The blessings of TV

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

In a message dated 9/8/98 0:04:33 AM EST, castnavara@earthlink.net writes:    
    
<< Nnnnnnnnow Bro Reed you know that they (*more* liberal tendencies) don't   
 condemn us to hell...........they just say "..people who act or believe in   
 such a way also beat thier wives and are homophobes and racists too....".    
 They would never go sofar as to actually say that we (*more* conservative    
 tendencies) are going straight to the firey pits of hell. >>    
     Somebody please help me.  Define what is liberal and what is
conservative?  Does owning a TV make one a liberal?  No matter how many other
standards and convictions that they may embrace?  I have always considered
myself to be rather conservative.  My church is very conservative,  yet most
of the people own televisions.  But I dare say that you won't find most of the
saints at my church behaving in ungodly ways.  They make a difference between
themselves and the world by their actions and there appearance,  etc.  But
yet,  according to some of the people on this list they are non identifiable
as conservative saved people.  This notion disturbs me greatly.  One thing
that I have been noticing lately is this sad form of Apostolic "classism."  We
label each other and really feel that we are better than our brothers and
sisters that don't believe exactly what we believe. in some way.    
     And Bro Mike,  I really feel that when you gave your reply to my letter,
you did a very big disservice by not quoting that middle section.  Those
things that I stated there are what temper the entire letter.  The questions
verses that I presented there,  give insight into how things that are not
necessarily "spiritually constructive,"  will factor into our lives.  God
expected them to.  But all things must be done according to God's word and
must be placed in it's proper order of priority.      
     No television is not the major priority in my life.  Nor should it be in
the life of any saint.  God occupies that position.  My primary and most
special time is spent in studying God's word,  praying,  praising,  meditating
on him,  attending service.  But when I am not doing those things.  When I am
not preparing for or teaching my Sunday School class.  When I am not directing
at choir rehearsal.  When I am not holding staff meetings with the planning
committee for the Youth.   Or when I am not preparing the youth meetings.
When I am not preparing for my  message and when I am not preaching.   Or when
I am not at school or when I am not at work.  Sometimes.  SOMETIMES.  I like
to watch telivision.    
     Now when a person is out hunting,  fishing,  hiking,  traveling,  etc,
they are very concentrated on what they are doing.  But still they think about
God.  God has not left them.  Often times while I am watching TV,  I have
become aware of things.  I am able to relate things on TV to God in some way
or another.  Much like a person watching nature. If something negative is
stated on the news or something,  I learn a lesson.  My understanding is
broadened.  And I am even able to pray that God will change that condition.
If it is something positive,  one day I may be able to use it to encourage
someone.  Especially when there is Apostolic programming on television.  And
that IS common.  Although not generally from the UPC (I wonder why).      
     Also,  just one more question.  What do you all do with your radio's?
The same thinking that leads us to throw away our TV's  must also necessarily
lead us to throw out our radios.  There is hardly anything on the radio that
is "edifying"  or "spiritually constructive."  Mostly ungodly music,  talk
shows,  etc.  But nobody teaches that as a point of contention.  That's
because tradition  has caused us to focus on TV.  Actually,  I had a major
problem with listening to ungodly music on the radio,  primarily via the
radio.  It took me two years of saved life to overcome it.  But I didn't throw
the radio away.  God just taught me how to watch what I listen to (no pun
intended).
     It all comes down to those statements that were basically passed over.
What priority does tv have in ones life?  Do you replace your prayer and bible
times,  and service times with tv watching.  What do you watch on tv?  If you
can control these elements then we can handle having a tv in our homes.  If
not,  then it is best for a person to leave it alone.  But though one can't
handle it,  doesn't mean that others can't.
     With that being said,  I would like to say this.  Once again,  the point
was completely missed.  My original reponse was referring mostly to the fact
that we need to stop painting ereryone in the world with the same broad brush.
There are very few things that are absolutely always true.   In fact the only
thing that I know that is absolutely an unmoveable fact is the written Word of
God.    Therefore,  we need to start adding qualifiers to our statements.
Words like "sometimes,  frequently,  often,  rarely,  seldom,  few or many"
are words that help qualify a statement.  For example the statement,  "Nobody
wants to be saved in these days,"  is a false statement.  To say "some people"
or "alot of people,"  or even "most people don't want to be saved nowadays"
is more true.  
     I address this because I notice that it is a common problem on H-F.
People swing to the far right or the far left so to speak.  But Christ taught
us to be temperate and moderate.  Which means that we are not to be extreme.
When we are not cautious of our wording,   it causes misunderstanding and hurt
feelings.
      Come on saints.  Let's try a little bit harder to understand what people
are trying to say.
Love your brother in the Lord
Marlon