I have always struggled with the concept of entertainment, especially
when it comes to Christian Entertainment (if there is or can be such a
thing). Wikipedia, that wonderfully definitive source for all
knowledge in the universe (if you asked them), says that, "Entertainment
is an amusement or diversion intended to hold the attention of an
audience or its participants." However, Jesus said in Matthew
6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness".
Again, we can look unto Jesus' own example. In his time there were many forms of entertainment available. Sports, Theaters, Street Corner Performers, and of course houses of ill repute that Jesus wouldn't be caught dead in. Yet the Bible never mentions Jesus taking part in any form of 'idle entertainment'. Here is where the difference between entertainment and recreation should be made.
Recreation comes from the Latin recreatio, which means "restoration to health" (according to merriam-webster's dictionary). The official definition goes on to say, "refreshment of strength and spirits after work" (it also says 'diversion', but stick with me here). Jesus, as I mentioned, wasn't into diversions, but he was into resting and restoration.
In Mark 6:31 we see this, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them (the disciples), 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" *Paranthetical added for clarification.
We also well know the stories about Jesus going into people's homes and eating with them. He did it as a form of "social recreation" that had other benefits for the kingdom as well. Not only was he able to give his disciples rest, but he was also able to share stories with them and whomever else was around, demonstrating in the way he lived how others should act, and likely bringing more sheep into his fold. Today, we often refer to this tactic as 'relationship-based evangelism', and it is one of the most preferred means of evangelism amongst the emerging generation today, according to a Barna Research Poll.
So, from this short discourse which doesn't cover all the points but sort of glosses over many of them, we can infer two extremes. Either a) All entertainment is sin and no one should ever indulge in any of it; or b) All entertainment is acceptable as long as you indulge in it with others to whom you can witness to, or if it simply helps you to "restore your health" after a long day of work. Obviously, neither of these extremes are completely true, and therefore must be seen as false. The middle ground is what we must seek after.
My 'Christian Definition': Entertainment or recreation, if it can be used to encourage relationship-based evangelism or to promote the restoration or creation of health (such as sports), while simultaneously not being a hindrance or stumbling block upon a believer or unbeliever's life, can be considered to be acceptable in moderation until such a time as a wiser person or the leading of the Holy Spirit direct you to the truth of its unhealthiness (if it is indeed truly unhealthy).
For example: For some, casual TV or movie watching (if the content is not of a vulgar or perverse nature) could be perfectly acceptable, while for others (who may view even casual watching to be a stumbling block) it may not. In the end, as with many issues of daily life, the decision is truly between the believer and God, and it is the task of other believers not to judge that believer's decision, but to try and understand it, and for those in spiritual authority to educate the body as to what is truly right and proper in the eyes of God, in accordance with His word.
How can we seek first if our attention is being held by entertainment?
Solomon (or whomever wrote Ecclesiates) felt similarly, as in Ecclesiastes 2:1, "I thought in my heart, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless."Again, we can look unto Jesus' own example. In his time there were many forms of entertainment available. Sports, Theaters, Street Corner Performers, and of course houses of ill repute that Jesus wouldn't be caught dead in. Yet the Bible never mentions Jesus taking part in any form of 'idle entertainment'. Here is where the difference between entertainment and recreation should be made.
Recreation comes from the Latin recreatio, which means "restoration to health" (according to merriam-webster's dictionary). The official definition goes on to say, "refreshment of strength and spirits after work" (it also says 'diversion', but stick with me here). Jesus, as I mentioned, wasn't into diversions, but he was into resting and restoration.
In Mark 6:31 we see this, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them (the disciples), 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" *Paranthetical added for clarification.
We also well know the stories about Jesus going into people's homes and eating with them. He did it as a form of "social recreation" that had other benefits for the kingdom as well. Not only was he able to give his disciples rest, but he was also able to share stories with them and whomever else was around, demonstrating in the way he lived how others should act, and likely bringing more sheep into his fold. Today, we often refer to this tactic as 'relationship-based evangelism', and it is one of the most preferred means of evangelism amongst the emerging generation today, according to a Barna Research Poll.
So, from this short discourse which doesn't cover all the points but sort of glosses over many of them, we can infer two extremes. Either a) All entertainment is sin and no one should ever indulge in any of it; or b) All entertainment is acceptable as long as you indulge in it with others to whom you can witness to, or if it simply helps you to "restore your health" after a long day of work. Obviously, neither of these extremes are completely true, and therefore must be seen as false. The middle ground is what we must seek after.
My 'Christian Definition': Entertainment or recreation, if it can be used to encourage relationship-based evangelism or to promote the restoration or creation of health (such as sports), while simultaneously not being a hindrance or stumbling block upon a believer or unbeliever's life, can be considered to be acceptable in moderation until such a time as a wiser person or the leading of the Holy Spirit direct you to the truth of its unhealthiness (if it is indeed truly unhealthy).
For example: For some, casual TV or movie watching (if the content is not of a vulgar or perverse nature) could be perfectly acceptable, while for others (who may view even casual watching to be a stumbling block) it may not. In the end, as with many issues of daily life, the decision is truly between the believer and God, and it is the task of other believers not to judge that believer's decision, but to try and understand it, and for those in spiritual authority to educate the body as to what is truly right and proper in the eyes of God, in accordance with His word.
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