There are many good Christian blogs you can read. Some are theological. Some teach Bible lessons. Many provide encouragement, comfort, or advice. I write mostly about movies. In fact, I write mostly about secular movies. Why do I do this?
As it says on the side of my blog page, “The goal dearest to my heart is to help Christians think about what they believe and then to act as if they believe it. It all begins with understanding what it means to be a Christian. Then we have to learn to live like a Christian.” In other words, I help people have a strong Christian worldview.
A person’s worldview is the accumulation of what they believe about the existence of God and the nature of reality, the world, and their place in it. A worldview is like a pair of glasses through which we see the world. If we think the world is ugly and dangerous, we will see danger everywhere. If we think the world is good and harmless, we may fail to see real danger when it’s right in front of us.
Our worldviews are influenced by what we learn, observe, and experience throughout our lives. Some of the things we believe are true. Some of the things we believe may be false or only partially true. Only God is in possession of the full truth, but we can rely on His Word—the Bible—to provide the lenses we see the world through. That’s what it means to have a Christian worldview or a biblical worldview. That’s what we should strive for.
So why don’t I write about the Bible and how to apply it to our lives? Why write about movies, books, and TV shows that don’t have anything to do with the Bible?
It can be very easy as a Christian to put on one pair of glasses when we’re reading the Bible, going to church, or having religious discussions. Then we take those glasses off and go about our everyday lives thinking only rarely about our Christian beliefs. We fail to see God in the daily commute, the household chores, or the evening news. Then we flip on the TV, grab a novel, or get out of the house to see a movie to get away from the daily grind, focused on anything but God.
And yet, God is still there. He’s still speaking. He’s still wanting to work in our lives. He’s still wanting to use us for His purposes.
Remember the parables of Jesus? As God Incarnate, Jesus could have spent all his time having deep theological discussions with his followers. Instead, he told them stories about everyday things, drawing a mental picture and then focusing in on a spiritual truth. He talked about sheep and fishing and plants and weddings. He even talked about house-cleaning (Luke 15:8). In all of these ordinary things, he saw a picture of God at work.
We can do that, too.
In a sentimental romance, we can see how God created humans to need love and companionship. In a suspenseful spy thriller, we can see how humans deal with the effects of sin in our world. In a superhero movie, we can be reminded that we serve a supernatural God who gives us power to achieve more than we can imagine.
If we watch or read these stories with our Christian worldview glasses on, we can find meaning that is invisible to others. And then we can talk about those hidden meanings, sharing with others truths about God they need to hear. If my blog posts can help you learn to do that, I’ll consider my time writing them well spent.
Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
If a story you’re watching or reading has none of these things, turn it off, close the book, or walk out of the theater. But you might be surprised at all the places you can find things that are just, lovely, or commendable if you just look for them. Keep those Christian worldview glasses on and keep looking for God’s lessons wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. And if one of the things you like to do is watch movies, I would love to hear how God speaks to you in the next film you see.
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Janet, I like your approach to your blog. If we look for God in all that we see and do, we will find Him. As you say, if we can’t find Him, we’re in the wrong place and need to escape and reconnect with Him. “God is Truth!” Yes!
Janet, I agree it is so important as Believers to keep our Biblical Worldview glasses on. And if we can’t “find things that are just, lovely, or commendable close the book, turn it off, or walk out of the theater.”
I agree. What a refreshing post! I find God in art, through messages in secular books, in others. I like the imagery of wearing Biblical glasses.
I like your approach to the world view. I especially think it is important so it can spark conversations with friends and family about our faith.
Janet, so true! Keep writing about movies and engaging in cultural discussion of worldview.
I love this. I am always trying to remind myself and others to see God in the everyday. To see where He is trying to speak to us in the unexpected.