Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

My generation is the last generation to know what life was like with- out a television. I was eight years old before we had our first television. My Uncle Jim was the first one in our neighborhood to have a television and on Friday nights, my father would take us over to Uncle Jim’s house to watch the Friday night fights. Uncle Jim would fall asleep in his chair, but the rest of us enjoyed the fights. Since we did not have a TV, we listened to Roy Rogers on radio, when the radio signal was clear enough to hear.

When we finally got our first TV, we were able to receive only one station, channel 9 that beamed from Lufkin, Texas (30 miles away). On an especially clear day, we might receive a poor picture of some of the Houston channels.

In those early days, some gospel preachers warned of the dangers of television. As I recall, they warned of two dangers: (1) Television was a sinful waste of one’s time; (2) Television would make the morals of Hollywood the morals of America. The preachers were right on both counts. However, members joked that when our preacher visited in their home, his eyes were glued to the TV, so they thought it hypocritical for him to be preaching to them about TV.

Let me freely confess my enjoyment of TV. I enjoy watching movies, a limited number of sit-coms, the news (I am almost addicted to the news channels), Discovery programs, sports, and many other things on television. I have not to responded to the dangers of television by ridding our house of TVs, although some very conscientious Christians think that is the better approach (and they may be right). Having admitted that I watch TV, let me now warn of some of the dangers that some programs on television present:

1. Some television programs contain nudity and explicit love scenes. The things that are presented in prime-time programing and the afternoon soap-operas leave little to the imagination. Every season the TV producers push the limits of what is acceptable for prime-time programming a little further, this year televising nudity in some scenes. Jesus warned of the danger of lust saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28). The ratings say that certain presentations are for “mature audiences.” What is “mature” about lusting after the nakedness of someone other than his marriage companion?

We especially need to speak a warning about MTV and VH1, both channels playing videos of the latest hits. Most of the videos feature immodestly clad actors dancing while the song plays. If we understand that the sin of dancing is stirring up lust, why would we want to fill our hearts with lust by watching these channels?

2. Some television programs are full of profanity. Filthy language permeates prime-time programming. Some characters cannot speak a sentence without throwing in profanity. Some comedians are so filthy mouthed that one cannot enjoy their humor. When I was a child, my parents would not allow me to watch the movie Gone With The Wind because Clark Gable used a curse word. Look how far we have moved in one generation! Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). If we shouldn’t be talking like that, we don’t need to be listening to it either. Listening to such speech is how one learns to speak the same way.

3. Television has been used as an instrument to re-shape the moral values of America. Programming has been used to re-shape our thinking about capital punishment, sex outside of marriage, abortion, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, the feminist movement, and many other things. Programs such as Dr. Quinn openly press the feminist agenda. Ellen promotes homosexual “rights” and is de- signed to re-shape our thinking to accept homosexuals as “normal.” Three’s Company portrayed three young adults (two females, one male) living together, laying groundwork for live-in arrangements for the unmarried. Mrs. Doubtfire was designed to teach us how to have a civil divorce with equitable visitation for both parents. The person who is not aware that Hollywood is trying to shape his moral values is naive indeed. Paul warned, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).

Are we conforming ourselves to Hollywood’s morals? Who can deny that Hollywood has influenced the moral changes that have occurred in this generation?

4. Television desensitizes us toward sin. Jeremiah spoke of a people that could not blush saying, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord” (Jer. 6:15). Men had become so hardened by sin that they could commit it without feeling shame. Those who use profanity used to be embarrassed to speak that way in front of a lady. Fornicators hid their sin. Pornography was only available in illegal outlets. Divorce was rare. Homosexuals were “in the closet.” No longer is that true. We have become desensitized to sin; our sense of shame is eroding.

5. Television presents false religion. The religious channels are full of false religion, and these are probably the cleanest channels on TV. These channels portray begging preachers fleecing the poorest of their money and charlatans performing “miracles” to a gullible audience. Other programs portray women preachers, teach salvation by faith only, teach a “feel-good” message without substantial doctrinal content, and many other doctrines contrary to the revealed word of God. Christians should not be supporting false religions with monetary contributions (2 John 9-11). Christians must “try the spirits” to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). We must be careful not to have our religious convictions shaped by the false religions of the world that are portrayed on TV.

6. Watching too much television is a sinful waste of time. What our forefathers warned about TV has become true. Men who don’t have time to read their Bibles, visit the sick, attend Wednesday night Bible class, and other activities that Christians should do have plenty of time to watch 4-5 hours of TV every night (from the time they come home at 5:30-6:00 until 11:00 p.m.). Remember Paul commanded that Christians should be “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16). Are we redeeming time or wasting it?

Conclusion

I still have not sold my TVs. I am not advocating that others do differently. However, I am calling our attention to some of the dangers of TV. The wonderful devices that have been invented have potential for both good and bad use. I use the telephone, but try not to use it for gossip. I have preached the gospel on the radio, although much that is broadcast on radio is filthy. I use the Internet every day, although there is pornography available. We need to be aware of the dangers of the misuse of any of the things we have. Perhaps this article will help us to remember the dangers of the misuse of television.

By Richard Boone

More people typically worship on “Easter” Sunday and the Sunday(s) before/after Christmas than at any other times during a normal year. While no one would say that these two Sundays are more important than others, their actions state otherwise. One fails to see the numerous benefits of regular attendance and participation in the worship of God by the people of God for himself, and even for his family as this may apply. When one regularly assembles with God’s people, he . . .

Comes into the presence of God — the Creator, Sustainer and Ruler of the universe (Acts 17:24-28). This helps us to put ourselves in the proper perspective — we are mere human beings with needs and frailties, yet God was mindful of us (cf. Ps. 8)! God is, therefore, worthy to be praised (Rev. 4). 

Receives the company and encouragement of brethren which is needed. God created us as social beings, not hermits. Regular worship helps us to share joy, and even divide the burden of sorrow (Rom. 12:15).

 Has the opportunity to learn of good news about others (Acts 14:27). This may be in seeing a young Christian grow, or hearing some encouraging report about a spiritual accomplishment in another’s life, maybe even telling about one in his own life. One can also learn about the recovery of the sick, a sinner being converted to Christ, an erring Christian being restored to faithful service, the faithful service of God by brethren elsewhere, etc.

Has an opportunity for his faith to be confirmed. Sound Bible teaching — in classes, bulletins, handouts, from the pulpit — reaffirms principles already known, opens understanding of a Bible passage or topic, or reveals better applications of Bible principles (cf. Luke 24:27, 44-45). The person who does not regularly worship God with his people misses this vital benefit.

Provides an example for others to follow (Phil. 3:17).

I heard once about a man announcing the sick in a particular church who started reading the list and then said, “Aw, you know; it’s the same old bunch!” This suggested that there were those who developed the habit of “not feeling well.” What an impact they had; what a sad legacy they were leaving

For a biblical example of all these points (and maybe others), consider Thomas who “was not with them when Jesus came” (John 20:19-31; cf. v. 24).

By Roger Hillis

I may not be very bright, but I don’t understand why you don’t just leave the churches of Christ. You no longer believe most of the things that make the Lord’s church distinctive, so why do you stick around and, under the guise of unity, try to convince others to stop believing those things?

For instance, if you really think that it is all right to worship with instrumental music, why not just go to the Christian church? They already have it; they have no problem with it and you have no problem with it, but those of us who still believe in the silence of the Scriptures do have a problem with its use. So why don’t you go where they believe what you do?

When it comes to the subject of baptism, why not go to any of the mainstream denominations? Rubel has said that salvation is wholly of grace and that man does not contribute one whit to his salvation. Max has taught that salvation is received in prayer and that one should then be baptized because he is already saved. Lots of religious groups teach this. Here, you would have a wide selection of choices. However, this would probably eliminate most conservative Christian churches because they still believe in baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Perhaps this means you would feel more comfortable with the Baptists, for example.

And, if you so despise what the phrase “the church of Christ” represents, why do you still insist on using that name religiously? Why don’t you change the name of the congregations where you preach? Let me suggest some logical alternatives.

My personal favorite would be for you to call yourselves “not a church of Christ.” Surely that would make a statement about how wrong you think you have been in the past and it would clearly separate you from those mistakes and from those of us who still want to use that descriptive phrase (Rom. 16:16).

If you don’t like that, how about “The Unity Church”? This would emphasize your willingness to compromise almost anything so everyone can pretend to be united biblically.

Perhaps you would prefer “The No Pattern Church.” After all, this is the basis for your new views. You have concluded that the New Testament is not a pattern for the church, but simply a love letter from God. (If you are really lucky, maybe Pat Boone might even let you call your- selves the “Love Letters in the Sand” church.) Maybe you would like “The New Wineskins Church” or “The Church of the Second Incarnation” or “The Core Gospel Church.” See how easy this would be! Surely you are all smart enough to put your heads together and think of a new name that wouldn’t embarrass you like the one you use now.

Can’t you see that your desire for “unity” is being more and more divisive? If you do not believe what the Lord’s church has stood for these many years, why continue to proselyte her members (Matt. 23:15)? There are plenty of other groups that believe and practice what you now believe and teach. Why not go to one of them?

If you don’t want to do that, why not just officially separate yourselves from the churches of Christ that you are so ashamed of and give yourselves a new name? That would help others not to confuse you with the legalists and Pharisees you believe the rest of us to be.

Don’t go away mad, but it seems that you really could do the Lord’s church a big favor by just going away. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us” (1 John 2:19).

Or maybe you could just repent of teaching false doctrine and return to the Lord.

By Larry Ray Hafley

On November 5, 1996, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a 1990 law linking standards of decency to federal arts funding was unconstitutional. The earlier law had been passed when a furor arose over federal funding of erotic, homosexual “art.” Now, it has been decided that the government’s funding of the arts “must be viewpoint neutral,” said Judge James Browning.

In other words, the most vile, disgusting depictions of sexual acts and of private, body parts may be protected and funded as works of art, regardless of what message the pictures present.

Remember, this is the same legal system that forbids voluntary prayer in schools and makes it a crime to post a copy of the Ten Commandments in school buildings. While being protected from prayer predators and Ten Commandment hangers, it is comforting to live in a country where it is still constitutional to slaughter unborn babies and pay taxes to support erotic, homosexual art! Are we fortunate, or what?!

Imagine the poor people all over this world who do not have the freedoms that we take for granted. They cannot kill the unborn child; they are not allowed to pay their hard earned money to display homosexual pornography at government expense; their children are forced to view copies of the Ten Commandments, or other incendiary moral codes, in the hallways of their local schools. But, thank the good (censored), we do not have to put up with such things. On the one hand, many in our government consider the execution of murderers an immoral act, while on the other, they clamor for the rights of a serial, suicide doctor.

Six-year olds who kiss their class mates are suspended for sexual harassment. Bibles cannot be passed out in schools, but condoms are available from the school nurse. Religious displays cannot be placed on government property, but government may fund “homoerotic images.” Under no circumstances must one disturb the egg of the unborn eagle or cut down a tree inhabited by a spotted owl, but if your wife is inconveniently pregnant, you may kill the unwanted baby. You may gather outside a penal institution and pray for the government to do away with capital punishment, but you must not assemble on the sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic and pray and petition for the life of an unborn baby.

Sadly, a country that has lost its moral and spiritual compass will one day ban articles like this, calling them indecent and unconstitutional. It is just a matter of time (Rom. 1:18-32; 2 Tim. 3:1-13).