Numerous allegations of sexual misconduct perpetrated by members of the music and movie industries continue to pour in as women (and men) have been emboldened to speak up against their aggressors. From A-list actors to music moguls to film producers (politicians have certainly been in the cross-hairs, as well, but I'd like to focus on the entertainment industry) it seems no one is immune to the shock-wave caused by America's newfound empowerment of victims. This social conscience, while long overdue, is admirable, if not hypocritical. Now, of course, we should always remember that allegations are not evidence, but the responses given by many of these stars fall short of actually denying the allegations, which leads us little choice but to believe the victims. Even those who have denied such wrongdoing are often less than convincing, given the number of allegations and the history of "rumors" within the entertainment community. It seems Hollywood is bearing witness to the truth that "you reap what you sow."
My question is, "Is anyone surprised?" I'm sad to say it, but I find it hard to be surprised that rich and powerful men have systematically taken advantage of vulnerable young men and women whom they have long viewed as being at their disposal. It's sickening, but not surprising. It's heinous, but wholly consistent with the enduring persona of Hollywood's untouchable millionaires and billionaires. As a firm believer in what theologians call Total Depravity, I would expect nothing less from those who have no higher standards than the satisfaction of their own lusts. Throw in a culture of drug abuse and alcoholism and you have a volatile recipe for abusive behavior.
Even less surprising is that these allegations are often aimed at those whose art is filled with sexual material. This is not always the case, but it's hard to miss the obvious connection between the art that a person produces and what lurks in his heart. Art is a reflection of life. It is both a product of and an influence upon our hearts and minds, which means it will be reflected in the way we live our lives. If a director continuously fills his films with smut, it's probably a good indicator of his thought-life. If a music producer floods the airwaves with sexual material, why should we be surprised to find that his music is a reflection of his life? But, you insist, not everyone who creates sexually-explicit art is sexually licentious! Further, not everyone who is sexually licentious is sexually abusive. These statements are both true, and I want to be careful not to paint too broad a brush stroke here, but, nonetheless, it is naive to pretend that there is no connection. Once again, there are many people who are restrained not by moral standards or personal inhibitions, but by societal norms and a lack of opportunity. When these people find themselves behind closed doors with vulnerable people, those restraints are lost and depravity takes over.
This recent phenomenon belies the misconception that our thought lives can be wholly distinguished from our actions. As Christians we should already know this. God's Word calls us to be cautious about the forces we allow to influence our minds and hearts. Proverbs 4:23 calls us to "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" and Colossians 3:2 instructs us to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things on the earth." 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The concept that we can harmlessly imbibe sexual content in our entertainment is both naive and dangerous. It will affect our lives. Now, we know that "it is not what enters a man that defiles him," but our choice of entertainment reveals our hearts and spoil our consciences. There is no neutral ground. If we continuously choose to place sexually explicit material in front of our eyes and ears, we reveal that we lack the hatred of sin that God desires from His people. If it is true that "bad company corrupts good morals," than we can be sure that bad entertainment will certainly corrode our morality, as well!
Paul makes the divine mandate clear in Philippians 4:8. He says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is any thing worthy of praise, think about these things." That should be our goal. We should pursue not only the acceptable or the good, but the excellent. We are to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ, which is difficult to do if we are placing before our eyes that which is directly contrary to His will. Our entertainment, our fashion, our relationships, etc. must all reflect this devotion to making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives. When our culture, which glorifies the individual and his lusts, entertains itself with immorality, we should not be surprised to find that immorality manifesting itself in the behavior of both the populace and (especially) those who are producing that entertainment. If we allow our thoughts to be pornographic, we have little right to be alarmed when our behavior is, as well.
My question is, "Is anyone surprised?" I'm sad to say it, but I find it hard to be surprised that rich and powerful men have systematically taken advantage of vulnerable young men and women whom they have long viewed as being at their disposal. It's sickening, but not surprising. It's heinous, but wholly consistent with the enduring persona of Hollywood's untouchable millionaires and billionaires. As a firm believer in what theologians call Total Depravity, I would expect nothing less from those who have no higher standards than the satisfaction of their own lusts. Throw in a culture of drug abuse and alcoholism and you have a volatile recipe for abusive behavior.
Even less surprising is that these allegations are often aimed at those whose art is filled with sexual material. This is not always the case, but it's hard to miss the obvious connection between the art that a person produces and what lurks in his heart. Art is a reflection of life. It is both a product of and an influence upon our hearts and minds, which means it will be reflected in the way we live our lives. If a director continuously fills his films with smut, it's probably a good indicator of his thought-life. If a music producer floods the airwaves with sexual material, why should we be surprised to find that his music is a reflection of his life? But, you insist, not everyone who creates sexually-explicit art is sexually licentious! Further, not everyone who is sexually licentious is sexually abusive. These statements are both true, and I want to be careful not to paint too broad a brush stroke here, but, nonetheless, it is naive to pretend that there is no connection. Once again, there are many people who are restrained not by moral standards or personal inhibitions, but by societal norms and a lack of opportunity. When these people find themselves behind closed doors with vulnerable people, those restraints are lost and depravity takes over.
This recent phenomenon belies the misconception that our thought lives can be wholly distinguished from our actions. As Christians we should already know this. God's Word calls us to be cautious about the forces we allow to influence our minds and hearts. Proverbs 4:23 calls us to "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" and Colossians 3:2 instructs us to "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things on the earth." 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The concept that we can harmlessly imbibe sexual content in our entertainment is both naive and dangerous. It will affect our lives. Now, we know that "it is not what enters a man that defiles him," but our choice of entertainment reveals our hearts and spoil our consciences. There is no neutral ground. If we continuously choose to place sexually explicit material in front of our eyes and ears, we reveal that we lack the hatred of sin that God desires from His people. If it is true that "bad company corrupts good morals," than we can be sure that bad entertainment will certainly corrode our morality, as well!
Paul makes the divine mandate clear in Philippians 4:8. He says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is any thing worthy of praise, think about these things." That should be our goal. We should pursue not only the acceptable or the good, but the excellent. We are to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ, which is difficult to do if we are placing before our eyes that which is directly contrary to His will. Our entertainment, our fashion, our relationships, etc. must all reflect this devotion to making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives. When our culture, which glorifies the individual and his lusts, entertains itself with immorality, we should not be surprised to find that immorality manifesting itself in the behavior of both the populace and (especially) those who are producing that entertainment. If we allow our thoughts to be pornographic, we have little right to be alarmed when our behavior is, as well.
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