A Sober Look at Television

Perhaps one of the most notable developments in the entertainment industry in the past decade is the emergence of the technology enabling a television to telecast or stream video content from the internet using devices such as Roku®, Chromecast®, and Firestick®. It has unlocked an entirely new and distinctive means of viewing programming content. Because of this technology, my wife and I have been able to avoid watching the increasingly depraved and toxic subject matter offered up by network and cable television.

By investing a little time researching content that appeals to our interests, the television has been transformed into more of an educational tool than an entertainment apparatus — although it is that too. With the convenience of a casting app (those accessories I mentioned earlier), any one of several devices here in the home (desktop computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone) can be used to send information to the tv for viewing while sitting in the comfort of your livingroom. Currently, it is largely ad-free, which is another time-saving bonus, but I would be surprised if that didn't change over time.

Casting literally opens up a world of information as the television becomes a means of acquiring knowledge with the same virtually unlimited parameters as the internet. Since the English language is the lingua franca of the planet, it makes the pursuit of exceptional content global in nature. We routinely go to the sources of international news, for example, to inform ourselves about what is going on in the world, rather than letting the content be filtered through a mediating party that decides what is or is not relevant to our lives.

The list of interests that can be found with a small investment in time researching them is almost endless. Here is a list that barely begins to touch on the possibilities:

• Lectures

• Hobbies

• Archaeology

• Sermons

• Music and music videos

• Seminars

• News and current events

• Video tours

• Teachings on subjects that strengthen our faith, such as evangelism

• Surveying on-line college lectures on topics of interest

• How-to videos on building items or recipes, etc.

• Christian Testimonies
• TED talks

From a Christian perspective, there are so many sound reasons why we should take television viewing as a serious responsibility rather than with a laissez-faire attitude. In fact, Paul. in writing to the Corinthians, gathered a number of quotes from the Old Testament scriptures into one grand citation in an uncanny "made for tv" quote:

“I will live in them and move among them,

and I will be their God,  

and they shall be my people.

Therefore come out from them,   

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch nothing unclean;   

then I will welcome you,

and I will be a father to you,  

and you shall be my sons and daughters,   

says the Lord Almighty.” 

                                                                    — 2 Corinthians 6:16-18

He made this statement right after asking two relevant questions. What partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14) Current toxic television programming often directly mocks the Christian faith or, at the very least, celebrates the very immorality Christians are implored to forsake. It is time for Christians to "come out from them." Casting offers a means of wresting the dominion of our faith in the area of entertainment back from the present darkness.

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

For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. — Ephesians 6:12

I will walk with integrity of heart

within my house; 

I will not set before my eyes

anything that is base. 
                          — Psalm 101:2b-3a

So teach us to number our days 
that we may get a heart of wisdom.

                           — Psalm 90:12