I am writing a few articles on an alarming trend in the Christian Reformed Church. What is true in my Church is hardly different from what is happening in other denominations. There is not only a departure from the Faith of the Fathers, but also a serious deterioration in the observance of the standard of morals as defined by God’s Word. These two usually go together. When the authority of the Scriptures is disputed and the new hermeneutics are used to accept or reject what the interpreter desires, that can be expected.
The immediate occasion for writing is a grieving reaction to the publication of movie reviews in The Banner. These are accompanied by a commendation of the movies that are considered tolerable. The reviewers are able to ignore the fact that the productions they recommend contain filthy language, are replete with curses, and portray violence and immoral behavior. They say their appreciation of the film arts makes that possible.
Who dared surmise that after the stand taken in 1928 by our Church, which was similar to that of all orthodox Churches, such a thing would happen?
Since the meeting of the Synod in 1966 the Christian Reformed Church, officially, no longer considers it sinful to attend secular movies, even though they contain flagrant language and portray gruesome violations of God’s laws.
The Committee on “The Church and the Film Arts” reported in 1966. It stated, “The Christian must reject and abstain from the use of the film arts products which tolerate sin and propagate it as a normal aspect of human life in a way that does violence to the only valid explanation of life as declared in God’s revelation of sin and redemption.”
Did Synod accept that statement? No, it didn’t. If it had, I would not have written this article. By its decision Synod virtually said, with respect to movie attendance you need not be deterred by the fact t hat it “tolerates sin or propagates it . . . portrays and interprets life in a way that does violence to the only valid explanation of life as declared in God’s revelation of sin and redemption.”
What did Synod do? It decided, “The Christian should reject and condemn the message (italics are mine H.B.) of those film arts products which sanction sin and subvert the Christian interpretation of life.” That’s all you have to do. Just reject and condemn the message. You can reject and condemn the message by yourself. You don’t have to do that publicly. When people challenge your attendance, you can excuse the use of filth and curses by saying, that’s the way of life.
How does this agree with the Word of God? Ephesians 5:3, 11, 12 reads, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed because these are improper for God’s holy people. Have nothing to do with t he fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.” NIV
That same Synod, speaking of “The Pastoral Task of the Church” says, “Those entrusted with the care of the flock must earnestly warn against t he movie and television products which portray or promote a philosophy of life and a way of thinking that is contrary to the Christian way of life.” How does that accord with “reject and condemn the message” of a movie?
Hollywood’s world and life view may not be ours, and no Christian may be satisfied with a mere personal rejection of it. His convictions should forbid patronizing a business that makes shambles of the Biblical standards of morality. Lovers of art may have to deny themselves the privilege of viewing art productions, but is that too great a sacrifice for a follower of the Savior to make for the sake of Him who sacrificed all for us?
I appreciate the skills non-Christians have developed in arts, but that does not give me the right to subscribe to Playboy and similar magazines. A devout Christian will not think of supporting an industry t hat produces pornographic books and movies.
I know we have a cultural mandate. Education, business, entertainment, art, and every other sphere of life must be claimed as belonging to our Lord.
We know that Satan has laid claim on those spheres. He is the “prince of their world.”
What must we do? Merely reject and condemn what Satan does? Or fight the battle of faith against him? May we be satisfied with doing nothing, and only deplore what is happening?
Henry Baker is a retired pastor and was for some time missionary-at-large for the CRC and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.