Hey everyone
As a Christian do you think it would be compromising to take a job as a movie critic? I know that their are christian movie reviewers but when working for a publication I would not have choice over what I saw, that would be up to the editor? I have a great love for writing and have studied for this field but am now seeing that there just maybe to many compromises that have to be made??
with care in Him
Personally speaking, I've never understood how a Christian could be a professional movie critic. Granted, I think one could look at a movie purely objectively and in an academic sort of way most of the time, and offer critique in light of that. From time to time when standing around the office, I discuss movies I've seen in the past that I would not see again because of objectionable content, and I talk about what I liked or did not like about those movies. But when it comes to movies that have pornographic things in them, I fail to see how one could look at those movies in a purely objective manner without somehow being soiled.
Hey jimmy
would your advice as a brother in Christ then be to not take this kind of job? and what of writing in general, as a journalist or fiction writer? I am really beginning to have second thoughts about future career choices.
thanks
in Him
I would not recommend this type of job for a Christian. Even if it were for a Christian organization like Christianity Today. I'm personally offended at a publication like that offers movie reviews on some of the movies they have reviewed.
As far as a journalist or fiction writer, I don't see why not so long as one's journalism is actually reporting news and not something like TMZ. A former pastor's wife I know was an award winning Christian fiction writer. I don't think one would have to limit themselves to Christian fiction though, anymore than a photographer would have to limit themselves to photographing Christian subjects.
But I think holding a job as a movie reviewer would be difficult to do without having to violate one's faith at some point in time.
There is a rather famous letter that George Whitefield wrote to a young man considering becoming a Lawyer. Whitefield told him NO; in that attorneys, by nature must compromise.
I guess it depends on the level of holiness and commitment you desire to give to the Lord....for movies, by nature , are entertainment.
Yes, some may be hammered into Christian ideals or Maxims, in a moral sense, but as a medium to ministry....I think not.
As far a writing goes....wait on the Lord. Faith comes by HEARING, and hearing by the Word of God. Jesus' desire is to possess you; own you, and then you will be effective to give Him away, in whatever vehicle you are led to.
I tend to agree with the general consensus so far. I don't hold too favorable a view of about 99.5% of all that comes out of the world of secular entertainment. I would ask the question of christians in general, "How can you entertain yourself with things that Christ shed His blood to set you free from?" I rarely see anything that comes from Hollywood that I would recommend anyone watching, although there have been a few bright exceptions. I don't know how you could put your own mind, the one you are commanded in Rom. 12:2 to renew so as to bring transformation from the ways of the world and its thought patterns into the ways and thoughts of God, in the hands of someone who does not love God and subject it to watching and listening to the things that Hollywood puts out. I would encourage you to bring your career to the Lord and lay it at His feet. I believe with all me heart that God will provide you with a path through journalism that will allow you to be used mightily of Him without having to compromise your heart and mind. God desires good journalists who will influence their world for the sake of the kingdom. You could be just such a journalist.
Travis
Hi Jimmy, but it is okay to be a banker? :) .........Frank
Hey bro. You've just become one of my heroes:)
Is it right to look on what is disgraceful to do? how is it that the things that defile a man in going out of his mouth, are not regarded as doing so when they go in his eyes ands ears?
Tertullian
Just an additional thought that came to me this morning. The question ultimate is, can you do such a job in faith? If your conscience is bothered by the prospect of doing it, then I think that is really all you need right there. For whatever is not of faith is sin. Even if one can truly justify such a profession on Biblical grounds, if your conscience is bothered by it, you should not do it.
Hey just wanted to come on one last time before I am off again and say thank you for all the responses. I know in my heart that what was shared with me is truth and I will be praying about this and spending more time in Him. No matter what future job path I take I can not do it if I have to compromise my walk with Him in any way. Jesus does and must always come first in my life so for now its back to the house cleaning business and some time in reflection as to what He wants me to do as I move forward in both education and life:-)
with care in Him
your little sis in Christ
Hi Jimmy, but it is okay to be a banker? :) .........Frank
heheh. Well, I think that depends on what one does as a banker working at a bank. Each position is unique. I know I wouldn't personally want to be Ken Lewis from Bank of America on the day of judgment.
In all seriousness though, this is actually a great question, as I live in Charlotte, NC, which is the #2 banking capital in the country behind N.Y. city. My city would not thrive if it were not for the finance industry, which is the major industry here. Bank of America's HQ is right next door to where I work. Indeed, I work in a building owned and operated by BoA.
I've had to wrestle with this question, especially since a few years ago I earned a Banking & Finance Paralegal certificate from UNC Charlotte. While I'm not presently a paralegal, I do work in the mail/copy room of a very large law firm whose primary clients are banks. And not being born yesterday, I know a lot of crazy things happen in that world, sinful things. But in reality, sinful things happen in almost every company that exists in this world. With perhaps a few exceptions, there are few companies in this world that don't engage in sinful activities.
However, just because we work for sinful companies doesn't mean we have to personal resort to doing sinful things ourselves. Such may ultimately cost us our job if push comes to shove, but that doesn't mean we can't work at these places. Think of Joseph, who ruled over Egypt. His boss was a man who thought he was a living god. Additionally, there can be no doubt that his administrative tasks would've involved overseeing parts of Egyptian culture that were outright pagan and idolatrous. Did he sin in doing this? I don't believe so.
So, we can be involved in jobs where sinners do sinful things at.
And as far as banking goes, Frank, if I recall you are a real estate agent, correct? I'm guessing that you probably seldom have somebody buy a home in cash, and that some of the people you represent take out loans from banks in order to buy a house. While you aren't directly involved with the loan process, I imagine you have a friend or two that are bankers :-)
Well, you took that quip seriously :)
"I imagine you have a friend or two that are bankers "
My wife is a lender for Bank of America :) We have personally witnessed what has really went on in the business in the last several years. Its funny to hear people blame Republicans and Democrats for the implosion. Wall St demanded more "paper," because so much money was being made by investors who bought mortgages, or pieces of mortgages. In the few years before the bubble burst and took the world to the edge of finiancial ruin, the banks kept deregulating themselves. They lowered and lowerd their standards untiL one could even get a mortgage with "no docs," no paperwork, Why did they do this? Money, and lots of it. The government's part? They stood by and allowed it. The Republicans were in power and they allowed it, yet the Dems would have done the exact same thing.
The sad thing is that most of the banks that encouraged and allowed this to happen(becuase of money) are alive and well and , if the Lord tarries, will do it all again. Its called insatiable greed. It starts at the bottom, the clients, and works its way through the salespeople(the lenders) and it goes all the way to the top. Each level is compensated accordingly. As ususal Christ is the answer to insatiable greed :) Also I believe that the "American dream," has much to do with the problem and why it will re-occur. To me, as a student of history and as an immigrant, the American dream was the level playing field. A man could come to America and get a fair chance to make something of himself. He would not be locked into a class system(all of Europe) or a caste sytstem , India and Asia.
What seems to have happened is that the material goods that result because a man can become succesful and make a good living, has become the dream itself. So houses and cars and lifestyle is now the dream when it used to be the level playing field. Anyway, enough rambling from me :) I know that you would never be involved in anything that would be sinful or dishonor the Lord brother. That should always be our standard.........brother Frank
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