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Kelly Philpott
Cosmin Ritivoiu
English 102
2 February 2015
Should Adventists go to the Movies
It has been argued over the years that Adventists should be allowed to watch movies
since Ellen White attended a Christmas Pageant - the equivalent of a movie in her day - that her
granddaughter played a role in. While Adventists today realize that most movies are harmful,
many also say that there are good movies that are suitable and fitting for Adventists to watch.
While it may be true that there are some movies that would be unharmful to watch as an Adventist, watching a harmless movie will cause one to desire to watch other movies which can lead to
a creeping compromise.
Although Ellen White attended the Christmas pageant that her granddaughter played a
part in, by the next morning she had a few words to say to the coordinator of the program. She
started out by saying that she was pleased with the lighthouse, and the scene which had required
so much painstaking effort was one which could have been made most impressive, but failed to
be made as forcible and striking as it might have been when it cost so much time and labor in
preparing it (Dramatic Productions 18). While Ellen White was not condemning of the Christmas pageant, she saw the need for growth and revision within the program itself. She saw a need
specifically for the program to bring home deep spiritual lessons so that it would not just provide
entertainment to the hearer.

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She went on to say that the acted parts that the children played were good and that she
was also pleased with the readings that were read. However, she commented that the children
should have shared little spiritual remarks from their hearts that would have touched the hearts of
the listeners and been in keeping with the work we have been trying to do in the church (Dramatic Productions 18).
While Ellen White was not putting down the play in and of itself, she definitely saw a
need, as is evident in her letter to the coordinator, for the deep spiritual truths to be taught in the
Christmas program. Although the program was not secular by any means, the simple lessons that
are so important to the spiritual walk were not being taught as they should have been. Ellen
White addressed this issue by saying: Every stroke now should be in harmony for the one great
purpose, preparing of the hearts, that individually, pupils and teachers should be as a light set on
a candlestick that it may give light to all that are in the house, which would be carrying out the
idea strikingly of a lighthouse guiding souls that they may not make shipwreck of faith (Dramatic Productions 18). In this statement there is no condemnation of the Christmas pageant itself,
however, she realized that this program could have made a huge impression upon its listeners
and actors if it had been planned with the one great purpose in mind. The one great purpose
was the preparing of hearts. This happens through the examples in the lives of godly friends
and mentors because their lives show Jesus to the world.
The very next issue that Ellen White addresses in her letter was the type of music that
was used in the program and how it was performed. She says, The singing was after the order
we would expect it to be in any theatrical performance, but not one word to be distinguishedIf
[only] the precious hymns had been sung, Rock of ages and Jesus lover of my soul

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Whose souls were inspired with new and fresh zeal for the Master in those songs sung whose
virtue was in the different performances of the singer (Dramatic Productions 18-19)? In this part
of the letter she explains that, while the music was not inappropriate per se, the selections were
not among those that would have been uplifting and edifying to the listener. Furthermore, she
states that the words were not able to be understood because of the way that the music was performed. She adds that hymns should have been sung to inspire love for the Lord in the minds of
the listeners rather than the awe that was manifest towards the singers that night. She stresses
over and over again in her letter that the different aspects of the program should have been
planned out to inspire the audience with love for the Lord and teach them their need of the Savior.
After these words Ellen White asks some very pointed questions to the coordinator: Will
it make those who acted their part in it more spiritually minded? Will it increase their sense of
obligation to our heavenly Father who sent His Son into the world at such an infinite sacrifice to
save fallen man from utter ruin? Was the mind awakened to grasp God because of His great love
wherewith He has loved us (Dramatic Productions 19)? Today, when programs or movies are
being put together, these questions often go unasked and unanswered. This is not how it should
be. Those who work in the lines of producing movies should take care to prayerfully ask themselves these questions. If they would do this, then there would not be the issues that are seen in
the lines of production today.
From her comments it is apparent that she does not approve of programs that are solely
for the purpose of entertainment, but does approve of programs that are wholesome and uplifting
to the viewer - one that brings the listener closer to Christ. Apparently Ellen White does not see

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any virtue in the watching of plays, the equivalent of watching movies in her time, for she says
the following in Testimonies volume 4: Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the
theater (Testimonies for the Church 652). It is a fact that most, if not all movies out there in the
world today are not wholesome and uplifting. This is one reason why, as an Adventist, one
should be very careful in the types of media they choose to watch.
The important thing for Adventists to consider is whether it is pleasing to God to have
them watch certain material. The Bible says in Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things (King James Version Philippians 4:8). According to the Bible standard, Adventists should watch only those things that are true, honest, just,
pure and lovely. While there are some movies that may contain content that are exemplary of the
characteristics above, they are few and far between. This is why much discretion is needed in the
selection of movies.
In this day and age it is hard to find movies that are completely truthful. Many movies are
based off of a true story line. However, since the producers want to sell something that will catch
the peoples interest and be a top hit on the market, they tend to embellish the story line to make
it more exciting and adventurous than it really is. These embellishments make the stories not as
accurate and truthful as they should be.
Just as it is difficult to find movies that are truthful these days, it is also hard to find
movies that are pure. Oftentimes movies contain bad language and the actors acting the roles of
couples are many times un-married. Although many think that this will not affect them much, it

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is important to remember that by beholding we become changed. As it says in 2 Corinthians
3:18, when one beholds Christ, they are changed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). It is the
same with other things too. When one beholds something (even if it is bad) they will become like
it - whether they want to or not. Ellen white comments the following about immorality in the
theatre in her book, Testimonies volume 4:
Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the
very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened
and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions,
and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who
habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle (Testimonies for
the Church 652).
It is important for one to guard their eyes and ears to things that are not fitting for Christians to
watch because they will become like what they behold.
Another factor that Adventists should consider when asking themselves whether or not
they should watch movies is whether it is beneficial enough to watch them even though it will
take up quite a bit of time. Movies can be huge time wasters. It is important to remember that
time is a gift from God and that it should be used to His honor and glory. God has allotted each
of us only so much time on this earth and care should be taken so as to not waste these precious
moments watching movies that will not grow one in their walk with Christ. It is important to
consider the fact that Jesus is our example and that He never wasted one single moment of His
life here on earth for the sake of entertainment.

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Another negative aspect of watching movies or going to the theaters, is the fact that the
producers of the movie take care to make sure that the viewers emotions become entangled in
the storyline. The efforts to do this are quite successful as is made evident by people crying and
laughing along with the characters and events of the movie. Once their emotions are tied into the
movie the producers take the viewers on a sort of emotional roller coaster. After the movie is
over, the viewer experiences an emotional let down causing them to desire more. This is how addictions to such things are created.
When in her writings, Ellen White talks about plays and going to the theatre she refers to
them as having the effect of poison on the imagination. Ellen White did not advocate going to the
theaters. She says the following in Testimonies volume 4:
There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to
destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and
sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drinks strengthens
with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other
questionable place of amusement (Testimonies for the Church 652).
Ellen White says that going to the theatre destroys religious impressions and lessens the enjoyment of simple recreation and everyday life. Addiction to movies will result in a separation from
God and spiritual deterioration.
It is clear that the most important question that Adventists should ask themselves when
contemplating whether or not they should watch movies is if it will be uplifting to their spiritual
walk with God. Adventists should be very guarded against any form of entertainment that does

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not meet this criteria. God wants what is best for His children. He will not needlessly take any
good thing away from them. He has given counsel regarding this issue for a reason and it should
not be taken lightly. While not all movies are necessarily bad or evil, many are just forms of entertainment not meant to uplift the soul in any way shape or form. Adventists should not watch
anything that is not edifying to the spiritual life.

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Works Cited
DRAMATIC PRODUCTIONS IN SDA INSTITUTIONS." DRAMATIC PRODUCTIONS IN
SDA INSTITUTIONS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769; King James Bible Online, 2015.
White, Ellen G. H. Manuscript Releases from the Files of the Letters and Manuscripts Written by
Ellen G. White. Washington, D.C: E.G. White Estate, 1981. Print.
Testimonies for the Church: With a Biographical Sketch of the Author vol. 4.
Pacific Press, 1885. Print.

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