.
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with comments by David Bruce

Part of the difficulty with images and icons, is that, they have been used for so long to deify Europeans. Christ, Mary, Joseph, Moses, and the apostles have been depicted as white in the European and Euro-American churches, when they were not, being of Middle Eastern and Afro-Asiatic descent. The depiction just became part of the whole colonialist movement to justify the degradation and exploitation of people of color. Over time, the political ramifications of the images overshadowed the spiritual meaning, if spiritual meaning was intended at all. The icons came to be seen as a way for European descended people in power to represent themselves as being holy or powerful and justify their exploitation of people of other races.
L. D. Waters

Response: This is why we need a diversity of image. As we become increasingly a gobal village this will naturally happen. Recent images of Jesus tend to be more international. Celebrate art! -David

REQUIEM FOR BOOMER AND X
-AND THE RENAISSANCE OF MYSTERY AND WONDER
Subject: Images_and_Post_Modern
Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2002
From: "mark storm"

Hi, David.
I loved your overview of the limitations of the Modernism zeitgeist. Indeed, the 'Modern' era (and the Modernism era for most of the Twentieth Century) discredited Myth vigorously.

But every generation is a reaction against the one before it. The excesses of the Regency 'Romantics' led to the stringencies of the Victorians. It was the 'Modern' Scientific mindset of the Higher Critical School of Nineteenth Century Germany that accounted for the doctrine that the Hebrew Bible couldn't possibly be true because so much of it alluded to supernaturalism and mystical events, which they disparaged as 'nonsensical. worthless. foolish. valueless.. Romantic rubbish!'.

Not surprisingly, Christians for the last two hundred years have been at pains to verify the Bible through archaeology and exhaustive scholarship. And so one can clearly see that these Christians were fighting their side of the fight within the Positivistic Rationalism that epitomises the Modernist / Scientific paradigm.

And while the Scientific paradigm has allure in its own Grand Aesthetic, for all their noble purposes, the Christians who embraced the scientific paradigm (and brought about Creation Science among other achievements) lost the enigmatic beauty that is specific to the non-rational paradigm, one best experienced when one perceives the wonder in the Mystery that is the central truth of the Christ.

But all history is a Pendulum of Paradigms. Once Science had developed to the point where the layperson was at a loss to comprehend it - and in apprehension at its fearsome fruits, such as the nuclear bomb - it wasn't surprising that a generation would sooner or later arise who would reject it. Enter the 1960s where Boomers embraced the mystical and irrational.

Sadly, the Boomers lost both blessing and birthright. What began so brightly in the 1960s. such beautiful music!. such glorious, moving lyrics of truth!. was all lost when the burdens of age crept upon them. What now can be said for the legacy of the Baby Boomers? Dirty sex, dirty drugs, divorce and decadence. And no-one feels this loss of opportunity to redeem the world more poignantly than those who first cried so loudly "Peace, Love and Understanding".

And a legacy of confusion for their children.

So where are we now, we poor lost souls of the 3rd Millenium? Are we to suddenly revert to Science? Will we demand that the paradigm of Science yield us the fruits of Mammon denied us by the excesses of the Boomers? Will we chase the fool's rainbow and try to be young forever?

Or will we embrace our parents' rejection of Objectivity - and wallow in a quagmire of delusion, drugs, irrationality and superstition for as long as our youth and money last? Or will we be remembered in history as the Generation who Repaired the World? Will Generation X be remembered as the ones who paid the bill and did the cleaning up for the Boomers' party? Will we be remembered as the generation who balanced the Wisdoms of Science and Mystery? Will we be the ones who finally learnt the secret of connecting the Passion and the Prose - the Words and the Music?

I doubt it. I think Generation X is too confused, too despondent, too divided in its voice. Generation X will only claim a footnote in history as the sad, lost generation sandwiched between the greater ones that went before and.. after? At best, Generation X is the generation that knew best what the problem was, but was exhausted long before its time and robbed of its chances to act on that knowledge. Yet while I can see no 'Neo-Renaissance' from my own Generation X, when I look at the generation that is to come, Generation Y, I have hope. Given the current responses to The Matrix, Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings - and their positive reception of the mystery of Christ not least of all (for they are braver and not yet so cynical as X) I think they might just be the ones to make it.

Assuming... assuming... Generations Boomer and X teach them the hard-won lessons and yield to them the reins of power in time.

Mark Storm
Jan 2002

Response: Mark you always amaze me. Thank you for you well thought out response. I am impressed. I have high hopes for Gen Y too. And I agree generations Boomer and X need to "teach them the hard-won lessons and yield to them the reins of power in time." At the present however, Boomers need to pass off to Gen X.

I LOVED THIS MOVIE
Subject: Royal Tenebaums
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: "Harry Diehl"

Royal Tenenbaums I loved this movie. I though the few areas Christians might object to were so very brief to be inconsequential. The moral to me was that no one is beyond redemption and that forgiveness overcomes bitterness. I found the humor to absolutely hysterical. This movie really hit my funnybone many many times. The acting was superb. I'm sure the actors roared with laughter after shooting each scene.
Harry Diehl
hndiehls@msn.com

WOW
Subject: ET_the_extra_terrestrial
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Chris Utley

isn't it funny how the majority of the most beloved American films turn out to be Christ allegories? i will look at E.T. in a whole new light this coming March!
Chris Utley

ON SUPERMAN

FROM THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SUPERMAN FREAK
Subject: Superman
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Kim Torraco

Yo Yo!!
Hello, my name is Kimberly Torraco and I am the worlds biggest Superman freak, and I just wanted to say that when I got on your wedsit and read all the superman-Christ related stuff, it encouraged me. It was also great to see a website dig and find out how things were originally made. Praise God for you guys and may He bless you beyond description.
In Christ,
Kim Torraco~Superman

Response: Thanks -David

SEEING JESUS LIKE SIMILARITIES IN SUPERMAN
Subject: Superman
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Lois

I have been a Superman fan for many years, and a Christian all of my life. I don't have a problem with biblical comparisons. I think that true fans of the "Man of steel", will see an almost Christ like similarity in Kal-el. Some more than others, but as with religion itself, we all have our own take on things. No matter what faith we are.

For me, Superman is the perfect man. His pure heart, and gentle strength is comforting. He is there if you call out his name, and his power is never used for vengeance. We are all suppose to strive to be more like Christ. What is wrong with seeing the Good in Superman? The world would be a better place if we spent more time looking for the positive message in things.

In closing, let me say that I don't agree with the comment that Superman is the anti christ. Get real. And the comment that "Smallville" has bad acting is so off base. The latest portrayal of Clark is a wonderful, and refreshing look at a special young man who discovers his purpose in the world. It is set in modern times to attract a younger audience. But it appeals to all generations. I personally love the show, and find "Tom Welling" the perfect young Clark Kent.

Response: I agree with you. -David

RE: PROFANE LANGUAGE
Subject: Incubus_Make_Yourself
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002

Notably we are all different and we all see things differently. To catch ones ear with the common profane is beautifully done, we here it so often that it is now a part of our thoughts and how we perceive things. Our frustrations are strong now days, and when we HEAR common ground we tend to connect with it. I think thinking about the music and finding your own meanings in it and getting what you think is the message is SO IMPORTANT. That is how all of us are living our seperate lives, what the hell are we doing here and why. To get the juices flowing in you head is the start for the truth and you should never stop what is in motion because there is a destination to the truth. I think people forget how big GOD is. He doesn't live in the apartment next door. He is all-powerful. He is trying to send a voice to everyone (music). Think about the amount of languages there are and why. PROFANE LANGUAGE is in the eye of the beholder.

TOLKIEN -RESPONSE TO CHRISTINE
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_ is right on
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Paul

Hello all - loved the movie, loved Greg's review, agreed with the newsletter. But this is more of a response to Christine's comments than anything else - although I don't know if she follows this site or whether she will be reading this or not.

Christine, I just wanted to challange you on your understanding of "abstaining from every appearance of evil" (I Thess 5 v 19-22). To put the verse in its context, Paul is giving some short advice on prophecy. He advises us not to stifle the holy spirit or scoff at prophecy, but test everything that is said. The most direct and obvious application of his words, then, is to the practice of prophecy, and to avoiding misinterpretation of it. If anyone has concerns about the inspiration of such prophecy, thinking it is of sinister origin, then this appearance of evil should be avoided by carefully testing everything said.

You may disagree with me on this interpretation of the verse, but this is the immediate context, and I don't believe that there are any other passages of scripture which emphasize the outward appearances of doing the right thing - inward motivation and attitudes of the heart are emphasized more often. If we are going to make these words into a general principle - that Christians must never do anything which is subject to misinterpretation by the uninformed - then we must be careful about lifting Paul's words out of their original context. This is something to be very cautious of - after all, the Bible says that "There is no God" (Psalm 14 v 1), if we are prepared to ignore the context. If this is to be a general principle, it should be noted that Jesus was accused of being "a glutton and a drunkard" (Matthew 11 v 19) by uninformed observers, by his association with the dregs of society. Jesus stuck to his principles and his mission, even though he risked misunderstanding by people who didn't really know what was going on - therefore his actions are not consistent with this "abstain from every appearance of evil" principle. This suggests to me that just because people who haven't read Tolkien think his books are sinister, that doesn't make him a backslider, and going to see the film doesn't make people backsliders either.

I'll admit that I am disturbed by society's obsession with all things occultish, and I want to know why the books on Wicca and Paganism are much easier to find and seem to be more numerous in my local branch of Waterstones than any Christian books or bibles. But it won't help to go condemning excellent Christian authors for their guilt by tentative association. (If you'd read the books you would know that Tolkien's "wizards" are not really human practictioners of the magic arts in the conventional sense, like they are in Harry Potter, but are mysterious and powerful characters, who are eventually revealed to be essentially angelic beings). Personally I think it's good that my non-Christian friends are watching a film that makes them think about Divine Providence and Human Responsibility. I'm really glad that the director Peter Jackson really picked up on that level of the book - I didn't think he would. Just a little thought - I hope you will give this further consideration.
Yours in Christ Paul Hutchinson

PS Is JK Rowling really a Presbyterian Christian? I enjoyed the film, but I have to admit to a bit of reserved concern that witchcraft comes off looking pretty cool and exciting in her books. I'd like to find out more about her own spiritual outlook, if anyone knows anything more about her own beliefs.

MORE RESPONSE ON HARRY POTTER

HARRY POTTER IS NOT WICCAN
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002
From: Brian

WAY too many people assume that if he casts spells, Harry Potter must be a Wiccan.

At no point in the story is there any discussion of a higher power, neither the Christian God or the Male/Female forces of the Pagan ways. In fact, I've seen Star Trek characters in more chapels than Potter in any Temple...

There are no pentagrams, no explanations of the Rede or the Law of Three. No one is Skyclad (naked), no one has an athame. Even the 'familiars' are bought, sold and handed down, so there's no binding of souls between them and master. There are no ritual sacrifices (except for the unicorn, and that is more of a vampiric attack, the beast isn't sacrificed TO anyone).

Potter's spells are not cast by ritual invocation of any spirit or even by any lengthy incantation. He is born a wizard, and the purpose of the school is to teach him to control his own magical abilities. He points the wand, speaks Latin, and things happen. There isn't even a 'token Muggle' at the school to draw 'mundane' children into the magical world. Anyone saying this is a handbook for Satanism needs to learn what a handbook is, much less actual Satanism.

They celebrate Christmas in the school, which would have been a GREAT opportunity for a Wiccan-conspiracy director to point out the Pagan origins of the holiday we celebrate today (burning the Yule Log to let The Green Man free for the next spring, ). Personally, I would have pointed out that in some countries, it is traditionally a witch that brings the gifts, not a fat elf from a Coke commercial, as it would seem fitting in the general theme of the movie.

But, if people stop concentrating on the peripheral resemblance to what they might understand Wiccan to be, there are a lot of good messages in the movie. His main protection from the Evil One is not a Guardian Demon or any spell, but is based on his mother's love for him. He wins in the end because he is trying to save others, not to profit for himself. Evil Loses. All the time. Even the after-school-special evil of Malfoy and his house, and that's thru the good kids' bravery, intelligence and self-sacrifice. Where does the bible say THOSE are bad things....
Brian Lallatin
Sr. Specialist, Technical Training

Response: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! -David

ARE ALL MOVIES OKAY?
Subject: harry_potter
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002
From: Kayle Vick

In all seriousness, I'm curious as to what your staff uses as a judgement and basis for movie viewing? Please explain to me what constitutes a movie Christians should not see.

What should I use as a guide when going to the theaters? Can I assume all "R" movies are okay? Is one naked scene okay? How about 7 scenes in a movie? What if it's extremely violent (even if the plot of the movie is good and faith is involved)? Please help me understand this so I do not live by a double standard. Thank you.

Response: Since "all things are lawful to you", you will have to set your own limits in terms of what is spiritually benefical to you personally. I can not ask you to be "subject to (some) one else's scrutiny." The important part here is "not be dominated by anything." Consider these scriptures: 1 Cor. 2:15: Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny. 1 Cor. 6:12: "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. 1 Cor. 10:23: "All things are lawful," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. -David

GO HARRY!
Subject: Go, Harry! Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002
From: Paul

I'm delighted (though hardly surprised) that you not only think well of the Harry Potter books and movie, but that you valiantly grapple with misguided Christians who condemn them.

Whether religiously or politically motivated, the obsessive self-righteousness of the censorious mind really has no shame. You should see the list, kept by a committee of the American Library Association, of books whose very existence on library shelves has been challenged by one party or another. Just about every acknowledged, beloved masterpiece of literature is there. Today Madeleine L'Engle, J.K. Rowling, and J.R.R. Tolkien are among their favorite candidates for extirpation, whereby these brilliant literary beacons of ethics, morality, and even faith for today's kids join the exalted company of Twain and Shakespeare.

This is insane; and when its perpetrators invoke Our Lord and Savior in the process, acutely embarrassing. Taking their lengthy blacklists as a whole, one can hardly escape the conclusion that what they really want is for The Good Book to be also the only book.

For such, I would recommend _Hard Times_, by Charles Dickens. Believing in nothing but palpable, material facts, Gradgrind was determined to eliminate any other consideration from the education of his two children. Deprived of all beauty and imagination, not only were their young lives extremely dismal, but they did not turn out well.

Alas, this portrayal being a work of literature and therefore suspect, such advice will probably go unnoticed by those most in need of it. Ignoring Dickens's warnings about causes and effects, they will have to suffer the effects first and then fumble their way back to the causes. Now that the two tallest buildings in our greatest metropolis have been wantonly toppled, and we scour the world for the guilty and what would make them do such a thing, we discover the so-called schools in the middle east and their young inmates, relentlessly drilled in a sacred scripture to the exclusion of all else.

Now, I ask those who would with-hold Harry Potter et al. from their own and others' children in the name of the Bible: just how, save maybe in degree, does your attitude differ from the operators' of those Wahhabist slave-schools?

If it isn't too forlorn to counter an evident general hostility to books with yet another book, let's glance finally at "The ethics of Elfland" from _Orthodoxy_ by G.K. Chesterton. Here a devout and conservative Christian apologist celebrates fairy tales, complete with magic and witchcraft, as forces on heaven's side. He points out how great is the faith of scientists in calling a regularity they observe a "law." It is nothing of the kind. "We do not count on it; we bet on it... it is the man who talks about 'a law' that he has never seen who is the mystic." It is more reasonable to say that "a tree grows fruit because it is a magic tree. Water runs downhill because it is bewitched."

Only a child who has this sense of joy and wonder in the world around him is likely to embark on the quest of discovering the God who made them.

Response: Thanks Paul, I always enjoy your comments. -David

CHANGE
Subject: Change_Is_Good_for_Churches-News31
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002
From: Will VanNatta

I think you raise a lot of great questions. Many of which have been asked for the past decade by many people in the church. My question to you is this: " What are the answers to the questions you raise? How do we as a church, a Christian community, and believers reach this post modern generation with the gospel in a language they will hear? "
Will Van Natta

Response: Open the door and let them in. Give them place. Sit back and behold the move of God. -David

LOVE IT, BUT...
Subject: STIGMATA
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002
From: HJ

Hi I love the movie but truly there is no need for the vial language truthfully nonchristians as well as good hearted Christians finds this vial as well as the sex screen why do this this is always a private matter one finds themselves turning there head away out of embarrassment (don't agree) then think about if you saw two people kissing passionately at your local grocery store you'd immediately turn your head away out of sheer embarrassment -you think heartily to yourselves they need to find somewhere private I mean REALLY! truthfully its the same way in seeing it played out in movies it's repulsive!!! no need for it to be put in movies think of all the movies that are brought home to be in family home library its the movies -without the vial language and repulsive sex scenes when the movie Stigmata came to a close it left the main characters Frankie and the priest Andrew Kiernan dangling in the air by not giving us a closer after these supernatural experiences ended It would be great to have a sequel to finish the story of what became of Frankie afterwards did this experience change her outlook in believing in Jesus refine her character into a decent woman what became of the Priest Andrew Kienan did he stay a priest or did he and Frankie get married I'd love to see sequel and always when this is done for a good movie the movie grows in popularity
P.S. One desides to love their fellowman before this can take place in their hearts Peace...

THOUGHTS ON VANILLA SKY
Subject: Vanilla_Sky
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
From: hensley

wow sex was a little intense for me... but the message was great- i thought that it was about examining your life. loved the quote about knowing the bitter makes you appreciate the sweet ..."he who has been forgiven much- loves much." even a lesson about how you percieve things doesn't change the way they really are. and that consequences touch us even in immortality....

TOOL
Subject: Tool_Lateralus
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
From: "Tony"

You guys really scare me. Have you ever listened to "Eulogy" (aenema) or "Opiate"? You know..."deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow...."

FINDING GREAT FELLOWSHIP... ELSEWHERE!
Subject: JRR_Tolkien_is_Right_On
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
From: Ben Wakefield

I find what you are saying to be very correct. I pastored churches for nearly thirty years, but finally left due to a serious mistake I make and found it difficult to minister as a pastor, as too many wanted to "remember what you did"! I joined a Catholic congregation and found a place where no one knew or cared what I had done. I teach a wonderful Bible Study in which adults are come week by week hungry for signs of God's presence in their lives and world. I encourage them to see God in everything and everyone, as this is what the incarnation means. Lewis is right that our myths always move us. I am grateful for all the ways God speaks and the many voices God uses to speak to me everyday. If Christians truly began to understand Scripture they would see and hear God in all things. I will be reading your site often. Thanks for your outlook. Many you see and experience God's blessings in all things.

Response: Bless you my man! Bless you! -David

MONSTER INC
Subject: update?
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002
From: "Colin and Diane Maxwell"

hi there, any chance of an update on this site? We use your site regularly for helping with relevant christian ideas and want to see what's been said about Monsters inc. Many thanks, Diane.

Response: It has been updated with an excellent review by Greg Wright -David

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