Jumpstarter 8 of 10

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Question 8

Dean argued that “what Christian TV/radio continually don’t say” (the way of Christ, what Jesus wants us to do with grace) shapes believers, and he connected violent games/music to desensitization and military-style conditioning; what “diet” has most trained your instincts—sermons, podcasts, entertainment—and where do you notice your conscience becoming numb rather than tender?

Another way to ask: What most shapes your instincts—sermons, podcasts, TV, music, or games? Where do you notice your conscience getting numb instead of more sensitive?

Direct Answer Dean’s point is that spiritual and media “diet” trains instincts: even if much content is “good,” what it leaves out (obedience to Jesus’ way) can still deform us, and violent entertainment can desensitize the conscience. The transcript can’t identify your personal “diet,” but it calls you to examine what you consume and what it is shaping in you.

Support from Transcript:

Dean says Christian media often isn’t wrong for what it says about “grace…holiness…fear of God,” but for what it “continually don’t say.”
He names the missing emphasis: “the way of Christ, what Jesus wants us to do with that grace-filled life.”
He describes this as a steady “diet” that “influences us,” even Anabaptist believers.
He says violent video games make us “accustomed to violence,” “desensitized,” and treat death unrealistically (“push the reset button”).
He compares this to military conditioning (chants like “kill, kill,” bayonet training), arguing games can train similar reflexes.
On music: he warns worldly music makes us “relating” to worldly scenes and calls it “unhealthy.”

Discussion Follow-ups If someone examined your “library” (Dean’s test), what would it reveal about what you love? Where have you noticed less compassion, more anger, or a casual attitude toward violence after certain entertainment?

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