Despite the recent surge of family friendly, inspirational, Christian movies that have been coming out, I still believe that the entertainment industry is, at it's heart, staunchly anti-Christian. That is why it does not surprise me to hear that actor Jim Parsons, famous for playing Sheldon Cooper on the hit T.V, Series "The Big Bang Theory" will be playing the part of God in a very coarse and disrespectful manner on a Broadway play, full of "Startlingly graphic sexual gags, which no fig leaf could dress up for a family paper"; quote from Ron Charles of the Washington Post.
I believe that the most common response that this would illicit from believers would be outrage. We should protest, boycott, and send letters to voice our disapproval. While some would take to social media with harsh criticism of this blatant attack on our faith, I would like to take a few moments to tell you why I am O.K. with it. Before you renounce me as a heretic, take the time to finish reading this article, then tell me what you think.
Reasons why I'm O.K. with this:
1. It is their constitutional right.
The third article of the Bill of Rights says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Even though I don't agree with what they are saying or portraying, does not mean they don't have the right to say or do it. Please understand I am not saying I agree with or approve of this Broadway production; I'm just saying I support their right to produce their material. Think about a hypothetical scenario with me for a moment. Let's say there was a massive outcry from Christians around the world that this play is foul and disrespectful to us as Christians, and Uncle Sam came in and shut the play down, forced them to stop. Would that be a victory for Christians? I say NO. WHY? Continue to follow my reasoning. Let's say that millions of atheists, Muslims, or any other anti Christian group had a massive outcry, complaining that some Christian movie was offensive to them, the the government forced it to shut down. Same shoe, other foot. As Americans we have freedoms and rights, and we must respect and protect those rights even when we don't like them.
2. It is a "sign of the times"
Second Timothy 3 starts off by saying:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
I understand that the question as to whether or not we are actually in "the last days" will be hotly debated until Jesus actually returns to settle the matter Himself. My point is that The Bible tells us we as believers will be a small remnant in a world that becomes increasingly evil and adverse to Jesus Christ, eventually culminating in the arrival of a being who himself embodies aversion to Jesus Christ, the "Antichrist" himself. It shouldn't shock or surprise us; we know this is coming.
3. It's all part of God's plan
God knows everything, and He has it under control. We are called to do our part, and He will do His. The things that are happening in our world are no surprise to Him. When I look at the world around me and the moral degradation of our society, two things come to my mind; A), I need to tell more people about Jesus, because He may come back today, and B) hurry back, Lord, this world is falling apart!
I believe that the most common response that this would illicit from believers would be outrage. We should protest, boycott, and send letters to voice our disapproval. While some would take to social media with harsh criticism of this blatant attack on our faith, I would like to take a few moments to tell you why I am O.K. with it. Before you renounce me as a heretic, take the time to finish reading this article, then tell me what you think.
Reasons why I'm O.K. with this:
1. It is their constitutional right.
The third article of the Bill of Rights says:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Even though I don't agree with what they are saying or portraying, does not mean they don't have the right to say or do it. Please understand I am not saying I agree with or approve of this Broadway production; I'm just saying I support their right to produce their material. Think about a hypothetical scenario with me for a moment. Let's say there was a massive outcry from Christians around the world that this play is foul and disrespectful to us as Christians, and Uncle Sam came in and shut the play down, forced them to stop. Would that be a victory for Christians? I say NO. WHY? Continue to follow my reasoning. Let's say that millions of atheists, Muslims, or any other anti Christian group had a massive outcry, complaining that some Christian movie was offensive to them, the the government forced it to shut down. Same shoe, other foot. As Americans we have freedoms and rights, and we must respect and protect those rights even when we don't like them.
2. It is a "sign of the times"
Second Timothy 3 starts off by saying:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
I understand that the question as to whether or not we are actually in "the last days" will be hotly debated until Jesus actually returns to settle the matter Himself. My point is that The Bible tells us we as believers will be a small remnant in a world that becomes increasingly evil and adverse to Jesus Christ, eventually culminating in the arrival of a being who himself embodies aversion to Jesus Christ, the "Antichrist" himself. It shouldn't shock or surprise us; we know this is coming.
3. It's all part of God's plan
God knows everything, and He has it under control. We are called to do our part, and He will do His. The things that are happening in our world are no surprise to Him. When I look at the world around me and the moral degradation of our society, two things come to my mind; A), I need to tell more people about Jesus, because He may come back today, and B) hurry back, Lord, this world is falling apart!
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