Ratings Creep

In 1968 the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) set up a voluntary system for rating movies “with the expressed purpose of helping parents determine what films are appropriate for their children.” Under the system, an anonymous, independent panel assigns movies a rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, and the very rare NC-17) based on the “age-appropriateness” of their content.

Historically, parents have trusted the MPAA ratings to help them decide which movies are fit for their kids to see. But there are glaring signs that the system is failing in its chief purpose.

A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health examined movies and their ratings between 1992 and 2003 and found “an increase in the amount of objectionable content allowed in the ratings categories.” Researcher Kimberly Thompson explains that “today’s movies contain significantly more violence, sex, and profanity on average than movies of the same rating a decade ago.”

This trend has become known as “ratings creep.” And sadly, the trend appears to be deliberate. The Harvard report calls it “the product of an actual shift in how the MPAA perceives content,” and says that, over the 11-year period studied, “the MPAA became increasingly more lenient in assigning its age-based movie ratings.” In addition, ratings standards are often conflicting and inconsistently applied, so that even filmmakers find the whole system confusing.

According to World magazine critic Gene Edward Veith, the cause of this mess is easy to trace. Hollywood studios, in hot competition for box office sales, are making fewer R-rated films, opting instead for films that can draw a wider (and younger) audience. While that should mean cleaner movies, Veith says that instead, “filmmakers are manipulating the rating system to keep the raunch factor high.” He concludes that the MPAA ratings board (the one that’s supposed to be anonymous and independent) “is clearly under the control of the studios it is supposed to regulate. The board is changing its standards to maximize the studios’ profits.”

Even noted film critic Michael Medved agrees that major studios are abusing the rating system. In particular, he says, the PG-13 category has become a “Trojan horse” that is “allowing wildly unsuitable material to smuggle its way past walls erected by even the most protective parents.” Harvard’s Thompson notes that many of today’s PG-13 movies contain levels of sex, violence and/or foul language that would have earned an R rating just a decade ago.

Christians, there is much here for us to consider. First, even many in the unbelieving world see that parents need to carefully monitor what their children are exposed to. Do we? We can’t trust Hollywood to police itself (is this news to anyone?). Whether we teach our kids to make godly choices helps determine whether they become godly adults (Proverbs 22:6).

Second, we are foolish to base our choices of what to watch (for our kids or ourselves) only on the world’s idea of what is “appropriate.” We need to “judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Do your homework. There are many sources that provide detailed information on movies’ content — use them. Be cautious, whether you’re making a trip to the movie theater or the local video store. And remember, if all else fails, hit the “off” button or get up and leave (and take the kids with you). “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

[All data and quotes are taken from “Movie Ratings Losing Value?” by Ed Vitagliano, American Family Association Journal, October 2004.]

The Power of a Bad Example

For years, doctors have been preaching that one of the most important things you can do for your health is not to smoke. Yet nearly every time I visit a hospital, I spot a group of nurses and staffers relaxing outside in a fog of nicotine. It just doesn’t do much for one’s confidence in the health care profession. And it seriously undermines the “no smoking” message that doctors are trying to proclaim.

Now if we can understand that, why can’t we understand the devastating effect it has when people in the world see Christians living lives that are consistently at odds with Christ’s teaching? The apostle Peter warned of precisely that, saying that because of the conduct of some “the way of truth will be maligned” (2 Peter 2:2).

People will use all sorts of excuses for not accepting Christ. Often we can do little about them. But you can at least see to it that no one can use your example as an excuse for rejecting the Lord. As Paul instructed Titus, “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Titus 2:7-8).

The Secret Things

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29, NIV)

Consider three important concepts that are emphasized in this verse.

The danger of speculation

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” There is much that God has not revealed to us. While it’s interesting to think about such things, it isn’t really profitable. In fact, speculating about unrevealed matters can be dangerous. Paul warned Timothy of some who had “turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions” (1 Timothy 1:6-7). He told him to “refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23). And he encouraged Titus to “avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9).

Speculation is at its worst when it becomes the basis for belief and practice. Much of what men call “theology” is just conjecture about unrevealed matters. And much of what men call “worship” or “ministry” or “religion” is action without divine authorization. God warns against adding to His revelation. “Every word of God is tested…Do not add to His words, or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6). Instead of speculating where God has not spoken and presuming to act where He is silent, we need to apply ourselves to what He has revealed.

The blessing of revelation

“The things revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” A “secret” or “mystery” is something covered up or hidden; a “revelation” is something uncovered. God’s revelation is His sharing His mind with us. “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18). Without God’s revelation we’d be groping in darkness, unable to know what He has done, what He has promised, or how we should live. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him?” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

God has communicated His will to us; what a great blessing! In Christ, God has revealed to us what even the prophets of old did not understand (Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:10-12). We should be thankful for God’s revelation and diligent in learning it. Praising the commandments of God’s law, David said, “They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:7-10).

The responsibility of those who hear

“That we may follow all the words of this law.” Since God has revealed His will, we have a responsibility to know it and obey it. God’s law defines right and wrong conduct. Without such a standard, sin would not exist (Romans 5:13). But since we have access to the revelation of God’s standard, we are without excuse when we violate it (see John 15:22).

God promises to hold us accountable for our response to His revelation. Our text in Deuteronomy 29 comes just after a list of blessings on obedience and curses on disobedience (chapters 27-28). And Jesus promised, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48).

"Leave No Unguarded Place"

In 1453 the city of Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) was besieged by Muslim Turks. The mighty Byzantine capitol had resisted invasion for nearly a thousand years; and like the armies before them, the Turks could not break through the city’s defenses. Then one day some soldiers found a tiny entryway in the city wall that had been left unlocked and unguarded. Quickly the Turks poured through the opening and stormed the town. The last stronghold of a great empire fell, and the Muslims were in position to sweep across Europe — all because somebody left a door open.

I’ve often wondered about the fellow who was supposed to lock that door. Maybe he just forgot. Maybe he thought it was someone else’s turn. Maybe he was lazy and figured the Turks would never find that door anyway. Maybe he lost the key. In any case, his single careless act altered the course of history.

One verse of a popular hymn says, “Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul.” Perhaps the writer had in mind Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 6:11: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Perhaps the words were inspired by Romans 13:14: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” The thought is of utmost importance for every Christian: Don’t leave Satan any opportunity to snare your soul. Remember, one open door is all he needs.

1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” The citizens of Constantinople probably thought their city would never fall. That may have led to the very negligence that allowed it to be taken. Don’t ever forget that Satan is a crafty and powerful enemy (Ephesians 6:11-12) who has made it his mission to destroy our souls. We cannot afford to become self-righteous and overconfident; if we do, we set ourselves up to fall into the devil’s hands.

The poor fellow who left that door open at Constantinople probably paid with his life. And if we leave a door open for Satan, it can cost us our souls.