The Rent Quonundrum, Part I

Some background: In college, I attended what is easily one of the most conservative churches in the U.S., and was part of the associated college fellowship on my campus. I currently work in the high school ministry of my church. Now, several of the graduated high schoolers whom I mentored attend the same college and fellowship group.

While there is certainly much to be praised about this fellowship (excellent teaching, reverence for God's Word, deft administration), it has a not undeserved reputation for "legalism," a term that in modern Christian parlance connotes several things: 1. A tendency to add and enforce extra-biblical requirements on Christians; 2. a expectation that other Christians hold and live by the same personal convictions; 3. (in extreme cases) a proclivity for judging people's salvation based on these extra biblical beliefs.

What follows is an online conversation between me and Paul, one of the young men from my church who now attends this particular group.

Paul: hey, i have a question
Me: hi. i may have an answer
Paul: ok
Paul: so have u seen Rent?
Me: yes
Paul: alright, so my question is
Paul: can u say that u can give glory to God when watching it?
Me: hm…good question

Since Paul is an English major (and so was I), I figured his question might be something in the vein of Chaucer, Milton, or Auden, something more like "can you help me apply a neo-Marxist interpretation to The Faerie Queene?" No, it was nothing as simple as that.

So here's the "cleaned up"^* version of what I said:

On a general level, yes it is possible. Clearly it presents situations that are not optimal, and many of which are sinful, but I don't seeing Rent is necessarily different watching another TV show or movie; I think you can watch it, and interpret the songs/storyline from a biblical worldview (sodomy/fornication have serious consequences, sin has a de-humanizing effect on the sinner and those around him, etc).

Does it glorify God when we take art (a movie, book, musical, song) and view it with a Christian worldview, or see it, and let it teach us something real about the world? I think so, and I think that *can* happen without effort, but that is hard, so in order for that to happen, we should be intentional, instead of just going simply to be entertained.
Me: sorry, that was sort of verbose [I edited out many of the superfluous comments for this blog]

Paul: the problem is that the tickets are bought, and the show is coming up soon. and this complication had to arise...
Me: are you going with any people from [your fellowship group]?
Paul: i planned it... and i did not foresee this at all
Me: am i correct in understanding that you are debating whether to go to see it?
Paul: yeah
Paul: i feel like people would view me differently because of the Bible verses they pull that go against me [sic] going
Me: just out of curiosity: what verses did they use?
Paul: “whether you eat or drink do all to the glory of God,” “be above reproach,” etc.

Hmm. First, don't fall into the fear of man [being concerned with the judgments others make of you, instead of the judgments God makes]. Ithink that temptation is strong in [your fellowship group] to do (or not do) something because of how others will view you. Though the Bible is clear that we need to have brothers and sisters who point out things that we might not see, ultimately, you will stand before God on your own, so you will be responsible for the choices you make--regardless of what counsel you received from others.

Their suggestions can be helpful, but are not a substitute for you making your own decisions. Second, 1 cor 4:6: “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.” We are not to go beyond what is written in God's word. Some things are clearly proscribed, but everything else is permissible. So we can't go "beyond" what scripture prohibits.

There is no specific prohibition against Rent, or musicals, etc, so I advise against letting others put up regulations beyond what is already in the Bible. When we do that, it makes us "puffed up" in thinking that we are morally superior because we hold ourselves to a higher standard (when, of course, in reality, God's standard is already the highest).

Pray about it, and do as the Spirit leads. the larger issue really is not about going or not going, i think. This seems like a "grey" issue, so watching is not inherently good or bad. you have Christian liberty...unless, you think that going would cause some of your friends to stumble.

Paul: its just 2 friends who don’t agree with me, but i don’t think they would stumble if i were to go. they might judge me.
Me: i should sleep soon. but in summary, i do understand now why this is a hard thing. don't bow to peer pressure, but don't go just to "prove your point" either (which is something i think i often do...) really, you have to decide for yourself whether those verses apply about being above reproach, etc
Me: if they do apply, then you can't go because it would be sin. if not, then you are free to choose whatever you like
Me: i will def pray for you to get wisdom :) i definitely believe God is honored in your seeking out the "right" thing to do. clearly you are giving this much thought, and strive to do what would honor Him.


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^*Content unaltered; redundant/insignificant parts truncated to spare reader; capitalization and spell check applied as needed.