Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June 16/56

Contributor - H. J. Boekhoven

Title - Our Christian Attitude

Topic - Youth

The Editorial Committee for the Youth Page West is interested in discussions in connection with articles printed in the Pioneer in the section "Youth Page West". I hope you allow me, therefore, to make some remarks in connection with the article written by Mr. Dick J. Geerling of Edmonton.

This article "Our attitude towards dancing" deals with the problem of dancing. Some other aspects of the Christian way of life could be discussed in connection with this article. We as Christians ought to have an attitude not only towards dancing, but towards life itself and consequently towards all the aspects of life. I know that the writer of said article does not deny that, but I want to add this to the discussions. We have to give a considerable amount of thought to the question "What is the Christian attitude in life?"

I am not planning to face all the problems of life in an article like -this. I only would appreciate it if we could find a general rule for facing the problem of Christian entertainment. First of all, we must agree that we cannot start a discussion like this with a remark I often hear in certain groups: "We may not . . ." I personally think that there is no straight command to that extend. The Law of God teaches us how to love: love towards God and towards our neighbour. But it teaches, also, how to love God's creation and the "things" of the creation. It does not teach us to go into the direction of the one extreme the extreme of denying the pleasures in life - but it teaches us how to appreciate these pleasures.

Unless we can prove that a certain attitude in life is entirely sinful, I know that God allows us to make use of it. The Devil tries to get hold of every aspect of life, depravity is from him, please realize that, but God's creation was very good, realize that also. However, the permission to use a certain "something" in life does not imply that we go and use it for twenty four hours a day, so that it does no, longer serve us, but we serve it. We have to live a Christian life and that means that we have more responsibilities than only one. We may not fall into the other extreme of using certain pleasures, so that these pleasures overrule everything. We are allowed to have our entertainment, but we do have our tasks also. To find a solution to this problem lies in the wisdom of the faithful Christian. The things of the Creation of God are at our disposal. We, however, have to realize that we ought to escape the sinfulness in these things. To play at chess is fine, but it can easily become a dictating power in the family-life. This game ought to serve us and not we this game.

The Christian ought to look up to Jesus Christ and serve Him in his entire life both in his daily work and in his entertainment. We can meet the Lord at any time, if we are serving Him any time - and serving Him means that we do not fall into one extreme, not into the other either, but that we fulfill our Christian duties that lead to real Life and Happiness in the Lord.

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