Editor’s Note: The following excerpt is taken from an editorial in the August 1951 “Christian Truth” magazine. We do not present it in a spirit of criticism, but beseech our readers (especially dear parents) to soberly and prayerfully consider its message. Advances in all areas of video technology—including CD movies, games, Internet and HDTV—make this ministry specially applicable to our day.
We feel constrained to examine the subject of television in the home, especially as it affects the Christian. King Hezekiah was asked by the prophet Isaiah, “What have they seen in thine house?” (2 Kings 20:1515And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them. (2 Kings 20:15)). This modern medium of communication will bring an assortment of sights into the home. Will those sights glorify God? Will they occupy the viewers with heavenly things? Will what is seen cause believers to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Perhaps the greatest challenge of TV concerns the welfare of our children. Dear parents, do you know what your children will see by means of television? It has a special appeal to the young, whose plastic minds are very easily influenced by it. And what are they seeing with such evident delight—folly, madness, crime and moral corruption?
This influence will surely accelerate the coming moral conditions that were found in the days of Noah and of Lot (Luke 17:26-3026And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:26‑30)). You would not think of taking your precious charges from the Lord into the dance halls, theaters and dens of the earth. Shall you then bring such sights into your living room? It may be argued that as they grow up they will have to meet these things. That statement contains some truth. But parents, you also have an exceedingly great responsibility to Him who gave them to you.
Their youth is the only time that is yours to help mold them and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. Shall these fleeting days be lost—while instead of truth they become acquainted with fiction, fable, crime, immorality and horror? You shield their precious bodies from chemical poison: Shall you do less for their impressionable minds?
If the lawless deeds and foul sayings of the Sodomites vexed Lot’s righteous soul from day to day, what did they do to his children? The demoralizing effect on them was great—some were lost in Sodom’s destruction, while others became a shame and disgrace. Lot got into Sodom by degrees, for declension is always gradual. Will not the television scenes of borderline immodesty (and worse), with all the defiling conversation, gradually dull the Christian’s senses until, at length, he accepts that which would shock one with spiritual sensibilities?
Some may contend that this view is one-sided—that there are good things available on television. Oh! think, dear reader—no doubt Sodom had some good things too. Perhaps those good things were that which first attracted Lot’s eye to a place already resting under divine judgment.
By the same token, Cain’s world (Gen. 4) also had some good things. That murderer invested it with commerce, industry, arts and sciences—but could the children of his murdered brother (if there were such) relish anything of Cain and his world?
This world has murdered the Son of God—your Saviour and mine, fellow-Christian. Shall we then relish its so-called harmless attractions? Shall we rearrange our homes to make room for them? Satan is the god and prince of this world—stained with the precious blood of Christ. By these very things he is deceiving men and leading them to destruction.
Bold and self-confident or sadly indifferent must be the Christian who can bring such temptation into the bosom of his home and family without considering the solemn consequences that may well result.
P. Wilson (adapted from Christian Truth)