Is acting a sin?
Question:
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share a thought that has been on my mind lately, particularly regarding the world of acting and entertainment, and how it might be perceived within the church.
It wouldn't surprise me if one day I came across a sermon or article—perhaps even within our own fellowship—where a member of the Church of Christ condemns acting, movies, television, or live theater altogether. The argument might be made that these forms of entertainment are inherently deceptive: that actors are pretending to be someone they’re not, saying things that aren’t true, and therefore engaging in a form of lying. From that perspective, such art forms could be criticized as promoting dishonesty and deemed
unsuitable for Christians.
While I understand the concern about truthfulness, I also wonder if such a stance might overlook the intent and purpose behind storytelling. Fiction, after all, can serve to illuminate truth, stir the conscience, and inspire virtue—even if the narrative itself is imagined. Jesus Himself used parables—stories that were not literal events but were rich in meaning and truth.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this topic. Have you encountered this perspective within the church before? Do you think it's a fair concern, or does it stem from a misunderstanding of what storytelling and performance aim to accomplish?
Thank you for your time and insight.
Answer:
In answer to "Can a Christian be a serious actor when so many movies have intimate scenes?" I pointed out that if a Christian is asked to portray sin, it is still sin. To claim that one was only pretending doesn't absolve the person from responsibility.
You are correct to note that Jesus used parables to illustrate his points. Those parables were descriptions about events from everyday life that could have taken place. The prophets were often asked to perform unusual acts to draw attention and convey a message from God. But again, what they did was moral.
Even one of the books of the Bible, the Song of Solomon, is written in the form of a play.
Fantasy stories are not wrong simply because they are fantasies. See "What makes some fantasy stories wrong?" Always, the question is what is being taught and promoted by the stories.
