John Piper: Watching Nudity on Shows Like 'Game of Thrones' Is ‘Recrucifying Christ’

"Christ died to purify his people. It is an absolute travesty of the cross to treat it as though Jesus died only to forgive us for the sin of watching nudity, and not to purify us for the power not to watch it," Piper explained.

Galatians 1:3:-Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

When I recently read this verse slowly, it challenged me so much. Do I seriously believe that Christ died to rescue me from this evil age? If 2000 years back it was evil age then how much more evil it is now? If I understand how evil the age is then I will seek his power to be rescued from this evil age everyday and not sit and enjoy its entertainment.

"It is not artistic integrity that is driving nudity on the screen. Underneath all of this is male sexual appetite driving this business, and following from that is peer pressure in the industry and the desire for ratings that sell. It is not art that puts nudity in film, it's the appeal of prurience. It sells."

I was recently searching a TV broadcaster to see if they were relying Wimbledon live in India. Soon I found out that they were only telecasting women's singles matches when the Top Seed men were playing in main court. I found it foolish for them to do it. But later I realized that the TV broadcaster would want to show only that which people are interested in watching. As a person who likes Tennis, I want to watch top seeded men play. But a normal India man is more interested in watching women dressed in mini skirts playing tennis. Even sports entertainment is catered to feed the lusts of people. How evil this age is.

Never seen the show. Know nothing about the show but I set up the question of what effect do these questions have in regards to this show....in the end? If you don't want the show then what is the point? Just my opinion.

I tends to turn into a religious debate of don't watch this because it is wrong without an education of the facts of the matter and then it comes to conviction. Often times what is sin to one person isn't so for another. Like a weakness....i.e. some people can't go into a bar because they have a weakness for alcohol. Meanwhile, I can go into a bar because I have no weakness for it at all. Offer me a beer I take a water. I can drink a little wine but I would never buy a glass of wine. Too much for me.

John

Greetings Greg

Thank you posting this. Its very thought provoking. I was reading the other day about how important it is to be mindful of what we put before our eyes. The enemy uses images that we view to cause us to stumble. Over time one can become desensitized to violence and inappropriate images that are put out there as entertainment. I think as I get older I realize the its not about seeing how close I can get to the flame(sin) and still be ok, its about realizing the flame is hot and its going to burn...best to just stay away from it all together.

God bless
maryjane

Greetings Greg

Thank you posting this. Its very thought provoking. I was reading the other day about how important it is to be mindful of what we put before our eyes. The enemy uses images that we view to cause us to stumble. Over time one can become desensitized to violence and inappropriate images that are put out there as entertainment. I think as I get older I realize the its not about seeing how close I can get to the flame(sin) and still be ok, its about realizing the flame is hot and its going to burn...best to just stay away from it all together.

God bless
maryjane

DEADn:
This is not being religious, just as it is not being "religious" to flee from a ravenous wolf rather than say, "I am strong enough to withstand it."

The scripture clearly states: "Flee sexual immorality." 1 Cor 6:8 and again in 2 Tim 2:22: "flee youthful lusts."

If the apostle Paul warns us to flee, I think we should flee.

But more than anything, how can we look at that which crucified our Lord as entertainment, for enjoyment, or even with indifference?

Why would we choose to set our eyes on or be in the presence of, the wickedness that Christ died to save us from?

Not sure how this really applies to the OP. It was about Game of Thrones. I have never seen it. Chances are no one on this board has seen it yet it is being warned about. Trying to figure out why it is being warned about if no one sees it. If it is that bad there needs to be no warning because we would know it is not a good show even if you watch it for a few minutes. My thinking at least.

You raise a good point john but obviously a lot of Christians must be watching it. Yes you would think that it should be obvious but apparently it is not to some people at least.

Oracio said that an asst pastor at a church he attended watched it. That's an issue.

by DEADn on 2014/6/25 5:23:17

Not sure how this really applies to the OP. It was about Game of Thrones. I have never seen it. Chances are no one on this board has seen it yet it is being warned about. Trying to figure out why it is being warned about if no one sees it. If it is that bad there needs to be no warning because we would know it is not a good show even if you watch it for a few minutes. My thinking at least.

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Greeting John

I haven't watched the show mentioned, but have seen enough entertainment news headlines on the news page to get an idea of what is going on in the show.

My response was not really directed at the show itself but rather with the sentiment that John Piper was sharing about entertainment over all. I think it is easy to allow ourselves to view things and then walk away thinking it does not have an effect on us. I think we need to be mindful of what we take in and know that the enemy is always waiting for an opportunity to lead us away from JESUS and cause us to sin. The BIBLE does tell us 1 peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

We are also called to admonish and encourage one another daily to follow JESUS, who knows there maybe those who need to hear these things Greg has shared. I know for me I always appreciate the reminders and am encouraged by them.

God bless
maryjane

John Piper on nudity on TV:
"The closer I get to death and meeting Jesus personally face to face...”

We are supposed to be dying on this earth, dying to the lusts of our flesh, dying to our thoughts, dying to our pride,selfishness, and also dying to our own opinions. Seriously, we don’t have to wait to literally die!!! :) :) :)

God bless,
Lisa

Not sure how this really applies to the OP. It was about Game of Thrones. I have never seen it. Chances are no one on this board has seen it yet it is being warned about. Trying to figure out why it is being warned about if no one sees it. If it is that bad there needs to be no warning because we would know it is not a good show even if you watch it for a few minutes. My thinking at least.

I would not recommend for any believers to get curious enough like I did and look it up. It is a show that shows nude women. That should be enough for us flee far from it. I had to repent after looking this filth up. I should have used more caution.

The fact that many professing Christians approve of watching this junk, even pastors, is another sign of the dark times of apostasy we are living in IMO.

by Oracio on 2014/6/25 8:02:05

The fact that many professing Christians approve of watching this junk, even pastors, is another sign of the dark times of apostasy we are living in IMO.

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Just the headlines about this show were enough to convince me to stir clear completely. There is so much perversion going on in this one show all in the name of entertainment. I agree with your caution to others about looking it up. I think that is what John Piper is sharing in the OP post.

God bless
maryjane

Why should it alarm anyone that some professing Christians would watch something you might consider wrong? Often there is talk about professing Christians who may not be Christian at all. I would think that any professing Christian who seeks a deeper life in Jesus doesn't make time for shows like that from an entertainment pov. Often it would not matter what you might say to these viewers because they will defend the content and pass it off as nothing.

It is concerning but I don't think there is a need for a crusade on it. After all, it is here today and may be gone in a year and then 'we' will find something else to 'complain' about. It becomes a never ending saga in my eyes and mind.

John

btw, I saw the movie 'Alone, yet not alone'. Knew nothing about the movie except a very brief clip from it. I was impressed to hear prayers to Jesus and a reading of the bible and then I found that, although it is a story based on fact, it is also a story that has the Christian element within it. Joni ericsontada sings at the end of it.

There is some Hollywood cheesyneess in it as well. i.e. Barbara, a main character, seems to have her eyebrows waxed and a little white shine in her face at times while the others don't. It is a little turn off to me. Let's be authentic with it people! I also think it would turn liberals off because the movie shows the Indians to be mere savages. Takes place in 1755.