TV or not TV

Speaking of kids watching television (that is what we were talking about, right?), the other day, as I was seated doing something I thought important, I observed a familiar and disturbing scene. Our 5-year old, Gabbie, and 2-year old, David, were transfixed to a Dora video (don’t worry. You either know Dora or you don’t. “Dora the Explorer” is not the issue). Naturally, my thoughts turned to the first chapter of Genesis (oh, you mean that’s not “natural?”)

Genesis 1 presents an account of the creation, culminating in the creation of human beings – male and female. What we find from the beginning is that, as those made in the image of God, the Creator, we were made to work, to be productive, to be creative. We were not made to be passive consumers, existing to be entertained. Now, in some respects, watching a program, attending a movie, etc., can be a way to appreciate someone else’s creativity. However, to turn to television, the internet, etc. as an antidote to boredom, or as a default choice, is a futile, mind-numbing, soul-crushing exercise that will only serve to increase the restlessness, boredom and sense of dislocation for anyone, child or adult.

So we should all get out and be productive creators, right? Well, yes, but Genesis 1 does not tell us the whole story. In Genesis 3, we see what the problem is – why we are not the creative producers we were designed to be. Genesis tells us about what is known as “the Fall” – Adam and Eve’s rejection of God’s design for creation’s, including their own, flourishing under God’s gracious rule. God’s image in humanity is broken. As a result, everything becomes fractured and infected, including work, our creative activity, which is now difficult and painful and demanding. So, we shy away from work and creativity and resist it. And now, the opportunities to passively take and consume “entertainment,” to run from work’s struggle, are available as never before in history.

Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. In Genesis 3, we have God instilling the hope that he would not abandon us to our fallen, decaying, disintegrating state. From that point forward, all those who trusted in God – with Abraham being the paradigmatic figure – looked to him in hope that he would forgive, restore and renew. This he does in Abraham’s son, “the image of the invisible God,” the one by whom all things were created, and by whom there is a renewed and restored creation, which includes work.

Even now, as Jesus is “making all things new,” the effects of the fallen creation remain, as she “groans” for her full and final redemption and liberation upon Jesus’ return, when he will bring to completion that which he accomplished in his death and resurrection. And so we know that creative activity is good, but we also understand the nature of the struggle and are not confused by it, thinking the way out is through some form of “escape.” We create and produce with a real hope based on what God through Jesus Christ has done, is doing and will do. This includes activity that restores or renews, such as fixing something broken, ordering something disordered or simply cleaning. Furthermore, when our productivity is undertaken for the good of another, the renewing work of Christ is truly being reflected.

Conclusion: I really think my kids should watch less television and maybe try to build something with all those stray pieces of lego all over our home. Maybe it would help if I actually participated with them. Hmmm.

Conclusion 2: What I said about “Dora the Explorer” not being the issue isn’t true. I have been listening to her voice incessantly for way too long and I want her to go away.

Note: this post is not intended to instill feelings of superiority in those who work hard, especially if they are overworking. Obviously, the issues pertaining to creativity, work, rest, our self efforts to deal with our broken image (such as building our identity on our accomplishments) and God’s restoration of that image are plentiful.

Note 2: If you don't like it, you try coming up with a title.