Doe Hill Homeschool - Peace That Passes Understanding

Doe Hill Homeschool

Oct. 7, 2009

Peace That Passes Understanding

My last post about my dear friend's [our church's pastor's wife] tragic loss of her sister-in-law in a home invasion this past Sunday, is still so much on my mind. Our church family has been scouring the net for news stories to keep up to date and to not tie up our pastor's phone too much. And we've prayed for our dear Pastor's wife and her family. We have prayer meeting tonight and I'm sure our whole church will be praying at the altar again.

The stories we've found today are disturbing. Four suspects have been arrested;one posted on his facebook page seven hours after the murder, "had an awesome time with [friends' names].....Dexter is so funny!" In case you don't know, as I did not, Dexter is a TV show about a serial killer. All four suspects are teenagers.

It's hard to fathom such disgusting violence. Things like this don't happen to people we know, right? Maybe I'm so shocked because we don't watch network or cable tv shows, so the gross immorality there hasn't dulled my sensitivity. Oh, how I could stop right here and launch into a diatribe against TV and movies--and maybe I will soon--but the simple fact is that these things are on the air because people like watching them. We're killing our consciences one channel at a time.

But then I look at my kids and think there but for the grace of God go I. And when I look at my kids, my gut reaction is fear. Naturally, it's a good idea to take stock of our home protection measures, but I'm talking about an overwhelming, almost crippling fear. It isn't that I don't understand, I understand that sin has caused a curse on this fallen world. It's what I do understand--that this can happen to anyone--that bothers me. We need a peace that goes beyond understanding, a peace that helps cope with the fear.

Then, a precious verse penned by a man who knew what fear, persecution, vulnerability, and danger was comes to my mind. Dear Anne, this is my prayer for you and your whole family right now. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7. I love you all dearly.

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Comments

Oct. 7, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

DONT THINK DEXTER WAS THE MOTIVE, AS THE SHOW WITH DEXTER IS ABOUT A GUY WHO KILLS OTHERS WHO ARE "BAD" PEOPLE..LIKE CHILD MOILESTERS, ETC. ITHIS WAS JUST PLAIN EVEL, AND ITS SO SAD. WILL PRAY FOR THEIR FAMILY,LEENA

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Oct. 8, 2009 - My Opinion

Posted by doehillhomeschool

Leena, thank you for visiting my site and leaving a comment. Your prayers are appreciated. I'm upset about what happened to my friend's family, so if my thinking was muddled in the post above or if I appeared smug or self-righteous, please accept my humble apology.

However, I take issue with some of what you said, and would like to explain my position. First, I did not explicitly say Dexter was the motive. We agree this act was evil and the perpetrator[s] must bear his/her/their guilt themselves. But it is not inappropriate to offer some social commentary, either. I was--and am--horrified at the callousness of someone who could murder a family in the morning, and remark how funny a violent and disgusting TV show was only seven hours later.

Since we agree that this act was evil, let me address our difference in opinion about the show, Dexter. Admittedly, I do not like that show now that I know about its existence. Apparently you do. Did Dexter make them do it? No. Their own moral choice did. My point is that entertainment has the potential to shape culture. Entertainment, like education, is not simply "values neutral." It has a message. It is arrogant to assume that one can not be affected by what one watches. Studies have demonstrated this time and again. [see http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/children_and_tv_violence , and

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/entertainment/mediawise/tv_and_todays_family/beyond_aggression_how_tv_violence_can_affect_your_child.aspx

and

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual_growth_for_kids/character_development/television_an_obstacle_to_building_character.aspx ]

Secondly, I disagree with your premise that Dexter is a "good" show because he only hurts the bad guys. The Bible teaches in Philippians 4:8, " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phil 4:8 (KJV)"

You assert that Dexter is good because he is just, and, after all, it's just pretend. So what's the harm? Well, it may be fictional, but there IS a message here. [It's okay to do bad stuff as long as you are doing to someone worse than you.] It is a graphic representation of the moral relativism that saturates our culture and takes us farther and farther from Biblical truth, allowing us to simply craft our own truth as we go.

Is this a message that we want to expose our children/teens/selves to week in and week out? Is it a true message? Is it a message that affirms Christian life and practice? No. It isn't.

Would we as Christians not be better off to do some culture shaping ourselves? Most certainly. I do not believe that we can simply excuse our viewing habits under the banner of Christian liberty. We need to be aware of the messages, the worldview, and implications of what we choose to entertain us. It should be critiqued Biblically. It isn't easy, but it is needful if we are to be salt and light in our culture.

Leena, I hope that you will at least think about what I've just said and take some time to evaluate with Scripture and careful thought what constitutes "good" entertainment, and the impact entertainment has on culture. I still stand by my point that if we indiscriminately choose our entertainment, we will become desensitized to right and wrong. The more we are entertained by wickedness, the more it will take to shock us. And we we have an appetite for more and more shocking entertainment it will be provided. Whether or not art reflects life, or life reflects art, something ought to break this vicious cycle. I contend that Christians should refuse to patronize entertainment that is vile and create art that is wholesome to influence our culture for good. If you still come to a different conclusion than I have, then I guess there's not much point to continuing our discussion. I wish you well. Thank you for commenting.

In Christ, Gin

Edited by doehillhomeschool on Oct. 8, 2009 at 10:19 AM

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What don't I write about? Mostly, it's about homeschooling, our family life, and the persecuted church. But I take sidetrips for interesting or fun topics. Don't expect perfect spelling or design here, though. I'm a happy preacher's wife and homeschooling mama to three lil darlin's!

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