Wholesome Media in a Culture of Darkness

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Have you been feeling lately like you can’t watch a TV show without being indoctrinated by a godless worldview? A youtube video without being consumed with materialism and worldliness? Read a book without vulgarity? Me too, friend. You’re not alone. The truth is—as this world gets increasingly darker we must be on high alert and use discretion when it comes to the things that we consume. What we let into our eyes and ears ultimately ends up in our hearts and minds.

“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
— philippians 4:8

Every good thing is from God for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17 James 1:17). I don’t think that media entertainment in itself is bad. Books and film are an art form and can beautifully capture the beauty of God, His creation, and ultimately make us deeply feel something. As much as I love to read, I enjoy a good movie or TV show as well. However, I try my best to do so in moderation and to use discretion when it comes to the type of content I am consuming. I used to be able to watch shows like Law and Order SVU, Grey’s Anatomy, This Is Us… simply ignoring the aspects that I didn’t agree with, and I still loved them all the same. But these past few years things have only progressed more radically in Hollywood. Their agenda is no longer hidden, but blatantly obvious. I now find myself walking away from modern shows feeling disgusted and disappointed.

But there is hope! Since walking away from most modern entertainment, I’ve developed a love for historical period dramas, films that are not only beautiful in story but in scene…the kind that make you want to run through a field in a victorian dress with your hair blowing in the wind! Wholesome entertainment doesn’t have to look like those awful cheesy Christian movies out there. God is an artist, and He is interested in beautiful, well made things. As Christians, we should surround ourselves with beautiful, well made things.

I’ve compiled a list of TV shows, movies, and books that I enjoy and find to be modest and virtuous. This is not to say that every one of these recommendations beholds perfect theology or worldview, but they are generally wholesome in terms of content. Ultimately, be discerning, test everything against the word of God, and keep a clear conscience.

TV Shows + Movies

  • Little House on the Prairie

  • Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables Trilogy

  • When Calls the Heart

  • Love Comes Softly Series

  • Call the Midwife

  • The Bible Series

  • The Brady Bunch

  • Unplanned

  • Gosnell

  • It’s a Wonderful Life

  • Take Joy: The Magical World of Tasha Tudor

  • The Trail

  • Pioneer Quest

  • Love Finds You In Charm

  • A Hidden Life

  • Testament of Youth

  • Little Women (BBC or 1994 version)

  • Cinderella (2015)

  • Miss Potter

Books

  • Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

  • Anne of Green Gables Series by Lucy Maud Montgomery

  • Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oke

  • The Canadian West Series by Janette Oke

  • A Prairie Legacy Series by Janette Oke

  • Seasons of the Heart Series by Janette Oke

  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

  • Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

  • The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

  • Caroline by Sarah Miller

Of course none of these are perfect. Even our “feminine favorites” like Little Women and Little House on the Prairie have been infected by feminism. I still greatly enjoy them however. It is up to you to discern what you can read with a clean conscience. This is certainly not an exhaustive list and I will be adding to it as I discover more books and movies that I enjoy! Please do share some of your favorite “wholesome entertainment” in the comments below!

Kaetlyn Anne35 Comments