarily looking for a yes or no answer, as much as I'm looking for reasons BEHIND your opinions. So... here we go.
I'm sure many of you have seen movies with "christian" lessons embeded in them at various points. And then, there are those movies that, though they follow the same embeded style, they themselves are... different. Not christian movies. For instance... the Matrix Trilogy. After seeing all three movies... I couldn't believe how many parallels there were to the christian faith. In fact, there have been young adult small groups studies where we watch one of the movies, relate it to our faith, and see what scripture says. So my question is... is this okay? I mean... personally, I don't see anything wrong with it. HOWEVER... I do understand how others might be offended because of the language, content, etc. in these movies. BUT... if it's being used to further the kingdom of God, then does a little language matter? Just a few thoughts I've been thinking about lately.
J.R.R. Tolkien was a Christian and his Lord of the Rings Trilogy is very much based on Christian beliefs. Fallen Angels (the two Wizards) and Man should not deal with magic (only the ones God chose � Hobbits) and much more, while Harry Potter is quite the opposite and a very insidious way of capturing our young childern's minds.
I'm going to assume that the teaching method causes someone to sin (whether it seems like a 'big' sin or a 'little sin' isn't important, since sin is sin), even though it may do some good.
I can't remember the exact verse or where it's found, but there is one that says if your right hand causes you to sin, then cut it off. So, if that teaching method causes someone to sin, that person should take no part in it. If something seems good overall, but has some evil aspect to it that causes one to sin, then the whole thing becomes sinful in general and should be thrown away. Sin can easily corrupt the good, even when it seems small.
Now, if something is sinful to some degree BUT it can be changed, then I don't think it has to be completely thrown away. If this was the case, then God would have completely wiped out the human race long ago.
A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. - Galatians 5:9
We are not the judge of whether we can compromise on biblical values or not. The matrix does have parallels, but it's also pretty jacked up in other areas. For example, in the 2nd movie there was a sex scene. Now how would that be honoring to God if there were young men who watched it and therefore got tempted by it? The content makes a big different I believe and we can't be compromising. It's the uncompromising person in his/her situation that makes them holy.
All secular images, idols, and icons can be turned to teach the truth of God. Even the decidedly UNCHRISTIAN music, or movie can be "FLIPPED" to tell the truth.
For example LADY GAGA is a strutting pagan, but one who seeks to proclaim Christ should be able to effective challenge and counter her ideologies and outlooks with the truth of God. For instance her passion for a relationship for a person who will be nothing but trouble, disease, and heartbreak is reflected in the song, "Bad Romance." We need to show that such a romance will never satisfy the emptiness in her soul, that only taking JESUS AS LORD, will all that He is, will ever fill the vacuum in the soul.
Or take Guns N Roses, "Welcome to the Jungle." There is NO CHRISTIAN message in that song, neither direct nor indirect. YET someone who is wrapped up in that song and its empty nihilism should be an easy target for the counter message, "Welcome to the KINGDOM." And yes there is blood in the kingdom, but not that we have bled, but that Christ was willing to die on the Cross and BLEED! There thoughts are vain and empty. Our words are LIFE.
So, a proper teaching method is to take the icons of culture and challenge them with counter-content.
