Are movies bad to watch? Movies, like books, TV and school, are a part of our culture that is portraying some sort of philosophy or thinking, and as with all other aspects of culture we must understand our response to it. So in regards to movies, what should we keep in mind so that we're not blindly accepting anything that is put before us?
The first question we have to ask is: Can evil movies be used for good? This is actually a theological question of whether evil can be used for good. Movies, just like music, money and food, can be used for good or evil. Typically, Hollywood movies are made with some sort of evil intent (evil being something not in motivation for God), thus making the movie evil. But that does not mean it cannot ever be used for good. When Joseph was sold into slavery and later confronted his brothers about it, he said this: "But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good." (Gen. 50:20)
Evil is like a knife. It can harm terribly, but if used correctly, it can be used for much good. It can kill, or it can cut vegetables. It depends upon who is wielding the knife. Of course when God, an expert user of knives, wields it, he can use men's evil for good. That is why he can say, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." (Rom. 8:28) If God never used evil things, then the verse would say, "only good things work together for good" - which would mean that God has no control over certain aspects of the universe - which, in turn, would mean that God is without complete control - which would mean that God is not sovereign. Of course, that is not true. God uses "all things" for good. We too can use this knife, of course not as well as God, but to an extent.
We should use that same principle in watching movies. Just as if you were watching the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal on TV, one can use an evil act for good by denouncing that behavior and talking about God's morals. Just because the content of the news reports are evil and the motivation by the news company is evil, doesn't mean it's wrong if we watch it. It is also similar to going to a pagan country to evangelize: you would not only be immersed in their evil culture and media but you would be studying it, yet it is not wrong to be exposed to it because you are trying to use your knowledge of their evil culture for good (and many would make the argument that America has an evil culture).
This brings up the question: Can we study something without being influenced by it? If I read a book by a Humanist (a follower of a false, worldly philosophy), I am reading so that I can learn more about how a Humanist thinks, which will better equip me to reach the Humanist. I can say, "This is what's wrong with this philosophy." I could also say, "This is what the Bible says about Humanism." As Christians, we should be able to meet the world where they are, and not separate ourselves as the Amish or some Christian denominations do. "To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings," (1 Cor. 9:20-23).
The study of a culture involves a study in its arts (note: read Francis Schaffer). The cinema is one of this culture's arts. It is possible to study culture without being influenced by it, but that does not mean we can watch any movie without discernment.
Unfortunately most Christians don't look at movies as a reflection of society but rather mere entertainment – which of course is bad. This leads us to the next question.
So why should we be so cautious with movies? Because, most Christians are not discerning enough to be able to catch worldly philosophies in the movies they watch. By looking at movies from a philosophical standpoint, a G-rated movie like "Pocahantas" containing sneaky New Age philosophy is more destructive than an R-rated movie that contains obvious wrong doings. Christians and churches are not as easily influenced by blatant evil thinking (movies that say adultery is okay), but are influenced by the subtle, sneaky philosophies like Existentialism (truth is what you feel) which is one of the most pervasive evils in our church today.
The Christian moviegoer must be careful of failing to exercise any discernment whatsoever, and therefore blindly watching and absorbing the movie. Going back to the example of reading a Humanist book, if you are going to be influenced by it, then you have no business reading it. If you are going to be wrongly influenced by a movie, be it "Pocahantas" or "The Terminator," then you have no business watching it.
A movie can easily cause people to sin. Lust, envy, idolatry, or believing in a sneaky, ungodly philosophy are all possible outcomes of passive movie viewing. If there are kinds of movies that cause you to do these things, then it is wrong for you to watch movies like those.
Movies can also cause Christians to sin in other ways - apart from the movie itself. If your parents have told you to not watch R-rated movies, then don't sin by disobeying them. It doesn't matter if you can study the movie and its philosophies and not be influenced - you can still end up sinning in other ways.
Other than how we can use them, are there any other good things that come from movies? Another aspect of the arts is that it is made by humans, and ALL humans, Christian or not, have the Image of God in them. As a result, they are still able to create things that can be appreciated, such as good direction, good editing, good music or good acting. In the Old Testament, God used heathen artists to help build his temple, and even used the heathen to fund its construction! (Ezra 1:1-4; 6:1-12) Sin has distorted the Image of God in humans, but it has not wiped it out. So even in an evil movie, the technical aspects can be good.
(I must add this warning because I know a lot of you will read what you want to read out of this article. I am not simply saying it's okay to watch movies if it doesn't cause you to sin. You must go beyond that. You must also be able to watch with a critical mind. If you mindlessly watch a movie with no regards to the morality and philosophy it expresses, then you shouldn't be watching it.)
Conclusion. We are in the world, but not of it. We are not here to segregate ourselves from culture, but rather we are here to transform it. This transformation includes the arts and the people who are influenced by the arts (Christians or non-believers). Movies are a huge part of culture. We are to influence culture and not have it influence us. We can use movies to influence culture, or we can be influenced by them. The discerning Christian moviegoer has the maturity to examine movies for their underlying philosophies and moral values, as well as the wisdom to stay away from movies that will negatively influence him or her.
