REALITY TV ISN’T REALITY

Blog: Max Dawson
April 17, 2017
A few weeks ago I wrote a piece about “fake news.” That is something that has been discussed in the media for the past several months. I gave an example of “fake news” in the Bible–the story spread by the guards in . Instead of accurately reporting that Jesus was raised from the dead, the soldiers told people that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body. They were paid to tell that lie. The story, of course, was fake. But it was good enough to satisfy those who hated Jesus. It was a way of opposing the truth of His resurrection.
Let’s face it, it is apparent that some news outlets have fabricated or exaggerated stories for political purposes. News reporting ought to be a profession of the highest integrity and character.
So, we move from fake news on TV to “reality TV.” Lately, it is being confirmed–what some folks were suspicious of all along–that much of “reality TV” isn’t reality at all. It is “fake reality.”
A recent article in the Beaumont Enterprise gave insight on HGTV’s “House Hunters.” The episode was entitled “Moving Back to Beaumont.” It was about a couple moving back to our city. The article indicated that the couple had already bought a house and were closing on it. But the show had them “pretend” that they were still in the selection process. They then pretend to choose the house they have already bought. “House Hunters” is one of our favorite shows. But “pretend” is not reality.
The same thing is true regarding the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars.” The people who appear as customers with their family heirlooms have all been pre-screened and are given a script to follow. They then pretend to just casually walk in off the street with their stuff for sale. Once again, “pretend” is not reality.
What is true of those two shows is true of many others. Someone says, “What’s the harm? The shows are entertaining.” I might somewhat agree with that, but remember that everything is not exactly as it may appear on those shows.
THE FINAL WORD
My point in writing the block above is to make a contrast. Do you want reality with no pretend? No fake? All truth? That’s what you get in the gospel. That is the point Luke makes in . Luke says he is writing so “…that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”
Peter says something similar in .
“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
From there, Peter went on to talk about the certainty of the prophecies regarding Jesus that had been fulfilled. No pretend. No fake. All reality. Nothing but truth.
Many more examples like these could be offered.
Now, for a question: What would be the outcome in the lives of Christians if we spent as much time absorbing the gospel record as we do watching “reality TV”?
That’s just a question for you to ponder. That’s all.
Blessings to you, my wise friends,
–Max