If Jesus were here on earth today, I think He would post videos of Himself and His message on YouTube. I think He might even watch an occasional movie or come to a Superbowl party to watch the game. I know for sure that He would be aware of and engaged in our image-driven culture. But not without transforming it. It’s really a pointless question to ask if Jesus would watch television or surf the Web. Jesus is not here today. But we are. As His followers, we live in a culture of images and screens. We must not just close our eyes, nor should we just take it all in. Instead, the Scriptures give us some principles that can guide our viewing. First, don’t watch what is evil. The Psalmist made this commitment: “I will refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar” (Ps. 101:2b-3a). And the Apostle Paul: “It is shameful even to talk about [or watch on YouTube] the things that ungodly people do” (Eph. 5:11-12). Second, watch what is beautiful and meaningful. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Phil. 4:8). Television and movies are forms of art and there is a difference between good art and bad art. Support good art. Third, watch deliberately. Don’t waste time; redeem the time (Ps. 90:10,17; Rom. 13:11). How easily time slips away when we’re flipping channels or surfing the web. If you’re going to watch, watch on purpose. Don’t just kill time. And fourth, do more than just watch. Read. Think. Write. Converse. Engage in our image-driven culture, but don’t drown yourself in it. It’ll make you stupid! “With Facebook and text messages kids may actually be reading more… But they read differently. Five thousand words on a given topic makes the mind go deep; five links makes it go wide. Maybe even to the point of flattening” (Cheaney). Reading makes you think. God made us to think. And it’s going to take thoughtful people to engage with and transform this culture. “God, after all, sent a book not a video. We did not let the pagan Irish wallow in their symbols of other gods rudely painted on stone walls. Why should we let the pagan Americans sink back to pictures flickering on modern walls?”