The Gospel according to Pop Culture

Introduction

I sometimes wonder how it is that preachers run out of material from the bible that they have to resort to other sources of information to keep the interest going in their local congregation. Just preaching on a Psalm a week would give you almost half a year’s material with 150 Psalms! In addition, you could dig further into the Psalms and create even more sermons.

But for some preachers, the bible just isn’t enough as they feel that you can only talk about Jesus and disciples for so long that people would get bored. Is it possible? Yes! Should you seek outsides sources? NO!

Now Playing at a church near You

Once a week, whenever I pass by this church on my way to work, I like to read the title of the upcoming sermon that are going to have. It’s a denominational church but, it’s amusing to see the titles and wonder what they will talk about in regards to the subject.

During the summer of ’98 I was caught off guard by a couple of titles. The first was Armageddon; I thought okay that can be tied to the bible, but the title for the following week was, Godzilla. I thought, wait a minute he’s not even in the bible, how are you going to make that connection?

The next two weeks gave me the answer, they were titles for movies playing that summer.

TV and Movies

I looked this up online a while back and found that there are sermon series and Bible study series featuring your favorite movies and TV shows. I guess the context is to discuss the overall theme of the program and then look closer at some of the episodes which feature a subject tied to the bible.

If you think about it, this is simply a tool used by a local congregation to appeal to, not only the younger generation but also, the TV generation. Since Situation Comedies (Sitcoms) became a staple in the American lifestyle, their lives revolve around that method of thinking. In other words, a sitcom lasts for 30 minutes; which includes: Title open, commercials, and closing credits. Americans then view everything else that way; board meetings at work, politician speeches, and yes, even sermons.

As for the movie side, most average 60 to 90 minutes which, to them, that’s how long a whole worship service should last. So how is it that those who can sit through a 3-hour movie and not budge, can’t sit through a 45-minute sermon? A lack of entertainment.

The main problem with using media as a basis for bible study is that the conversation tends to get away from the subject matter and just becomes a chat session talking about what a character was wearing, a comment that they made that’s become the latest catch phrase, or other nonsense.

But Paul talked about the Olympics

Even the most basic bible student would notice that the apostle Paul made reference to the Olympics games in 1 Cor. 9:24-25. Technically, it was the Isthmian Games which were held near Corinth but the application is similar. One might ask, how is this different from what we’re doing with TV and movies?

Let’s look at the passage, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” 

You will notice that Paul did not specifically mention the games by name just the discussion of running the race and winning the prize. That’s all he mentions. If you have ten runners, but only one prize, all ten still run to obtain that one prize

He goes on to say that all Christians strive for the prize at the end of their life; the imperishable crown or Heaven, and, if found faithful, will achieve it.

Everyone, who calls themselves a Christian, will run the race; knowing that no all will receive the prize at the end. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

What does the Bible say?

The purpose of church is to teach the lost that they might become Christians, as well as, teaching the save to edify them to teach others. Paul wrote of the latter in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” The church is not to entertain its members. If you walk away with a ‘warm, fuzzy feeling’ about your life then you were not properly edified. This is what those in the megachurches and community churches are looking for; entertainment and a good feeling about themselves not realizing they are still in their sins and bound for Hell!

If you don’t hear the plan of salvation at the end of every sermon, if sin isn’t discussed, and the dangers of Hell are overlooked; you are assembling with the wrong group of people. Some will say, ‘That’s your opinion’. It’s also God’s opinion as well.

Conclusion

I’ve made a reference or two about a TV show, movie, or secular event to make a point but I’ve lightly touched on it to draw people into the meat of the subject which is the scriptures. When sermons and bible class center around TV show and movie; with the bible excluded, you’re not getting the spiritual life that you need. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The only place you’ll find the Jesus of the bible is in the bible.