I have often heard debates and sometimes particapted in arguments on what type of entertainment is suitable for Christians.In one such debate, there was a young man who sounded so convinced that Christian life is boring because of lack of entertainment.
Others went to the extent of asking: "Do Christians really need entertainment, what for?"
But the truth is that Christians, just like any other people, need entertainment, and lots of it for that matter.
What makes people differ on the subject is because of their definition of entertainment and how suitable for Christians who are rooted in the principles of God.
But being a Christian does not mean the end of one's desire to get entertainment.
The issue boils down to what type of entertainment one should go for it they are Christians, as no Christian worth their salt can afford to consume everything thrown their way.
For instance, it will be unthinkable for a Christian to be found frequenting places such as nightclubs. Obviously, many will find this unacceptable as a way of entertainment.
Others can still argue that there is nothing wrong in going into a nightlub, dance and take soft drinks before leaving for home.
Nightclubs and how to treat them has been a contentious issue among some Christians.
But I think this must not present a problem.
One wonders what exactly would have motivated a Christian to visit a nightclub, a place they know fully well that it operates at variance with the dictates of the Word.
The best way is just not to do it because visiting the nightclub comes with a totally different lifestyle from that which is expected of a Christian.
In my humble opinion, nightclubs should be somehow no-go areas for Christians they do not augur well with what is generally expected.
For starters, the music alone tells someone that they are in a wrong place in the nightclub. When it comes to entertainment, some try to justify their preferences by saying that Jesus associated with sinners and so should they.
There is need for a pause for people who think in that manner.
Jesus did associate with sinners, yes, but with only one purpose, that of bringing them to salvation and not participate in their activities.
The question is: Can a Christian love worldly entertainment and continue to maintain their allegiance to God?
There seems to be a contradiction.
It is really impossible because overtime one becomes used to such kind of entertainment to the extent that they will find it difficult to think about God.
Within no time, one will discover that there is no longer any time to pray because they will be pursuing worldly entertainment. I am not saying that there must be a sort of approved list for Christian entertainment.
A Christian must simply understand and ask themselves if God will be happy with what they will be indulging in.
Whatever the arguments that can be put forward, there is still a legitimate place for entertainment in the life of Christians.
Christians can still have good time and lots of fun, but without abusing God's gifts and departing from his ways.
I cannot write about entertainment for a Christian without touching on the television.
Are movie attendances and television viewing out of bounds for the Christian?
Well, there are some Christians who do not own television sets, arguing that it is ungodly to do so.
But my take is that a television set is just that - a television set - nothing else.
The problem only comes when one is controlled by the television set to such an extent that they cannot independently choose what to view and what not to view.
My take on this one is that Christians must choose entertainment on television which does not offend their beliefs.
Surely, one will find it difficult to kneel and pray after watching a dirty movie which is at variance with the godly ways.
The same applies to movies where a Christian must carefully chose what to watch.Yes, Christians must be found at cinemas and movie houses seeking entertainment, but they must go for films that add value to their faith and beliefs.
These might not be necessarily Bible- based movies. Any film with moral lessons which do not offend the Christian beliefs are good.
So, the question really is: Where do Christians draw the line when it comes to entertainment considering that many homes of Christians are already entertainment centres on their own.
The homes contain big screen television sets, decoders, CD players, computers with a pile of electronic games and bookshelves.
This gives Christians a wide variety of entertainment gadgets at their disposal at home, but what is important is to be in control of the gadgets.
Christians must not be carried away by such entertainment at their disposal, but instead must determine when to watch and listen and to what type of movies and music.
So, the entertainment business includes many aspects, but to Christians choosing a type of entertainment must be done carefully.
One must still feel that God is still around them after listening to music, watch a movie or indulge in any form of entertainment.
Others went to the extent of asking: "Do Christians really need entertainment, what for?"
But the truth is that Christians, just like any other people, need entertainment, and lots of it for that matter.
What makes people differ on the subject is because of their definition of entertainment and how suitable for Christians who are rooted in the principles of God.
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| Alick Macheso |
The issue boils down to what type of entertainment one should go for it they are Christians, as no Christian worth their salt can afford to consume everything thrown their way.
For instance, it will be unthinkable for a Christian to be found frequenting places such as nightclubs. Obviously, many will find this unacceptable as a way of entertainment.
Others can still argue that there is nothing wrong in going into a nightlub, dance and take soft drinks before leaving for home.
Nightclubs and how to treat them has been a contentious issue among some Christians.
But I think this must not present a problem.
One wonders what exactly would have motivated a Christian to visit a nightclub, a place they know fully well that it operates at variance with the dictates of the Word.
The best way is just not to do it because visiting the nightclub comes with a totally different lifestyle from that which is expected of a Christian.
In my humble opinion, nightclubs should be somehow no-go areas for Christians they do not augur well with what is generally expected.
For starters, the music alone tells someone that they are in a wrong place in the nightclub. When it comes to entertainment, some try to justify their preferences by saying that Jesus associated with sinners and so should they.
There is need for a pause for people who think in that manner.
Jesus did associate with sinners, yes, but with only one purpose, that of bringing them to salvation and not participate in their activities.
The question is: Can a Christian love worldly entertainment and continue to maintain their allegiance to God?
There seems to be a contradiction.
It is really impossible because overtime one becomes used to such kind of entertainment to the extent that they will find it difficult to think about God.
Within no time, one will discover that there is no longer any time to pray because they will be pursuing worldly entertainment. I am not saying that there must be a sort of approved list for Christian entertainment.
A Christian must simply understand and ask themselves if God will be happy with what they will be indulging in.
Whatever the arguments that can be put forward, there is still a legitimate place for entertainment in the life of Christians.
Christians can still have good time and lots of fun, but without abusing God's gifts and departing from his ways.
I cannot write about entertainment for a Christian without touching on the television.
Are movie attendances and television viewing out of bounds for the Christian?
Well, there are some Christians who do not own television sets, arguing that it is ungodly to do so.
But my take is that a television set is just that - a television set - nothing else.
The problem only comes when one is controlled by the television set to such an extent that they cannot independently choose what to view and what not to view.
My take on this one is that Christians must choose entertainment on television which does not offend their beliefs.
Surely, one will find it difficult to kneel and pray after watching a dirty movie which is at variance with the godly ways.
The same applies to movies where a Christian must carefully chose what to watch.Yes, Christians must be found at cinemas and movie houses seeking entertainment, but they must go for films that add value to their faith and beliefs.
These might not be necessarily Bible- based movies. Any film with moral lessons which do not offend the Christian beliefs are good.
So, the question really is: Where do Christians draw the line when it comes to entertainment considering that many homes of Christians are already entertainment centres on their own.
The homes contain big screen television sets, decoders, CD players, computers with a pile of electronic games and bookshelves.
This gives Christians a wide variety of entertainment gadgets at their disposal at home, but what is important is to be in control of the gadgets.
Christians must not be carried away by such entertainment at their disposal, but instead must determine when to watch and listen and to what type of movies and music.
So, the entertainment business includes many aspects, but to Christians choosing a type of entertainment must be done carefully.
One must still feel that God is still around them after listening to music, watch a movie or indulge in any form of entertainment.
