Entertainment Industry

[houseparent]

Does anyone believe that God can call someone into this feild? Could the Lord want you to enter this area as a profession?

What about strictly "Christian" entertainment?

I have a friend who believes no Christian should make millions of dollars in the entertainment industry even if they are "Christian" entertainers.

Thoughts?

[cameron222]

Pat Boone has maintained a christian witness in the years he has been with the Hollywood set. And Charlton Heston too.

I believe that God wants his word everywhere and a movie star is more apt to listen to a Heston or Pat Boone that you and I.

So....yes I believe God could call someone into the entertainment business to bring glory to him.

But you know it will take a very special person because it is so tempting with all the goodies dangled in front of you on a continuous basis.

John Grisham, from my state, used to teach Sunday School and he is known by those folks as well.

[houseparent]

John Grisham, from my state, used to teach Sunday School
:eek

[Singlesis]

Chuck Norris is born-again too! I think we NEED more Christians in the entertainment... otherwise, how else would the LIGHT get in and penetrate the darkness that engulfs so many of them now?

[houseparent]

Ok, here is a BIG one!

What about Pro Wrestling (WWE)? I know a few guys who work there who INSIST they are born again believers and trying to witness.

I am not real comfortable with a believer working there!

What do you think of that?

[ChristiRB]

I don't know about pro wrestling...but I DO know that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE for someone caught up in the entertainment industry to effectively follow Christ and lead others to His kingdom. Now, before I get reamed for saying this, let me explain why I think so.

First of all, entertainers either make a lot of money OR are striving to make a lot of money. Everyone knows that the love of money is the root of all evil. Money, fame, admiration they all become gods (*edited to take out the capitol G in this word). And even if you had that rare gem who wasn't after all of that, and even RESISTED loving money and was even willing to lose it all for the sake of their faith, you would have literally NO ROOM to share your faith in any aspect. It is getting harder and harder to be a professing Christian now-a-days. You would run the risk of being ridiculed, persecuted, hated. It would just be too much! You CAN NOT please the public (the world) AND please God. God HAS to be #1!!!

Therefore, I personally don't believe it's possible to be deeply involved in the entertainment industry and be a professing Christian. But if someone wants to prove me wrong and point out convincing evidence than I'll be more than willing to stand corrected. :D:

[duckdogger]

I don't believe it to be impossible for a Chrisian to work in the mainstream entertainment industry, but for sure a challenge. In a similar manner as people with a compulsive eating disorder working at a buffet resyaurant or an alcoholic being a bartender.

My vice of choice is potato chips. Feeding frenzy is a term that comes to mind.

[Crescendo]

Originally posted by houseparent
I have a friend who believes no Christian should make millions of dollars in the entertainment industry even if they are "Christian" entertainers.
Thoughts?

Is it only entertainers your friend has issues with when they are financially successful? Does your friend any other professions income should be limited?

[houseparent]

My friend isn't too fond of athletes salaries either.

He also feels that a true believer would not be in the Pro Wrestling industry.

[cindyw]

Originally posted by houseparent
Does anyone believe that God can call someone into this feild? Could the Lord want you to enter this area as a profession?

What about strictly "Christian" entertainment?

Thoughts?

If they put out movies like Time Changer:thumb I just watched it a second time with my DH tonight. What a WONDERFUL movie. If you haven't seen it, it's worth the rent and definitely worth the buy! That kind of Christian entertainment I would support 100%. Blessings in Jesus, Cindy:):

[houseparent]

Time changer?

Never heard of it. WHo plays in it? I will check it out!

[cindyw]

Houseparent, you won't be disappointed. Ok, Stars: Gavin McLeod (Of LoveBoat (captain stuebing), Paul Rodriguez, Hal Linden, Jennifer O'neil, D. David Morin.........

Believe it or not Blockbuster carries it in their new release section. Enjoy. In Jesus, Cindy:):

PS. Jesus' name is lifted throughout and the plan of salvation presented several times.........:thumb

[houseparent]

WOW!

I will be buying this for my girls!


Thanks again!

[Singlesis]

I dunno. I have my doubts, as that is stuff is so .... non-christian. I don't watch it, but "Sting" comes to mind. Not sure where he stands. I would think he'd turn his back on the whole thing, and maybe he has by now, I really don't know.

Nobody said it would be easy. But being a Christian isn't easy in ANY secular job. I do know that Chuck Norris is a sincere believer. In fact, during the past few seasons of Walker, he fought tooth and nail to get the gospel presented in many of his episodes. In fact, he even had the Power Team doing a high school assembly on one episiode a few years back. Another episode showed a dying girl saying she wasn't afraid to die because she knew Jesus. I can't think of others right off, but I know there were more.

[Jael]

First of all, entertainers either make a lot of money OR are striving to make a lot of money. Everyone knows that the love of money is the root of all evil. Money, fame, admiration they all become gods

This is definitely true, but it is equally true of someone who becomes rich and powerful through business, or someone who achieves fame through politics, or even someone who earns the world's adoration through the practice of medicine or scientific achievement...any attainment that wins us praise and glory in the world makes it harder to "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Col 3:2 .

That said, professions where you are dependent on acceptance from the world in order to succeed, such as entertainment and politics, present a special challenge. As Christians, we have to be willing to do and say what is right, even when it is very unpopular. We can't (or shouldn't) compromise our walk in Christ, for the sake of acceptance - and an early career in politics or entertainment is usually full of compromises. Later, after a certain amount of success, a performer or politician can more easily hold to their principles, but in the beginning, people in these fields really have to say and do whatever it takes to be noticed and accepted. That puts a Christian in the position of trying to serve two masters. It's not impossible to be a non-compromising Christian in these fields, but it is very, very difficult.

Jam 4:4 ...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

[KrispyKritter]

I'm confused as to what the question is...

Can God lead someone into the entertainment industry? Sure... but they would need to be strong because it is a world full of compromise more than any other.

Should someone earn millions in their profession? Why not? (Note: I said "earn" ... not bilk, like some TV preachers) Solomon was wealthy. David was wealthy. Abraham was wealthy. God blessed them incredibly. Does He bless everyone with wealth and material blessings? No... and you can look at each of these people and see where sometimes they had trouble handling that much prosperity... but they were all considered godly men in the end.

I dont begrudge anyone for earning a wealthy living so long as it is done thru honest means.

[cindyw]

not to derail this thread too much, but, I know there are plenty of OT saints who were shown to have great wealth BECAUSE of God's hand of blessing upon them. However, in the NT Jesus talked much about the love of money and it's ill effects----as did Paul. It does not appear to me that MONEY and stuff is what we should go after----because it makes it that much harder to walk with the Lord in an uncompromising fashion. I believe it's fine to make lots of money, but I also believe that what we do with that money is what God cares about. Do we make more to keep increasing our goods? What is our heart concerning money?

I can't tell you the many times I have felt guilty over buying new furniture when what I had was fine (used and looking like it, but still useable)..........I've often wondered if that guilt was self-condemnation or was the Lord saying to me........"Cindy, I bless your family to be a blessing to others"........now, don't get me wrong, we give. Giving is something we have not had a problem with, but...........

I don't know, I am so turned off by the Prosperity message that maybe sometimes it hinders my enjoyment of the blessings the Lord gives to my family..........Anybody else feel this way?