Monday Morning Quarterback – Encouraging God’s people to be responsible, encouraging and uplifting in their use of social media.
This year will see an unusual number of “Hollywood” versions of Biblical stories. Son of God releases later this week. One month later, Noah hits theaters. And more will follow. The Christian bloggers will, of course, be all over these movies with their critiques.
You know what is annoying? Have you ever been in a situation where a small “clique” of insiders who have developed their own expertise on a subject sit back and make fun of those who are on the outside and who do not seem to know nearly as much as they do? You remember, don’t you? It was a favorite middle school or even high school past time: the GT and AP students sitting together and making fun of the ignorance of other students…the athletes ganging up on the non-athletic types and making fun of them…the snobby musicians looking down their noses at the pop music lovers at prom. And do you know why this is annoying? Because it is just a form of bullying.
So, I am wondering if we can make a sincere attempt to guard our testimonies in how we offer our critiques of these upcoming “Biblical” movies? Let’s not become bullies in how we communicate. Let’s keep the snarky, judgmental, arrogance out of our comments and posts. In talking about these movies, here are a few questions we might ask ourselves before we click the “publish” button on our social media screen:
1. Did I actually go and see the movie…all the way through? If not, then say that clearly right at the beginning of your critique. And then stop and don’t bother finishing the critique, because nobody is going to read any further anyway. Frankly, it is just best not to offer a comment on a movie you’ve never seen, for all the reasons stated here.
2. Why Am I Really Writing This Critique? “Look at me! Look at me! Look how much I know! Look how smart I am!” Sometimes I cannot help but wonder if we just want people to appreciate how well we know our Bible. We talk about all the ways this movie does not quite square with scripture, but what we are really doing is pointing out how Biblically literate we are, as compared to Hollywood…by the way, congratulations on that accomplishment.
3. How will this critique “build others up”? I don’t mean to get all scriptural on you here, but Paul’s warning in Ephesians 4:29 is a good one: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
4. How will this critique enhance my ability to speak into the lives of people who need Jesus? There is already a prevailing mindset out there that “Christians” are arrogant and closed-minded and brainwashed and judgmental. Is there anything about this critique that will unnecessarily foster those perceptions?
5. Can God use this movie to point people to Him? I see it often. We complain that there are not more Christian stories or Biblical stories being told by major Hollywood producers. Then, when one of them takes on the challenge, we sit back and take pot shots at him or her for getting it wrong! Isn’t the question that matters most whether or not God can use this film to point people to Him? Does it really have to fit my theology to a tee in order for God to use it?