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BULLETIN BOARD
HOLD
HOLD HOLD
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000
From: Jeannie
Sir, It is
because of your honesty...I enjoy reading your page. I personally
believe we are moving into a time period we christians have all
read about and said was coming. Now that it is here, I believe
there is a sense of fear among believers that the words of God
Word are not just words anymore but are a reality, whether we
are ready or not. There is no turning back. Labor pains, spiritually
we are having labor pains, it is seen in our culture as you say.
Sometimes my only comfort is knowing that Jesus is raising up
believers and training them in the true spiritual sense of warfare...He
is just saying, HOLD, HOLD, HOLD...(just like in Braveheart).
What you sense is true, we must pray and train and that is what
you are helping us do. Our Lord of Armies would not send us to
battle without training and plenty of warning. You have an awesome
job. I thank you for being obedient to our Lord.
With all His Love, Jeannie
P.S. I loved the book Soul Tsunami
ON
CHURCH AND ENTERTAINMENT
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000
From: Rev S S J
Yes, I agree
that some churches are no longer focused on God, but have become
centered on "family values" rather than "faith values." But do
you know which churches have full parking lots? The ones which
entertain people--with upbeat loud music and a message that tells
people that they are okay--that everyone else is messed up. Isn't
that what movies do also? People go to the movies to be entertained,
not to have their spiritual life improved.
NOT
SO MYSTERIOUS
Subject: Comments on newsletter
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Nick
Hello. Allow
me to play Devil's simpleton. The reason why "Scary
Movie" has been so successful is because the previews show
it being funny, and word-of-mouth says that there's more raucus
bits behind the previews. The fact that Scary Movie parodies horror
films (what you term spiritual) is incidental.
The reason
why "What Lies Beneath" has
been so successful is the Hitchcockian premise with big budget
stars and a good director, in a field with no other thrillers
of this sort resides. The preview was also effective and eerie,
and Michelle Pfieffer drew a big women's market. This film has
a spiritual undertone, but plays it for chills. Like the former
has a spiritual undertone, but plays it for gross-out humor. (Response:
Actually the two big stars did not do well in their previous movies
and this is why the movie posters for What Lies Beaneth did not
feature their pictures. The studio played to the mysterious -David).
Suppose a
church goes through its service plan but plays it for chills.
Or gross-out humor. It goes without saying that it just wouldn't
work (remember I'm playing simpleton here). Further, and this
is the real point, people go to the film, but don't expect to
greet the strangers around them, aren't expected to be challenged,
aren't expected to participate in some foreign way. People can
be intimidated by churches with a structure that can different
from their upbringing. But with cinema, you pay for your ticket,
you have the option of popcorn and soda, and you sit and watch.
You say people
are flocking to the movies because of the lure of mystery. I couldn't
disagree more. (Response: Actually my point
is the explotation of "spirituality" by Hollywood and
the lack of it in many churches -David). There's nothing
mysterious about that routine. There's something far more mysterious
in the goings on in church, like at a baptism, or at communion,
or at an altar call, than at a multiplex. (Response:
You are right about this!) Christ our Passover is sacrificed
for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Therefore let us keep
the mystery in church, and not reduce it to the entertainment
level of a thriller or comedy. THEREFORE, let us somehow use cinema
to draw attention to the deeper mysteries. As you at HollywoodJesus
have done so well.
Nick.
SECULAR
MOVIES TO REVIVE A FLESHY CHURCH
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Gabriel A Justus
Hey David!
Man, what you said about lack of spirituality in the Church is
right on! Don't worry about me cancelling!! That kind of hard
ball review is what a flesh filled and religion entangled church
needs to hear! What ever happened to the relationship with a supernatural
God? I think we've replaced it with an organized series of ethical
and moral behaviors and caged our perception of God from omnipotent
"I AM" to a mediocre "I wish I were". Nobody has it all together
in their walk with God, but it doesn't take a doctor of theology
to see these things. We say we believe that God can do anything,
but I wonder if we really expect Him to back it up by revolutionizing
our lives? I wouldn't put it past our God to use secular movie
media to revive a fleshy Church. He certainly could if it was
what He willed! Stay Strong! Gabriel Justus (16)
I
WOULD NOT BE A CHRISTIAN IF IT WEREN'T FOR JESUS
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: Amy
Just read
your comments/responses for MI2
and What Lies Beneath. WOW!
All I've got to say is PREACH IT BROTHER! The question has been
raised, "Why are our churches emptying as our movie houses (cultural
centers) are filling?" (see
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16) Because our churches are losing
touch with the reality of our world. We need to find out what
our culture is doing and take the message to them instead of the
typical church reaction - batton down the hatches and clutch our
comfort zone close to our chest....and if anyone threatens what
is comfortable then well, they're just plain wrong and we'll prove
it by throwing scripture at it, while the organ plays all 975
verses of Just As I Am. I would suggest that after everyone looks
up fidelity and monogamy, they spend some time reading the gospels
and see just how Jesus did it. He didn't sit in a building and
wait for society to figure out it needed him.... he took his show
on the road. Leonard Sweet also writes of a young man who states
"I wouldn't be a christian if it weren't for Jesus." A rather
sad statement on his local church. Keep up the good work!
MOVIES
ARE A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE REAL THING
Subject: Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
From: "Kath & David Wells"
Why are cinemas
full and churches empty? Very simply because movies are entertainment,
and church is about a life committment, life change. It is far
easier to look at a movie about spiritual things than actually
encounter God in church. The movies are a substitute for the real
thing. We have known that for years. We live in a voyeuristic
society. Church asks something of us. Movies don't. The real question
is what are full churches doing that empty churches are not doing?
Find that out and you will start finding answers. Kath Wells,
Raumati Beach, New Zealand.
IRON
SHARPENS IRON
Subject: Like the way you think
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000
From: -Bob Jackson
Far from asking
you to remove me from the list, I want to keep hearing your ideas.
I must confess that many do not appreciate my references to current
movies when I preach, but your warning against pop-psychology
and the need to preach Christ and faithful doctrine, is a challenge
I frankly need and want more of. Even if I disagreed with you,
I would still value your views. As Iron sharpens iron . . . .
;^)
-Bob Jackson
NOT
SURPRIZING
Subject: Movies and the search for spirituality
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000
From: Pastor Harold Bender lutheran@rnet.com
I cannot speak
for other churches, I can only speak for the church I serve and
what I proclaim from the pulpit. I don't think that our church
is "Missing Something." The truth of sin and grace, of God's wrath
and God's free gift of salvation are proclaimed here at St. John.
The word is read. The sacraments are administered. People are
taught the Christian faith and empowered to live repentant, faith-filled
lives.
The fact that
movie houses are packed and church parking lots are not is not
really a surprise. Movies tell people what they WANT to hear,
not what they NEED to hear. Movies appeal only to the emotions
when "teaching" spritual things. Movies allow people to make god
out to be whatever they want him to be; they do not (or very rarely)
give an accurate picture of the God of Holy Scripture.
In the movie
entitled "Original Sin", I seriously doubt that it taught original
sin from a Biblical perspective. Most spirituality in the movies
is from a pantheistic, new age, or near eastern mysticism sort
of bent. (2 Timothy 4:3-5) Tell me what YOU think the churches
are "missing." Is the church supposed to do big-time hollywood-type
"Jesus" productions to draw people in.
Greco-Roman
Theatre was BIG in the first century, but in the book of Acts
you don't see the apostles setting up shop to do a BIG production.
You see them going from place to place, sharing the truth of the
Gospel in word and deed. Then you see them baptize. And let's
face it, the sacraments aren't about a big, showy production:
A little water, a few words; a little bread and wine and a few
words. It is almost as if big productions are so far beneath the
awesome mysteries of God and the Christian faith. And we always
must remember that FAITH is about things we CAN'T see; people
go to movies to SEE something.
That's why
I am just going to keep on preaching the word that promises to
do its work. (Isaiah 55:10-12) That is why I am simply going to
preach the gospel of Jesus lifted up on a cross to save us from
sin, trusting that He will truly draw people into a saving relationship
through that simple but deep message. (John 3:14-18) I will not
bow the knee to the Baal of Hollywood Productions to bring the
crowds in; that would be to deny the power of the word of the
gospel. After all, if you have to do something besides "Preach
the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2) to bring them in . . . they are probably
not coming in because they want the truth of God's word, but something
else. There are my thoughts. Hope they are helpful for your thoughts.
In Christ's Love, Pastor Harold Bender
The Lutheran Church of St. John Quincy, IL lutheran@rnet.com
MORE
OF GOD
Subject: Jesus in Hollywood
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000
From: Margaret
I agree, they should have a lot more of God and Jesus than all the other garbage they show.
NO
COMPETITION FOR THE MOVIE INDUSTRY
Subject: Re: What Lies Beneath
and Scary Movie.
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000
From: Don Ciesielski
Dear David:
Thank you for your insightful comments regarding the popularity
of 'spiritual' movies-Vs-the church. I find it interesting that
the churches that seem to prosper in our day are the ones who
provide a kind of pseudo rock concert atmosphere, with bands,
lively songs, and fundamentalist preaching. That the Gospel is
somewhat watered down does not seem to bother the people who throng
to these churches. Yet even they are no competition for the movie
industry, with people filling the theaters and keeping video rental
businesses flourishing. As someone has said, "The church usually
arrives on the scene breathless and a little late."
Some are trying
to provide a fast paced program that will resonate with a generation
reared on MTV and commercials that change the image on the screen
every five seconds or less. Interest spans are short, and anything
that will 'grab' a young person today has to be short, fast, and,
preferably (to them) outrageous. Anything else is simply labeled
as 'bor-ing'. . .an unfortunate fact in our day.
I think you
are on the right track attempting to point out the theological
and sociological ideas being expressed in contemporary films.
They may be the best source for continuing to teach people the
value of life and faith, even when it may be by means that appear
negative.
Another kind
of prophet in our day is the standup comedian, who points out
the foibles of our society and religion, and lets us laugh at
ourselves and see how foolish many of our rigid ideologies may
be.
Best Wishes!
Don Ciesielski
(a retired Lutheran pastor) El Paso, Texas
ARTS
ARE BETTER COMMUNICATORS
Subject: Cinema vs. Church
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000
From: "Rev. Randel Myers"
Just some
thoughts about your commentary:
1. The cinema,
like the novel and short-story have more texture than doctrine
or psychology, both ways in which we're communicating religion
these days. Jesus used parables, not propositions.
2. As Robert
Short noted in The Gospel According to Peanuts, the arts are better
communicators and retainers of truth than plain theology.
3. We long
for drama, for tragedy, for adventure, and for comedy. Give me
something that will make me "feel" something any day over an argument!
I became a pacifist after watching "All Quiet on the Western Front"
(with Lew Ayers).
4. The 21st
century may very well be rejecting the therapeutic that the church
has embraced. Didn't Kierkegaard note the same in his day?
Thanks for
your work. I think you're on target. The return to story is a
return to our most primal roots. It is story that gives life meaning.
Peace, Randy
Myers
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Taylorville, IL
OUR
CHURCH IS FULL
Subject: Re: "What Lies Beneath"
and "Scary Movie"
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000
From: Romi
Hi, David;
I read your newsletter with great interest--especially the section
about Churches being empty and theatres being full. I am Roman
Catholic and I can tell you that our Church is full on the weekends.
Our Priests are not afraid to mention Jesus and to drive home
the fact that our lives should be Christ-centered. We have six
Masses on weekends (one on Saturday evening) and five on Sunday.
Why so many? To accommodate the many members who attend. I agree
with you--many clergymen/clergywomen are skittish about stepping
on anyone's toes, but as my favorite Priest says, "We have to
call a spade a spade." I enjoy your website and newsletter. Thank
you. Romi
MANY
CHURCHES ARE NOT CHRIST CENTERED
Subject: Are Churches missing something?
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
From: "Chad Hoover"
Hollywood
Jesus guy-
Yes, I totally agree with you that many churches today are family
centered and not Christ centered. Your comments are exactly right
on. Good for you and speaking the truth. The problem, I feel,
is this. Movies are entertaining. People are wowed, dazed and
amazed. Church service, I'm sorry, are not meant to be entertaining.
Many churches try to entertain first then slip in some morals
and Gospel.
However, that
is not the purpose of the Church. The Church's purpose to preach
and teach the Gospel - straight out! You are forgiven your sins
and you will live eternally with Chirst in Heaven - not because
of what you have done, but because of what Christ has done for
you. Many don't preach that message. I think that's the problem.
Christianity
is misperceived in our society. When churches try to entertain
people and then slip in some mixed up, whacked out form of the
Gospel message, or family morals - society gets the wrong message
from churches.
That's all, Chad Hoover
CHURCH
IS FREE, FILM IS NOT
Subject: Re: "What Lies Beneath"
and "Scary Movie"
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
From: Gordon Stromberg
Hi again:
Maybe part of the success of the film is that it's not free. What
would happen if there was a minimum 'contribution' in a church
of $6 to $10 per service? That would start with a realistic note
for a large number of people who think they are tipping God with
a one or five dollar bill each Sunday. For many, this is all that
can be put in, but that is not true for most people. It would
certainly make a level playing field.
Gordon Stromberg
SWEPT
AWAY BY THE SELF HELP INDUSTRY
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter 16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
From: Eric Bramlett, Creative Arts Pastor,
Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL
David, you
wrote: By the way, I did not notice any church sign that mentioned
Jesus, spirituality, miracles, new birth, hell, heaven, or any
other Spiritual Thing. One church I drove by was called "The Family
Life Center" and their sign announced a message entitled: "How
to Make Your Marriage Work." Hmmm. I was wondering why the church
avoided a name such as "The Christ Life Center" and a message
entitled "How Your Spiritual Gifts Work"? I tend think that too
many churches have replaced Jesus with a sort of pop psychology
that is couched in a Family centered (not Christ centered) perspective.
I think that
moving towards the future, you may be right, and there may be
a need to move towards a more deliberately, unabashed challenge
to the spirituality. But such a statement grossly underestimates
how our current culture is also completely swept away by the "self-help"
industry, as evidenced by the constant weekly visits of such self-help
gurus on Oprah Winfrey (who, ironically, seems to have tapped
into both the self-help and the spiritual without truly finding
Jesus in either!) Regardless, to say that a marriage-help talk
and strategy is completely not speaking to a felt need in our
culture is unfair at the very least. I saw "What
Lies Beneath" last night, and it really just seemed like a
morphing of the films "Ghost" and "Fatal
Attraction", both 80s heavyweights. Not all that different, really.
So I am not sure that such a film automatically speaks to a brand
new wave of spirituality in our culture. Though I do think the
postmodern culture is more in tune with spirituality. They are
no longer asking "Does God Exist?" They think he does - they are
know asking "How can you show me through experience that Jesus
is the only way to God?" Since there are so many options, and
Jesus is merely one to choose from.
Them's my thoughts...
Eric Bramlett, Creative Arts Pastor,
Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL
THE
GREAT FAMINE OF INTIMACY
Subject: The thirst is always there
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter 16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
From: Rev. Wesley Channell
David, It's
funny, but in Jesus' day, the Pharisees were promoting principles
for religious living and the Saducees were working out principles
for successful living. Then Jesus comes along and spoils it all
by talking about relationships with both God and man. I think
the great interest in spiritual things at the movies is indicative
of the great famine of intimacy, both spiritually and personally
in our culture and world today. Romance doesn't play as well at
the theaters anymore because of the huge cynicism toward the idea
of love. Sex and nudity continue to show themselves as reactions
against personal intimacy and as continued overt misanthrope and
misogyny. Special effect movies just keep trying to push the limits
higher and higher, lest the audiences yawn. What's left but spirituality?
Unfortunately, many of us in the church are clueless to the that
fact. Not only are the churches foolish just talking about principle
living, character, and success techniques, but look at any Christian
bookstore and see the same useless pandering. Yet, in all this,
Jesus points to relationship with God as the primary point of
life (this is eternal life that they know me--John 17:3).
Our culture
is like a thirsty person who keeps drinking salt water and thus
thirsts more. Unfortunately, the continued drinking of salt water
is fatal. Yet, instead of bringing the water of life, many in
the church are threatened with this interest in other spiritualities
and attack the seekers (perhaps exposing the church's own lack
of relationship with God). Instead, we should learn from Paul's
example in Acts 17 and meet these seekers where they are and push
them further on to the well of life as you do in your fine website.
Keep up the good fight!
Sincerely, Rev. Wesley Channell
HJ
NEWSLETTER ADMIRABLE
Subject: Re: What Lies Beneath
and Scary Movie.
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter 16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
Hi, I am a
Christian who has been employed as a film critic for almost 25
years. Everyone can use a pat on the back at times, and I'd just
like to say that I really enjoy the hollywoodjesus newsletter.
The thought and care that goes into the writing is evident and
admirable. Keep up the good work.
Bill Kerns in Lubbock, Texas
UNFAIR
GENERALIZATION
Subject: Hollywood Jesus Newsletter 16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
From: Brian Rudesill, Hidden Valley Community Church hiddenv@mhtc.net
Dear Mr. Bruce,
First, let me say I'm not canceling my subscription to your newsletter.
I enjoy your movie insights. However, as a faithful reader, I
was somewhat upset by your comments about the church.
I'm sure you
didn't mean to imply that preachers shouldn't speak about family
issues (How to make your marriage work), but it appeared to come
across that way. (You are right, I am not
-David) The reason those messages are so important
is because that's what people are asking about. Yes, they want
to know about spiritual things, but they also want to know what
God has to say about how to build their marriages, how to strengthen
their relationships, how to find meaning in their work, how to
raise their kids, how to handle conflict... The Bible specifically
addresses these issues! I believe (and I know you do to) that
the Bible - God's word - contains all the secrets we need for
wise living. And it's not Biblical principles presented without
Christ. The bottom line in every message I preach is Jesus. Biblical
principles work - even unbelievers can see that. They can apply
the Biblical principles and see their marriage get better, their
reputation improve, their anger problem begin to get better. However,
as I explain each week, they way to experience life to the fullest
is by surrendering to Christ.
I know that
every church doesn't do it this way, but that's what I think was
the biggest error of your e-mail. You generalized and implied
that churches that address those topics are using "pop psychology"
and ignoring Christ. I feel that's an unfair generalization. (Actually
my thought is, the lack of spiritually when talking about such
topics. -David)
Here's what
we've seen Christ do. This church I started had it's grand opening
15 months ago in a rural town in WI (population 4200). We're averaging
130 over the summer. We have a dozen unsaved people coming every
week and another dozen that bop in and out periodically. Everytime
they come, they hear the gospel and see the relevance of God's
word to their lives. Several of those unbelievers are in small
groups and I'm discipling one of them myself. This doesn't even
take into account the fact that we've already seen 12 adults get
saved during those 15 months. A good chunk of those 12 have entered
into a one on one discipleship program we offer. (Bravo
-David)
This is just
the tip of the ice berg of what we offer and what we've seen God
do. So, you can understand my frustration when a generalization
like yours paints all of this as "pop psychology" and "missing
out on God".
I believe
you are asking the right question - "why do people like to go
to movies more than church? What's the general public's perception
of a movie theater? They view it as fun, positive, enjoyable.
Are those the words they associate with the church? Not in WI.
So, for a church to recreate it's image in the eyes of society
(an image of boring, irrelevant, money-hungry - an image we've
created by what we've done), it has to do some things differently.
As Sweet also says in Soul Tsunami, "If you always do what you've
always done, you always get what you always got." I know that
you understand that the Church in America isn't working. But,
I don't think the problem is that too many of us are addressing
real life issues in relevant ways (biblically relevant), but that
far too many (the vast majority) are stuck in a time that hasn't
existed for 50 years. We sing songs that few people like or understand
(waft it on the rolling tide??? here we raise our Ebeneezer???
casting down our diadems???), we speak about topics that few people
are interested in (This week at First Baptist..."Who are the Jebusites"
or "The meaning of dispensationalism") or we cling to traditions
that have ceased to fulfill any purpose in the church. Where would
movie theaters be today if they were still silent pictures? If
they weren't air-conditioned? If they were still black and white?
Where would they be if they had looked at T.V. and said "it's
a fad...nothing will change"??? But, the church has done that.
"After all, if hymnals and S.S. were good enough for Jesus and
Paul, they are good enough for us." I believe that attitude plays
a major role in the death of the church in America.
Certainly
some churches do cross over and talk about life issues without
talking about the life-giver. I know there are some that are all
fluff and nonsense - no scripture, no Jesus, no power. But, not
all of us that speak about life issues fall into that category.
My sincere desire is to win people to Christ and grow them up
to maturity in Him.
Anyway, I
hope this helps you understand my perspective a little better.
Keep up the good work with your Newsletter. I do enjoy it.
In Christ,
Brian Rudesill, Hidden Valley Community Church hiddenv@mhtc.net
MOVIES
AND THE CHURCH
Subject: Re: "What Lies Beneath"
and "Scary Movie"
Hollywood Jesus Newsletter 16
Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2000
I think by
the word 'moments' you probably meant the word 'comments'. Although
responding to you does take time.
1. I'm always
a little cautious of people/writers who use the term all or none
in describing churches. How could you possibly be in all the churches
to make the assumption that covers the US and at the end of the
e-mails received-probably the world?
2. Yes, people
and their marriages are hurting, so it's good that pastors try
to discuss this topic from the pulpit- although that must be hard
to accomplish without sounding like you're focusing on a specific
couple/family... especially in a small church.
3. Yes, films
are a very powerful media. They are more powerful than a sermon
in holding your/my attention, not for 20, 30, 40 minutes, but
usually for 2 hours if in a movie theater. At home I can stop
the film and go to the washroom or turn on the popcorn.
4. So, that
is why our church uses film in a series of 4 or 8 classes. The
students attend the theater or see the video at home, then a carefully
planned discussion with handouts occurs after the viewing. A few
sections of the film are shown to be able to refresh attendees
about what to discuss. Have you tried this? It is more powerful
than a newsletter or a phone call. I CAN ASSURE YOU PEOPLE WILL
ATTEND.
The issue
is "we've never done this in church before." The issue is how
much nudity and sexuality can be shown in church. Can we discuss
sex in church at all? Did Jesus address this issue? How powerful
are the eyes to see events vs. hearing the Word? It returns to
the issue of The Last Temptation of Christ. Did Jesus sit with
those who were about to have sex with a prostitute? It wasn't
until recently that I finally saw this film. I don't think the
producer has any kind of knowledge of Jesus from the Scripture.
BUT how much knowledge do we have as Christian believers of the
ways of people in Jesus' day so that we can best relate Scriptures
to what Jesus was really saying/meaning.
How many churches
have films in their library? for children? for teens? for adults?
How are they used? are they out of date? By how much? Hollywood
has figured out a new interest level of the US public. We need
some powerful messengers that know the Word and who will write
scripts well, negotiate script changes well, use Hollywood's product
wisely ... if it can be used.
Consider the
excitement of watching Prince of Egypt, vs. the reality of knowing
the correct details of the life of Moses. What person who went
to the theater knows the difference? A chunk of the stone sphinx
or pharaoh couldn't possibly fall off by Moses' brushing of his
elbow. Visual 'Biblical/cultural' rubbish!
Let's teach
film history in church.
What is the
role of women from a truly Biblical point of view from Luke's
perspective, vs. O.T. 'lower than a dog in status'? How has the
role of women on the screen altered the US.... women's rights,
etc. What other changes has film raised that churches would not?
Were the films correct? Were the churches correct? It's impossible
to lump all churches together here.
Thanks for
listening. Film seminars for seekers and Christians. We need them-probably
as weekend conferences sponsored by a major ministry like B. Graham
with a recognizable name. Some need to be for men, others for
women, etc.
Cordially, Gordon Stromberg 773 275-9449 Fax 275-9991
CHURCH
AFRAID OF DRAMA, MYSTERY AND PARADOX
Subject: Newsletter 16
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000
From: Peter Wall
Greetings.
Films give us drama, mystery, and paradox, but the church runs
from those things. In my opinion, that's because the church is
afraid of what it would mean to embrace those ideas. If churches
admitted that faith is more about drama, mystery, and paradox
than it is about mental assent to established doctrines or submission
to rigid systems of thought and behavior, they might be as full
as theaters.
Even those
churches that call themselves "Christ-centered" often times are
not because they only focus on one side of the Christ mystery.
Some churches emphasize the divinity of Jesus, others emphasize
the practical immanence of his teachings. I wouldn't call either
one "Christ-centered" because they have both avoided the mysterious
nature of divine incarnation and preached a gospel that is what
I might call "finished" in that everything is resolved and laid
out in the open. Gutted like a fish, more like.
But films
offer unresolved paradoxes and strange juxtapositions that leave
people feeling disturbed and inspired. I'd bet those are the same
kind of feelings that were originally at the center of Christianity,
but we've long since hammered them out of our churches. The church
as become an existential wasteland, and people know it. Nobody
goes to church to feel inspired anymore. We go because of duty
or obligation, or we like the sermons or some other incredibly
rational kind of thing. It's like a giant machine and we're all
unthinking, unfeeling cogs.
Films allow
the viewers to think freely and contemplate their own experience
of the drama. But the church has put itself in a position to have
a stranglehold on everything its members think and believe. Most
Christians today have no idea of what it's like to have a true
spiritual experience of our own because we're not allowed.
The church
has set up an authority system that precludes any kind of individual
experience. If you're Protestant it's the authority of an inerrant
Bible; if you're Catholic it's the authority of the church; if
you're Orthodox it's the authority of tradition. All that authority
gives the impression that everything is cut and dried. Why would
anyone want to keep going to church once they get all the "fundamentals"
figured out? After that, it just becomes either a social club
or a weekly ethical reminder or rebuke. Yuck.
But movies
are inspiring and freeing. Give me a movie over a church service
any day. Anyway, those are my thoughts on your newsletter, fragmented
though they feel.
Peter Wall peterj@madnet.net
SOMETHING
IS MISSING
Subject: well said
Newsletter 16
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000
From: Sherri
David, I very
much understood that point you were making about the cinemas being
full but not the churches. True, something is missing - other
than the people I mean. :) I think our churches sometimes walk
a fine line between pop culture and feeding the spirit of man.
A hard way to walk.
As one who
was part of the "opening weekend" statistics for "What
Lies Beneath" I can say it was an excellent movie on many
levels. Especially in what if left *unanswered* - what it was
that was making the door open, the photo fall, etc. in the house.
I just wonder if the average consumer is too blind to see it or
if they only see the entertainment and not look at what lies beneath.
I can say that people do not think of attending church in terms
of entertainment. Maybe churches with excellent choirs or music
need to point out that it is not only praise music, but it is
entertaining to hear and join in with the music. Just a thought.
Certainly big churches have drama ministries and seek to entertain
as well as enlighten. But small churches often don't have the
resources for that. Okay - that is my two cents worth.
Sherri, Milwaukee, WI
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