As movies are incorporated into our culture, they convey certain values and beliefs to society some of which could be dangerous. Christian movies form one category of movies. Examples of these include; biblical drama movies, Christmas movies, children’s videos, comedies, Easter films, prophesy/End Times movies as well as Family Friendly movies.
On realizing that there are dangers presented in contemporary cinema, Christians find themselves wondering if they have a role in this arena. Since films reflect the culture and thus are a cultural communicator, Christians consider Christ as the transformer of culture. Movies are continuously conveying certain values and beliefs into society. Institutions, gender, family as well as religion have all been stereotyped in movies. Johnston, R. (2000).
As culture is defined as the processes that produce behaviors, practices, meanings, and institutions of our social existence, movies being a modern cultural communicator have a direct effect in shaping the society’s beliefs and practices and in this case the Christians. Viewers not only get entertained by movies but may unknowingly enter into a life of escapism with distorted values and lifestyles. These effects from an idealized life may include; rationalizing violence, romanticizing views on love and passion as well as creating distortions on the view of oneself and others. When Christians are unaware of how they are being influenced by movies, they may unknowingly and have sometimes succumbed to the idealized lifestyles and beliefs, Romanowski, W. (1996).
As movies become part of the Christian culture, they convey certain values and beliefs which are usually created due to the shift in focus. The Christian movies are seen to shape the society towards the Christian beliefs although, on the contrary, they do not reflect it. The cultural norms reflected by the Christian movies become infiltrated into the mind of the viewers. Unconsciously, the viewers absorb the world’s perception based on the life’s assumptions portrayed in the movies. The movies allow the viewers the freedom of escaping life’s reality and enter into an idealized perception about reality. The distorted perception about the present reality usually ends up becoming assimilated into the viewers’ minds and becomes part of their way of thinking.
Christians view themselves as stewards of God’s creation and films being a cultural communicator and a reflection of culture, they believe that they have a role to play in overseeing this arena of life. As both Christians and non-Christians wrestle and struggle with the purpose and meaning of life, the film should not necessarily “inspire” or “uplift” the viewers, Johnston, R. (2000).
The non-Christians being different from the Christians in life’s values and meaning rarely has similar conclusions to the problems they encounter in the idealized world of film. The Christians view this as a point of strength since from their biblical teachings, they are not supposed to have the same conclusion as the non-Christians as the bible says they are different. The effect the Christian films may have on the viewers is based entirely on whether they hold the same faith in the cultural norms communicated in the film or not. The Christians will find their faith in the bible strengthened, while the non-Christians may hold entirely different opinions, Romanowski, W. (1996).
The effect of movies in the modern world cannot be assumed. It’s currently rated as the most powerful cultural communicator. Most of the Christian movies enjoy a largely Christian audience with a few other non-Christians. Christians find the movies upholding and strengthening their faith while the non-Christians form the criticizing part of the viewers. Christians believe that more of these movies like the passion of Christ will enhance the understanding of the scriptures and probably even result in the conversion of non-Christians into Christianity.
Reference
Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. Grand Rapids, MI:Baker Academic, 2000.
Romanowski, William D. Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1996.