Choosing Our Entertainment "Coram Deo"

"Coram Deo is a short Latin phrase packing a potent punch: "before the face of God". All aspects of our existence- from private thoughts to public words and actions- are lived out before his face. Properly regarded, living coram Deo arouses our fear of God. And that's good, for 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge' (Prov 1:7).

What does this have to do with our media use? Put bluntly, it means we surf the internet, listen to the radio, watch television, or rent a DVD in God's presence. We make our choices- all of our choices- with God's holy face in view. It's not the gaze of our pastor, parent, fellow small group member, or unbelieveing neighbor that matters most. We're accountable to God in all things, including our entertainment." - Craig Cabaniss

"The apostle Paul has a vision for our minds: 'Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things' (Phil 4:8)

May the Lord of all beauty purify our minds so that these are the greatest delights. In the end, the sum of all beauty is Christ, and the sin of all worldliness is to diminish our capacity to see him, be satisfied in him, and show him compellingly to a perishing world." - John Piper

The Offensive, Attractive Cross

"The curious paradox of the atoning death of a bloody Jesus rising above the plane of human history with a mocking crown of thorns is that he is offensive in an attractive way.

It is the utter horror of the cross that cuts through the chatter, noise, and nonsense of our day to rivet our attention, shut our mouths, and compel us to listen to an impassioned dying man who is crying out for the forgiveness of our sins and to ask why he suffered.

Tragically, if we lose the offense of the cross, we also lose the attraction of the cross so that no one is compelled to look at Jesus. Therefore, Jesus does not need a marketing firm or a makeover as much as a prophet to preach the horror of the cross unashamedly.” - Mark Driscoll, Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." - 1 Co 2:1-2