Jonah: I’m deeply concerned about this trend of using worldly TV shows and movies in sermons. Ephesians 5:11 is very clear: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” When pastors use media that contains violence, immorality, or vulgarity, it sends the wrong message. The pulpit should be a sacred place where we keep our focus solely on God’s Word.

Carl: I think you’re missing an important point. The world we live in isn’t perfect, and people encounter these shows and movies daily. Paul himself quoted pagan poets in Acts 17:28 when he spoke to the Athenians. He found common ground with their culture to share the gospel. I believe using media as sermon illustrations can help people see God’s truth in unexpected places.

Jonah: But Paul wasn’t endorsing paganism by quoting their poets! He was confronting their idolatry. When a pastor uses a clip from a show filled with sinful behaviour, doesn’t that subtly endorse it? Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely… think about such things.” Shouldn’t sermons reflect those values?

Carl: I totally agree that sermons should uplift and guide people toward holiness. But avoiding secular media altogether might isolate the church from the real world. Jesus met people where they were — he ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:16-17). If we can take a scene from a popular show and use it to illustrate God’s redemptive power, isn’t that a way of redeeming culture for Christ?

Jonah: There’s a difference between meeting people where they are and dragging worldly content into the church. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The church should be countercultural, not trying to stay relevant by mimicking the culture’s obsession with entertainment.

Carl: I respect your concern for holiness, Jonah, but I think relevance isn’t a compromise — it’s a strategy. Even Jesus used parables based on the everyday lives of His audience. Today, people’s stories are often told through movies and TV shows. If we can connect those stories to God’s greater story, aren’t we following His example of storytelling?

Jonah: Perhaps, but we need discernment. Not every story is worth retelling, especially if it glorifies sin. As 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says, “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Reject every kind of evil.” Let’s be careful not to dilute the message of the gospel by mixing it with corrupt media. For example, I heard a pastor recently referenced Seinfeld in a sermon to make a point. Honestly, I was shocked. That show is filled with sarcastic humour, selfish characters, and scenes that glorify sin. How can we justify using content like that in God’s house?

Carl: I get where you’re coming from. Seinfeld isn’t exactly a moral guide. But the beauty of the gospel is that it speaks to all aspects of life. Sometimes a witty scene from Seinfeld can illustrate human flaws—like selfishness or pride—and how Christ offers a better way.

Jonah: But Seinfeld glorifies that selfishness, doesn’t it? The characters never learn their lesson; they just keep making the same mistakes. Shouldn’t pastors point us toward examples of virtue, not dysfunction?

Carl: Sure, the characters in Seinfeld don’t grow or learn, but that’s part of its humour—it’s a satirical look at the emptiness of a self-centered life. Why not use that to highlight how much more fulfilling life in Christ is? Jesus often used real-life examples to make His teachings relatable. If he were preaching today, I wouldn’t be surprised if he referenced pop culture.

Jonah: That sounds like a stretch, Carl. Jesus may have used relatable examples, but they were wholesome—like farming, weddings, and fishing. He didn’t draw from corrupt or vulgar sources. Again, Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” How does bringing Seinfeld into a sermon transform anyone’s mind for Christ?

Carl: It’s all about context and discernment. If a pastor said, “Remember that Seinfeld episode where George lies and cheats to get ahead, but it all backfires?”—and then connected that to Proverbs 12:19, “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment”—isn’t that a creative way to show how biblical principles are timeless?

Jonah: But there’s a slippery slope. If we start referencing secular shows, where do we draw the line? What about shows with even more immoral content? Isn’t it safer to reject content like Seinfeld entirely?

Carl: I think rejecting all secular content isolates the church from the world Jesus called us to reach. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Even shows like Seinfeld can reveal truths about human nature that point people to God when approached thoughtfully and prayerfully.

Jonah: Let’s take an extreme example. I just saw a church post a Game of Thrones meme on their social media page. I couldn’t believe it! That show is filled with violence, nudity, and morally corrupt behaviour. Ephesians 5:3 warns, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” How can a church associate itself with something so blatantly unholy?

Carl: I hear your concern, but memes are a modern way to connect with people, especially younger audiences. Social media is where many people spend their time, and using a Game of Thrones meme doesn’t mean the church is endorsing the content of the show. It’s just a creative way to capture attention. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Jonah: But memes based on a show like that send the wrong message. Again, think back to Romans 12:2. Using a meme from Game of Thrones looks like the church is conforming to worldly entertainment instead of standing apart as a beacon of righteousness.

Carl: But we need to engage culture to be relevant. If the meme conveys a biblical truth or promotes an event in a lighthearted way, isn’t that redeeming culture for God’s purposes? If Jesus were on earth today, I bet he’d understand the power of a good meme.

Jonah: I doubt Jesus would use a meme from something so morally compromised. 1 Thessalonians 5:22; “Reject every kind of evil.” We should focus on content that uplifts and honours God, not something tied to violence and immorality. There are plenty of wholesome references we can use instead.

Carl: Discernment is key. The truth is, Game of Thrones is a cultural touchstone. If a clever meme can draw someone into a deeper engagement with the church and ultimately with Christ, isn’t that worth considering? Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” Creativity belongs to God, even if we find it in unexpected places.

Our faith calls us to continuously seek wisdom and understanding. It’s vital for us, as Christians, to engage in these dialogues, always aiming to reflect God’s love and wisdom in our lives and the lives of those around us.