Introduction

Most people enjoy using media of some kind. Whether it’s television shows, films, social media, or other forms of entertainment in popular culture, people plug in and tune in to something on a screen. Can a Christian use popular films, TV series, and other media to bring up discussions about Christ? Absolutely. Can followers of Jesus find examples of redemption, forgiveness, and grace in films, books, or even popular songs? Sure. This post will consider how to use movies and TV to bring up conversation pointing to Jesus. We can see Christ in culture.

One of my many seminary professors wrote a book about worldviews, and in the opening pages, he said: “Everyone likes to talk about their favorite movies and television shows. If you can offer a biblical perspective, it may lead to opportunities to share Christ as the real answer to their need.”^[1] The way that people understand and perceive matters of daily life choices, moral dilemmas, and faith in God, or faith in anything for that matter, are shaped by culture. Television and film culture have had a long-term impact on modern society.

Film Impact is Evident

Indeed, viewing TV and films impacts how one sees the world around him. Georgia Public Broadcasting observes the following about the enduring impact of television.

Television changed the way Americans entertained themselves. Baby boom generation members Steve Oliver and Sarah Fountain and University of Georgia’s College of Journalism professor Dr. Allison Alexander describe life before television when they played outside, read books, listened to the radio, or played board games. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta contends that without television, the Civil Rights Movement would have been like a bird without wings. Barry Sherman, in the University of Georgia’s College of Journalism, notes that television made the Vietnam War more personal.[2]

Sometimes, television and film affect viewers for good. At other times, it affects viewers for evil. It is possible to find talking points on TV and cinema that illustrate and demonstrate a biblical worldview. Truth is truth, no matter who is conveying the truth. Bible characters such as Ahab (1 Kings 21:27), Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:37), Darius (Daniel 6), and Pilot (John 18:38) all shared truth, even though they may not be considered wholesome characters and role models for Christianity today. At specific moments, they each spoke truth into the lives of those around them. They spoke truth into the culture of their day.

Cultural influences such as TV also impact how one perceives himself and others. Sometimes, Bible values are reinforced, and at other times, they are attacked. Enclyclopedia.com reports,

Studies have shown that television competes with other sources of human interaction—such as family, friends, church, and school—in helping young people develop values and form ideas about the world around them. It also influences viewers’ attitudes and beliefs about themselves, as well as about people from other social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.[3]

Utilizing the Four Worldview Questions proposed by Dr. Fred Smith in his book Developing a Biblical Worldview, one can ask and discern the worldview of a film or a character in a TV show. Smith writes, “Who Are We? We are beings created in God’s image. Where Are We? We are in the world God created. What Is Wrong? Sin. What Is the Answer? Faith in Jesus Christ.”^[4]

A Demonstration From A Gladiator

To demonstrate, let’s consider the wildly popular, horrifically violent, and bloody film from 2000, Gladiator. This work of fiction, with mostly historical characters, portrays several truth statements from which a Christian may point the way to Jesus. That is the thing with tremendous stories. Great stories include heroes, anti-heroes, and the people affected by the main characters’ actions. There are moments when the people in a specific location have a problem that develops because of the actions of a sinful, evil, or tyrannical anti-hero. Once things get bad, a hero recognizes the need to step up, step in, and contend with a promise and an attempt to deliver the people from evil.

For example, the Roman Citizens in the Gladiator film are affected by Emporer Commodus’s choice to kill his father and assume Caesar’s throne. Marcus Aurelius, the Casaer and father of Commodus, wanted to install Maximus as the next leader, and when his son heard this, he strangled his father to death. Gladiator is a fictional work, and while Maximus is a cool name, there is no record of it taking place. Yet, the story is compelling, riveting and engaging.

Several impactful quotes depicting worldview can be found in the film. For example, when rallying his troops for one more battle, Maximus calls out: “What we do in life echoes for all eternity.”[5] Access that statement for a moment. Is it true? Are the concepts he described about our actions making a difference for all eternity ring true when you hear or (or read it)? Absolutely. The Apostle Paul writes, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).”

In another scene, as the sick and increasingly feeble Casaer, Marcus Aurelius confesses, “I’m dying, Maximus. When a man sees his end he wants to know there’s some purpose to his life.”[6] While I doubt this real-life person said this statement in real life, the statement is absolutely true. “What is my purpose?” is a question many people have articulated at the end of their lives. After winning battle after battle and conquering most of the world, Aurelius is sick and recognizes that death is near. In the film, his son speeds that up in a jealous moment of rage, but the truth of the matter is that death is near for all. When one comes to what could be the end of his life, he may have much guilt to contend with. He may reflect on his life and question what purpose his life was for. What did he achieve? Was his life and achievements of any real value? These questions cause one to think biblically. James 4:4 asks, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Many become reflective in their later life stages and wonder about their life’s purpose. King Solomon replies, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Practice Seeing Christ in Culture

Let’s practice Seeing Christ in Culture and ask then answer the four worldview questions as if we were Roman citizens in the day of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, and the fictional Maximus portrayed in the film Gladiator.

• Who are we? We are proud Roman citizens who value ambition, conquest, and the pursuit of peace in the Pax Romana by subjugating our enemies.

• Where are we? We live in the most significant Empire of all time and the most prestigious city of all time, Rome. All nations bow down to our Casaer.

• What is wrong? While fearful and avoiding the battles of war, the coward Commodus murders his father and assumes the position of Casaer. He ordered General Maximus executed, killed Maximus’s family, reinstated the violent gladiator games, and led the government away from the representation of senators and towards a dictatorship-type monarchy.

• What is the answer? Maximus. Maximus is the only one brave enough to stand up to Casaer Commodus. Maximus, with sheer determination, can deliver the people from tyranny. Ultimately, he delivers the people while sacrificing himself by dying in the climatic final scene.

Conclusion

Taking these four worldview questions and discovering the worldview of the Roman citizens in the film Gladiator, one may contend that several biblical pictures are to be found, including redemption, deliverance, grace, and physical salvation. The thoughtful Christian could use these positive aspects of the film to discuss biblical Christianity and ultimately share about the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus, who gave himself to deliver the people from their sin (Mark 10:35).

While this “Seeing Christ in Culture” method can be used in any TV show or film, knowing about a movie or using a film to bring up Jesus is not an automatic endorsement or recommendation. Some suggest that many parts of the Bible should be considered “R” or even “X” rated, which may be true. Still, where secular entertainment glorifies sin, bloodshed, wickedness, and evil, the Bible uses those same elements to offer warnings about the effects of sin. All of these can be used to point out the problems in this world and pave the way to the One Who came to rescue us, Jesus (Matthew 1:21).

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^[1] C. Fred Smith, Developing a Biblical Worldview: Seeing Things God’s Way (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 11.

[2] Georgia Public Broadcasting, 2024. Accessed 8.9.2024. https://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/television_the_electronic_marvel.

[3] Encyclopedia.com, “Books and Television Impaces American Soceorty,” 2019. Accessed 8.9.2024. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/televisions-impact-american-society-and-culture

^[4] C. Fred Smith, Developing a Biblical Worldview: Seeing Things God’s Way (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2015), 10.

[5] Universal Studios, Gladiator. Universal City, CA :DreamWorks Home Entertainment, 2000.

[6] Ibid.