Now and again the question is raised, is there any harm in this? Or, Is it sin to do that? Recently the question was asked, Is it a sin to go to a show? (meaning a theatre). Many young people are concerned as to this, and not wishing to put anyone under law, we said no. However, this should be qualified. There are certain questions which simply cannot be answered properly with a yes or no. Going to a theatre, for example, cannot be classified with stealing or bearing false witness. We are not given a long list of prohibitions to observe. Christianity is the opposite of Judaism in that respect.

We fear that when such questions are asked, it is because the questioner is a bit uneasy about it. When we “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21), we will have the proper discernment as to what is pleasing to our Saviour. So the question comes to this, Is it going to glorify God, or am I just trying to please myself and attempting to derive comfort from the fact that it cannot be classified with other things which are outright sinful and which the world also would count as being that?

No true believer will deny that our blessed lord has given us an example to follow. He alone could say without qualification, “I have glorified Thee on the earth” (John 14:4). Surely, nothing less than that should be our desire now! In fact, we are exhorted to “walk, even as He [Christ] walked” (1 John 2:6). Need we ask the question as to whether the Lord would attend any of the world’s amusements if He were here? It is almost irreverent to mention Him in such a connection, and I think we all feel that instinctively as children of God.

The word “amusement” means, literally speaking, “not to think or ponder.” We have no doubt but that is exactly what the enemy of all mankind desires; not only for the unsaved, but for God’s children as well. It is quite possible for a child of God to acquire a taste for the world’s entertainment. But there is no satisfaction in it. The Lord said to the Samaritan woman, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:13,14). To dip into the world’s cistern in order to realize satisfaction of soul instead of drinking from the heavenly perennial stream which Christ alone gives, is saying as much as this, that Christ is not enough—I must have something else besides. We would not say it audibly, but our acts would reveal just that.

If the world does not read the Bible, it does see our conduct, and people of the world are quick to form an opinion of us. Anything inconsistent with our Christian profession is soon put down against us. For example, a young Christian was seen by a fellow employee going into a theatre. When this was brought to his attention, he attempted to justify his act, but we are sure he was ashamed of it all the same. The world simply does not distinguish between one place or another, nor the type of picture it might be. The result is that we do not have the power or influence we ought to have when we seek to please ourselves instead of the Lord.

We would also warn against attending theatres where pictures are shown with a Biblical title. They can add nothing to what we have in the Bible itself, and in order to make the production interesting to the average person, things are changed and added, other things are taken away so that you do not have a true picture at all. And it is all for commercial purposes.

In answering the question at the head of this article, let us just refer to the Lord’s temptations. It was suggested by the tempter that our Lord turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger. On the surface, it seemed the thing to do. He had the power to do it. Then, why not do it? Because He would be acting in independence of God, and this would be sin. Yes, the term “sin” means much more than breaking one of the Ten Commandments. We read: “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Furthermore, “The thought of foolishness is sin” (Proverbs 24:9). Yes, and an evil desire is sin. (See the last commandment and Matt. 5:27,28).

In conclusion, we would suggest to all believers, young or old, to pray for the salvation of actors and actresses, but don’t admire them in their present position. We are exhorted to pray for all men and that would, of course, include the public entertainers. Suppose someone of them got soundly converted and left the stage or screen. This would be something to be thankful for and not to feel bad over because they would be seen no more in the theatre or television.

We would add to this, that we knew of a couple (not exactly young either) who would listen to a prize-fight over the radio, though they would not attend one. Today we have television added to this. People can sit in their homes and view such performances and no one knows they are looking at it—except God. It is now possible to sit at home and take in all sports and, alas, all kinds of theatrical performances. The theatre is now brought into the home and the time wasted in Christian homes looking at crime pictures, love scenes (so-called) and clowning, etc., is surely wasted time to say the least. Everything we see affects us to some degree. Therefore, let us be careful what we see or hear. A few years ago, a Christian man told us that a servant of the Lord visited them in their home and during the visit he was asked by his visitor if he attended the theatre, to which he replied, no. The Lord’s servant then said, “You don’t need to, you have it in your home.” This struck him very forcibly; and he told us, “I got rid of the television and haven’t missed it!”

Again, let us state that we should not place one another under law. To merely copy another believer is not enough and will not last long. We must be before the Lord as to our manner of life. Let us take to heart what the apostle wrote; “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). We can be sure, too, that whatever is not to God’s glory is sin. Let us, then, seek to live for Him who died for us and was raised again, and not unto ourselves as once we did. (See 2 Cor. 5:15). He will surely furnish us with the strength for it, if we but come to Him with an earnest and sincere heart seeking it.

—J.F.P.