What happens when two Christians disagree over the extent to which the second commandment applies? One Christian believes that reading a classic novel about Christian characters (i.e., Ben Hur) is a blessing while another insists that it violates the biblical command to redeem the time. These same Christians also disagree if that particular book was made into a movie. One Christian believes it is a blessing as it stirs the emotions and visualizes biblical scenes, while the second condemns the movie as blasphemous because it recreates biblical scenes—and thus—creates a false image of Christ. Does the Bible forbid this in Exodus 20:4? Are we to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)? Could it be argued that a well-written novel or a movie actor might leave the actor’s image on the mind of some person so that when they go to pray they see the image of the actor and thus commit idolatry? Does not the Bible clearly state that we should not lead others into sin?
One way to solve this dilemma is to appeal directly to Scripture. The individual who believes it is not sinful to write a religious novel that has proved to be a blessing to others might defend the work by quoting 1 Corinthians 10:31. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Lew Wallace—author of Ben Hur—might say, "I wrote the novel for the glory of God." Indeed, in his heart, he knows he did.
"Blasphemous!" Comes the response as another Christian cries out, "I know God cannot be glorified by that obscene novel. We are to obey Scriptures and the Bible says to redeem the time (Colossians 4:5). We are to speak to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). We are not to write novels that set forth an image of Christ or other biblical scenes and characters and certainly we are not to make such novels into a movie."
A second way to solve the dilemma is for one person to convince the other person of the error of his way through dialogue. A reader of Ben Hur for example and someone who has actually seen the movie might try to convince an opponent of both that Jesus Christ was glorified and no Scripture was violated. Or, the person who is convinced both are blasphemous artistic expressions might try to convince his or her counterpart of the error of it all with words of condemnation, shame, innuendoes and finally dire threats and warnings which suggest utter destruction.
(Special note: There was a time when religious zealots tortured individuals for their own good thinking it is better to physically hurt the body in time than lose the soul in eternity and so many "confessions" of personal error were elicited. Today, verbal zeal inflicting mental and emotional torture is seen to be acceptable in religious zeal to convince a brother or sister of the error of their way. Some people actually have convinced themselves they are loving in doing this. It is out of concern they speak or write or call.)
A third solution to the dilemma of opposing points of view is for one Christian to concede the outward behavior out of concern for a weaker Christian. The person who has read Ben Hur and has seen the movie might agree to be silent and not encourage someone else to read the book and see the movie. This will be done simply out of concern of offending the conscience of a weaker brother or sister. An example of exercising this principle of grace is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Long ago some Christians stopped eating meat that had been offered to idols. Even though there was freedom of conscience and freedom in grace to eat meat offered to idols, some fellow Christians were so weak in their faith they were stumbling at the very idea. In grace and love, in order not to make a weaker brother or sister defile their conscience, some Christians gave up their freedom of thought, their correct point of view and their liberty in the Lord (Study 1 Corinthians 8:1-13). Such kind behavior still happens today.
(Special note: When a Christian does exercise restraint in order not to offend a weaker brother or sister, there is the danger that the religious zealot will be emboldened in his or her unwarranted zeal and move to hurt someone else with an emotional and untempered verbal assault until the Lord arrests their thought process. That is a real possibility. Nevertheless, the mind of the Lord is known in principle; we must try not to cause others to stumble if at all possible. Sometimes it is not possible and a weaker Christian might one day just have to be told to hush and grow up by taking into account the whole counsel of God.)
A fourth way to solve the dilemma between two sincere Christians with opposing points of view is to agree to disagree and follow the counsel of Paul in Romans 14:5. "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." Liberty of conscience has historically been a principle of Christian grace.
The irony of life is that what is blasphemy to one Christian can be a blessing to another. Because there are many issues that only God the Holy Spirit can direct the heart in, my counsel is to let God be God and let the Lord guide His people.
How can a person know if they are being too zealous and unreasonable in their rhetoric? Part of the answer is this: look at the fruit of your writings, warnings, and many broken relationships.
First, listen to someone when they say, "Your spirit is too harsh. Your language is too caustic, even if you did not intend it to be." Words have not only a meaning but a spirit to them.
Second, keep in mind that no one should be more zealous in defending the faith than Paul who was familiar with secular writings and artistic expressions and still used them to advance the truth (see Acts 17:23ff and Titus 1:12). No one should be more zealous than the apostle John, that son of thunder who became the apostle of love. Christ corrected his censorious spirit (Mark 9:38-40). No one should be more zealous in their ideas of religious separation than Christ who was a friend of sinners (Luke 5:30ff). So, Christian, be a blessing to others and let others be a blessing to you.
