SBGA

The day after my post on banal thinking, John Piper posts this article on why he doesn’t have a TV and rarely goes to movies.

It’s interesting that Piper acknowledges that he would likely disagree with Mark Driscoll, who is currently my most-listened-to preacher.  Driscoll views it almost as a duty for Christians to watch some TV and movies in order to understand the world we are trying to reach.   Minutes 21 to 24 in this video contain an example of his thinking.

Piper on the other hand, does not see a connection between watching TV or movies and his effectiveness as a preacher.  On the contrary, he sees it as potentially damaging.  His concerns with TV in particular are “its addictive tendencies, trivialization of life, and deadening effects”, and its consumption of valuable time.

The difference between the two viewpoints is the purpose and mental discipline with which you view these shows.  If your purpose is to figure out why people watch these things, you’re going to watch it differently, and be less susceptible I think, than if you are looking to be entertained, or are just “unwinding”.

I know myself though.  When it comes to TV and movie watching, I’m more inclined to be a Piper than a Driscoll.  And I personally believe the Driscoll-type viewers are extremely rare.

There is so much more in Piper’s short article.  I urge you to read it.