Sermons for SDA - What Does God Say About Drama?

The profession of acting did not originate with the people of God and it is not a part of the divine pattern of worship found in the Bible. The art of drama has come down to us from Greece and was part of the worship of the god Dionysus.

Today, despite great advancements in learning we live in a visual society, where it is often said, “seeing is believing.” Most people are no longer satisfied with merely the spoken word; people want to engage their sight and hearing. The result of this, along with advancing technology and media, is that we are presented with continued and varied images in commerce, schools, the workplace, and especially at home, and increasingly in churches.

There are those who some call church growth experts, they tell us that preaching is outdated and no longer appeals to Generation Y (born in the 1980’s) or Generation X (born between 1964–1982). To reach these new generations, Bible based worship must be replaced or added to with what is considered more effective sensual based worship such as drama, dancing, movies, and rock bands.

While this is what wise men may say, God says something much different. “For by grace are ye saved through faith,” and “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 10:17). It is obvious God’s word is vital to our salvation. This is why Satan is working to lessen the influence of the Word of God with perverse versions of Scripture, movies and plays and shallow sermons designed to make us feel good, yet brings with it a religious life often lacking commitment.

All of this sensuality in worship weakens the mind, making us less capable of having faith in God through His Word and following what His Word teaches. Some would have us believe God’s Word cannot reach the modern mind and therefore God’s principles can be communicated more effectively by targeting the senses. Is this assumption true?

Church history, teaches us that the preaching of the Word was gradually replaced by a visual worship consisting of the Mass, Passion Plays, veneration of images, relics, processions, and pilgrimages to holy shrines. This lessening of the influence of Scripture brought on centuries of apostasy and great ignorance of God and His Word. For over a thousand years people worshiped the Christ, Mary, relics and saints that they could see, touch, wear, and even kiss. Instead of worshiping the invisible God in spirit and truth, they worshiped visible things with ritual and superstition.

And what was the result of relying on these visual aids? It was the most corrupt period the church has known. As God’s Spirit moved upon the sixteenth century Reformers, they rejected the use of images, statues, and relics and Passion Plays in the church. When God brought revival, they relied on the preaching of the Word of God to meet the spiritual needs of believers and to reach unbelievers with the good news of salvation. Oh, you might say, “that was a long time ago, we live in the modern age.” True enough they did not have TV and movies and the Internet and Satellite TV and so forth, as we do. However, God still declares, “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).

Today, in the Christian world there is a growing trend to move away from the Bible in our worship and living. Could it be that the dark history of the past is being repeated and that the appearance of sensual worship that makes us feel good by what we see, feel and experience is a symptom of a spiritual sickness? It is the absence of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in much of the teaching and a lack of true discernment on the part of professing Christians that accounts for the rise of sensuality in preference to the Word of God.

The Bible declares there will be a great falling away from biblical truth and understanding in the last days. Jesus also declared when I come “shall I find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). With the vast majority of Christians who follow a man centered religion and their senses rather than the Word of God, Christ will not find faith in them. Scripture has promised however there will be a people with “the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). I pray you and I will be among that group.

What should be the basis for all that we do? Fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His judgment is come. Revelation 14:7

What should be the attitude of those who present spiritual truth before the people? I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:1, 2

In every discourse fervent appeals should be made to the people to forsake their sins and turn to Christ. The popular sins and indulgences of our day should be condemned, and practical godliness enjoined. Gospel Workers, 159

Some mistakenly think that because Jesus spoke spiritual truth intermingled with common everyday occurrences, then we can also be common in our presentation of Biblical truths. But what was the effect of Christ's teachings? The words of Christ were as sharp arrows, which went to the mark and wounded the hearts of His hearers. Every time He addressed the people, whether His audiences were large or small, His words took saving effect upon the soul of some one. Gospel Workers, 150, 151. Holiness of heart and purity of life was the great subject of the teachings of Christ. Testimonies vol. 2, 444

Drama defined—"composition in verse or prose intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue and typically designed for theatrical performances. Webster's Dictionary, tenth edition.

Should we have any thing to do with drama and skits in presenting truth? I have a message for those in charge of our work. Do not encourage the men who are to engage in this work to think that they must proclaim the solemn, sacred message in a theatrical style. Not one jot or tittle of anything theatrical is to be brought into our work. God's cause is to have a sacred, heavenly mold. Let everything connected with the giving of the message for this time bear the divine impress. Let nothing of a theatrical nature be permitted, for this would spoil the sacredness of the work. Evangelism, 137

I am instructed that we shall meet with all kinds of experiences and that men will try to bring strange performances into the work of God. We have met such things in many places. In my very first labors the message was given that all theatrical performances in connection with the preaching of present truth were to be discouraged and forbidden. Men who thought they had a wonderful work to do sought to adopt a strange deportment and manifested oddities in bodily exercise. The light given me was, "Give this no sanction." These performances, which savored of the theatrical, were to have no place in the proclamation of the solemn messages entrusted to us. Evangelism, 137, 138

Some claim that drama or skits are a way of teaching the young and non-Christians or those weak in faith the truth. However, what is its real effect? Church theatricals…have banished thoughts of God. Great Controversy, 464, chapter Modern Revivals

Those who make use of devices that are theatrical in nature, to hold the attention of the people, lose the realization of the presence of Christ. Manuscript Release, vol. 9, 387

We must be guarded, for Satan is determined, if possible, to intermingle with religious services his evil influence. Let there be no theatrical display, for this will not help to strengthen belief in the word of God. Selected Messages, Book 2, 24

What is the result of bringing theatrical dramas and skits into the church? Wrecks of character have been made by these fashionable church festivals and theatrical performances, and thousands more will be destroyed; yet people will not be aware of the danger, nor of the fearful influences exerted. Many young men and women have lost their souls through these corrupting influences. Counsels on Stewardship, 202

The appetite of the people for a theatrical style of preaching may be satisfied, but the effects made have not saving results. Manuscript Release, vol. 9, 387

How is it that churches and Christians come to use that which really does not lead a person to God? …The spirit that controls the world rules in the church. Religion has become the sport of infidels and skeptics because so many who bear its name are ignorant of its principles. The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from the churches. Heart union with Christ is a rare thing now. The majority of church-members know no tie but that which joins them to an organized body of professed Christians. Love of pleasure and thirst for excitement are everywhere prevalent. Picnics, church theatricals, church fairs, fine houses, personal display, have banished thoughts of God. Spirit of Prophecy vol. 4, 294, 295, also known as the 1884 Great Controversy

In the Sabbath-school, men and women have been accepted as officers and teachers, who have not been spiritually minded,… Formality, pride, and love of display have taken the place of true piety and humble godliness. We might see a different order of things should a number consecrate themselves wholly to God, and then devote their talents to the Sabbath school work, ever advancing in knowledge, and educating themselves so that they would be able to instruct others as to the best methods to employ in the work; but it is not for the workers to seek for methods by which they can make a show, consuming time in theatrical performances and musical display, for this benefits no one. It does no good to train the children to make speeches for special occasions. They should be won to Christ, and instead of expending time, money, and effort to make a display, let the whole effort be made to gather sheaves for the harvest. Fundamentals of Christian Education, 253

What is the religion that mankind wants today? They must have some means of quieting their consciences, and they seek that which is least spiritual and humiliating. What they desire is a method of forgetting God which shall pass as a method of remembering Him. The Great Controversy, 572

Why is Satan pleased to have drama in the churches? Satan's work is to lead men to ignore God, to so engross and absorb the mind that God will not be in their thoughts. The education they have received has been of a character to confuse the mind and eclipse the true light. Satan does not wish the people to have a knowledge of God; and if he can set in operation games and theatrical performances that will so confuse the senses of the young that human beings will perish in darkness while light shines all about them, he is well pleased. The Adventist Home, 401, 402

Christ is our example, would He use drama? The work that Christ did in our world is to be our example, as far as display is concerned. We are to keep as far from the theatrical and the extraordinary as Christ kept in His work. Notebook Leaflets, 105

I cannot find an instance in the life of Christ where He devoted time to play and amusement. He was the great Educator for the present and the future life. I have not been able to find one instance where He educated His disciples to engage in amusements of football or pugilistic games, to obtain physical exercise, or in theatrical performances; and yet Christ was our pattern in all things. Special Testimonies on Education, 191, 192

The Sabbath school is the time when most skits and dramas are done, is this the time and place for such things? The Sabbath-school is not a place of entertainment, to amuse and divert the children,… but it is a place where children and youth are educated, where the Bible is opened to the understanding, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. It is a place where the light of truth is to be imparted. Sabbath-School Worker, January 1, 1891

Who is behind the many leaders both adult and youth to bring forth these skits and drama? Satan's ruling passion is to pervert the intellect and cause men to long for shows and theatrical performances. The experience and character of all who engage in this work will be in accordance with the food given to the mind.

The Lord has given evidence of His love for the world. There was no falsity, no acting, in what He did. Evangelism, 266, 267

How is using dramatic presentations following the steps of Nadab and Abihu, who mingled the common fire with the sacred fire of God? To bring anything of a theatrical nature into the preaching of the Word of God is to use common fire instead of the sacred fire of God's kindling …take up your work with greater humility, and carry it forward by christlike methods. Let the truth have the field. For Christ's sake do not hinder its progress by our own inventions. Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, 277

Ask your self the following questions: Do the skits and dramatic presentations presented at church in an attempt to teach spiritual truth give youas participants and you as the audience—

1. A longing to love and serve Christ with a deeper longing to be like Christ in holiness of heart and purity of life?

2. An earnest desire to search earnestly for the truth in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy and to bring your life in conformity to its teachings?

3. A solemn realization of your responsibility as a believer to do all in your power to propagate the three angels messages by word and deed?

If we are honest before God the answers are no. Theatrical presentations in whatever form generally lower the concept of truth, and dim our view of the glory of God, and merely entertain us, leaving us in deeper Laodician slumber than before.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

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