The question related to a long running TV cartoon "comedy" of particularly tasteless content: "How do programs of such nature maintain a popular following?" The answer, we suggested, might well be found in an unfortunate, albeit growing, proclivity to the intellectually stultifying and culturally degrading.
While in no way adverse to the beneficial and informative or, for that matter, to a good football game, we would suggest however, that given the overall effect of today's arguably greatest social influence, one should little wonder at the price being extracted in terms of societal instability, moral disintegration, and the intellectually demeaning. Just as one was formerly deemed to become that which he read, so now society tends to assume the character of that being watched. Few issues are more relevant to faith's concerns than the passively accepted molding of minds and mindset by the entertainment media, particularly in its visual forms.
By way of contrast, Scripture advocates the believer's commitment to mental integrity, discipline and meaningful pursuit. As such, Jesus defines divine requisite, not only in terms of the physical and spiritual ("with all your heart"), but mental as well ("with all your mind," Matt. 22:36-38). Combining the spiritual and intellectual, Scripture had earlier exhorted: "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23) - the effecting of which requires a similarly vibrant dedication to cause: "Apply your heart to understanding" (Prov. 2:2); "Apply your heart to knowledge" (Prov. 22:17); "Apply your heart to instruction" (Prov. 23:12).
While recognizing "the fear of the Lord" as ultimate resource in the quest for wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7; 9:10), it is likewise important to recognize the Creator's gift of intellect as involving insight and understanding in a general, comprehensive sense. "Wisdom" personified is accordingly depicted as proclaiming: "I, Wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling, and I find out knowledge and discretion" ("am present in learned thoughts," Douay-Rheims; "find out knowledge of witty inventions," KJV, Prov. 8:12).
This is not to imply that all should seek to become "intellectuals." Not all are programmed to be rocket scientists - nor, for that matter, ultimate authority regarding Scripture and things spiritual. To paraphrase our Lord's rather trenchant observation, quests of the latter nature (along with the need to be so recognized) incline rather readily toward a certain - well, "smelliness" (Matt. 6:3-5,16).
That there are negatives to be confronted in "fighting the good fight of faith" is, of course, basic to biblical concept - and, given the increasing momentum of deviant cause and anti-Christian sentiment, are little likely to lessen. At the same time the Gospel remains, first of all, the "good news" of Jesus Christ as opposed to the bad news of everything (and/or everyone) else. Having received "the mind of Christ" (Phil. 2:5), one is then to grant priority of focus to "whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue and praise" - in other words, that which is good, wholesome and uplifting. "Think on these things," the apostle directs (Phil. 4:8).
Need thus exists for believers committed to concerns of the human state; divine/human relationship; family and other relational obligations; Christian witness; social responsibility; uplifting pursuits, and other like reflections of meaningful faith in a dedication of "heart, soul and mind" - the latter finding definition elsewhere as: "In understanding be[ing] 'men of intelligence'" (I Cor. 14:20 LB).
We can then leave "The Simpsons" (and vast amounts of additional entertainment programming) to others.
Burl Ratzsch
