Learning to Discern

Where do we first go for learning proper critique of movies?

“For the first time in human history, the stories are told not by parents, not by the school, not by the church, not by the community or tribe and in some cases not even by the native country but by a relatively small and shrinking group of global conglomerates with something to sell.” Media analyst George Gerbner

I don’t buy it, figuratively nor physically.

Gerbner over-reaches in this comment. It’s too, too technologically, consumer-digitally-driven.

Stories are always generated and passed on by the culture-shaping influence of the home, the church, the schools, the artists, writers, teachers, counselors, and others.

I think it would be more accurate to say: nowadays, we have the means to disseminate the stories quickly and widely. In this way, those who are pushing things onto the consumer public have the quick-draw ability. That’s important and measureable and attention-getting for popular culture, but that’s all. Faddish things are faddish, and they make money.

Still the best stories are told by the best story-tellers, not marketers.

In the book, Eyes Wide Open: Looking God in Popular Culture, William Romanowski of Calvin College comes so very close to locating a grid for a proper, faithful critique of art, theater, movies, literature and such using the service of the gathered people of God for public worship.

But he misses the mark.

He sweeps the effort of movie critique under the rug of the totality of living for the Lord. In essence, if you want to learn to discern, remember all of life is under God’s Lordship. He owns it all and rules it all. Since He is owner, redeemer, sustainer and ruler, then, all needs to be seen through the lens of what He says about it. True and helpful.

Romanowski quotes Romans 12:1-2, but only as a world-view grid.

He fails to tap into the passage as a worship-grid. He writes: “As living sacrifices, all the activities of life—including engagement with the popular arts—make up our spiritual worship of God (Rom. 12:1).” Look at movies with the eyes of faith. Take up the call to discern as a form of worship; it’s your stewardship to do so. In short, do all your movie evaluating—do everything, unto the glory of God. That’s fine.

But what about the culture-shaping role of public worship on Sunday? I take the Romans 12:1-2 passage as the one-two punch. 1) First offer your bodies. 2) Be transformed with mind-renewal. Worship transforms. Worship shapes. Worship makes disciples. Worship will shape us week after week for renewal—a renewal either after God, for God or after man, for man and his worldliness.

The hope and basis for growth in good story-telling is in good liturgy. The hope and basis for growth in sound, faithful critique of movies is in good, sound, faithful liturgy.

I am hoping to get more and more into volumes that promise movie-watching helps and guides for being armed for critiques. The two pictured here might be ones to lean on. Do you know of others?

G. Mark Sumpter