Entertainment today

Movies, music, sports, festivals, parties – professing Christians today indulge in many of the same entertainment options as unbelievers do.  Despite the PG-13 violence, Lord of the Rings could almost be mistaken as a harmless Christian film series, given the number of Christians who watch and recommend it.  The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other rock groups have drawn audiences from both secular and religious circles.  Most churchgoers attend, watch, or cheer for their favorite sports teams and players; and pastors ensure that the Sunday sermon ends in time for Sunday afternoon football.  Each summer, churches set up booths at city festivals or design floats for the city parade.  Social drinking is considered acceptable by many who call themselves Christians, and church potlucks frequently include alcoholic beverages.  A scan of the average churchgoer’s personal library, browsing history, or Netflix account would reveal depictions of immorality, violence, crude language, and a general repudiation of Christian values.  Were the lives of the early Christians any different?

Entertainment in the Roman Empire

The entertainment choices of the Roman Empire differed from those of modern culture, but the universal elements of human depravity were the same.  The most popular sports during this time included wrestling, boxing, chariot racing, Olympic gaming, and public spectacles such as gladiator contests and wild beast fights.  All of these sports were violent, and audiences came specifically to watch as people were killed.  For example, gladiators were typically criminals or prisoners of war who had been sentenced to death, but the Roman government feigned mercy by allowing them to fight each other in the public arena until one emerged victorious.  The triumphant gladiator would then be hailed as a hero by the crowds.  The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater for spectacles such as gladiator contests, wild beast fights, and public executions.  With 80 entrance gates and seating for over 50,000 people, the Colosseum was the hub of entertainment in that culture.

The theater was also a popular form of entertainment in the Roman Empire.  Although the Romans were somewhat concerned about the moral corruption of society, the theater escaped censure because it was originally part of pagan temples.  As seen in the upcoming quotations, the theater showcased murder, violence, crime, and rampant immorality and wickedness.  Banqueting was another element of popular culture, as people would gather for an evening meal of partying, gluttony, and drunkenness.

How did the early Christians respond?

The early Christians universally condemned the popular entertainment of their day.  To them, the world’s entertainment choices were unfitting for anyone who had renounced the world and chosen to follow Christ.

Public spectacles (Executions, gladiator contests, wild beast fights)

• “We renounce all your spectacles. . . . Among us nothing is ever said, seen, or heard that has anything in common with the madness of the circus, the immodesty of the theater, the atrocities of the arena, or the useless exercise of the wrestling ground.  Why do you take offense at us because we differ from you in regard to your pleasures?” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Since all passionate excitement is forbidden to us, we are barred from every kind of spectacle, and especially from the circus. . . . The spectators fly into rages, passions, arguments, and all kinds of things that they who are consecrated to peace should never indulge in.  Next, there are curses and reproaches, with no [rational] cause of hatred.  There are cries of applause, with nothing to merit them.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “I am addressing these remarks to the pagans.  As to Christians, I will not insult them by adding another word as to the aversion with which they should regard this sort of exhibition.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Some of [the Gnostics] do not even keep away from that bloody spectacle that is hateful both to God and men.  I speak of the spectacle in which gladiators either fight with wild beasts or else fight each other in single combat.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “The prohibition of murder shows me that a trainer of gladiators is also to be excluded from the church.” – Tertullian (c. 200)
• “Those who come for the sake of beholding the spectacle actually display more of a spectacle themselves.  I am referring to when they begin to shout . . . and to leap from their seats. . . . The celebrations of the games are festivals in honor of the gods, for they were instituted on account of their birthdays, or the dedication of new temples. . . . Therefore, if anyone is present at the spectacles to which men assemble for the sake of religion, he has departed from the worship of God.” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “Idolatry . . . is the mother of all the public amusements. . . . A man has no shame if he exorcises demons in the church, but then praises their delights in the public shows.  A Christian has once for all renounced [Satan]. However, he disregards what he has renounced in baptism if he goes to the devil’s exhibitions after coming to Christ.  In doing so, he renounces Christ just as much as [he had previously renounced] the devil.” – Novatian (c. 235), formerly attributed to Cyprian
• “Moreover, what causes have you for appearing in public in excessive grandeur?  After all, you are removed from the occasions that call for such exhibitions.  For you neither make the circuit of the temples, nor demand to be present at public shows.  Furthermore, you have no acquaintance with the festivals of the Gentiles.  Now, it is for the sake of all these public gatherings – and of much seeing and being seen – that all ceremonies are exhibited before the public eye. . . . You, however, have no cause for appearing in public, except such as is serious.  Either some brother who is sick is visited, or else the sacrifice is offered, or else the Word of God is dispensed.” – Tertullian (c. 198)

Sports (Boxing, chariot racing, Olympic games, wrestling)

• “You will never give your approval to those foolish racing and throwing feats, and yet more foolish leapings.  You will never find pleasure in injurious or useless exhibitions of strength.  Certainly you will not regard with approval the strivings after an artificial body that aim at surpassing the Creator’s work.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “How idle are the contests themselves: strifes in colors, contentions in races, acclamations in mere questions of honor, rejoicing because a horse has been faster, grieving because it was more sluggish, reckoning up the years of animals, knowing the consuls, learning their ages, tracing their breeds, recording their very grandsires and great-grandsires!” – Novatian (c. 235), formerly attributed to Cyprian
• “Seated where there is nothing of God, will one be thinking of his Maker?  Will there be peace in his soul when there is eager strife there for a charioteer? . . . When the athletes are hard at struggle, will he be ready to proclaim that there must be no striking back?” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “If the following persons come [to be baptized], whether they are men or women, let them leave off their employments, or else be rejected: someone belonging to the theater, a charioteer, . . . Olympic gamester, or one who plays at those games on the pipe, lute, or harp.” – Apostolic Constitutions (c. 390)
• “Everyone [among the pagans] is ready with the argument that all things, as we teach, were created by God and given to man for his use.  Therefore, they must be good, since they all come from so good a source.  [They say] that among them are found the various constituent elements of the public shows – such as the horse, the lion, bodily strength, and musical voice. . . . How skillful a pleader seems human wisdom to herself, especially if she has the fear of losing any of her delights!” – Tertullian (c. 197)

The theater

• “I am inclined to think that the corrupting influence of the stage is more contaminating than [the gladiator combats].  That is because the subject of comedies is the dishonoring of virgins or the loves of harlots.  And the more eloquent they are who have written the narratives of these disgraceful actions, the more they persuade others by the elegance of their words. . . . In like manner, the tragedies place before the eyes the incest and parental murders of wicked kings.  They also portray dire crimes. . . . And what effect do the immodest gestures of the actors produce except to teach and incite lust? . . . Why should I even mention the mimes, who instruct others in corrupting influences?  They teach adulteries while they act them out.  By pretended actions, they train their audience to do those actions that are real.  What can young men or virgins do when they see that these things are practiced without shame and are willingly watched by all?” – Lactantius (c. 304-313)
• “The father who carefully protects and guards his virgin daughter’s ears from every polluting word, takes her to the theater himself – exposing her to all its vile words and attitudes.” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “The Lord Himself is our witness that we have the case of the woman who went to the theater and came back demon-possessed.  In the exorcism, when the unclean creature was upbraided for having dared to attack a believer, he firmly replied, ‘And in truth I did it most lawfully, for I found her in my domain.’” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Let spectacles, therefore, and plays that are full of indecent language and abundant gossip, be forbidden.  For what base action is there that is not exhibited in the theaters?” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “Are we not, in like manner, commanded to put away from us all immodesty?  On this ground, again, we are excluded from the theater, which is immodesty’s own peculiar abode. . . . The very harlots, too, victims of the public lust, are brought upon the stage. . . . Let the Senate, let all ranks, blush for very shame! . . . Is it right to look on what it is disgraceful to do?  How is it that the things that defile a man in going out of his mouth are not regarded as doing so when they go in his eyes and ears?” – Tertullian (c. 197)
• “Let no one excuse himself on the grounds that he personally has given up the theater – if he is still teaching the art to others.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

Banqueting

• “It would follow as a consequence that we could take part in public feasts, if it were proved that the public feasts had nothing wrong in them and were grounded upon true views of the character of God. . . . Accordingly, it is clear that those who wish to offer an enlightened worship to the Divine Being will act according to sound reason and not take part in the public feasts.” – Origen (c. 248)
• “Your [pagan] public assemblies I have come to hate.  For there are excessive banqueting, subtle flutes that provoke people to lustful movements, useless and luxurious anointings, and crownings with garlands.” – Justin Martyr (c. 160)
• “A Christian who is faithful should neither repeat a pagan hymn nor sing an obscene song.” – Apostolic Constitutions (compiled c. 390)
• “The Saturnalia, New Year, Midwinter festivals, and Matronalia are frequented by us!  Presents come and go!  There are New Year’s gifts! Games join their noise!  Banquets join their din!  The pagans are more faithful to their own sect. . . . Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even if they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians.  Yet, we are not apprehensive that we might appear to be pagans!” – Tertullian (c. 200)

Parallels for today

British evangelist Leonard Ravenhill lamented, “The king of America is sport, and his wife is entertainment.”  Congregations cheer loudly when their favorite sports team is mentioned yet often display little enthusiasm when someone comes to know the Lord.  We collect all the sports gear we can afford and track the batting average of our favorite players, but our heavenly treasures are few.  We idolize athletes, actors, and musicians.  We fill our ears with godless lyrics and music, our eyes with the debauchery of Hollywood, and our hearts with the twisted values of Disney.

Somehow, we think that our sin doesn’t have consequences.  How can hundreds of hours spent imbibing Disney’s “follow your heart” message not encourage young people to live that philosophy?  How can the violence, immorality, crude language, and active opposition to Christian ideals portrayed by Hollywood not influence our minds, our lives, and our testimonies?  More importantly, how can watching such vile content fulfill the command of Philippians 4:8 to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent?

Leonard Ravenhill said, “How can you pull down strongholds of Satan if you don’t even have the strength to turn off your TV?”  Not only are we not pulling down strongholds of Satan; we are actively promoting his schemes!  When professing Christians attend theaters, buy or rent movies, or purchase a Netflix subscription, we are actively supporting – with both our finances and our lives – those who directly oppose the Lord.  We tell the world that there is no difference between the believer and the unbeliever, that the powers of darkness are more appealing than the powers of light.  We argue, “It’s okay to watch those movies as long as you don’t endorse what they are doing.”  We forget that by watching it and giving our money to it, we ARE endorsing it!

What difference is there today between the so-called believer and the unbeliever?  Tertullian wrote, “Does it then remain for us to appeal to the pagans themselves?  Let them tell us whether it is right for Christians to frequent the shows.  Why, the rejection of these amusements is the chief sign to them that a man has adopted the Christian faith.”  Yet professing Christians today celebrate Halloween, a party for Satan himself, in the name of entertainment.  Our browsing histories are far from pure, upright, and honest.  We participate in games, festivals, and parties that oppose the very convictions we claim to have.

We forget that Jesus Himself opposes our deeds.  One of the heresies that the early church fought was Nicolaitanism.  The Nicolaitans lived for pleasure, in rampant immorality and wickedness, acting out the very things that enter our eyes through the TV screen, computer, and smartphone.  In Revelation 2:6, Jesus said, “You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”  How frightening would it be on Judgment Day to realize that the entertainment you thought was harmless was in fact something that the Lord hates?

When will we see as God sees?  We explain away Scripture, thinking it doesn’t mean what it says.  We compare ourselves with others and conclude that our sin isn’t that bad.  We live the works of darkness and call ourselves Christians.  “Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).  When will we stop making excuses, humble ourselves, and cry, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)?

What does the Bible say about separation from the world?

• “You adulterous people!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
• “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-16
• “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.” – 2 Peter 2:20-21
• “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” – Mark 8:36
• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” – Romans 12:2
• “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.  I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.  A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.” – Psalm 101:3-4
• “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” – 1 Peter 1:14-16
• “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.” – 2 Corinthians 6:17

How did the early Church view separation?

• “This world and the next are two enemies. . . . We cannot therefore be the friends of both.” – Second Clement (c. 150)
• “It is not possible for anyone to enter into the kingdom of heaven who has not been turned away from the affairs of this world and made like the little children who possess the Holy Spirit.” – Origen (c. 245)
• “From the very beginning, then, this was inculcated as a precept of Jesus among His hearers, that men should despise the life which is eagerly sought after by the multitude, but be earnest in living the life which resembles that of God.” – Origen (c. 230)
• “The one peaceful and trustworthy tranquility, the one solid, firm, and constant security is this: for a man to withdraw from this whirlpool of a distracting world and to lift his eyes from earth to heaven, anchored on the ground of the harbor of salvation. . . . He who is actually greater than the world can crave nothing or desire nothing from the world.  How stable, how free from all shocks is that safeguard.  How heavenly . . . to be loosed from the snares of this entangling world and to be purged from earthly dregs and be fitted for the light of eternal immortality.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

Wholesome activities

The early Christians were not looking for an earthly kingdom.  They lived for a spiritual kingdom found in keeping the commands of Christ.  As a result, their enjoyments were not earthly but heavenly:

• “Refrain from much business, and you will never sin, for those who are occupied with much business commit also many sins.  For they are distracted about their affairs, and they are not serving their Lord at all.” – Hermas (c. 150)
• “Christ has not merely related to us a story about a poor man and a rich one.  Rather, He has taught us some things: In the first place, He has taught that no one should lead a luxurious life.  No one should live in worldly pleasures and perpetual feasting.  No one should be the slave of his lusts and forget God.” – Irenaeus (c. 180)
• “He who has attained to trust, having put off the former man, should reflect on only heavenly and spiritual things.  He should give no heed to the world that he has already renounced.” – Cyprian (c. 250)

What were some of the activities that the early Christians viewed as fitting for believers?

• “Such [gymnastic] exercises are in some respects conducive to the health of young men. . . . Nor are women to be deprived of bodily exercise. . . . Reading aloud is often an exercise to many.  However, do not let the athletic contests that I have allowed be undertaken for the sake of vainglory.  Rather, they should be undertaken only for manly sweat. . . . We must always aim at moderation.” – Clement of Alexandria (c. 195)
• “The Christian has nobler exhibitions if he desires them. . . . He has that beauty of the world to look upon and admire – to say nothing of those pleasures he cannot yet contemplate.  He may gaze upon the sun’s rising and on its setting . . . and on the troops of shining stars and those that glitter from on high with extreme mobility. . . . I say, let these and other divine works be the exhibitions for faithful Christians.  What theater built by human hands could ever be compared to works such as these?  Although it may be reared with immense piles of stones, the mountain crests are loftier; and although the fretted roofs glitter with gold, they will be surpassed by the brightness of the starry firmament.  Never will anyone admire the works of man, if he has recognized himself as the son of God.” – Novatian (c. 235), formerly attributed to Cyprian
• “Let the faithful Christian, I say, devote himself to the sacred Scriptures, and there he shall find worthy exhibitions for his faith.  He will see God establishing His world, and making not only the other animals, but that marvelous and better fabric of man.  He will gaze upon the world in its delightfulness, righteous shipwrecks, the rewards of the good, and the punishments of the impious, seas drained dry by a people, and again from the rock seas spread out by a people.  He will behold harvests descending from heaven, not pressed in by the plough; rivers with their hosts of waters bridled in, exhibiting dry crossings.  He will behold in some cases faith struggling with the flame, wild beasts overcome by devotion and soothed into gentleness.  He will look also upon souls brought back even from death.  Moreover, he will consider the marvelous souls brought back to the life of bodies which themselves were already consumed.  And in all these things he will see a still greater exhibition – that devil who had triumphed over the whole world lying prostrate under the feet of Christ.  How honorable is this exhibition, brethren!  how delightful, how needful ever to gaze upon one’s hope, and to open our eyes to one’s salvation!  This is a spectacle which is beheld even when sight is lost.  This is an exhibition which is given . . . by Him who is alone and above all things.” – Novatian (c. 235), formerly attributed to Cyprian
• “The philosophers, for instance, give the name of pleasure to quietness and repose.  In that they have their bliss, in that they find entertainment.  They even glory in it! . . . You have your joys where you have your longings.  Even as things are, if your thought is to spend this period of existence in enjoyments, how are you so ungrateful as to reckon insufficient and not thankfully recognize the many and exquisite pleasures God has given you?  For what could be more delightful than to have God the Father and our Lord at peace with us, revelation of the truth, confession of our errors, and pardon of the innumerable sins of our past life?  What greater pleasure is there than distaste of pleasure itself, contempt of all that the world can give, true liberty, a pure conscience, a contented life, and freedom from all fear of death?  What nobler pleasure than to tread underfoot the gods of the nations, to exorcise evil spirits, to perform cures, to seek divine revelation, to live to God?  These are the pleasures, these are the spectacles that befit Christian men – holy, everlasting, and free. . . . If the literature of the stage delights you, we have literature in abundance of our own – plenty of verses, sentences, songs, proverbs.  These are not fabulous, but true; not tricks of art, but plain realities. . . . Behold unchastity overcome by chastity, treachery slain by faithfulness, cruelty stricken by compassion, impudence thrown into the shade by modesty.  These are the contests we have among us, and in these we win our crowns.” – Tertullian (c. 197)

Love not the world

How many people today truly know what it means to follow Christ?  It means a complete change of lifestyle – giving up the lawless deeds for which Christ died, and following His teachings completely.  For the early Christians, the rejection of the world’s entertainment identified a person as a true Christian.  Will you carry that mantle today?  Will you humble yourself before the Lord, see the world and its entertainment as God sees it, and resolve to be a beacon of light and an example of righteousness in your culture?  “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:17).