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Post by Josh on Oct 10, 2009 10:34:25 GMT -8
So, during my sickness I've watched more TV than normal. And in flipping channels of course I occasioned upon some "Christian TV" which got me thinking about the whole concept. Whether it be TBN or cable access forms, I just have to ask "why is Christian TV so bad?"
When I say "bad" I'm not primarily referring to the artistic quality, just merely the content.
It seems to me like almost every time I come across religious TV I'm seeing some "christian" on a soapbox ranting about some questionable (whether irrelevant, assinine, or dangerous) theological point.
I mean, if I formed my opinion of what normal Christians and normal churches were like from TV I'd want absolutely nothing to do with them.
I know what I'm saying is old news to many of you. I've had these feelings for years of course.
But the larger question I'd like to address is: why is it this way? Why is a tiny crazy segment of Christianity represented as the majority in the television medium?
Or are these wackos more predominant than I want to know?
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ben
Advanced Member
Posts: 115
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Post by ben on Oct 10, 2009 14:55:56 GMT -8
On one of my visits home (Hawaii), I was amazed to find good Christian TV. It seemed like the Calvary Chapels have a network operating in Honolulu. Most of the programs were expository type preaching. They also a have a Christian contemporary worship cable station that is on I think 24 hours. I especially enjoyed the New Song music from Australia.
I don't know if these cable programs were funded privately but I did not hear much begging for money. That is always a big turn off for me.
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Post by meghan on Oct 10, 2009 20:05:55 GMT -8
I don't know what you guys think, but G-Rock was totally quality.
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Post by Josh on Oct 10, 2009 20:31:44 GMT -8
"G-Rock"  |
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Post by meghan on Oct 11, 2009 16:27:42 GMT -8
oh man. Saturday night on TBN. G Rock was the punk/alt/loud music video show. Produced by skaters/surfers in Southern California. I did not have a life in high school, and I spent many 9:30-10:00 time slots on Saturday night in front of channel 24.
The best episode is when they filmed themselves going to the TBN headquarters and making fun of TBN in a "oh this is such a nice angel statue" sort of way, and then sticking a G Rock sticker underneath the coffee table on the Praise the Lord set. And the host said something like "now when you watch PTL, you'll always know a G Rock sticker is under there". Haha.
anyway - that's it. Totally cheesy, but totally representative of the music and culture I was a part of in late high school.
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Post by Josh on Oct 12, 2009 20:17:23 GMT -8
Hmmm. Well, besides that, what else you got?  |
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Post by rbbailey on Nov 6, 2009 20:16:20 GMT -8
"They put Jesus in show business, now it's hard to get in the door."
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Post by Josh on Nov 6, 2009 20:38:23 GMT -8
True, true Bono And welcome to the forums. |
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paul
New Member
New Member
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Post by paul on Nov 11, 2009 22:44:03 GMT -8
Greetings,
I've worked in "Christian" radio for six years and secular television for fifteen years.
Television is a very visual medium. Some would say that's obvious, but think about it for a moment. We all are very used to seeing images change on our TV or computer monitor very frequently. If the image isn't changing and the audio isn't stimulating in some way, we tend to tune out. Combine this fact that good television production values cost money. Most Christians can't or don't have a lot of money to spend on production value so they reduce their production values to that of "used car salesmen". I think this gives some of the reasons why Christian TV is on the weak side.
I also, think there is a more important spiritual reason that Christian TV is cheesy in general. When Jesus spoke, it was person to person, or person to a small or large group, but still, he was there in person, in the flesh. I really think that makes a difference. It's hard to ignore a person standing or sitting there talking to you. I know, I would much rather talk to someone in person, than on the phone or through a computer screen (skype).
I know this is going to sound strange, being a high tech person, but the best communication often is in person, not through a television screen. When it comes down to communicating the gospel and the power of the holy spirit, it seems to me that communicating in person is often the most effective and powerful.
These thoughts are entirely my opinions, which are not perfect, but come from being a Christian longer than I'd like to admit (1974) and significant media experience.
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Post by Josh on Nov 12, 2009 22:00:38 GMT -8
I love technology too (no duh, huh?), but you're so right about this. You just can't replace real human contact. God made it that way.
Good to hear some thoughts from you, Paul.
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Post by Kirby on Nov 13, 2009 15:16:39 GMT -8
Just Curious..Any one remember "Rolling Thunder"? My uncle produced it!  |
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Post by Josh on Nov 13, 2009 20:24:01 GMT -8
What was it about? Was it an "end times flick"?
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Post by Kirby on Nov 13, 2009 21:17:48 GMT -8
It was a weekly teen program...had musical guest, a lot of locals...
The movie you are thinking about is "A Distant Thunder", sequel to "A Thief In The Night", which was in turn followed up with "Image of the Beast" and "Prodigal Planet". 70's flicks about the tribulation waaaay before Jenkins and Lahaye made it hip again. Fun to watch.
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Post by Josh on Nov 13, 2009 21:21:13 GMT -8
Ah yes... countless teens scared into the kingdom of heaven by the sight of a guillotine.  |
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