After analyzing and evaluating TV, I have to say that unselective watching of TV is contrary to the goal of becoming more like Christ—demonstrated in our love for God and others (discipleship)—and contributes to the trend of declining relationships in family, neighbourhood, and church (community). In this paper I first want to highlight the core of discipleship within community; second, I want to analyze and evaluate TV; third, show the effects it has on us; and finally conclude and suggest a Christian response to TV.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Disclaimer
Discipleship
Faith & Obedience
Fruitfulness
Love
Evangelism
Community
FACTS ABOUT TV
Occurrence?
How much do we watch?
EXPERIMENT: Are we TV obsessed?
Instead of what?
Evangelical Christians?
What do we watch?
Why do we watch?
Information
Personal Identity
Integration and Social Interaction
Entertainment and amusement
Consumerism
Worldview?
Behaviour?
The problem
Reality?
Violence
EFFECTS
Morality - Right and wrong
Anti-Social/Isolation
Passivity
Creativity?
Fear
To the glory of God?
SO WHAT?
Do I watch too much?
Selectiveness
Evaluation
WWJD?
Motif?
Alternatives?
Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This paper examines the spiritual impact of television on the Christian life, questioning whether unselective viewing aligns with the biblical goal of discipleship and maintaining healthy community. It evaluates television's influence on belief, behavior, and worldview through a theological and practical lens.
- The intersection of discipleship, community, and media consumption.
- Statistical analysis of television's prevalence and its psychological effects.
- Biblical evaluation of desires and their fulfillment through media.
- The role of consumerism and its impact on the viewer.
- Practical strategies for critical viewing and biblical discernment.
Excerpt from the Book
Violence
The portrayed violence in TV is often distorted and does not show the whole picture. As an illustration I want to use Coleman´s observation:
If there is a fight in the bar, most people seem to be enjoying it. One person gets thrown up against the wall; a second has a chair broken over his back, while a third is thrown off the balcony. Ha! Ha! Ha! One thing we often forget is that a broken nose hurts. A person thrown off a balcony could easily be killed. A chair broken over someone´s back could stop him from walking straight again.71
So while people laugh about people getting beaten up or even killed, they do not learn from TV what reality is: violence actually hurts and is cruel. Besides distorting reality, TV has other effects on us. The problem is, that “studies have shown that the more violence a person sees, the more desensitized to violence they become.”72
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the historical importance of community and love in the early church and introduces television as a modern force that potentially conflicts with Christian spiritual maturation.
Discipleship: Defines the biblical characteristics of a disciple, emphasizing faith, obedience, fruitfulness, love, and the importance of community within the church.
FACTS ABOUT TV: Examines the ubiquity of television in modern households, discusses the reasons why people watch, and explores the industry's focus on consumerism and distorted reality.
EFFECTS: Analyzes the negative consequences of television viewing, including its impact on moral discernment, social isolation, passivity, creativity, and induced fear.
SO WHAT?: Provides practical, biblically-grounded steps for believers to evaluate their viewing habits, including self-reflection, selecting content based on truth, and seeking creative alternatives.
Keywords
Discipleship, Community, Television, Biblical discernment, Consumerism, Worldview, Media influence, Spirituality, Moral standard, Social isolation, Passivity, Television evaluation, Christian life, Media habits, Media stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper explores the relationship between television consumption and the Christian walk, asking whether unselective viewing hinders a believer's spiritual growth and commitment to communal life.
What are the core themes explored?
Central themes include the nature of biblical discipleship, the influence of television on behavior and worldview, the psychology of media consumption, and the conflict between worldly media messaging and God's standards.
What is the primary research question?
The author primarily asks whether television consumption—specifically unselective watching—is beneficial to a Christian's spiritual growth and if it aligns with the command to live in love and community.
Which scientific method is employed?
The paper utilizes a theological and evaluative approach, synthesizing existing social studies, media research, and statistical data to provide a Christian critique of modern television habits.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the rise of television, reasons for high viewership (such as information and entertainment), the manipulative nature of commercials, and the measurable effects on morality, behavior, and social connectivity.
Which key terms describe this work?
Key terms include Christian discipleship, media discernment, consumerism, social isolation, and biblical worldview.
How does the author characterize the role of television in modern families?
The author refers to television as a potential "Trojan horse" that occupies significant time and can lead to the erosion of family interaction and the prioritization of consumerist values over spiritual growth.
What is the author's suggestion regarding media consumption?
Instead of total renunciation, the author advocates for "selectiveness," suggesting that Christians should actively evaluate the content they consume against the Word of God and prioritize communal, non-passive activities.
- Citar trabajo
- Christian Mogler (Autor), 2010, Theology of TV, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163111
