Comments on: discussion? http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/ a glimpse into my life and the process of sanctification. Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:08:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: heatherblankenship http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-396 heatherblankenship Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:15:10 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-396 Thanks for you comments Saint! Thanks for you comments Saint!

]]> By: saintlewis http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-392 saintlewis Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:53:49 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-392 Sorry - only had a second for that post. My primary point, however, is that individual's consciences may allow for significantly different movie viewing. A good example is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. For me, I walked away from each of those encouraged - built up - pondering Biblical themes, and wanting to live a more meaningful, and Godly life. Cyle, my wife, also watched some of those: she had nightmares for days. Same content - same images - same story: vastly different responses. For Cyle to go see another movie like that, apart from a surprising change of heart & mind before hand, would be a "sin" - for her, and would be going against her conscience. For me, in fact, it would be not only NOT a sin, but an opportunity to build myself up in the faith. Same movie, but for one of us it is sin to view, and for another it is not. Likewise, there are classic works of literature - one in particular by Tolstoy - that I really enjoy. Few would consider Tolstoy 'porn' in any sense, but some of the situations and images in one of his books connected with other personal situations and images in my own in a way that actually tempted me to lust. At first I thought I was crazy, but it happened again the next time I picked up the book. Honestly, the book itself is not a bad book - in fact, being Tolstoy, it has Christian themes all over it, but I personally had to put the book down for a time - maybe forever. However, a close friend is reading the same book, and when I shared my experience they LAUGHED - lusting by reading Tolstoy was so foreign to them that they had no category to even understand how it would be possible. For me, to read that book (at least where I am right now) is a sin - for others, it very likely isn't. To quote one of my earlier responses "The apparently not so noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy are all over the Bible." and yet "“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”." That give me pause in applying some verses like this as a blanket statement, for the temptation is to apply it to what others view/see that doesn't settle when with my conscience, rather than to apply it to ourselves and our own viewing habit/thought lives. If we hold to a tight reading of it, we can't watch the nightly news, most prayer requests/updates are simply out of the question, and 3/4ths of Scripture needs to be cut from our Bibles. I also find it interesting - and I just noticed this - that this verse says little about 'watch these things', but rather 'THINK on these things' - it's specifically aimed at where our MINDS (and hearts) go. That may explain why I can watch LOTR & my wife cannot - our minds go very different places in response to the images put before us there. Anyway, just more to think about... and now I need to jump in on part 2! ;-) Sorry – only had a second for that post. My primary point, however, is that individual’s consciences may allow for significantly different movie viewing. A good example is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. For me, I walked away from each of those encouraged – built up – pondering Biblical themes, and wanting to live a more meaningful, and Godly life. Cyle, my wife, also watched some of those: she had nightmares for days. Same content – same images – same story: vastly different responses. For Cyle to go see another movie like that, apart from a surprising change of heart & mind before hand, would be a “sin” – for her, and would be going against her conscience. For me, in fact, it would be not only NOT a sin, but an opportunity to build myself up in the faith. Same movie, but for one of us it is sin to view, and for another it is not.

Likewise, there are classic works of literature – one in particular by Tolstoy – that I really enjoy. Few would consider Tolstoy ‘porn’ in any sense, but some of the situations and images in one of his books connected with other personal situations and images in my own in a way that actually tempted me to lust. At first I thought I was crazy, but it happened again the next time I picked up the book. Honestly, the book itself is not a bad book – in fact, being Tolstoy, it has Christian themes all over it, but I personally had to put the book down for a time – maybe forever. However, a close friend is reading the same book, and when I shared my experience they LAUGHED – lusting by reading Tolstoy was so foreign to them that they had no category to even understand how it would be possible. For me, to read that book (at least where I am right now) is a sin – for others, it very likely isn’t.

To quote one of my earlier responses “The apparently not so noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy are all over the Bible.” and yet ““All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”.” That give me pause in applying some verses like this as a blanket statement, for the temptation is to apply it to what others view/see that doesn’t settle when with my conscience, rather than to apply it to ourselves and our own viewing habit/thought lives. If we hold to a tight reading of it, we can’t watch the nightly news, most prayer requests/updates are simply out of the question, and 3/4ths of Scripture needs to be cut from our Bibles. I also find it interesting – and I just noticed this – that this verse says little about ‘watch these things’, but rather ‘THINK on these things’ – it’s specifically aimed at where our MINDS (and hearts) go. That may explain why I can watch LOTR & my wife cannot – our minds go very different places in response to the images put before us there.

Anyway, just more to think about… and now I need to jump in on part 2! ;-)

]]> By: saintlewis http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-391 saintlewis Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:42:52 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-391 heather - those two conversations were sad, and i would hope to never have them myself. i see what you mean, indeed. heather – those two conversations were sad, and i would hope to never have them myself. i see what you mean, indeed.

]]> By: Another discussion or discussion part II « Treasures out of the Darkness http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-390 Another discussion or discussion part II « Treasures out of the Darkness Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:47:18 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-390 [...] heatherblankenship @ 4:47 pm Tags: Christians, lust, movies, porn, sex, wisdom Ok so my last blog raised some really great discussion and St Lewis brought an interesting spin to it I thought I [...] [...] heatherblankenship @ 4:47 pm Tags: Christians, lust, movies, porn, sex, wisdom Ok so my last blog raised some really great discussion and St Lewis brought an interesting spin to it I thought I [...]

]]> By: heatherblankenship http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-389 heatherblankenship Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:39:51 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-389 Wow- that was a long comment...Sorry!! Wow- that was a long comment…Sorry!!

]]> By: heatherblankenship http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-388 heatherblankenship Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:39:17 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-388 First off I need to clarify my own comment about prophetic gifted people being more sensitive… that sounded really judgmental in and of itself! Haha… That’s what happens when I try to comment quickly late at night. The point I was trying to make, is that as someone with prophetic leanings, I see most everything through a black and white lens. Gray is nearly obsolete in my thinking… which CAN and DOES at times lead to critical opinions. I am thankful personally that God paired me with a husband who helps to balance me… he is gifted in the departments of mercy and exhortation ! J My giftings are prophetic and exhortation. Anyhow, my other thought is to you saint Lewis- yes, the line is a bit blurry. The scriptures obviously do not speak about movies, music or any modern component of entertainment, but it does speak to us plainly about what we see…(mark 9:46-48, luke 11:34) and what we put in our spirits… guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life…. It also says that from the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks… I could go into a lot more detail but my point is that the bible does speak about these things. It just seems to me that the church as a whole has become lax in it’s standards in my opinion. For instance below is two separate conversations I have had this month with friends who are in active ministry. Convo #1- Friend- I went to see that movie- _______________ Me- yeah, was it good? Friend- it was crazy! Me- what do you mean? Friend- it was like watching soft porn! A different friend- really? Did you have to leave? Friend- Leave? No, why would I do that? Convo #2 Friend- Do you want to go see __________ with me? Me- no, I could meet you for dinner after though Friend- you don’t want to go see the movie? Me- no Friend- why not? Me- honestly I just dont feel comfortable seeing it. Friend- I know God told me not to go see it, but I am still going to. later- friend- yeah, I saw it and it was awful but I enjoyed it. The point that I am making is, where do we as members of the same body have the right to hold one another accountable for what we see? As far as chick flicks, that definitely can pose problems, though I think it’s comparing apples and oranges. I never said that I think it is a sin to watch horror films. I just question its influence on us. I stand by my opinions about it for me though. I have struggled with fear, depression and anxiety for a lot of my life so for me to do that, is just stupid. Just like for a man who struggles with lust to go watch porn or pick up and playboy just for the articles is just asking for trouble! I do agree though that some chick flicks really are like porn for girls. Just for the record! J I also still believe that what we watch does affect our thinking and our discernment though. Someone else, jump in on this… what is the line when it comes to accountability? Where does the iron sharpens iron come it to play when it comes to these “gray areas”?? First off I need to clarify my own comment about prophetic gifted people being more sensitive… that sounded really judgmental in and of itself! Haha… That’s what happens when I try to comment quickly late at night. The point I was trying to make, is that as someone with prophetic leanings, I see most everything through a black and white lens. Gray is nearly obsolete in my thinking… which CAN and DOES at times lead to critical opinions. I am thankful personally that God paired me with a husband who helps to balance me… he is gifted in the departments of mercy and exhortation ! J My giftings are prophetic and exhortation.

Anyhow, my other thought is to you saint Lewis- yes, the line is a bit blurry. The scriptures obviously do not speak about movies, music or any modern component of entertainment, but it does speak to us plainly about what we see…(mark 9:46-48, luke 11:34) and what we put in our spirits… guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life…. It also says that from the abundance of our heart, the mouth speaks… I could go into a lot more detail but my point is that the bible does speak about these things.
It just seems to me that the church as a whole has become lax in it’s standards in my opinion. For instance below is two separate conversations I have had this month with friends who are in active ministry.

Convo #1-
Friend- I went to see that movie- _______________
Me- yeah, was it good?
Friend- it was crazy!
Me- what do you mean?
Friend- it was like watching soft porn!
A different friend- really? Did you have to leave?
Friend- Leave? No, why would I do that?

Convo #2
Friend- Do you want to go see __________ with me?
Me- no, I could meet you for dinner after though
Friend- you don’t want to go see the movie?
Me- no
Friend- why not?
Me- honestly I just dont feel comfortable seeing it.
Friend- I know God told me not to go see it, but I am still going to.

later- friend- yeah, I saw it and it was awful but I enjoyed it.

The point that I am making is, where do we as members of the same body have the right to hold one another accountable for what we see?
As far as chick flicks, that definitely can pose problems, though I think it’s comparing apples and oranges. I never said that I think it is a sin to watch horror films. I just question its influence on us. I stand by my opinions about it for me though. I have struggled with fear, depression and anxiety for a lot of my life so for me to do that, is just stupid. Just like for a man who struggles with lust to go watch porn or pick up and playboy just for the articles is just asking for trouble!
I do agree though that some chick flicks really are like porn for girls. Just for the record! J

I also still believe that what we watch does affect our thinking and our discernment though.
Someone else, jump in on this… what is the line when it comes to accountability? Where does the iron sharpens iron come it to play when it comes to these “gray areas”??

]]> By: saintlewis http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-387 saintlewis Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:30:32 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-387 p.s. - I'm far less likely to be personally offended by discovering that a Christian watches horror movies than I am to be disappointed to learn than one watches 'chick-flicks', which are often little more than girl-porn, setting up unhealthy expectations in relationships, and ultimately lead to relational disappointment. What think ye? p.s. – I’m far less likely to be personally offended by discovering that a Christian watches horror movies than I am to be disappointed to learn than one watches ‘chick-flicks’, which are often little more than girl-porn, setting up unhealthy expectations in relationships, and ultimately lead to relational disappointment. What think ye?

]]> By: saintlewis http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-386 saintlewis Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:27:00 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-386 I think the 'line' is blurry, personally, and I think God intended it that way, otherwise we'd all feel obliged to be the morality police for others, at the expense of searching the Scriptures, our own hearts, and listening for the still small voice to guide us, personally, in our own decisions. It leads us to be more likely to ask, "is that beneficial for you?" out of genuine concern, rather than condemning someone else's decision, as judge (a role we weren't meant for), which causes division in the body of Christ, and may even promote legalism, and ultimately, as a result, a false Gospel. I'm just very wary of binding someone else's conscience by my own, particularly in areas the Word doesn't specifically speak to, ya know? Great discussion, though... and Fred, I've never even once thought you to be 'holier than thou'! I think the ‘line’ is blurry, personally, and I think God intended it that way, otherwise we’d all feel obliged to be the morality police for others, at the expense of searching the Scriptures, our own hearts, and listening for the still small voice to guide us, personally, in our own decisions. It leads us to be more likely to ask, “is that beneficial for you?” out of genuine concern, rather than condemning someone else’s decision, as judge (a role we weren’t meant for), which causes division in the body of Christ, and may even promote legalism, and ultimately, as a result, a false Gospel. I’m just very wary of binding someone else’s conscience by my own, particularly in areas the Word doesn’t specifically speak to, ya know?

Great discussion, though…

and Fred, I’ve never even once thought you to be ‘holier than thou’!

]]> By: heatherblankenship http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-385 heatherblankenship Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:57:53 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-385 Fred, I am with you totally. We as a society have lost any moral compass, but the church has bought so much into that same line of thinking that we have become no different than the world. I am not talking about works based Christianity, but holiness. We have lost the meaning of holiness. I would wager that you have the spiritual gifting of prophet (as do I). I think that those who are walking in that gift tend to be more sensitive to sin and compromise. I find myself being silent many time too, because I don't want to be "judgmental" or "holier than thou either." I wonder where the line is? Fred, I am with you totally. We as a society have lost any moral compass, but the church has bought so much into that same line of thinking that we have become no different than the world. I am not talking about works based Christianity, but holiness. We have lost the meaning of holiness.

I would wager that you have the spiritual gifting of prophet (as do I). I think that those who are walking in that gift tend to be more sensitive to sin and compromise. I find myself being silent many time too, because I don’t want to be “judgmental” or “holier than thou either.” I wonder where the line is?

]]> By: Fred McKinnon http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/discussion/#comment-384 Fred McKinnon Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:02:55 +0000 http://heatherblankenship.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-384 Heather, Ya know, I think this applies to so much of what we (Christians) consume. Honestly, I'm pretty shocked by the "norm" of what I see church staffers, and other WL's across the net on their blogs, twitter, etc ., watch ... consistently. We have no moral boundaries in our entertainment these days. It's really a shame, and no doubt, hinders our relationship with Christ, our power, etc. Sadly, what can you do ... I find myself just trying to keep my mouth shut about it ... if you speak up, you're just seen as a "holier than Thou" goodie-two-shoes. Fred Heather,
Ya know, I think this applies to so much of what we (Christians) consume. Honestly, I’m pretty shocked by the “norm” of what I see church staffers, and other WL’s across the net on their blogs, twitter, etc ., watch … consistently.

We have no moral boundaries in our entertainment these days. It’s really a shame, and no doubt, hinders our relationship with Christ, our power, etc.

Sadly, what can you do … I find myself just trying to keep my mouth shut about it … if you speak up, you’re just seen as a “holier than Thou” goodie-two-shoes.

Fred

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