What are your thoughts on drama and movie clips in church services?

[BritneyAddicted4EVA]

I like it when he says in the short run. :)

Pastor Piper is through and through Biblical and I thank God for that. He will always encourage you to think about it and make a valid, Bible guided decision. I hold the same position. I know the effect entertainment has on me and if drama started to replace preaching I'm pretty sure that it would impact the Church greatly. And entire worship might become sort of "gummy". Music we should have, it is the mean by which we can worship and enjoy it. :)

[merryredollie]

love John Piper

[lifeInAFallenWorld22]

There's a lot of good movie clips from Christian films that would do a church service justice in the right circumstances. But I understand where he's coming from: the church need to be less of entertainment and less of trying to attract church goers and should be more about bringing people closer to Christ through biblical honesty and making Christ happy rather than satisfying the church goers with gimmicks. The church needs to produce true Christ followers rather than mere church goers.

[ProdigalSon222]

whats funny is that he is saying this on a video to youtube

[joshak0703]

I'd have to ask, does the media being used glorify God and point to the cross and resurrection? If so good. If not, reconsider. Let us remember 2 things, the Spirit can use whatever means necessary to reach someone, so Let's NOT limit the power of the Spirit - EVER! Also, didn't Jesus use parables that the culture of the day would understand and relate to? He shared his ministry often through stories. So in a sense Jesus relied on creative story telling. So to me, it's no big deal.

[yunghabesh]

mayn at 1:05 i was like "dang i love this guy", pipers the man

[theomathetes21]

As long as media/drama isn't done at the expense of preaching, how is it harmful? It can draw people into the sermon even more. Yes, faith comes by hearing, but the message has content. Picturing that content can make it more understandable. Christ wasn't slain invisibly, He isn't abstract, He lived out the real drama of life, crucifixion and resurrection on this earthly stage. But many do clips/drama at the expense of preaching the Word, and that is the worse tragedy! So I see his concern.

[ItsTheMudDuck]

Agreed, I don't think anyone will go to hell BECAUSE OF THIS, but maybe because of their lack of faith in the power of God's Word. Jesus never had His disciples act out what He was saying, neither did Paul. However, the Bible does say that thousands came to the way every day. No movies, no skits, just verbally presenting the Gospel, allowing God's Holy Spirit to work on those He wishes, to let those who have ears hear, thru the power of God's Word. Faith comes by hearing!!!

[SpcMedia21]

i do not like dancing and music and dramas in church

[jimellis6290]

No arguing here.

I do understand you "If what you say is true then I agree we have a problem." (from my recent comment) When that is the case you are absolute RIGHT!

But, this is the first time in this entire discussion that the error of pastors has been mentioned - and that includes the original video.

John said that using media indicates an unbelief in the power of preaching. The Word of God is powerful no matter what method is used to present it.

I understand you. Do you understand me?

[jimellis6290]

I do not intend to be contrary. But why can't drama and video be "clear explanations and applications of what's there"?

And with all due respect, preaching doesn't save either. The Holy Spirit draws men and they get saved. We all preach with our lives (or at least we should).

I appreciate John's heart that he is not saying people are going to hell because of this. But why even discuss it? We live in a modern world. We should reach them with modern methods.

Of course, that's just my opinion

[crem004]

"And with all due respect, preaching doesn't save either."

Rom 10:14-15,17 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? . . . So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The power is in the Word, not our ability to entertain.

[jimellis6290]

crem004 - I'm with you. It is absolutely the Word that that has the power.

The real question in my heart is why would the power of that word diminish just because it is used in a media clip or drama instead being "preached" in the typical fashion?

Paul never says that preaching saves. He says that the people "hear" through the preaching. The important thing is the power in the word of God not the method used.

I Cor 9:22 "by all means" - seems to be contrary to this video.

[crem004]

Well, the problem today is that really...truthfully, the gospel really isn't being preached in churches (true gospel). Typically, you get a preacher who will tell a story, tell you that God loves you, and then get you "hoppin" and excited for Jesus...with entertainment. Rarely will you hear expository preaching on the attributes of God, theological doctrines such as grace, regeneration, sanctification and biblical assurance. So we've taken the power of preaching and traded it for entertainment.

[jimellis6290]

If what you say is true then I agree we have a problem. But frankly all I have seen is people (forgive the word) whining about the all the changes in church (i.e. the media, music, volume)

I don't see any examples of Jesus "preaching" expositorily. In fact, He told stories, told people that God loved them and got them very excited. Seeing someone get healed can have that effect. But it can also cause people to make accusations (such as "He is being to flamboyant").

I appreciate your comments.

[jimellis6290]

I really think it's all in the attitude of our hearts. We have to trust that those whom God has called are doing what they are called to do. There is only one person I can force to follow that call - ME! In the mean time I trust that others are doing the same.

We need to stop dissing what others are doing just because we don't agree and have great open discussions (like this one) when necessary.

God can use anything - preaching, entertainment or even a jackass. I hope i'm not the latter.

[sigh123]

@jimellis6290 there is a big danger when we try to present and preach the Gospel with modern methods. Because preachers today do that and they changed or watered down the biblical Gospel Jesus preached and it made many false profressions

[jimellis6290]

So, if I am understanding you correctly, because others have made mistakes using modern methods it is wrong for us to use them. Is that correct?

I wonder what the church thought of John Wesley and Martin Luther when they wrote hymns in the (then) modern style. Oh yeah, they called them hypocrites and accused them of blasphemy.

Sorry for the sarcasm but I am truly tired of majoring on the minors. If we'd stop arguing about the methods and just reach people we might succeed at our calling.

[sigh123]

@jimellis6290 Im not saying modern methods are wrong in itself or because people have made mistakes using them. What im saying is that its unbiblical. The way people try to evangelize to unbelievers, and invite them, its psychologically manipulative and not the power of God that draws them to Christ.

[jimellis6290]

I wish there was more space here cuz I feel like some thing I say may be taken wrong. But what I hear you saying is that all of us who are called to minister in the arts (music, media, drama) are "unbiblical". Sorry. I'm not buying it!

By your argument cars are unbiblical, as well phones, and even computers, which I know you have. Please don't say things about the Bible that simply aren't true. Half of what we do in church in "unbiblical" but that's another discussion.

very weak argument

[jimellis6290]

Let me also add that I have no problem with people having an opposing opinion about modern methods used in the church. The problem I have is when people use the Bible to support their opinion.

In today's modern church people are being reached for the Gospel, lives are being transformed and Jesus is being glorified. That is truly all that matters and we need to stop trying to change that because we don't agree with the method. That was my original point.

We have MUCH bigger fish to fry!

[sigh123]

@jimellis6290 Hey I dont want to argue, but your not understanding what Im saying here... Im specifically talking about Pastors who rely more on the flesh and try to convert people by means of methods, like invitation systems or w.e.

cars...phones and computers are something that i believe God brought up, but your not understanding me here..

[ChicknStu09]

AMEN

[tennissue]

I do believe that God can use ANYTHING to touch those that He wants to come to Him. We will not agree on the 'non-essentials', but we have to agree on the 'essentials' - that Christ is God's Son.

[lucasdasilvamaria]

John Piper is an example for the men of this age in that he has his convictions about everything being able to argue and stand for them not always going with the flow.

[pkrains]

Well said.

[therealdrag0]

Amen.

[shankbridge]

Thank you John for your honesty - great teaching