I think St. Paul, were he living in our times, would have appreciated the 1976 film, “Network”, a satirical comedy-drama about the television industry.
The movie received widespread critical acclaim, four Academy Awards, and several other honors. The plot concerned the television industry and how more and more shock, violence, and fantasy improved audience share and ratings.
Television began as a news and entertainment vehicle, originally with only one or a very few channels. Nowadays, with hundreds of channels to choose from, both news and entertainment programs are competing for audience share and ratings—and they seem to be blending.
Often “news” programs seek to impact, titillate, and entertain, and “entertainment” programs, to include critical news.
And, of course, just as there are hundreds of channels, there are hundreds of differing points of view being broadcast in both news and entertainment.
When Paul wrote his letter to the Christian community in Ephesus, probably around the year 62, concerned about divisions and dissensions there, he counseled them:
“…to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly. Make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force.” (4:1-3)
He also warned them to think critically and not to be easily swayed by clever and persuasive speakers:
“Let us then, be children no longer, tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error. Rather, let us profess the truth in love and grow to the full maturity of Christ…” (4:14-15)
The dictionary definition of “doctrine” is: 1. a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government. 2. Something that is taught; teachings collectively. 3. a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject.
But, by the way the word is used in Ephesians, I think it would include every wind and variation of news, propaganda, interpretation, explanation, opinion, analysis, statistics, and prediction that buffet each of us daily.
In that movie which Paul might have appreciated, the marketers of “news” would have understood what he meant by “human trickery and skill in proposing error”.
However, their defense might well have been that we’re a business; we have to be concerned about the bottom line. We’re not primarily teachers or preachers, we’re promoters. And, we need to be sensitive to the priorities of those who support us, who pay the bills.
If the priorities involve “truth”, then we’re for “truth”. But, of course, they might add, there are varieties and versions of “truth”, and we have a right to promote ours.
And, what would Paul say to that? Well, he already did: “Let us, then, be children no longer, tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error. Rather, let us profess the truth in love…”
Paul knew that “truth” can’t have varieties and versions, although perceptions of truth can. Because we don’t “know” something doesn’t mean it’s not real or doesn’t exist.
Grow up, Paul urges, “be children no longer…”
18 October 2020