Pervasive, Persuasive, Pernicious

At the risk of encouraging a snobby and condemning response I think this short clip on the commercialization of children is worth pondering and serves as a timely reminder as we head into summer, a time which many families use for rest, restoration, and recreation before hitting homeschool again in the fall.

How much time do/will your children devote to absorbing what is ultimately a covetous, and idolatrous attitude of consumerism? Although admittedly none of us want our children to develop the health risks that this film implied are linked to consumerism, it seems to me that this trailer brings up a higher danger at stake: an attitude of cruise ship living rather than wartime field survival.

Our gospel community group is currently working through a series on the sovereignty of God in suffering, the content of which goes against all that consumerism promises. Consumerism preaches that it is all about you, what you want, and how to get others to worship you, but the call of Scripture speaks of higher things, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death,” and “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.”

For some this trailer will invoke feelings of self-righteousness and condemnation, “That is why we never let our children watch ____.” Others may find it irritating, “Here we go again on another rant about how parents are failing again.” But in the hopes that it may serve as warning, revelation, or source of further study to some of you, I will re-post it here.

P.S. I should note that not all of the clips in this trailer are appropriate for young children. It may be what some of your children’s peers are viewing but it is not suitable for all. You’ve been forewarned.