And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.[Romans 12:2]

(Agape Press) - Film students at an evangelical Christian school in Virginia are being encouraged, but not required, to glorify God in their film making.

The dean of Regent University's Communications Study Department has released a new document titled "Some Biblical Principles for Creative and Artistic Expression." Dr. Robert Schihl says it is not a list of do's and don'ts for film students, but four sets of Bible verses they might consider when making a film.

However, Schihl says his film department has never applied censorship. In fact, he says Regent students have made experimental films, and films with sexual content and nudity.

"We're not like those who are not operating from some different set of principles or worldview," he explains. "But we don't require any of this [of our students] -- there are films with hard language, films with on-camera intercourse...[with] fighting. One of our finer films this past year was reenacting the Civil War."

According to Schihl, his department had no problem shooting a sex scene from their version of the film, "Keeping Up with the Joneses," in which a Regent faculty member played the husband.

"I think that created more stir because he was on top of a female student actress," he says. "Now if that were shown anyplace else, it wouldn't be bothersome and we wouldn't have shyed away from saying we did that. But because it was a faculty actor, it made a slight difference, as you can imagine."

Schihl says the scene was probably imprudent, but would not have generated as much controversy had the husband's character been played by another student instead of a faculty member.

The Regent film department has a brand new $39-million facility with equipment that Schihl says is on par with or better than that of state schools.