The Influence of Platonic Philospy Today

The Greek Philosopher, Plato (427-347 B.C.) invented the idea of tragedy-driven entertainment. And although he lived over 2,400 years ago his influence is still alive today in our media, books, and daily lives. Although it can come in many forms, some seemingly harmless, some not, in reality it is a rebellion against the authority and power of Christ and his resurrection.

Platonism, as I mentioned earlier, comes in many forms. The first I would like to discuss is that of the popular horror, movies, books, TV shows that the mass media boasts about. When a tragic situation is portrayed without Christ conquering it, it has blatantly rebelled against Christ’s sovereignty. And this media is affecting culture today, specifically our young men and boys. As they begin to find enjoyment in watching others suffer they will be much less likely to recognize the reality of judgment when it does come. Potentially, when they see suffering with their own eyes they will be lost in a world of fantasy, enthralled with the enemies’ technology that has come to harm their lives and those of their family.

As this is also prevalent in the novels of today, I would like to clarify the difference of platonic tragedy in fiction, and crisis in a biblical context. While Platonic tragedy ends, and finds enjoyment with pain and suffering, biblical crisis ends with Christ victorious. Some Christians lean toward the opposite of this problem by refusing to acknowledge the true state of sin to their children. I am not saying we shouldn’t protect our children’s minds and hearts from evil, but they do need to know it’s out there. Just David (Eleanor H. Porter) is a good example of a father who didn’t reveal the reality of sin to his son, and because of that the son suffered great consequences in the real world. Christ has truly conquered a real devil in a real world with a real sin problem. Our books, movies, and other media should disclose just that.

A common topic of conversation amongst young people is past injuries. If this does not produce pride in the “toughness” of their ability to survive harm, they are finding entertainment in sharing sufferings: without the acknowledgment of Christ’s healing in their lives. There is a fine line between boasting and enjoying pain and expressing gratitude to the Lord for his healing in our lives.

The fourth implication I would like to discuss is a controversial one. Those of us who live in rural America are faced with a different form of entertainment than the modern technology of motion pictures. They would rather watch others risk their lives riding bulls in rodeos than sit inside watching horror films. And yet, the thinking is the same. Am I condemning rodeos? Not necessarily. There are components of rodeos that are wholesome and family-friendly. But as hopelessness infects others around us, we must expect it will seep into our lives as well unless we make a stand against this rebellion. The truth of God applies to every area if life and thought: rodeos included.