Today is a look at television and the Christian, specifically at television in the 1990s and 2000s. And it was a decade, the first decade there, the 90s, was a decade defined by television. It was a pivotal decade in the evolution of television. It marked significant technological advances. There were cultural shifts and the emergence of new genres and formats. Television, which was once a passive medium, became an integral part of daily life. It shaped popular culture. It influenced societal norms and provided a shared experience for millions. So we see that and that technological revolution that transformed the television landscape. The introduction of cable television expanded the range of programming options. It offered viewers a wider variety of channels and genres. The development of satellite television further broadened access to international content. connected people from different cultures and backgrounds and then with the rise of VCRs and later DVDs, this allowed viewers to record and watch programs at their convenience and they were challenging the traditional broadcast schedule. The cultural impact, it played a crucial role in the shaping of popular culture for the 1990s. There were iconic shows like Friends and Seinfeld and The Simpsons that captured the zeitgeist of the era. It reflected the social and economic and cultural trends of the time. Moreover, it also played a significant role in promoting consumerism and that was tied to advertising campaigns that were often featuring popular TV characters and storylines. When it came to news and information, it continued to be a primary source of news and information in the 1990s. We followed the Gulf War and the O.J. Simpson trial and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. Those were major events that were extensively covered by television news network. The 24-hour news cycle emerged, providing viewers with constant updates and analysis. And the rise of cable news channels also led to concerns about media bias and the proliferation of sensationalism. When it came to social discourse, it played a vital role in shaping that and public opinion in the 1990s. Shows like the Cosby Show that kept going and Roseanne, there were issues that were being tackled concerning race and class and gender. And it challenged the stereotypes and the goal many times was promote diversity. And then reality television would kick in as we headed into the next decade, but it was a decade, as we look back on the 90s, a decade marked by the profound impact of television on culture and entertainment and news and that social discourse. We move into the 2000s and this is a pivotal era in the evolution of television. long held a central place in popular culture. But as technology advanced, then there were societal attitudes that were shifting. And so television would adapt to that and it would expand its reach and influence in unprecedented ways. And we moved to the rise of cable television and the streaming services. One of the most significant developments in the 2000s was the proliferation of cable television and later streaming services. These platforms offered a vast array of channels and content and there was catering to a diverse interest and demographics. This increased competition and that led to another golden age, sometimes the platinum age of television, and it was characterized by innovative storytelling and complex characters and series that became groundbreaking. And we see in the cable networks and the original programming networks like HBO and Showtime and AMC would produce acclaimed series such as The Sopranos or Six Feet Under or Breaking Bad and these shows push the boundaries of television storytelling. It explored mature themes and complex moral dilemmas and these streaming services and on-demand content. There were platforms that would start to kick in like Netflix and Hulu that would revolutionize the way people would consume television. On-demand streaming allowed viewers to watch their favorite shows at their own pace, and that would lead to binge-watching culture and a shift in viewing habits. Television became a cultural catalyst. It had always been a powerful tool for shaping cultural norms and values. But in the 2000s it continued to play a crucial role in that. Social commentary and current events and it would address these social issues. It would spark important conversations and it would raise awareness. Shows like the West Wing and The Daily Show would tackle political topics with humor and insight. And then when it came to diversity, and that was something that kept being stressed, and you'd see shows like Friends and Will & Grace and even a show called Queer as Folk. And now LGBTQ characters would become more prominent. Then we moved into the impact of reality television, and reality television had gained immense popularity in the 2000s. starting with the real world on MTV and then ultimately moving into the show Survivor. There were cultural phenomenons because of that, those reality shows, like American Idol, like Survivor, like Keeping Up with the Kardashians. These became cultural phenomenons and they would shape trends and influence popular discourse. And then it would also raise ethical concerns regarding the treatment of contestants and the portrayal of certain lifestyles. And so these were all things that showed that the 2000 was a transformative period for television and those technological advancements and changing societal attitudes that would reshape the media. And so What's the moral compass there? Well, there's some things that we can see through it. When the 1990s and the 2000s witnessed that significant transformation, there was this characterization of increased diversity and experimentation and even a more nuanced exploration of moral dilemmas. the rise of antiheroes. One of the defining trends of this era was the emergence of antiheroes, morally ambiguous characters who challenged traditional notions of heroism. There were shows like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos that delved into the complexities of human nature, explored the blurred lines between good and evil. And these characters forced viewers to question their own moral boundaries. And then they would consider gray areas that existed in the real world. And then with the addressing of social issues, we see shows like The Wire and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They tackle topics such as poverty and race and sexuality in ways that had never been touched on before. And then reality television, which had gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000. It had a unique lens through which we could examine morality. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother often exposed the darker side of human nature, revealed the lengths to which people would go to win. So this is what was happening, a more sophisticated, morally complex medium. And by exploring those antiheroes, by addressing those social issues, by examining the human condition through reality television, there were programs that during that era challenged viewers to think critically about right and wrong. And so as we as Christians view these things, how do we deal with gray areas? We see in the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verses 23 and 24 says this, I have the right to do anything, you say, but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. And so there's several teachings in the Bible that are clearly articulated with little or no dispute. There were condemnations of fornication, of lying and stealing. We don't have to do extensive investigating the Bible to figure that out, that there's black and white areas. However, there are times in the Bible that the Bible doesn't necessarily take a hard and fast stand on something. And we call these areas gray areas. And gray areas are issues that Scripture does not take a dogmatic stance on. Scripture doesn't necessarily talk about those things in depth. Instead, the Bible gives Christians the liberty to make God-glorifying decisions based on their convictions. And so, how somebody deals with drinking, or dating, or kissing, or gambling, or smoking, or clothing, or music, or movies, or television, or dancing, how you spend your money, what kind of schooling you do, what is involved with women working outside the home. And so all of those things. either are never discussed or they're discussed only briefly in scripture. And so how do we develop convictions concerning that? And so we need to understand, is something sin? Does the Bible truly list it as sin? And then what are the principles that we would use to deal with each of those things? Does that activity, affect a fellow believer? Does it affect your testimony to unbelievers? Does it go against your conscience? Is it unwise? And so it's important for you and I, and specifically as we're talking right now about television viewing habits, What does that look like for you as a Christian? And so you have to answer that. Certain things you would know, this is not good. And then other things you'd have to say, is this helpful for me? Is this beneficial? Is this the best thing for me? And as we went through the 90s, as we go into the 2000s and we looked at that, things started to shift. And so we have to work a little harder at this in thinking, where do we stand in these issues?