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MOVIES
AND CHRISTIANS
Subject: Newsletter 26
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001
From: "T'n'T Family"
I'm probably
going to be blasted like what has been done with others that disagree
with Hollywood Jesus but here goes.
I read the
response to others that viewed films like Atlantis as portraying
New Age talk, supposed "demon honouring concepts" and Wiccan language
and here is my response whatever it is worth.
I have 3 small
children and I'm very protective of them and I will give an account
to God some day for what I've taught them. I want to thank those
people who wrote in about Atlantis and its seemingly occultic
underpinnings. Children are so enamered by films and seem to accept
anything on TV as true. That is why I am trying to teach mine
that most of what is seen on movies and TV has the tendency to
go against what God wants. I try to inform them where the show
is wrong and teach them not to accept anything that goes against
the teachings of the Word of God. We are to be on the lookout
1 Pet. 5:8. (You are being a good father. This
is good)
This is teaching
them discernment or to discern what is right and what is wrong
based on what God says not the what the world says. The Bible
is clear that in these last days there will be false prophets
and false teachers in the church. We need the gift of discernment
in the last days. I have always believed that if i go to a film
or rent a video you are supporting what Hollywood has done. That's
why I want to know exactly what the film is about especially if
I have my children with me (they haven't been to a movie theatre
yet). I value your reviews because they give me some info on what
to watch out for personally and for the protection of my little
ones' minds who are not ready to discern what is right and wrong.
The Bible says that this takes training. (Hebs 5:14). I rarely
go to movies because I rely on people like you and others like
you who go to bat for those of us that wait around till we have
enough respected opinions to make an informed decision about whether
we should support Hollywood's efforts or not. If we go to the
movie or rent that video are we not supporting Hollywood? (Yes
just like you support slave labor in China when you buy your children
toys made in China. And you support Harper Collins when you by
a Zondervan NIV Bible. And you support causes that you perhaps
disagree with when you buy products form corporations that give
money to various causes.) I mean if the movie glorifies
sex, violence or the occult and we go to it are we not sending
a message to Hollywood- This is what we want? (Your
grid here is that of a loving father of young children. I can
not fault this. My concerns run in a different direction)
If they produced decent family movies and these family movies
became instant best picks would they not produce more rather than
those that have much violence and sex? If people refused to go
to movies that had any nudity and sex that would surely decide
for the producers in Hollywood that movies with this content DON"T
make money, since it is all about money. ("If"
This never works. You are being idealistic. The world is won one
person at a time. Not by changing Hollywood) Hats off to
those of you who go into movies with the motive to inform the
Christian community about potentially dangerous content for children
and compromising content for us adults. (Hollywood
Jesus, as you know, does not do this. I do not see this as Christianity
in any way shape or form. Even Mormons, Buddhist, Muslims have
such concerns. I see these type of reviews as being moralistic
family guides but not spiritual guides).
I agree that
we need to build bridges to the world including Hollywood and
Wiccans. We are in the world but we are not to be like the world
or of the world. (This is by an action of God,
and by our action) Love the people, hate the sin? Please,
mr. HollywoodJesus when you respond to others that you don't agree
with could you use the wisdom of Ephesians 4:29 where Paul says
" Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth (pen) but only
such a word as is good for edification according to the need of
the moment, that is may give grace to those who hear (read) [Brackets-
mine]. Let's build bridges to our brothers too.- Speak the truth
in love Ephs 4:15. That they may be one John 17:21. If we differ
can we agree to disagee in love? (absolutely,
but I will always side with the outsiders, rejected, loners, and
despised. Speaking against any group of people does not work well
with me. Too many Christians seem to be finger pointing moralist.
Hollywood Jesus is different and will never do this)
Respectfully Yours,
hornblower KECY
Thank
you for your kind words. And keep on being the wonderful dad that
you are. -David
STING
OF OFFENSE
Subject: Newsletter_26
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001
From: "Scott Carter"
Dear Kristen,
I don't think you are being fair. You are assuming that there
is no legitimate reason to question the prudence of seeing R rated
movies. This is indicated by the theme of your questions: Are
you are free thinking Christian? Are you a believer who has discovered
that it is best to keep your mouth shut to keep your church membership
intact? Are you a believer that does not go to church due to the
intolerance you feel? Imagine the questions slanted the other
way and you would feel the sting of offense.
Please be
a little more tolerant with others. Consider Paul's admonition,
"...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever
things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virue
and if there is anythign praiseworthy -- meditate on these things."
I have been to PG movies where oral sex is suggested, so there
is ample reason for people to be a little short fused about R
movies.
Having said
that, I am glad that there are folks like you who will view all
the movies and review them for the rest of us so that we can make
decisions that comport with our family needs and own level of
liberty and personal discipline. I saw Amistad
after reading a Christian review and then watched it with my children
two times more. It was very good and we were all deeply moved
by it and grateful for it. So, please be a little more open minded
and a little more sympathetic with the rest of us and please keep
up the good work.
Sincerely, Scott Carter
Response:
Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate that. -David
R
RATED MOVIES
Subject: Newsletter_26
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001
From: A
Dear Sir:
I enjoy reading your movies reviews because I also enjoy analyzing
movies, and books. It is a difficult question you asked about
whether "R" rated movies were appropriate for Christians to watch.
Although many movies have very uplifting themes; and provide insight
into the mind, and motivations of nonchristians, I think I would
have to say like Paul that "everything is permissible for me,
but not everything is beneficial." I understand your point of
view, Christians aren't supposed to live in an Ivory Tower, and
close our eyes to the world. I too have experienced your feeling
of bewilderment when I've heard well-meaning, kind and wonderful
people say their children cannot go trick or treating because
it is a Pagan Holiday, or collect Pokeman cards because they're
Satanic! One of the most insightful books I've ever read, Night,
was "antichristian" because of the main character's statement
that God was dead, he could not be alive and allow the horrible
atrocities passing before his (the boy's) eyes during the Holocaust
to happen. Did this book's theme hurt my appreciation and love
of The Hiding Place, a Christian book about the Holocaust? No
rather it strengthened it, because the descriptions of the former's
horrors, and sense of hopelessness, caused the forgiveness and
hope in the latter to become more real to me, more meaningful.
However I
would have to respectfully disagree with you in regard to the
statement you made about Jesus saying that "it is not what goes
into a man that defiles him, but what comes out." It reminded
me that it was also said "that whatever is pure, and pleasing...think
on these things." I believe that in this regard, certain views
in movies could eventually be adopted such as cynicism, or sex
before marriage being acceptable, or various other views causing
a Christian to err in this command.
Thank you
for such an interesting website. I will continue to visit it in
the future, and am sure I will continue to find high quality,
enjoyable reviews. In regard to myself, I am a 20 year old college
student who is considering becoming an English teacher. That's
such a difficult thing to tell someone you are writing to. Immediately
you start to wonder how many grammar mistakes you've made, and
if your email sounds half intelligible. Thank you again for all
the time you invest reviewing movies so well.
I would appreciate
if you would not post my email address for privacy reasons.
Response:
Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate that. -David
ONLY
OPEN MINDED CHRISTIAN WEB SITE
Subject: Newsletter_26
Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2001
From: Stephen
Dear Bruce
Thanks so much for your great website. It has to be the only open-minded
christian site on the web. I think that your R-Rated christians
article was spot on. I think it is ironic that a belief system
founded by such a tolerant, loving God has spawned such an intolerant,
bigoted and hateful church.
It seems to
me that christianity, as interpreted by us humans, has caused
this world almost unfathomable pain over the centuries, from the
massacres of millions of natives by so-called christian explorers
and missionaries in Africa, North & South America, and even my
home of Australia, to the holocaust and today's victimization
of homosexuals. We then have the cheek to trumpet loudly (and
embarrasingly) about some nudity in a movie! I would think that
there are greater concerns - maybe I have my priorities wrong!
Christians
tend to think that movies that challenge their (our) system of
beliefs and personal standards as a direct attack, trying to undermine
our faith. Where is the great appreciation of our hallowed right
to freedom of speech? How come it is fine for christians to protest
loudly at anything gay, anything nude, anything with a different
opinion, and as soon as something or someone attacks the "church"
it's just not fair? Are we that insecure in our faith that as
soon as someone sends a little fire our way we run for cover,
screaming persecution? We don't even know the meaning of that
word!
Jesus is our
example - and he is not only my Jesus and your Jesus, he is Jesus
of the world, and even Hollywood Jesus! In the bible, which I
believe to be wholly true, Jesus seems to only ever have a crack
at the alleged christians. He gets on fine with the sinners, the
prostitutes, thieves, and scum of society. He is their friend
FIRST. Their is no judgement made, no sly remarks regarding their
lifestyle. His example spoke loudest - people were inspired by
his life, his "realness" and his love. It was the so-called christians
who copped the angry, righteous Jesus, because they were hypocritcal
and judgemental.
The moviemakers
of today, like Speilberg, Lucas, Scott, are the Da Vincis and
Monets of our time. These are great artists who, I believe, history
will judge to be among the greatest artists of all time. And as
soon as some content issues arise in a movie, we christians not
only shut it out of our own minds, we persecute each other for
being unholy and not Christ-like. We are depriving ourselves of
life-changing artistry that can impact our lives. A film like
American Beauty can change your life - it did mine - or you can
get bogged down in moral constipation at the content. As the movie
itself says, look deeper. There are rubbish movies out there which
exploit and degrade, but I think when we ignore movies, and, for
that matter, music, merely for having a different point of view,
we are potentially robbing ourselves of experiences which could
enrich our christianity.
Sorry for
the ramble - it is great to have an outlet for my opinion, which,
it seems, is the most controversial thing since anything! It is
good to know that there are like-minded people out there. Remember,
God can use anything to speak to us, whether it be a donkey or
the bible or a movie or a song - I recall that He created everything!
Keep up your inspiring work.
Regards Stephen
Melbourne, Australia
Response:
I totally agree! -David
COOL
CHURCHES
Subject: Park Community Church Newsletter_26
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2001
From: stephanie
Although I
can't speak for where the church would stand on R-rated movies.
I do have to say that I have found a church (the first one in
my 30 years of attendance) that truly respects the faith journey
process, no matter where you are. They are a bible teaching place
that respects and welcomes people that are all along the continuum
(atheist, agnostic, believer). The church is in downtown Chicago
and it is called Park Community Church www.parkcommunitychurch.org
Many blessings
and keep up the good work, I find your site refreshing and a wonderful
way to witness to others who share my love for movies Stephanie
Ricke This message is for the designated recipient only and may
contain privileged or confidential information. If you have received
it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the
original. Any other use of the email by you is prohibited.
COOL
CHURCH WANNABEE
Subject: Fort White UMC Newsletter
#26
Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2001
From: "Jeff Peppers"
David, Your
story of your encounter with some narrow-minded Christians was
quite enlightening. As a word of personal encouragement to you,
David, let me encourage you not to fall into the same trap of
I pastor a
small United Methodist Church in a rural part of North Florida
(Lower Georgia, really) -- not exactly a bustling cosmopolitan
arts pool. We show movies to 15 to 20 teenagers on Friday nights
(in fact, they should start arriving here in about 90 minutes).
We don't show only G or PG movies. In fact, most are rated R or
PG-13. [Note: if they're rated R because of sexual stuff or excessive
profanity, we don't watch it.]
But we don't
just view these movies for entertainment. From your reviews and
other websites, I assemble discussion questions, and we all read
the applicable scriptures together out of our pew Bibles, and
then we discuss the Biblical concept.Usually we do the Bible lesson
first, then watch the movie, then (when they're tired and sleepy-eyed)
we look for the illustrations. Almost always, they identify the
scenes we had in mind, and sometimes go a little further. Then
we go have ice cream or something in the fellowship hall.
having said
that, I can understand the views of others who might not be as
open minded as we are. Your reference to defilement coming out
versus going in was perhaps out of context. Certainly, the other
party could have responded with references that about where your
heart is, about our call to meditate on the word of God, and whatsoever
things are of good report... You get what I'm saying, I'm sure,
David. There is an ad on our local Christian radio station, goes
something like this: "Man, that garden just won't grow. I tilled,
fertilized, water it. But all I get is weeds." "What seeds did
you use?" "Seeds?" Jesus said, if your eye makes you sin, pluck
it out; it's better to be blind than to burn."
So I guess
I'm middle of the road. To some, a flaming liberal who allows
trash into the minds of formative kids and calls it gospel. To
others, a narrow minded fundamentalist advocating long dresses
and no makeup.
Interested
to know your take, if you have time. God bless you in your vital
ministry, David.
Response:
Teaching youth how to think, react and most importantly dialogue
with the world around them is a valuable gift. Keep on doing what
you are doing. Jesus took his disciples into the world to train
them. Today we isolate them from the world.
Jeff Peppers
Pastor, Fort White UMC
Fort White, Florida
COOL
CHURCH
Subject: Jesus following church Newsletter
#26
Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2001
From: Van
Here is the
name and address of a really cool church that I believe fits your
profile of church open to world speak. The pastors name is Bruxy
Cavey, and he is one smart dude. During the offering, they played
this really cool music, and it turned out to be from the soundtrack
of the third Myst video game. Talk about redeeming what ever is
out there! It's in Oakville, Ontario, Canada for your Canadian
viewers, so I encourage you to check it out. So many Christians
are sooooo scared of the "the world", that many are no longer
able to discern what is good or not. Only Christian stuff is good;
everything else is bad. It makes for a very narrow view of things.
Thanks sooooo much for your intelligent, heart-felt views. I am
one Christian who craves for this kind of intelligent perspective.
www.TheMeetingHouse.ca
THE
R-RATED PROBLEM
Subject: Newsletter 26
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2001
From: "Wesley Channell"
David, I just
want to know I support you on seeing "R" rated movies. How are
we to be in the world if we are so separate from it? I think that
many Christians feel they can only relate to non-Christians in
a sanitized and pasteurized environment. My image of the world
we live in is like that of a pasture that cows graze in. Unfortunately,
there is a lot of stink and smell and cow-pies all around. If
we want to reach non-Christians we need to put up with those unpleasantries
and stop demanding that the cows clean up the field so we can
come out and talk to them.
It's interesting
that theologians in the first 3 centuries of Christianity argued
about this purity problem and Jesus. Many insisted that Jesus
couldn't have been born in a stable because the conditions were
too unsanitary and not suitable for him. Finally, someone objected
and asked "what happens to sunlight when it shines on manure."
The answer "nothing." In the same way, sometimes there may be
bad things in R-rated movies, but it is the bad in ourselves that
causes the pollution, not the thing we see. If we would rest in
Christ who alone in us is the hope of victory, we too, could remain
unpolluted and engage in the battlefield of this world. Jesus
said the gates of hell would not prevail against his church. I
have never heard of a gate attacking anyone, so I think many of
us (like you have already done) need to get out their and get
our hands dirty in the battle, instead of yelling insulting slogans
at the world from the ramparts and hiding our heads behind the
walls.
You do a great
service and I wholeheartedly support you. God bless you, Rev.
Wesley Channell
1st Presbyterian
--Atmore, PCA
Response:
I love the cow pie approach. Thanks -David
TRY
EPISCOPAL
Subject: Cool_Churches_Newsletter_26
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001
From: Wendy
For the most
part, I think the Anglican community is tolerant of most view
points. Especially conservative Episcopalians are willing to let
anyone speak their mind on any subject. And we are able to stand
by our own beliefs without bashing people over the head with them.
We can agree to disagree when necessary. And we welcome all visitors.
All baptized Christians of all denominations are welcome at our
Lord's table. We aren't stingy. Naturally, this is a very broad
generalization, we have our crotchety old grouches like every
where else. But we try our best to keep our arms and minds open.
Ciao for now! Wendy
COOL
CHURCH
Newsletter_26
Subject: First Baptist Church Argyle
Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2001
From: kaeding
First Baptist
Church Argyle
6823 Argyle Forest Blvd.
(904) 777-1238
The church mentioned above has gotten a lot of flack for it's
open mindedness. The pastor Is Ken Dyal and the youth and music
minister is Rick Painter.
VICTIMIZED
ALSO
Subject: Victimized_Christian_Newsletter#26
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
From: "Mike Parnell"
I have to
write in response to what you faced in your encounter in the church.
I am a pastor of a Southern Baptist church and I love movies.
My father had a gas station downtown in my hometown and I went
to the movies often because both theaters were less than two blocks
away. I have had profound encounters with God in the dark at a
movie.
In trying
to get my church to see the need of reaching out to those who
are unchurched, I have proposed using movie clips as a means of
illustrating what the gospel says. This has caused a firestorm
of controversy because some of my leadership has branded me an
infidel because I want to use clips and because I go to the movies.
One of the biggest outcries has been from one person who has determined
that no one should go see an R rated movie. He has told me that
I am less than Christian, in his mind, because I go. My response
to him has not satisfied him and it has been a cause to try and
remove me from the church as pastor.
Looking at
this issue, I have come to some conclusions. First, those who
feel like this are people who do not worship God. What they worship
is the box they have put God in. God is boxed up in their opinions
and pseudo-theology. He is placed in this box and it is declared
that God only works in this way. This way is always the way they
determine he can work. People who want to be part of what they
are doing must buy into the box and those who wish to push back
the box and try to get at what they have inside are cast out.
Secondly, these people narrow God to the point that they begin
to deny the reality of scripture. Any reading of the Bible will
reveal that God used people and situations that were not wholly
devoted to him. If God could talk through Balaam's ass, then God
can talk through other means. Those who hold out that God cannot
speak through a motion picture hold to a Gnostic view of God,
where those who only have the "special revelation of knowledge"
can truly discern what God is doing.
Your description
of a church is what God wants. I have this belief in my heart,
but we layer our stuff on the church so much that we miss the
point that God is not a respecter of persons. One of the sad truths
of this age is that there are thousands of people who believe
in God and Jesus, but they do not believe in the church. That
tells me that those of us in the church have a problem.
Let me make
one final comment. Those of us who are in the church need to realize
something; the age of the church is over with. We are not living
in the friendly confines of Zion. The church is in exile. We are
living in Babylon. When the people of Judah went to Babylon they
had a choice, they could hang their harps in the willow trees
or they could learn the language of Babylon and adapt to Babylon.
I am convinced that learning the language of popular culture is
learning the language of Babylon. I am further convinced that
taking a movie clip and applying it to a gospel truth is a way
of communicating the good news to people. When you show a clip
from a popular movie and say this is what the Bible says about
this clip it tells those outside of the faith that the God of
the Bible, the God of the universe has been trying to communicate
to me all along. This is why churches that will survive and be
able to reach the unchurched will be those who learn from pop
culture the theophanies of God that appear in the culture and
translate them to people in order for them to understand.
Bruce, you
keep up what you are doing. In my understanding of what you are
going through, there is a mirror of what I am going through in
my church. It is of God. It is of God because there is opposition
to it. A sign of God at work is when the "religious authorities"
(read Pharisees) stand up to oppose it. Jesus experienced it and
you are too. I think you are in good company.
Mike Parnell
Response:
Everything you say is so true. And thanks for the encouraging
words. -David
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