Movies n Entertainment

If the entire Bible was set to film and you were assigned to apply the final rating to the movie, what current Hollywood label would you affix to it? G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17

We share the same calling: assisting students as Jesus Christ is formed in them. So how do we tackle the endless world of entertainment choices?

We can start by helping kids identify whether the questionable behavior in the movie (or song, book, game) has real life consequences attached to it. Discerning truth from error. Take John Grisham for example. He never shies away from issues of alcoholism, sexuality, violence and greed. Yet you’ll often find that the choices his characters make come with destructive consequences. At the conclusion of his book or movie, we’re not attracted to those lifestyles. Conversely, many movies flaunt casual sexuality, communicating that the good life is impossible without it. A flat out lie. We reap what we sow.

Evaluating movies then, by dividing them into two general categories (true consequences v. false) is a great entry point for discussion with students. And many would argue that Hollywood’s labels are insidious and subtly destructive because they imply a moral sequence or progression. For within any movie, whether PG, PG-13, R or whatever, lays the powerful ability to promote an agenda yet lie about consequences. If we deem the movie ‘safe’ or ‘dangerous’ based on a rating, we may be taking the easy way out. The Bible itself certainly exposes the breadth of fallen humanity, covering the range of ratings, yet it’s message is consistent. Choices have consequences, measured ultimately by the extraordinary character of our God.