Convictions: Art, Film, Music, and Literature NEW UPDATE

There are many riches in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and other churches. These riches are art and should be appreciated. There are some who may ask can we Protestants enjoy a Crucifix or painting by a Catholic? The answer is yes. The best paintings and art pieces of Christ Crucified are Roman Catholic. One must be wary however of Catholic Doctrine and symbolism of their erroneous ideals such as Sacred Heart cult and more. What about icons? Well  it becomes tricky with icons, traditional Eastern Orthodox Christians believe icons are conduits and windows into spiritual realm which is not Scriptural and superstitious as well as possibly a door to demons, however, Christ Pantocrator and Christ The Teacher icons are beautiful, but I recommend praying over newly purchased icons to nullify the strange spiritism and prayers from Orthodox priests. I also recommend never buy an icon of a saint, stick to Christ icons, for the Scriptures tells us, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2). Paintings of saints such as John the Baptist, or even Mary are much more difficult, for one person they could serve just as comforting reminder to be as all in for Kingdom of God as John was or to be as quick to submit to God as Mary, but the problem is when they become venerated as they are in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, then Christ starts to fade into the background of a collage of humans, when Christ is divine! What about the halos and gestures of the hand in icons? Well the halo or nimbus was motif or symbol used in art to confer that the person was holy or sent by God, in early Christian art the halo was only to be used on Christ since He is God. Halos were used on pagan images, but just as clouds in art can mean the Walls of Olympus specificaly or simply the heavens, the halo can be used for good or ill.

Can a Christian watch certain movies? Are we only to watch God's Not Dead, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and Veggie Tales? Film effects people differently. Some people can disassociate from what is seen, but I do believe Satanic, Horror, Pornographic, and World Religion influenced films are harmful. It was witnessed by relative of mine that upon seeing "The Exorcist" many young people became demonized. Movies today are riddled with symbolism, subliminal messages, and subversive messages, so one must be "wise as a serpent, and innocent as dove." (Matthew 10:16). Deciding on wither you can see Star Wars: Rogue One or the latest blockbuster depends on how the particular film effects you. I would argue that watching anything that confuses, seduces, or makes you feel less close to Christ than before watching it is not edifying or beneficial, "Let all things be done unto edifying," (1 Corinthians 14:26 KJV), "Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word," (Psalm 119:37), "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!," (Matthew 6:22-23), "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart," (Matthew 5:28), and finally if your eyes do sin over looking a movie or image Christ tells us, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:29). The same could be said about what we listen to. If the music subverts your beliefs, encourages sin, and pleases devils, why are you listening to it?! I want to add that movies actually use three of four mediums, it is art in motion, it has music added, and you listening to it and sometimes the fourth medium, reading it added if its foreign film (subtitles).

What of literature? Ah the written word can have just as much poignancy as a motion picture or painting. As my English teacher once remarked, "when we read, we wrestle with the author." (Debbie). This could be said about Artwork, Music, and Film no? When we read we devote much more time to the subject than a film or track of music. Reading requires active thought and often a author conveys their beliefs, ideals, and perception over the course of chapters and even hundreds of pages oppose to a single canvas or film. Reading has power, just as watching a film and music has power. Reading effects the soul, for when we read The Holy Bible it feeds our spirit man because it is God breathed and useful for teaching and reproving (2 Timothy 3:16). The problem is if we spend our lengthy hours devouring novels, fiction and non fiction books alike that subvert or assault our faith, when they are deliberately choosing to let false beliefs of the authors fester and wrestle within us. Books like Firty Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, and vampiric books should be obviously avoided, but sometimes subtle lies in books by saints can do greater harm because you trust the believer, and yet they lead you astray, examples Antony The Great, Augustine of Hippo, and Derek Prince who wrote many false ideas. You must use great discernment when choosing books and deciding if you really should spend time reading a book you know if full of untruths.

Our eyes and ears are powerful responders. When we see something it goes inside our soul (mind and emotions) and it festers, sometimes it can take a long time to unsee something. The same is with hearing, when someone says a harmful word to us it stays, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue.." (Proverbs 18:21). Music is tounges with perfect rhythm and accompaniment. Music can draw us closer to Christ or further away from Him. A good rule of thumb for Art, Movies, and Music is this, "If Jesus Christ appeared right now and caught me looking at and listening to it would He approve (search the Scriptures) or would I bring Jesus to see this movie or listen to this music?" Jesus said, "But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear." (Matthew 13:16). Now these eyes and ears Emmanuel is speaking of are spiritual, they discern Truth and receive wisdom from its author (Colossians 2:1-3); but I believe the more we fill our physical eyes and ears with evil and sinful things the more it blocks our spiritually attuned eyes and ears which are connected to physical ones. In same way that a word can hurt us, so seeing something not edifying can effect us spiritually just as a word effects us emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and more. Thus the test of everything we see or hear must pass the Edification test; does it inspire me in my faith walk with Jesus Christ or does it like darts pierce and cause a wound and confusion? There are movies not made by Pureflix or Christian media that do inspire us as Christians, so I am not advocating only watch certain media. But we must be careful, not always does the devil in a film, art piece, or musical number assault the mind as Horror films and other dark art does that normally gets a sickening feeling response, sometimes it is one doubtful word or carefully craft scene that will plague you for many hours, days, and maybe years to come. We must be careful what our eyes see, and ears hear.

Many may say well movies and music surely can harm, but art is infallible. Really? Then explain how a art piece of Venus can be erotica, explain how art piece of corpses and blood can make a person angry, explain how revolutionaries used art to stir people up to fight, and explain how some images haunt people? The spirit of the artist is in the art, movies are merely moving art, but canvas, fresco, tempera, watercolor, and more can be as damaging. Explain how even a religious piece, can make someone want to covet it and keep it for themselves? Art, Movies, and Music can all be useful, and good and enjoyable, I an connoisseur myself of all three; but beware of traps and temptations that can be found in them. Test all things with the Holy Bible, and follow Holy Spirit's lead on what is edifying. Amen.