Initial thoughts regarding "Eyes Wide Open"

In our first group of readings for "Eyes Wide Open," there are two problems that William D. Romanowski identifies with the way people think about media.

1. Most people believe that they are personally immune to the effects of media.
2. People don't think too much about the media they consume.

Growing up in the chruch and having a Christian background exposed me to a lot of sermons and lectures about how "the music you listen to and tv shows you watch can effect your walk with the Lord." I remember a speciffic skit that we did where there was a girl who was going about her daily routine. She prayed first and asked Jesus to be with her throughout the day... then he actually showed up in person at her door. At first the girl was really excited that Jesus actually came, but then when she sat down to watch her favorite TV show she was a little uncomfortable watching it with him around. The same scene played out for the music she wanted to listen to and the magazines she wanted to read.

I think it's true that the media we consume can have an effect on our walk with Christ. Because of this belief, the Christian community has come up with many different ways to interact with media. Romanowski identifies three such reactions: Condenation (total avoidance of media) Appropriation (consuming Christian media, like CCM), and consumption ( intake of popular culture.) Not one of these reactions seems to be completely right or completely wrong.

In order to have a healthy engagement with the media, I think that Chrsitians first need to acknowledge the two "problems." We should realize that we aren't exempt to the effects of media, and we should learn to be concious of the media that we consume. Once we have identified these issues, I think that an implementation of each of the three above reactions to media is necessary. Consuming Christian media can be a great thing and foster spiritual growth. At the same time Christians shouldn't alienate themselves from the culture that they are a part of. It is okay, and even beneficial to consume secular media. However, there may be some media that is harmful to us as Christians and should definitly be avoided.

Becoming familiar with the problems in the way we think of media, and then making a concious effort to engauge it in a way that enables us to be a light to the culture is the ultimate goal for Christians in our interaction with media.