tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post116085079902047901..comments2024-03-25T19:00:40.046-06:00Comments on The Constructive Curmudgeon: John Piper: Truth About TelevisionDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1161101574090605142006-10-17T10:12:00.000-06:002006-10-17T10:12:00.000-06:00Doug,Here is an interesting lyric from an alternat...Doug,<BR/><BR/>Here is an interesting lyric from an alternative group that I know you will appreciate:<BR/><BR/><I><BR/>Cuz I'm a 21st century digital boy<BR/>I don't know how to read but I've got a lot of toys<BR/>My daddy's a lazy middle class intellectual<BR/>My mommy's on valium, so ineffectual<BR/>Ain't life a mystery?</I><BR/>21st Century (Digital Boy)<BR/>Artist: Bad ReligionJonathan Erdmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234688186113838474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1161095192676580172006-10-17T08:26:00.000-06:002006-10-17T08:26:00.000-06:00Most Americans don't read a single book all year.H...<I>Most Americans don't read a single book all year.</I><BR/><BR/>Have you heard any stat lines on this? Or is this just a general reflection based on observation?<BR/><BR/>Considering what big business books are in this country (Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc.) it is hard to believe that Americans are not readers....Jonathan Erdmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234688186113838474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1161050319738851342006-10-16T19:58:00.000-06:002006-10-16T19:58:00.000-06:00I am reaching out to African immigrants at a churc...I am reaching out to African immigrants at a church in Phoenix. Last night I told them that one of my frustration with American culture is that Americans (and American Christians) don't read. Most Americans don't read a single book all year. We waste time on other things. Yet we have more access to books than any other culture ever.<BR/><BR/>In Liberia (where many of the Africans are from), there are no working libraries--in the entire country. My friend's library was used to start fires during the civil war there about 15 years ago.<BR/><BR/>I hear so many people speak of TV programs they have watched, but seldom about books they have read.<BR/><BR/>The battle for truth, literacy, and a Christian philosophy of life continues...Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1161009220715841942006-10-16T08:33:00.000-06:002006-10-16T08:33:00.000-06:00It's a good warning, I think.The only counter poin...It's a good warning, I think.<BR/><BR/>The only counter point I would make is that quotes like these can lead people to believe that faith rests upon what they abstain from, rather than what they pursue.<BR/><BR/>Watching less tv does not equivocate to knowing God more deeply. Faith is not formulaic, it is, firstly a spiritual journey. Discipline is important, but not an end in itself. I'm sure Piper would agree.Jonathan Erdmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04234688186113838474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1161004255006990492006-10-16T07:10:00.000-06:002006-10-16T07:10:00.000-06:00Well said. I know of a Bible study group where sev...Well said. <BR/><BR/>I know of a Bible study group where several middle-aged Christian women have broken down in <I>tears</I> while talking about their TV watching, admitting that the shows they watch are wretched and morally vile but confessing that they feel unable to stop. Asked why they don't toss out the TV, they immediately replied, "Oh, my husband would never let me. There's no point in even talking about it. He has to have his sports."<BR/><BR/>Food for thought, guys ...Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15786874834919065011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1160951862880138572006-10-15T16:37:00.000-06:002006-10-15T16:37:00.000-06:00So, find yourself more and more not in front of th...So, find yourself more and more not in front of the TV.Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1160936168283299642006-10-15T12:16:00.000-06:002006-10-15T12:16:00.000-06:00Verified. It came from my blog at this post.Great ...Verified. It came from <A HREF="http://www.hantla.com/" REL="nofollow">my blog</A> at <A HREF="http://www.hantla.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=341" REL="nofollow">this post</A>.<BR/><BR/>Great quote. I recommend the entire book. That particular quote grabbed me as I was reading and I have come back to it often simply because I find it an accurate diagnosis of my heart when I find myself in front of the tv.Jacob Hantlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04964637928698990552noreply@blogger.com