Art and Life and Sin

Does portraying sin in movies and literature help to illuminate and educate as a means to eliminating it, or does it merely draw attention to and reinforce inappropriate behavior?

A new movie, Hounddog, which was released this week at the Sundance Film Festival, portrays the attack and rape of a young girl played by actress Dakota Fanning. Already the film is surrounded by controversy over the exposure of a young child to such a horrific topic and situation. A number of child rights activists and various Christian organizations have spoken out against the film and the exploitation of the young actress – even to the point of suggesting that it is illegal.

Clearly, the subject represents a vile sin that produces life-changing pain for all involved. And, as a result, it heightens our sensitivities to anything having to do with it…and increases the intensity of our response. But, the sad fact remains that children are attacked and raped in our world. This is a reality that we can and must react to on behalf of children. We don’t need to see a movie or read a book to know that these things happen, and blaming the arts and media for addressing them should not be a primary aspect of our reaction to them.

Our ministry on behalf of children must focus on the prevention of these sinful acts and the elimination of the unhealthy and dehumanizing conditions that perpetuate them. We must help kids become healed from them.

We can debate the role of art in this context, but the role of ministry seems clear. It is to bring the love of Christ to children and to help them grow in it.