Values-Driven

Christian and Entertainment. Are the two terms mutually exclusive in your mind? Can one be a Christian in this modern world and engage in so many of the entertainments with which our society tempts us, that are so readily available…and that, oftentimes, are too easily rationalized?

You may have a certain viewpoint about this but don’t know exactly why, or perhaps you’re unsure about what is best for you. I’d like to share our experience, in hopes that it will help you and your family explore this important issue.

In coming to Africa, we streamlined our possessions quite a lot, not only because we felt that obedience to Christ required it but also because we knew what our neighbors’ lifestyles were like. We have a small box of toys in our living room that all of our children share (it includes a few baby toys, a very small number of stuffed animals, a couple of jump ropes, a couple of balls, and a few toy vehicles). We had a several bikes for the children, but African quality is such that only a tricycle for the very little ones currently remains. Each child brought a few special, personal toys in their carry-on backpacks (our animal lover brought some small, plastic critters, one of the girls brought a special doll and some doll clothes, and our oldest has an RC airplane that was given to him as a gift). We have just a few games and craft supplies (mainly markers, crayons, some coveted colored paper, and water color paints) on a shelf in our office.  We also have a small collection of DVDs, as our Internet doesn’t support Netflix. Outside, we have a swing set with four swings and a small sand pile.

Conversely, the children’s local friends play with homemade balls created from leaves or dry grass packed into a plastic bag and tied around with any scraps of string that are to be found. Or dented/unused tire rims, which they push around with sticks. You can read here about the sewing cards I made for the girls, and what their African counter parts use instead. They make surprisingly detailed sculptures, like this one, out of mud:

They play a variety of physical games that eliminate the need for toys entirely: races, Monkey in the Middle, gymnastics, tag, tree-climbing, circle games (one of my favorites we call Oringo, which involves each member of the closed circle walking around and through the others’ clasped hands to make “knots,” which they then try to undo without unclasping their hands) and Ume Kufa (roughly translated, “you have died”).

Needless to say, what we thought was “down-sizing” in terms of possessions when we came to Africa is ridiculously not down-sized at all in comparison to our neighbors. As a result, when a crate we had shipped from America arrived here several months after our initial move, the children almost immediately gave away the bulk of the toys it contained. They spent days organizing and wrapping packages for about 30 of their neighborhood friends and decided just who would deliver them, and when. It was a real blessing for them to see the children play with such novel items. Micah often brings our coffee table out onto the veranda and hosts an “art time,” where all the kids share his water color paints or markers and paper. We got some sidewalk chalk in a care package, and African and American artwork are often found intermingled on our concrete foundation or the sidewalk leading to the outhouse. We also occasionally host movie times with different folks of our acquaintance, including a recent showing of the (excellent) BBC documentary, “Africa.”

Perhaps you notice that thus far, the conversation about entertainment has mentioned a lot about possessions. I suppose there is some necessary interconnection. As we have lived here, it has become obvious that in the area of possessions in general, we could have done just as well (or better) with less. In fact, what we thought was “little” was still extravagant in comparison to what most folks in the world own. When it comes to entertainment, likely we could do more with less, no matter what side of the globe we are on. As we accumulate possessions as a means of “entertainment,” the danger may be that we focus less on people and relationships and more on things.

However, what we have talked about thus far has, in fact, been more about play than entertainment. Children need to play. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual outlet that helps them learn and grow according to the needs of their age and maturity. On the other hand, entertainment has more to do with mindset and preoccupation. With the benefit of distance from the American lifestyle and the help of cultural experience, it becomes more obvious that one of the greatest potential spiritual pitfalls of Americans, aside from their wealth, may be the deceitfulness of the entertainment industry.

Dictionary.com defines play as “exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.” Conversely, entertain means, “to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse,” or “to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish.” A distinct difference between the two is the difference between activity and passivity. One engages the individual or a group meaningfully, while the other exists to occupy the mind and divert the attention from more beneficial pursuits (namely, for the Christian, engagement with the things of God).

Is there anything wrong with entertainment? Yes and no. Certainly, taking a breather from “life” is sometimes beneficial. What’s wrong with reading a book? Well, even a book can be a time-sink and can divert your thoughts in a negative direction, away from what honors or glorifies God. And certainly, there is a difference between playing baseball and watching it on TV. Some will see the direction this is going in and argue that if we forgo entertainment, what will be left? Work, serving others, and educational endeavors, maybe. What fun is that? What are we supposed to do, just sit and read our Bibles with all our free time?

The New Testament speaks much about sobriety. We are to be sober and alert, for our enemy the devil prowls around like a lion, looking for whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8; a word search for “sober” yields many more verses.) To be “sober,” according to the Dictionary.com definition, means, “quiet or sedate in demeanor,” and “marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity, etc.,” Yet entertainment, in its very essence, entices us to find fun, to make light of life, and show exuberance—the very opposite of what the Bible suggests will mark Christian character.

Which is not to say that we should not find joy in life! As families and within the body of Christ, we should find joy in knowing Christ and serving Him. We should enjoy spending time with one another and in common pursuits that engage us with one another in positive relationship. Playing a board game together, watching a clean movie, going on a nature hike, visiting a museum, singing hymns and praise songs, or sitting down and telling stories or reading aloud—all of these are wonderful ways to enjoy some free time together! Quite the opposite, however, from many of the worldly entertainments that tempt us. As with all things, when you feed an appetite, it generally grows. An appetite for entertainment can lead us down the broad way the leads to destruction, rather than down the narrow path that leads to life.

The topic of entertainment for the family must be evaluated according to God’s Word. We’re supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. We’re commanded to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. We do should not mirror what the rest of the world does, as easily excusable as some entertainment might be for a Christian. And when it comes to entertainment, keep in mind that God worked for six days and only rested for one; certainly, the temptation to over-do even the “best” choices for our personal entertainment is very real.

In the past several years, we have been blessed by many of the Ante-Nicene writings, some of which were penned by the disciples of Christ’s disciples in the first few hundred years of the Church. Here are some of their thoughts on entertainment (which, mind you, at that time included “games” at the Coliseum that involved the torture and death of many Christians):

“Seated where there is nothing of God, will one be thinking of his Maker? Will there be peace in is soul when here is eager strife for a charioteer? …When the athletes are hard at struggle, will he be ready to proclaim that there must be no striking back?” (Tertullian)

“Abstain from all pagan books. For what have you to do with such alien discourses, laws, or false prophets? For these subvert the faith of the unstable.” (Apostolic Confessions)

“For men to prefer gymnastic exercises to the baths is perhaps not bad. For such exercises are in some respects conducive to the health of young men. … Nor are young women to be deprived of bodily exercise. ….Reading aloud is often an exercise to many. However, do not let the athletic contests that I have allowed to be undertaken for the sake of vainglory. Rather, they should be undertaken only for manly sweat. …We must always aim at moderation.” (Clement of Alexandria)

We don’t have answers, just some food for thought and an encouragement to you to self-evaluate in this area, and make changes if needed. Remember, God wants us to redeem the time and commit our lives to Him in every area. Surrender of our fleshly desires is necessary if we are going to experience the blessing of life in the Spirit. May God richly bless you with wisdom and discernment as you seek Him in this all-important area.

A Concordance of Ante-Nicene Writings topically organizes many quotes from the early Church fathers, so that you can easily study how they viewed subjects such as entertainment. You can download a FREE ebook copy of the Concordance here:
http://valuesdrivenfamily.com/concordance/