how to pick a movie
Feb. 28 2008
Have you ever had that really uncomfortable and convicting sense after watching a movie? You think, “Uh, that one might’ve been a mistake” or “I’m not so sure I should’ve watched that...”
I’ve been there many times in my life.
Over the years I hope by God’s grace these moments happen less and less frequently. I’ve heard many questions from people on how to discern what to watch, what criteria to use, etc. Well, in an attempt to serve you and share what God has taught me let me explain the regular practice I use on a daily basis.
Now notice, I highlighted the word practice because that is what it is. It is my personal practice it is not an authoritative word from God. I don’t want anybody to be confused about this. This does not mean you have to do it this way. That is not my heart. My hope is that when we share our practices we we share them in such a way that they are differentiated from biblical principles. Hopefully our practices are rooted in biblical principle, but when you share your practices with others make sure you know the difference and make sure your hearer knows the difference as well. Make sense?
Okay so here is my practice when I consider a movie. Its pretty simple.
When considering a movie consider God’s word and consider the content.
God’s Word
I find it really helpful to remember certain passages of scripture before I go to a movie. The passage that I go to most when considering a movie is Ephesians 5:1-21. This passage speaks directly to movies that are out there today. Read it. You may have other verses that inform your discernment which is great, all I am advocating is that we need God’s word to inform our discernment.
Then consider the content.
Content
There are 2 great websites that give you a thorough review of content on pretty much any movie that is out there.
_Screenit.com
_Kidsinmind.com
I have no idea how the guys at screenit do what they do. They are so specific in their review of the content that they will tell you how many S words or F words are in a movie. They must be pretty quick counters. Anyway, these sites are really helpful in making an informed decision about going to a movie so that you can compare the content of the movie to scripture.
Men, I want to say something to you. If you are leading a group of people on a Friday night to go see a movie do the group a favor and check it out first before going. Well, unless you want the awkwardness of taking a group of people to a bad movie.
One last point...There is a wide range of acceptability in the church as to what movie is appropriate and what is not appropriate. This means that there is much temptation to self righteousness and sinful judgment. I want to advocate that all of us should have a practice that is based on biblical principle. We all need to think more about this issue and feel less. At the same time if there are some that disagree with your perspective or challenge your movie watching habits then listen instead of defend. In all issues of conscience lets listen more and defend less.
Hope this helps.
Comments
Thanks Eric. This will definitely be considered as a way to be more equipped about our culture and use those moments about connecting the gospel with the newest flick or box office hit!
Another passage that may help is Galatians 5:13-6:9, as it relates to Christian freedom and the consequences of rightly/wrongly approaching movie watching and other leisure activities. Thoughts?
BC on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 5:05 pmThese are great principles to keep in mind Eric--thanks for sharing them with us. I’ve found this quote from Charles Spurgeon really helpful in evaluating movies (and so many other “gray areas"): “We do not need to doubt about doubtful things--they are wrong to us.” If we have a doubt about something that seems borderline, and our conscience is being stirred, then there shouldn’t be any doubt in our minds about what to do. It’s so much more worth it to give up that thing and know we won’t be sinning against God than to do it and later realize it was sin.
Jenn C. on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 8:23 pmHello! Thanks for sharing your practice here. The last movie I watched was around August or September last year, and I was filled with regret after watching the movie. The movie wasn’t violent or filled with S and F words, but I think that the principles that the movie was trying to convey totally contradicted God’s design and will. I did not watch a movie for quite a while after that. Thank you for the websites you recommended, I will surely check them out. I thank the Lord for His grace in your life by allowing you to grow in discernment. Thanks again! 
Jenn,
I think that quote is great; VERY wise and straight-forward! You mentioned that if our conscience is stirred about something we will do that seems borderline, then we shouldn’t do it at all. At the same time, my question is how do you put Spurgeon’s counsel against Ephesians 5:10, which says “try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord”? I don’t want to dismiss the call to godly discernment, but if we don’t know, then shouldn’t we try it and see? Let me know what your thoughts are!
Take care,
BC
P.S. To all, did you know that eating buttered popcorn at the movies may possibly cause breathing problems in a couple of months or so? It’s true!
BC on Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 10:58 pmthankyou so much for this, eric
5 on Sat Mar 1, 2008 at 4:19 amThank you for this post! Many Christians just don’t know about the resources that are available to help us make informed decisions about movie-viewing. I use screenit.com, and Focus on the Family also has a great site: pluggedinonline.com that has reviews for movies and other media. The FOTF site looks at “content” but also at worldview, spiritual messages, quality of film-making, etc. Neither of these sites tell you what to do, instead they give you information you can use to make your own decision. Two people might look at the information and make two different decisions, and that’s okay. 
Eric,
I want to recommend a movie review website that I think is better than Screenit.com. Last time I used Screenit it was full of annoying ads and banners. Focus on the Family has a site called Plugged In Online that performs the same function as Screenit and is much easier to use.
The website is http://www.pluggedinonline.com
Stephen Altrogge on Mon Mar 3, 2008 at 9:27 pm
It does help. I go to one of the Soveriegn Grace Ministries Chruch. It is called Grace Church. I have always loved listening to Wayne Brooks preachings. He lays out a lot of examples which helps us new middleschoolars really understand it… I love Grace Church, I love worshiping my god, because he saved me. I love hearing the word of god; it brings satisfacton to me. I am not complete without it. I have heard of this several times. Soon I will be able to go to it.
Sincerely,
Lee
Lee Swanson on Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 3:31 pm