What I take these students to mean is that, now that they have been given the tools and awareness of analysis, they can't easily turn off the function. Movies with conflicting and inconsistent worldviews or speakers who take Bible verses grossly out of context now drive them crazy. I say, "Good."
I don't mean that I take great joy in the ruining the simple pleasure of vegging out in front of a mindless movie, but I believe that is a small price to pay for the gift of a fully engaged mind. Nor do I want to create arrogant little critics who pick apart their pastors who are doing the best they can to serve the Lord faithfully in the pulpit. (Believe it or not, pastors have much more to do in a given week than prepare a flawless, air-tight sermon. Be gracious.) But, being equipped with even the simplest tools for our search for truth has a way of raising our standards.
Socrates
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| bust of Socrates by Lysippos (photo by Eric Gaba) |
This reminds me of the ancient philosopher Socrates (5th c. BC). Socrates was something of a strange man who walked around his native Athens asking his fellow citizens simple but penetrating questions that were meant to expose assumptions and challenge them. What is justice? How do you know what is pious? Why do you believe that? This sort of inquisitive behavior came to be considered subversive, and Socrates was charged with sedition for undermining Athenian society. As a coworker said to me recently, "you've gone from convictin' to meddlin'." Socrates was meddling. He stood before his judges and, rather than repent of his ways, Socrates defiantly declared, "The unexamined life is not worth living." His stubbornness led to his not living indeed, because he was sentenced to embibe hemlock. Socrates was, by no means, a follower of the one true God of the Scriptures, but his relentless quest for truth was praiseworthy, even if deadly.
The Christian approach
Of course, Jesus Christ and the Scriptures ought to be our ethical guide--not Socrates. The Apostle Paul wrote, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) Speaking of his ministry, Paul states that he listens to, evaluates, and challenges the arguments of the worldly philosophies and worldviews around him. This is all done for the purpose of "tak[ing] captive every thought...to Christ."
Christians probably spend too many hours with their minds turned off, carelessly consuming the arts and ideas of the world without a critical filter. I'm not advocating separatism and censorship, but cultural engagement. I believe it is wiser to train Christians to evaluate films with non-Christian content than to try to persuade them to never watch them. (For an example of this, see my post on "Pumped Up Kicks".)
Questions for discussion (just as Socrates would do):
Was Socrates right? Is the unexamined life really not worth living?
Does a life of critical thinking make one happier than a life without it?
Would you have chosen death over a life of being forced to accept what the world tells you to believe?
I completely agree that your classes have changed my view on my worldview, people's statements and reactions, media, and things Christians say. So thank you! -Sarah Nekonchuk
ReplyDeleteI agree with this completely. I am one of the students that cannot watch a movie without trying to figure out what worldview it is. I believe it is important to keep our brains turned on in everyday life because "Satan is out like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" Christians need to never let their gaurd down for this reason; it is easy for Satan to manipulate us.
ReplyDelete-- Jordan Williams
This class has totally changed my view on the world. Its crazy to think of how many different things authors try to show through movies and even things such as music. I never noticed this until this class. We encounter people with different beliefs everyday but we don't notice how different they are from our opinions until we understand the different views of the world. In a way I think Socrates was right. A life that is worth living is a life that we are 100% sure about without questions. If you don't fully examine your culture around you then how do you know what you believe is correct. Thanks for everything you have taught this year. ~Karalee Duker
ReplyDeleteI've always been interested in the deeper side of things. I'll watch something, think about it, maybe look it up, and watch it again. -Brandon B.
ReplyDeleteI think "the unexamined life is not worth living" is a neat phrase. It encourages you to live boldly for God, but at the same time, many "behind-the-scenes" influences in this world are not recognized, yet they made an impact. I haven't taken your class yet, but it sounds interesting.
ReplyDelete-Bailey
I think that both of those statements are true for everyone who is in the Worldview class. I was watching a t.v show the other day and I was telling my family all about the worldview and how many other world views there are besides Christianity, Islam...etc. I have really enjoyed this class and it has helped me learn more about everyone else's religion and views! I also liked this post! I thought it was very interesting! --Brent C.
ReplyDeleteI agree that one should always be switched on and not be totally open to all ideas in the world. Every Christian should closely examine what comes in to his or her mind and compare it to the truth of the Bible to see if it is acceptable and true to Scripture. Luke Hogan
ReplyDeletei do find myself watching movies and picking out worldviews by what i have learned in your worldview class. i think Socrates was right with asking those questions, just like Christians should ask questions. not doubt the word of God but question the other believers and what they are going, to where they can find the answers in what they believe.
ReplyDeleteI am ready to be in your 11th grade class, because I am reading about Christian worldview for an essay we have to write in English and it is a little overwhelming trying to read and understand it myself. I am sure we will have a clear understanding when we leave 11th grade. I don't watch much tv, but I know it is important to be switched on and ready for battle with evil at all times.
ReplyDeleteAnna Cain
I find myself analyzing movies too, which i never did before this class. Asking questions is good. I agree with Socrates, we shouldn't just accept thing without thinking about them. Thanks for teaching this class, it's the only one I find interesting. -Gattis
ReplyDeleteIs the unexamined life worth living?
ReplyDeleteThe really question is is if you don't examine the life you live, are you really living at all. If one doesn't question, examine, and search for truth during their lifetime, then really what have they accomplished? God gives us this life to search for his truths to understand him better. Why even live if you can't perform one of the main tasks you are created for?
-Audra Staley
i habe to admitt, i do find worldviews in just about everything i see thses days. i can never look at things the same again and i agree, as Christians we should never turn off our minds to such things. Emily Hill
ReplyDeleteWorldview has definitely robbed me of the ability to watch movies without analyzing it or trying to figure out what characters believe, but I think that's a good thing. I agree with Socrates's quote, and think this is probably my favorite post. Thanks!
ReplyDelete-Catherine Lee
Because of this i will now start listening closer to when movies take verses out of context! It makes the bible seem teally wrong most of the time!- josiah smith
ReplyDeleteI remember watching ferngully. Writing about the worldview of the movie was painful, and like you mentioned, your world-view lectures have bothered me from watching even just a simple movie, however, I also learned that some movies should be examined carefully for Christians.
ReplyDelete