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RESPONSES TO NEWSLETTER #25
ABOUT
THE 100 LIST
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2001
From: Pastor Eric L. Eickhoff beeickh@ruraltel.net
Sir: I agree
that many of the movies that you have listed on the 100 faith
affirming list do have a positive faith message(10 commandments,
chariot of fire, etc), many more have a most confusion way of
doing that(matrix, exorcist, aliens, traffic). Also many of those
films have a faith that is unrecognizable to the vast majority
of people who name Christ as lord and savior. Also many of those
films have subject matters that would immediately eliminate them
from a 'faithful' persons watching list.
In HIS Service
Pastor Eric L. Eickhoff
Portis Grace Brethren Church
PO Box 6 Portis, Kansas 67474
785.346.2085 beeickh@ruraltel.net
QUICK
QUESTION
Subject: Newsletter 25
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001
From: Chad
Hey there
David Bruce.
My name is Chad and I have been a fan of HJ for over a year. I
was reading in your Newsletter #25, and you asked this question:
Why do Christians have such negative knee jerk reactions to the
culture. Why can't we seem to build bridges. Why are we so hesitant
to give credit when it is due? Why can't Christians admit to common
ground with unbelievers? I understand the point, but I had a question
about the common ground with unbelievers? I am thinking of the
verse, "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can
goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with
darkness?" (2Cor. 6:14) I might be missing the point of your question
totally, but could you please clear this up for me? Thanks, chad
---
Response:
Read the Gospels. Read the book of Acts. Jesus always associated
with unbelievers, harlots, sinners, tax collectors, lepers, gentiles.
And so did Paul (Acts 17 etc). The verse you are quoting has to
do with slanders and unbelievers in the church itself (see context,
vs 3-11). If you do not see Christianity as salt and light, you
are indeed an isolationist Christian -which may not even be Christian
in the light of Mat 28:19. -David
NON
CHRISTIAN SPEAKS UP
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2001
From: CT Blake FirstConsul@Earthdome.com
Very interesting
points. As someone who stands outside the Christian Community
(but tries very hard not to oppose them!), maybe I can add some
insight-
One of the
big problems that drive wedges between Christians and the World
(read, all the rest of us), is that need for Christians to make
everything they touch a religious issue, or one seen only through
the lens of the Christian prism. If you happen to be a devout
Christian- this works for you. Not so great for the rest of us.
For instance-
in your list of good Christian value films, I'd have to say at
least 1/2 are REAL SLEEPERS. "The Robe?" Com'on, that was low
budget schlock. Something not listed, however, I think does a
great deal of justice to the issue of faith is a film like "13th
Warrior". Granted, not a Christian in sight- the film surrounds
the conflict between Islam & Norse belief systems. Still, both
sides maintain their own points of view, can work together for
a common goal, etc. Something I wish our culture could learn-
in diversity is strength. The message of the "13th Warrior" is
quite faithful (in the religious sense), I think, but because
it falls outside of the Good Christian thing, it will be ignored.
Christianity
has become straightjacketed into believing that...for some inexplicable
reason.....some bizzare event happened somewhere around 1965,
and the whole world suddenly became their enemy. Was it the hippies,
the Beatle, Elvis? I'm not sure what it is that is the bottom
of the believe structure, but suddenly all of them seemed to find
fault and persecution beginning sometime in the 1970's. How on
earth they were persecuted it unclear, but it is now a common
belief in virtually every church.
Com'on folks.
Persecution is being unable to have your belief system out in
the public, which Christians of all kinds are quite allowed. Try
being from a minority religion in this country (say, even a Muslim
or Sikh), much less pagan, and you will really understand what
persecution is.
From this
point of view, it's no wonder that when we hear how things were
so much better when you couldn't escape Christian preaching 24
hours a day, that outsiders might find this a bit incomprehensible.
I went to Catholic school- aside from developing a true hated
of the church (and Nuns in particular), I can't say it was a better
education than the public school one I recieved, and in many way,
it was inferior. Simply put, if the claim that "the World" is
so bad, them what would be put in it's place, if these folks were
given a chance? I shudder to think.
Your friend
in the Wilderness
CT Blake FirstConsul@Earthdome.com
Nacogdoches, Texas
Response:
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I so appreciate you. -David
ANOTHER
FAITH AFFIRMING FILM
Subject: Newsletter 25
Date: Sat, 28 Jul 2001
From: Donna Farley
The Three
Lives of Thomasina, an older Disney movie based on the Paul Gallico
novel and starring Patrick McGoohan. Charming and family-friendly.
Donna Farley
RUDY?
Subject: Movie Newsletter 25
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001
From: "Lisa"
What about
Rudy? That was a great movie
MORE
FAITH AFFIRMING FILMS
Subject: Newletter 25
Some more to add to your faith affirming movie list
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001
From: "The Refuge"
I have been
visiting the hollywood Jesus sight for some time. Thouroghly enjoy
this vital and timely entry to cyberspace. Thought i would jump
into the fun. Here are a few more faith affirming movies that
portry belivers in an honest and positive light. There seems to
be two lists forming Faith afirming movies with postive portrals
of Christians and Top Spiritually Signifigant filims eg although
the Matrix is key spiritually signifigant filim it;s it is not
intended to be a portrayl of Chritian faith by it's filim makers
I think building a list of both is a great idea everything listed
below is in the Faith afirming positive light catagory ( many
of these could be in both)
"A Man called
Peter' the excellent bio=pic of the life of Peter Marshall staring
Richard Todd
" Sergent
York" 1941 and
"Friendly
Persuassion" 1956 both about Christian peacemakers wrestling with
conscience and both with Gary Cooper in the same vain
"Angel and
the Bad Man" 1947 another ere the Duke gets converted
Bells of St
Mary,
The Bishops
Wife 1947
Cabin in the
Sky 1943
1940's Strange
Cargo, an incredable little sleeper about a man who comes to set
the captives free, Clark Cables 1st filim after Gone with the
wind
Blossoms in
the Dust 1941,
The Cross
and the Switch Blade 1972
The Elephant
Man 1980
Hoosiers 1986
a charming filim about a college basketball team
Almost an
Angel 1990 an intrguing entry written directed and stared in by
Paul Croc Dundee Hogan a look at a youg chritains life with a
little whimsical twist
Andre Rubolov
1966, Romero,
Angels unawares
the Dorthy Day Story
As an a side:
Dave check out The Addiction a filim by Abel Farrea that uses
vampirisim as an metaphore for sin, not for everyone. I think
you'll find it interesting. Wonderful example of deliberate christian
story telling with an edge. Even quotes RC Sproul. Would love
to see what you think and discuss. ( you have probably seen this
i never noticed it any where in Hollywood Jesus, thrilled to see
Jesus of Montreal there)
Thanks to
you and yours for your labour of love.
Blessings in his Grip Brad Culver
WHY
CHRISTIANS...?
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001
From: Keith W Kunz
I think it`s
a fear, that if they don`t over react. They wont be holy or in
God`s will. I`ve learned that if it don`t matter,(not a obvious
and blatant violation of scripture) don`t get upset.ie I`ve used
"Harry Potter" For, 'Loving' discussions on christianity without
once getting upset.
Keith W Kunz
Buena Park, CA 90620 sent with joy and love! http://community.webtv.net/KeithWK/PSALM45
http://community.webtv.net/KeithWK/Thepottersclay
KNEEJERK
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
From: QH
I think that
for many Christians it is easy to believe that if you are "in
the world" then you are automatically "of the world". The local
pastors for the most part are in too many board meetings and not
"in the world". They have not the first clue of what the kids
are going through much less how to lead them to a saving faith
in Jesus.
Get out of
the board room and into the street. Take off the collar and get
down and dirty.
100
FAITH AFFIRMING FILMS
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001
From: LYNDA
Dear David,
Very interesting list! Two that I would add would be two of my
very favorite films and actually won a few awards:
l. Places in the Heart (what a wonderful film about grace!) and
2. Trip to Bountiful (some of the best characters ever put on
paper/film and a great film about home and HOME).
Lynda Gaug
ADD
BRAVEHEART
Newsletter_25
Subject: addition to 100 films that put Christianity in possitive
light
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001
From: "The van der Harsts"
You can add
Braveheart to your list...
Ryan
HELP
I SO AGREE
Subject: Help I so agree Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001
From: Dorothy Holland
David, I have
recently gone through a huge transformation in what I listen to
on the radio, what I watch on tv and what I watch at the movies.
Particularly because I realize my ministry is with Gen D, Gen
X, busters and boomers, plus whatever we are going to call the
next generation. I am excited to have heard about your site recently,
at a Maranatha Worship Conference. If we are to remain relevant
to "the world" we have to be able to use "world speak". Because
if we are not able to relate to them on their level, we will have
a lot harder time relating God to them.
I have two
suggestions:
1. TV reviews: You may be doing this, but I keep getting linked
to Amazon.com when I click on t.v. Specifically I am working on
a second sermon about the "Survivor" series and would love to
have other input, resources.
2. Sermon exchanges or idea outlines from other ministers. I just
wanted to tell you to keep up the good work. There are people
that truly understand and need your help.
In His Service, Dorothy Holland
KNOCKING
THE WORLD
Subject: Knocking the World Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001
From: "Pastor Z"
Your argument
is valid. Christians too often act as if they can be separated
from the world. I suppose this grows out of the warning to "be
part of but apart from" the world. I enjoyed reading your long
list of movies acceptable and supportive of Christianity. I suspect
there are many more.
A couple of
fellow pastors and I have been struggling with movie titles for
several weeks because we plan to use five films for our Confirmation
Summer Camp. Watch a flick--break the kids into groups and take
a stab at getting the kids to see Christian faith as it works
IN THE WORLD!
Before we
get too carried away with condemning the world we need to remember
that God created the world and after each day's work we are told
that the creation was good. Creation has been broken by our sinfulness,
to be sure, but we are still called to be caretakers of what is,
not what ought to be.
HAIR
COLOR?
Subject: Remember the Titians? Newsletter_25
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2001
From: Melaney
I was interested
in film #96. Remember the Titians. Is this about artists or an
expose of hair colorers? Just wondering.
Reponse:
What? Perhaps I am missing humor here. Anyway, the film is about
football and racism. -David
BOOMERS
VS GEN X
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001
From: Kimberlee
Very insightful
commentary. I hadn't put it in those terms but I had noticed that
several of my older friends who are moms of teenagers were totally
rejecting their musical tastes, trying to make them like Stephen
Curtis Chapman and trying to keep them from wearing black. I knew
that this behavior bothered me but I didn't know why. Why do we
assume that if someone wears all black and has a tatoo or a nose
ring that they are worshipping Satan?
Kimberlee
XIAN
REACTION TO CULTURE
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001
From: Wayne
I think that
Christians have forgotten the bitterness of their faith. What
I mean is that we are in Laodicea. We think we are rich and don't
need a thing. We forget that we are in reality naked, poor and
pitiful. It is only because we have found Christ, or He has found
us, that we can become rich. And so instead of finding the common
"dirtiness" with our non-church friends, we become righteous.
We are the judge and anything the world produces must be dirty
without and redemptive quality.
To quote Bill
Mallonee, frontman for the band Vigilantes of Love; "Everybody
has that experience (the fall), believer and non-believer. In
fact, I think that's the meeting point between Christian and non-Christian.
We have a vocabulary to describe feelings of lostness and alienation
that still plague us, to my mind, this side of heaven." Just a
thought.
Wayne
TOP
SPIRITUAL FILMS
Subject: top spiritual films Newsletter_25
Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2001
From: audrey
funny, i read
through the list and found none of my favorites except matrix.
1. end of
days................... not perfect theology of end times, but
at the end, when arnie throws down all of his weapons which he
finally realizes are useless against satan and kneels before the
cross - wow! and it's a hollywood movie! and the SPIRIT empowers
him to resist the evil one! what a message!
2. the messenger
(i think that's the title - the story of joan of arc) - an excellent
portrayal of the intensity of a prophet and how one step out of
sync with the rest of the world we seem when we are really in
touch with the Lord. inspiring story of following one's beliefs
to the end.
3. the matrix,
of course can't think of any more right now, perhaps at another
time.
audrey
Response:
I will be revising the list. Thank you for your additions. -David
NRA
GIVES MOSES BAD IMAGE
Subject: List Newsletter_25
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001
From: Jrausch
Thanks for
the "list of 105" movies that reflect Christian values. The one
that I think that you really should have removed from your list
is the Ten Commandments. Pick up a copy of the NRA's "voice" and
see what the hatred and the venom that pours from it does to the
image of Moses. Heston has definitely given true Christians a
bad name.
BABY
BOOMERS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Heather
Hey, I liked
your provocative thoughts on us baby boomers. I agree with you
.. to a point I guess. In the church we are temporarily in, we
are the youngest people there and we are in our 40's. The older
members of congregation are interested in our opinions of 'what
is happening' out there and ask my husband to speak on the New
Age and me to speak. So while we are still considered young, anyone
in their 20's would feel extremely uncomfortable there.
My 'other'
church is very young, mostly under 30 with lots of YWAMers and
multicoloured hair styles and a cross section of people from ex-drug
addicts, single parents, families, etc. But the Church wouldn't
be there or operating if the baby boomers who founded it didn't
have the vision and tenacity to get something going. There are
few churches that last started by people in their 20's .. you
need wisdom, experience and a great deal of emotional support
and security to be able to ride the hard times. People in their
30's and 40's can still really minister and speak to the hearts
of younger people .. if they are seeking God they are going to
listen.
Obviously,
the ideal church would have ALL ages represented, not just young
people. I would like to see elderly people speaking and playing
their music, the young ones and us in between talking and sharing.
Everyone has a story, everyone has a gift. Our gifts don't die
out as we get older and wrinkly. We don't lose our ability to
communicate because we have children and mortgages. At least,
I don't see anywhere in the bible where it says only young people
can lead, minister and be useful. The people who most ministered
and mentored me when I was 15 were in their late 60's. I considered
them ancient, but I learnt a lot from them.
It needs to
be remembered that a lot of the 'normal' looking people in the
church, with straight hair cuts and standard families often have
had difficult lives and been through a lot of stuff to get where
they are. People would look at me and my family on the surface
and see we are pretty conservative, but our journey has been anything
but!
Anyway, just my 2c/ worth.
Response:
Yes, the ideal churches is multigenerational. And the Boomers
have a lot to be proud of. Of course, I am a Boomer, and I like
my generation. We just have a control thing going on. We need
to be more inclusive. -David
100
FAITH AFFIRMING FILMS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Mon, 28 May 2001
From: Rev. Linda Middelberg
I know that
every one will have additions but I would add, Spitfire Grill
and Deadman Walking to you list of movies.
Rev. Linda Middelberg
THANK
YOU
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: shr
thanks for
your consistently positive insights into the film world. as a
christian, i too find much "right" with hollywood. you just have
to look/listen. i think sometimes we get our roles confused: we
are the ones who have to "conform to the mind of Christ," not
those who never claimed to be christians in the first place!
peace, shr
Response:
Wow! Good thought! -David
KNEEJERKS
= GOLD STARS WITH GOD?
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: Ken
Re: Why
do Christians have such negative knee jerk reactions to the culture.
Why can't we seem to build bridges. Why are we so hesitant to
give credit when it is due? Why can't Christians admit to common
ground with unbelievers?
Hi David;
I'm a new subscriber to your newsletter and this is the first
of them I've read, and I enjoyed doing so.
I've been
a Christian now for almost 25 years and peripherally involved
in the entertainment industry during some of that time. My experience
has been that we, as Christians, find it easier to kneejerk our
way through culture as because doing so allows us to live as easily
and safely as possible, and it's also the best way to get a gold
star from God for our abstaining from being "in the world."
Cultural paranoia
is an integral facet of Christian life for too many North American
Christians (the only ones I'm familiar with.) Last week I received
an email from my godparents, warning me against Harry Potter books
as "satanic" and "dangerous." Remember the furor over backward
masking in the 80s? Remember the "truth" about the Procter & Gamble
CEO admitting his involvement with the church of Satan? Remember
John Todd and Father Alberto Rivera and the Illuminati?
If I'm insecure
in my faith but don't want to admit it, if I don't *really* believe
God is who He says He is, then I will do my little dances to keep
my faith from being jarred or tested and then exposed and I truly
see how bankrupt I am. I'll leap to "defend" God when what I'm
really defending is just my prejudices or my fallen notion of
Him.
I have more
to say on the subject, but I don't want to bore you, so this is
just a taste; I hope you like it!
--Ken Jessup
Response:
Thank you. Christians do indeed have a long kneejerk list. It
is embarassing, indeed. -David
TOP
SPIRITUAL FILMS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001
From: FSA
Matrix- clear
depiction of Jesus Christ as Neo, the savior of mankind.
Fight Club- many references to Zen Buddhism
100
AFFIRMING WHAT?
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: "Glenn Teal"
Did I just
read a Christian reviewer who listed "Michael" as one of the top
100 faith affirming movies? I have seldom seen a movie with less
intelligence and more ill will toward people of faith. Micheal
stunk!
Glenn H. Teal
Please do not list email
Response:
My favorite part in the film was Michael explaining the coming
battle of the book of Revelation. If I redid the list I would
exclude Michael, but it was positive about the Bible, God and
Angels, and not against such faith. -David
MY
FAVORITE
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Susan
Just wanted
to add one of my all time favorites, Lillies of the Field with
Sidney Portier.
Response:
Great film. Thank you. -David
END
TIMES MENTALITY
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Paula
Why do Christians
have such negative knee jerk reactions to the culture. Why can't
we seem to build bridges. Why are we so hesitant to give credit
when it is due? Why can't Christians admit to common ground with
unbelievers?
In response
to these questions, I would have to ask, "Which Christians?" Some
denominations have a tendency to promote a paranoid mentality
toward "the world."
I was having
lunch with some friends at work recently who belong to two extremely
conservative Christian groups. Our place of work recently switched
to an HMO, and I asked how they liked the new plan. Somehow these
very devout and otherwise rational women went from discussing
our new HMO, to how we are all going to be forced into socialized
medicine, which is a sign of the End Times, which means that the
Anti-Christ is coming any day now. The conversation then moved
into an almost surreal discussion about how the whole world is
spiraling toward a state of total immorality and depravity and
eventually ended with a discussion of how corrupt television and
movies have become.
These women
are incredibly devoted to Jesus. I cannot fault them in their
faith and devotion to Our Lord. However, this conversation gave
me the creeps, and I went away feeling very depressed. Their denominations
apparently stress the End Times and they believe that we are IN
them. Movies and television are seen as evidence.
Obviously,
if one has already decided that we are in the End Times and that
the health care industry, the entertainment industry, and all
political structures are heralding the Anti-Christ, there really
is not much room for open-mindedness. In fact, to be open-minded
is dangerous. And that is what I heard from these very faithful
women. Find something in common with an unbeliever? No way! They
are not going to give the Devil any ground.
I am not sure
what to make of this conversation. It has been bothering me every
time I think of it. I am sure that my friends have some valid
points to make, but the whole tenor of the conversation was fear
and paranoia.
I do not mean
to bash my more conservative Christian brothers and sisters. However,
I was taken by surprise when they displayed this morbid attitude.
I was rather disappointed in my friends because they did not stress
the hope that Christ offers. They focused instead on the depravity
of the world and the impending doom which we all surely face,
and in a sick sort of way they seemed to enjoy telling me about
it!
Paula
Response:
The idea that Jesus is coming tomorrow tends to get people to
finger point at all the "bad" stuff. Movies are a favorite
whipping boy. Oh well. And yes you are right, not all Christian
blast culture. Martin Luther was once asked what he'd do if he
knew Jesus was coming tomorrow. He responded, "I would plant
a tree." -David
THOUGHTS
ON BABY BOOMERS
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Rich Robinson
David,
Thanks for your thoughts and insights in the recent e-mail newsletter
#25. Re: baby boomers vs. gen x - a couple of ideas here.
I'm a 47-year
old boomer just so you know where I'm coming from. And very open
to gen x things, I don't hold a particular brief for my own generation
and work amongst boomers and xers both. You wrote:
"In my many
travels to Boomer churches, I have noticed a general lack of Gen
Xers and teens in these services. No green hair, few tattoos and
piercings, no chains, black clothing. No techno, alternative,
rap or truly contemporary pop music."
Hmmm. I wonder
if we boomers are behind the times a bit. The first of Gen X will
be turning 40 in a few years, and the so-called Millennial Generation
is the up and coming one - the generation born 1982 on. I've just
read the new thought provoking book, "Millennials
Rising: The Next Great Generation" by Neil Howe and William
Strauss. These authors have written on generational studies before
and seem to have a good track record in following the trends.
Based on their statistical studies, they are concluding that the
Millennials - children of xers and many boomers - will be quite
the opposite of both my generation and the xer generation. According
to Howe and Strauss, the Millennials are optimistic, believe they
can affect social change, are more oriented to math and science
than to liberal studies, are more respectful of parents and older
generations, and not into the edginess of gen x. Though on the
downside there is a tendency to uniformity, conformity, and a
lack of creativity. Wow. Definitely non-boomer and non-X - if
they are right. You can check out their web site www.millennialsrising.com
and contribute to the discussion, but the point here is that the
church doesn't even seem to be gearing up to the Millennial generation.
We are still "trying to reach the Xers" which we *should* be doing
-- but we talk as if Xers are still teenagers. They aren't. I
just met a 36-year old Xer guy on the airplane. He's a Christian,
attends a seeker-sensitive Xer type church, and related to it
when I told him that in the mid 80s, I was handing out tracts
in Westwood CA, the streets shoulder to shoulder with punk-culture
teens. Some of them would *eat* the tracts. He remembered that
scene well. At 36, he's now an aerospace engineer, though his
hair style (slightly spiky) made him look about 23. The 30's age
Xers are now family guys and probably not as edgy as when they
were younger. So, we need to take into account the "aging" of
the Xers and also the up and coming generations. I don't agree
that the boomers are holding the church hostage but I do agree
that we need to share God's love with all generations. I just
want us to realize that Gen X is moving on in life, and that their
kids, and some of ours, may be a lot different that what we will
be prepared for!
God bless,
Rich Robinson
Response:
So lets see:
Builders = 1945 and before (over 60)
Boomers = 1946 — 1964 (ages 37 to 60)
Busters = 1965 — 1981 (ages 20 to 36) =Gen X
Millennials = 1982 — (ages 19 and under) =Gen Y
You are right Gen Xers are no longer teens as of 2001!
Yes, we need to include the Millenials, sadly we missed Gen X
all together.
Bleak, indeed.
CULTURE,
CHURCH AND GENERSTION X
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Madelyn Sheaffer
David's
responses in blue
So why do
our children have to be immersed in this toxic culture anyway?
The green hair, tattoos, and navel rings are no better for my
children, then the Madonna or Motley Crue look was for me when
I was a teen. I really don't want my kids embracing this culture,
because as someone who went through a less severe version of it
15 years ago, I know how much it sucks, and what a lie it is.
You mean certain things that are harmful within
the cultue, right?
The lost need
a home to come to-meaning us-and we need to welcome them with
open arms, regardless of their "appearance" or background. However,
we are supposed to be different from them.(Be
as you are, just include them with loving arms and in very practical
ways) We are to be concentrating on being conformed to
the eternal image of Christ, not the image of the ever changing
world. That is how I am attempting to raise my children as well.
Should I give up the fight so that my children can identify with
and witness to the youth of their day?
I
am not suggesting that Christians necessarily get tattooed, and
pierced. However, do you wear earrings? Do you wear lipstick and
make up? Do you, as a woman, cut your hair? Do you wear pants?
Do you wear sleeveless blouses? do you pluck your eyebrows? All
of these activities were frowned on by the Evangelical church
at one time. United Pentecostals and certain Holiness groups still
do not do this things. They believe it's "worldly."
Please do not confuse norms of dress with conforming to the image
of Christ -unless, of course you dig men in long hair, with beards,
scandals, robes and, dare I say it, unbathed.. (Soap, by the way,
wasn't until invented 3 years after the death of Jesus on the
cross). Scriptures teach moderation, that's all, not dress norms.
I am up for
any kind of worship. But I know there are those within the church
who would feel very isolated by death metal or hip hop worship.
Should one group's worship zone be sacrificed for the other? (Yes!
the mature in Christ should always lean toward the youth. Always.
Absolutely. The MOST IMPORTANT ministry in any church is the youth.
Yet they are seldom integrated into the service. There is simply
"No room at the Inn" for them. This is an evil wicked
atrocity that needs to be repented of. If a young person does
not have a personal relationship with God by the age of 18, there
is an 85% chance they never will. That simple fact should drive
every church to a full scale analysis of their worship structure.
All to often the older members, the largest money givers, get
their way. Worship is usually governed by money. This is a horrific
evil. God is just not happy with such idolatry in the church.
"Allow the little children to come unto me, for to such belongs
the Kingdom of God." When Jesus cleared the temple he drove
out the money changers and brought in the blind, crippled (the
outcasts) and the youth. He then conducted a worship service.
Read about it in Matthew 21:12-17, right after this story comes
the cursing of the fig tree. A very interesting connections. To
me it is so plain. Most church are just simply sinning when they
exclude the youth and outcasts. These churches will wither like
the fig tree and the money changers with them. Traditional mainstream
churches are dwindling down to a few elderly money givers -does
that tell you anything?).
Maybe as other
posters and yourself said, integration is the key (Exactly!).
I am yet to see that much tolerance anywhere.
Thanks, Madelyn Sheaffer
Response:
Thank you Madelyn. Remember, never confuse cultural references
with conforming to Christ. Remember, Christ left all the glories
of heaven to become a servant on earth for us. He became what
we are so that we could become all that God intended for us. Not
a bad example. I appreciate your concern for your children. I'll
bet you are a great mom. God bless you. -David
REASONS
FOR CRITICISM
Subject: Newsletter_25
Date: Wed, 23 May 2001
From: Gordon Stromberg
I think the
main reason is reflected in the many ideas in the article in the
current Christianity & the Arts magazine. My main criticism, having
attended Bible study to the current age of 65, is "Is it accurate
to Scripture?", especially if it's a film based on Bible characters.
Is this not a fair question to ask? I have been very moved recently
in viewing Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace. It was well done. Thanks
for your list of 100+. My printer is inoperable, so I copied the
list by hand.
Gordon Stromberg
Response:
I liked Bonhoeffer too! I agree that most Bible Epic films are
not really "accurate to scripture" -rather they are
loosely based on scripture. The Ten Commandments comes to mind.
Also, I really need to redo the list and eliminate the marginal
films that I included for the purposes of wider variety. -David
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