John Piper’s article on whether churches should use video and drama during worship stirred up a small controversy.

It was argued by some that he was anti-media. We’ll examine it.

I know one thing can be understood in 10 different ways. But some controversies grow out of misinterpretation.

That problem can occur when more is read into what a person is saying than what he originally intended. Comment threads on blogs questioning Piper’s position about media are an example.

About 6-8 comments down on some of these blogs, I found myself wondering how a man of John Piper’s education and intellect could say such ridiculous things being attributed to him.

I had to go back and re-read what he actually wrote.

In my view, he hadn’t conveyed anything close to the ideas some of his detractors were presenting as his. So, to nip that in the bud for our discussion, let’s examine what John Piper “said” and “didn’t say” in his article.

In his own words

He didn’t say using media was in violation of Scripture. He said “the Bible doesn’t forbid it.”

He didn’t say everyone should stop using media. He said, “You can do whatever you want to do.”

He didn’t say all use of media was to compensate for weak preaching. He said it’s “largely a token of unbelief in the power of preaching.” (I might question his research on this point. But, suffice it to say, if you’re church doesn’t have weak preaching, the point doesn’t apply.)

He didn’t say the church shouldn’t use drama at all. He said “I went to a drama at our church four days ago. I believe in drama.”

He didn’t say the arts have no place in the church. He said, “Let’s have the arts in our churches, but don’t try to squash it all into Sunday morning.”

In John Piper’s own words, as I understood them, he is not against the use of media by the church. Or for that matter, by his global media ministry, Desiring God.

The main concern

While not anti-media, Piper did express some reservations about the use of media during worship. His main concern seems to be that “We’ll just go further and further.”  Piper didn’t write a thesis on the subject, thus no detailed explanation is given about what he meant by “further.” The reader is left to imagine. The picture in this post was chosen to help with that.

Perhaps Piper meant that by adding elements to purely entertain, media could overpower personal worship and praise; become its focus. If you’ve ever experienced the visceral impact of a rock concert or the dramatic intensity of a Broadway production, I think you get the idea.

It seems to me that “going further with media” might also mean anything during a service that distracts people from meeting with God. Would Twittering in church be a distraction? Piper says “yes” in this post. For the record, he’s not anti-twittering.

For Bethlehem Baptist Church, Piper has decided that video clips and drama could be a distraction. So, they don’t do it. However, and this is important … he doesn’t pronounce judgment on anyone else for using visual media or technology. Nor does he advocate any new rules calling for its prohibition.

The bottom line

As I see it, the bottom line to Piper’s position is this: when it comes to the use of media and technology during worship, “freedom.” Freedom with responsibility to be mindful of the power of media. I hear the pastor saying, “Watch out. Be on guard. Don’t go too far.” That’s what pastors are supposed to do.

On matters such as this, the pastors at our church say, “Methods are many principles few, methods may change, principles never do.”

Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water. Revelation 14:7

I believe God has given us the tools of media and technology. We should use them wisely during worship and for ministry outside the four walls of the church. To use them or not to use them is a matter of discernment, thorough evaluation and congregational choice.

The Bible should always be our guide. We never want to cross the line into worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.

Question: If your pastor decided to stop using video and drama during worship, would you change churches? Would you support twittering during worship?