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08-14-2007, 02:03 PM
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This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at what they wrote about actors in the 1820's:
Accordingly, in all ages and countries, play-actors have been generally found triflers, buffoons, sensualists, unfit for sober employment, and loose in their morals. It is not pretended that there have been no exceptions to this character. But the exceptions have been so few, and their circumstances so extraordinary, as to confirm, rather than invalidate the general argument. And is it even true, that there ever has been a complete exception? Was there ever an actor who exhibited a life of steady, exemplary, Christian purity and piety? I never heard of such a person; and until I do, I shall venture to say there never was one. Yet this is the profession which all who frequent the theater contribute their share, to encourage and support. They give their presence, their influence, and their money—for the maintenance of a class of people whose business it is—directly or indirectly, to instill error and sin, to corrupt our children, and to counteract whatever the friends of piety and good morals are striving to accomplish for the benefit of society.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-14-2007, 02:09 PM
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The writer would think that nothing has changed, as far as character goes, but he would be shocked that our culture as a whole CELEBRATES the very things that his day had the sense enough to hide behind closed doors.
Why do you suppose the entertainment industry is the vehicle of vice?
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08-14-2007, 04:43 PM
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__________________ Joshua Wiseman
Riverview PCA
Charleston, WV "Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings."
- Psalm 17:8
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08-14-2007, 04:45 PM
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Looks good brother...will download it. Psalm 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." Psalm 101:7 "He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight."
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08-14-2007, 04:46 PM
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Thanks for these links brethren.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-15-2007, 04:53 AM
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Sort of in the same vein - it deals more with entertainment coming into the church. When you read it, it almost seems like a modern article, but Brown was a contemporary of Spurgeon's. http://www.tbaptist.com/aab/devilsmissionamusement.htm
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08-15-2007, 04:54 AM
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Originally Posted by JDWiseman | Well I listened to it last night. I would highly recommend it!
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08-15-2007, 07:29 AM
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Chris Coldwell
Lakewood Presbyterian Church (PCA), Member • Naphtali Press: Presbyterian & Reformed Books • The Confessional Presbyterian, A Journal for Discussion of Presbyterian Doctrine & Practice • The Blue Banner Archive When heresy rises in an evangelical body, it is never frank and open. It always begins by skulking, and assuming a disguise. Its advocates, when together, boast of great improvements, and congratulate one another on having gone greatly beyond the ‘old dead orthodoxy,’ and on having left behind many of its antiquated errors: but when taxed with deviations from the received faith, they complain of the unreasonableness of their accusers, as they ‘differ from it only in words.’ This has been the standing course of errorists ever since the apostolic age. Samuel Miller, Introductory essay, The Articles of the Synod of Dort (1841).
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08-15-2007, 08:06 AM
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08-15-2007, 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by AV1611 Quote:
Originally Posted by JDWiseman | Well I listened to it last night. I would highly recommend it!  |
I listened to it as well. Very convicting.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-15-2007, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at what they wrote about actors in the 1820's:
Accordingly, in all ages and countries, play-actors have been generally found triflers, buffoons, sensualists, unfit for sober employment, and loose in their morals. It is not pretended that there have been no exceptions to this character. But the exceptions have been so few, and their circumstances so extraordinary, as to confirm, rather than invalidate the general argument. And is it even true, that there ever has been a complete exception? Was there ever an actor who exhibited a life of steady, exemplary, Christian purity and piety? I never heard of such a person; and until I do, I shall venture to say there never was one. Yet this is the profession which all who frequent the theater contribute their share, to encourage and support. They give their presence, their influence, and their money—for the maintenance of a class of people whose business it is—directly or indirectly, to instill error and sin, to corrupt our children, and to counteract whatever the friends of piety and good morals are striving to accomplish for the benefit of society. | Ouch, that smarts on the conscience... | 
08-15-2007, 08:23 AM
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Richard
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08-15-2007, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by AV1611 |
I've read the first two so far. I greatly appreciate the link dear brother.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-15-2007, 10:46 AM
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Richard, the PRCA pamphlet #19 contained many items of interest but I found this one particularly revealing. It would seem that in 1966, Synod changed its mind about theatre attendance because people weren't obeying their injunctions anyway. That's quite a strategy for a biblically-directed body to employ! :shooting self in foot smilie here: Quote: |
The basic position of the committee was that the film arts were not per-se wrong and that it is permissible for the Christian to attend good movies. In fact, the committee considered it desirable to attend good movies and urged upon the Churches to busy themselves in subjecting the film arts to the dominion and rule of Jesus Christ.
| Oh my. We all see how well that turned out.
Still working on the rest of it. Though quite voluminous, I am looking forward to it. Cheers.
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08-15-2007, 10:50 AM
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I read all six brother Richard. I really aprreciated them. Much conviction was wrought by thier reading.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-15-2007, 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by AV1611 Quote:
Originally Posted by JDWiseman | Well I listened to it last night. I would highly recommend it!  |
I also recommend it. Just listened to it and it's really good. He answers all of the objections that come up. I especially liked that he quotes the WLC on sins forbidden in the 7th commandment. Not one pays attention to these anymore: The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts; all unclean imaginations, thoughts, purposes, and affections;all corrupt or filthy communications, or listening thereunto; wanton looks, impudent or light behavior, immodest apparel; prohibiting of lawful, and dispensing with unlawful marriages; allowing, tolerating, keeping of stews, and resorting to them; entangling vows of single life, undue delay of marriage; having more wives or husbands than one at the same time; unjust divorce, or desertion; idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, unchaste company; lascivious songs, books, pictures, dancings, stage plays; and all other provocations to, or acts of uncleanness, either in ourselves or others.
__________________ Traci
Lynnwood OPC Psalm 52:8-9
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. | 
08-15-2007, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at what they wrote about actors in the 1820's:
Accordingly, in all ages and countries, musicians and dancers and artists have been generally found triflers, buffoons, sensualists, unfit for sober employment, and loose in their morals. It is not pretended that there have been no exceptions to this character. But the exceptions have been so few, and their circumstances so extraordinary, as to confirm, rather than invalidate the general argument. And is it even true, that there ever has been a complete exception? Was there ever musician, dancer or artists who exhibited a life of steady, exemplary, Christian purity and piety? I never heard of such a person; and until I do, I shall venture to say there never was one. Yet this is the profession which all who frequent the stage or the gallery contribute their share, to encourage and support. They give their presence, their influence, and their money—for the maintenance of a class of people whose business it is—directly or indirectly, to instill error and sin, to corrupt our children, and to counteract whatever the friends of piety and good morals are striving to accomplish for the benefit of society. | Wouldn't the same be just as true with the changes in bold? Are we to hide in fear from all of the arts?
Just so you know, my entire family is auditioning tonight for a community theater production of "Oliver!" Your prayers would be appreciated. My 12 year old would like to play the part of 'the Artful Dodger.' I don't know what they will do with me seeing that there are not many adult roles. There are two other families from my church that are auditioning as well.
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08-16-2007, 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by KMK Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at what they wrote about actors in the 1820's:
Accordingly, in all ages and countries, musicians and dancers and artists have been generally found triflers, buffoons, sensualists, unfit for sober employment, and loose in their morals. It is not pretended that there have been no exceptions to this character. But the exceptions have been so few, and their circumstances so extraordinary, as to confirm, rather than invalidate the general argument. And is it even true, that there ever has been a complete exception? Was there ever musician, dancer or artists who exhibited a life of steady, exemplary, Christian purity and piety? I never heard of such a person; and until I do, I shall venture to say there never was one. Yet this is the profession which all who frequent the stage or the gallery contribute their share, to encourage and support. They give their presence, their influence, and their money—for the maintenance of a class of people whose business it is—directly or indirectly, to instill error and sin, to corrupt our children, and to counteract whatever the friends of piety and good morals are striving to accomplish for the benefit of society. | Wouldn't the same be just as true with the changes in bold? Are we to hide in fear from all of the arts? |
I trust that these will answer your question: http://www.prca.org/pamphlets/pamphlet_19.html http://www.prca.org/pamphlets/pamphlet_92.htm
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08-16-2007, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by KMK Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at what they wrote about actors in the 1820's:
Accordingly, in all ages and countries, musicians and dancers and artists have been generally found triflers, buffoons, sensualists, unfit for sober employment, and loose in their morals. It is not pretended that there have been no exceptions to this character. But the exceptions have been so few, and their circumstances so extraordinary, as to confirm, rather than invalidate the general argument. And is it even true, that there ever has been a complete exception? Was there ever musician, dancer or artists who exhibited a life of steady, exemplary, Christian purity and piety? I never heard of such a person; and until I do, I shall venture to say there never was one. Yet this is the profession which all who frequent the stage or the gallery contribute their share, to encourage and support. They give their presence, their influence, and their money—for the maintenance of a class of people whose business it is—directly or indirectly, to instill error and sin, to corrupt our children, and to counteract whatever the friends of piety and good morals are striving to accomplish for the benefit of society. | Wouldn't the same be just as true with the changes in bold? Are we to hide in fear from all of the arts?
Just so you know, my entire family is auditioning tonight for a community theater production of "Oliver!" Your prayers would be appreciated. My 12 year old would like to play the part of 'the Artful Dodger.' I don't know what they will do with me seeing that there are not many adult roles. There are two other families from my church that are auditioning as well. |
Oh no dear brother. I just posted it because I have a great concern about the influence that TV and movies have had on the church and family. I never intended it to be legalistic or to make blanket judgements. However, this entire study has brought about great conviction on me to be more wary about what goes in my eyes and ears in the future.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
08-16-2007, 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist Quote:
Originally Posted by KMK Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueridge Baptist This was written in the 1820's. I wonder what they would think of the stuff we watch on T.V. today and rent on DVD. Wow! THE CHRISTIAN AND THE THEATER
Look at w | | | | |