Bryan Litfin’s argument for changing the DVD policy
April 26th, 2006
Shortly you will be faced with a choice. You will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to allow movies in the dorms. Your resident supervisor informs me that all you are voting on is the general principle here. If the student body should decide to allow movie watching, the exact format it would take is still up in the air. Apparently there is room for compromise or a "middle ground" between the extremes of no movies at all, or a completely unfettered movie-watching environment. I think that is a good thing because in the real world, moral decisions are not always black and white. That's why there has been such vigorous debate on campus about this matter.
My purpose in being here today is to help you as much as I can in this decision-making process. Let me say up front that my sincere desire is to aid your thinking in that process, not to dictate an answer to you. I truly feel a pastoral love for you students. I am honored to be a teacher among you, and I want to provide counsel to you now if you are willing to hear it.
What are some of the arguments I have heard about the movie issue? Let me name a few, and comment on them.
First, we can dispense with the ridiculous argument that "People are secretly watching movies already." But since when do we make our ethical decisions based on the people who are disregarding the rules now in place? This argument simply says we should lower the bar to excuse the rule-breakers. Clearly, that's bogus.
A related form of this argument makes more sense: "We are already allowed to do this off campus, so why not on?" We should note here that MBI has recognized not all movies at all times are evil. So the issue is not movies per se, but the context in which they are watched. I think one could make a compelling case that we do have a reason to be distinctive in our behavior as a campus community. It does not automatically follow that our on- and off-campus requirements should be identical. At the same time, we should acknowledge that if movies can be good off campus, there might be ways they could serve a good purpose on campus as well.
Third, there is the argument that "People might watch bad or sinful movies." No question, if that were occurring it would not be good. But this argument highlights for me the crux of the matter, and that is: Each movie watching event must be evaluated individually. Some might be sinful, others not. These are exactly the kinds of things you, as young adults and ministry leaders, should be sorting through. In general we should not make blanket policies, but rather ask ourselves in each moment, "Does this particular action please Christ?" More on that in a moment.
Fourth, I have heard it said that "Movies will detract from floor community or intellectual life." I agree that this very well could be the case. But as with the previous argument, it will not always be the case. Again, my view here is that movies are not a "black and white, either-or" situation. Life is rarely like that. Movie night in a dorm room could be a great community builder which stimulates the mind (with the right kind of film); or it could result in some hermit hiding in a room wasting his or her time. I repeat: I think you're capable of wrestling through such choices with one another. I'm open to allowing some risk, and even failure, as you struggle to make your choices in a godly way.
Finally, there is the "weaker brother" argument. In other words, someone might have a conviction about movies, and you might cause them to stumble (1 Cor. 8). Once again, I agree this is a real concern. But my response would be that the solution is not, by policy, to exclude movies. Rather, you should handle each problem on a case by case basis. I can envision a time in which you might be given liberty to watch movies, but yet you choose to radically limit your movie-watching freedom out of respect for a weaker brother. Then, your moral choices would be being guided not by an SLG rule from above, but by biblical principles applied to a difficult decision in the real world. This, I suggest, is exactly as it should be.
No doubt there are other arguments, but these are a few I've heard. Now, you have to cast your vote, and so I should too. Today I will stand here and give you Litfin's view of the matter. The main thing I want you to hear from me is this: "We don't make moral choices based on rules, but on whether the action pleases our beloved, precious Savior and Lord." If we aren't passionate about loving the Lord, what good are the rules? It has to come from a soft heart. We will never go wrong if our spirits are so captured by the love of Christ that to do anything displeasing to him would be repugnant to us as well. Such sacred love and passion for holiness is what should guide our moral choices.
Therefore, I do not think there should be an absolute rule prohibiting movies. If you should vote to allow them in the dorms, I hope the policy you put in place will have as its centerpiece an explicit statement about your desire to honor the Lord Jesus. For example, I don't know that this would work, but if you were to genuinely open each movie-watching moment on the floor with a simple prayer that your hearts would be soft to the whisperings Jesus, that he would be invited into the room with you, and that the Spirit would convict you if necessary, I suggest no bad movie watching would occur on campus. With that aura of holiness, with that divine invitation, only good things would take place.
I want to close by saying one more thing. I'm not being idealistic or naïve, and I know there are exceptions to what I am about to say. But it is my true and heartfelt belief that you Moody students are some of the most godly, passionate, on-fire college students in America today. I believe you are the future of the church. And so I believe you are capable of making your own movie-watching decisions. I know your heart's desire (though we all squelch it at times) is to serve your Lord with exactly the kind of fervor I just described. I believe when people call you to higher things, you not only respond, you go further. In fact, often you are the ones doing the calling. I am proud of you, I am humbled by you, and truly, I love to work in your midst. I think that if the school gives you the freedom to watch movies, most of you will do so in a Christ-pleasing way. No doubt, some among you who have less maturity will do it wrong, and will experience detriment. But then others will come along side, and you will help each other grow.
Students, let Paul's words in Philippians 3 be your guide, not just in movies, but in everything. He writes, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren (students!), I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Thanks for letting me share.
April 26th, 2006
Shortly you will be faced with a choice. You will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to allow movies in the dorms. Your resident supervisor informs me that all you are voting on is the general principle here. If the student body should decide to allow movie watching, the exact format it would take is still up in the air. Apparently there is room for compromise or a "middle ground" between the extremes of no movies at all, or a completely unfettered movie-watching environment. I think that is a good thing because in the real world, moral decisions are not always black and white. That's why there has been such vigorous debate on campus about this matter.
My purpose in being here today is to help you as much as I can in this decision-making process. Let me say up front that my sincere desire is to aid your thinking in that process, not to dictate an answer to you. I truly feel a pastoral love for you students. I am honored to be a teacher among you, and I want to provide counsel to you now if you are willing to hear it.
What are some of the arguments I have heard about the movie issue? Let me name a few, and comment on them.
First, we can dispense with the ridiculous argument that "People are secretly watching movies already." But since when do we make our ethical decisions based on the people who are disregarding the rules now in place? This argument simply says we should lower the bar to excuse the rule-breakers. Clearly, that's bogus.
A related form of this argument makes more sense: "We are already allowed to do this off campus, so why not on?" We should note here that MBI has recognized not all movies at all times are evil. So the issue is not movies per se, but the context in which they are watched. I think one could make a compelling case that we do have a reason to be distinctive in our behavior as a campus community. It does not automatically follow that our on- and off-campus requirements should be identical. At the same time, we should acknowledge that if movies can be good off campus, there might be ways they could serve a good purpose on campus as well.
Third, there is the argument that "People might watch bad or sinful movies." No question, if that were occurring it would not be good. But this argument highlights for me the crux of the matter, and that is: Each movie watching event must be evaluated individually. Some might be sinful, others not. These are exactly the kinds of things you, as young adults and ministry leaders, should be sorting through. In general we should not make blanket policies, but rather ask ourselves in each moment, "Does this particular action please Christ?" More on that in a moment.
Fourth, I have heard it said that "Movies will detract from floor community or intellectual life." I agree that this very well could be the case. But as with the previous argument, it will not always be the case. Again, my view here is that movies are not a "black and white, either-or" situation. Life is rarely like that. Movie night in a dorm room could be a great community builder which stimulates the mind (with the right kind of film); or it could result in some hermit hiding in a room wasting his or her time. I repeat: I think you're capable of wrestling through such choices with one another. I'm open to allowing some risk, and even failure, as you struggle to make your choices in a godly way.
Finally, there is the "weaker brother" argument. In other words, someone might have a conviction about movies, and you might cause them to stumble (1 Cor. 8). Once again, I agree this is a real concern. But my response would be that the solution is not, by policy, to exclude movies. Rather, you should handle each problem on a case by case basis. I can envision a time in which you might be given liberty to watch movies, but yet you choose to radically limit your movie-watching freedom out of respect for a weaker brother. Then, your moral choices would be being guided not by an SLG rule from above, but by biblical principles applied to a difficult decision in the real world. This, I suggest, is exactly as it should be.
No doubt there are other arguments, but these are a few I've heard. Now, you have to cast your vote, and so I should too. Today I will stand here and give you Litfin's view of the matter. The main thing I want you to hear from me is this: "We don't make moral choices based on rules, but on whether the action pleases our beloved, precious Savior and Lord." If we aren't passionate about loving the Lord, what good are the rules? It has to come from a soft heart. We will never go wrong if our spirits are so captured by the love of Christ that to do anything displeasing to him would be repugnant to us as well. Such sacred love and passion for holiness is what should guide our moral choices.
Therefore, I do not think there should be an absolute rule prohibiting movies. If you should vote to allow them in the dorms, I hope the policy you put in place will have as its centerpiece an explicit statement about your desire to honor the Lord Jesus. For example, I don't know that this would work, but if you were to genuinely open each movie-watching moment on the floor with a simple prayer that your hearts would be soft to the whisperings Jesus, that he would be invited into the room with you, and that the Spirit would convict you if necessary, I suggest no bad movie watching would occur on campus. With that aura of holiness, with that divine invitation, only good things would take place.
I want to close by saying one more thing. I'm not being idealistic or naïve, and I know there are exceptions to what I am about to say. But it is my true and heartfelt belief that you Moody students are some of the most godly, passionate, on-fire college students in America today. I believe you are the future of the church. And so I believe you are capable of making your own movie-watching decisions. I know your heart's desire (though we all squelch it at times) is to serve your Lord with exactly the kind of fervor I just described. I believe when people call you to higher things, you not only respond, you go further. In fact, often you are the ones doing the calling. I am proud of you, I am humbled by you, and truly, I love to work in your midst. I think that if the school gives you the freedom to watch movies, most of you will do so in a Christ-pleasing way. No doubt, some among you who have less maturity will do it wrong, and will experience detriment. But then others will come along side, and you will help each other grow.
Students, let Paul's words in Philippians 3 be your guide, not just in movies, but in everything. He writes, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren (students!), I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Thanks for letting me share.
posted by StuDev Blogger at
3:04 PM
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