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Satellite Christian TV - Blessing or Danger?
With the spread and reach of Christian TV broadcasting we need to ask the question whether all that we see and hear is trustworthy and true.
 TO say that television is a powerful medium is stating the obvious. In terms of its reach and impact it is difficult to measure the ability of what we watch and hear through the box in the corner to shape our beliefs and thinking.
A mixture of blessings....
Since the advent of satellite broadcasting, millions of Christians are spending hours of each day watching religious TV programmes. For many – the housebound or geographically isolated – these programmes can be a help and stimulus to their faith. And there is no doubt that some of the programmes are wholesome and helpful.
With some there is a high level of cultural cringe factor, but this doesn’t negate the otherwise-positive content.
...or dangerous mix?
However there are other programmes which are less trustworthy – some getting into prosperity teaching and even outright heresy.
This creates a situation of concern – especially for those who are young in their faith and do not yet have their full ‘Berean’ faculties of discernment in place. The most dangerous form of deception is when it is mixed in with some (often small) truth. In believing the element which is Truth we can become easy meat for the subsequent lie.
In this context it could be of service to all those who are helped by satellite Christian TV programmes to develop a list of ‘safe’ channels.
ACTION POINT:
If you have an opinion on any of the Christian programme channels on satellite TV, please do leave your comments below.
Note: Whilst anonymous postings are discouraged on this web site, on this occasion feel free to use a pseudonym if you wish.
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Christians Together, 03/06/2009 |
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| | Peter Carr | 26/05/2009, 13:56 | | For a number of years now I have been concerned about the impact on church life particularly attendance. It seems that far too many would prefer to sit in front of the goggle box rather than attend a real service with real people, despite what God's word clearly states - Heb 10: 24 - 25.
| | | The Editor | 27/05/2009, 08:50 | | The subject of Christians confining "fellowship" to relationships over the internet (e-mail/facebook/etc.) and restricting "teaching and worship" to what comes over a satellite link was disussed at a prayer meeting this morning i.e. there could be cases of 6 (say) Christians living in the same street having no fellowship with each other but "plugged into" cyber-space Christianity.
And the question that followed on from this was that there could be similar cases of a number of Christians living in the same street but all shooting off to different (separate) 'out of their commmunity' churches on a Sunday morning; and having no contact or fellowhship with each other.
Is the latter situation not just as unhealthy?
| | | Peter Carr | 27/05/2009, 09:01 | | "Is the latter situation not just as unhealthy?"
Not really, I lived in a big city where the population is on the move a lot with people coming to live in an area for a relatively short time due to work etc, and where this pattern for many Christians is common.
Also, in our post-modern individualistic age, neighbours ain't what they used to be, Christian or not. I think it is preferable that people go to church than not, even if they are going in different directions.
"...there could be cases of 6 (say) Christians living in the same street having no fellowship with each other but "plugged into" cyber-space Christianity."
I would say that this is still (thankfully) not the case.
| | | John Parker (Guest) | 27/05/2009, 16:00 | | Peter, I agree with you that "this pattern for many Christians is common." However I don't think that we should therefore assume that it is right or good.
Cars and mobility have created a situation where Christians are criss-crossing the landscape, worshipping outside of their local communities and unconnected with other believers who live in the same neighbourhood.
If, all of a sudden, cars were un-invented (or the price of fuel rose dramatically!!!) we might see some changed behaviour. "Going to church" is a modern phenomenon. The early believers gathered together in their homes and communities. "Church" is something they WERE, not somewhere they went to.
| | | Peter Carr | 27/05/2009, 16:18 | | Yes, but it is what it is, and we all have to live with it!
| | | John Parker (Guest) | 27/05/2009, 18:27 | | Peter, you said: "Yes, but it is what it is, and we all have to live with it!"
I think it was Churchill who said: "Failure is not lack of success; we only fail when we stop trying" (in God's strength of course).
| | | Peter Carr | 27/05/2009, 22:11 | | Maybe so, but with so many battles in the Christian life, post-modernity is one battle I'll leave to others! Meantime I'll get on with what the Lord has called me to.
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