The Thoughts of Wesley son of Cornelius

“The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. It is man’s fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.” (Isaiah 44:13-15 NIV)

The other day I was at an electronics store with my dad looking for a new projector screen for church. We kindly asked a sales representative where they keep such an item. And like the ring master of a circus, he led us into the most dazzling section of the store. The floor was like waxed hardwood. Black leather recliners spotted the dimly light room. A mysterious glow flickered above our heads. “Welcome,” he said, “to our home entertainment.” The projector screens lowered all around us. Immediately, high definition pro football was in visual stereo. My initial urge was to lie prostrate on the floor. The gods had descended.

Today, after playing an awesome game of flag football, the guys all sat down to rest. One gentleman mentioned that he was hopeful that his wife would allow him to buy a new HD flat screen. Before long, several guys were spitting out dimensions, pixel numbers, and other visually enhanced features.

Just as wood is used for warmth, the television can be used for good. However, I believe most of the time the TV is destructive. My grandparents commonly ate very fattening foods: cornbread, lard, and potatoes. However, they maintained an active life which kept the weight off. The TV says to sit back and relax. The TV also indorses a vital sex life. It defines great sex. The TV even defines who can partake in the gift of sex. Where has homosexuality been recognized the most? The TV. Reading and socializing were once the food of the wise. Now the television has made us all fools.

Fathers have been ruined by televisions, mothers have been distracted by televisions, and children have been destroyed by televisions. Minds have been turned to mush and muscles have been turned to fat.

“They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think …” (Isaiah 44:18)