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I
WAS GOING CRAZY
Subject: Re: Newsletter_27
and The Apostle
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001
From: Roderick K
Hi David First
of all, thank you for giving us the extravagent gift of Hollywood
Jesus. I feel fortunate to be able to have access to a website
which so closely resonates with my own (rather personal) interests
and feelings. You have poured-out yourself, as Christ commands,
and we have been blessed as a result!
I was listening
to a story of a Christian father who was upset at a public school
teacher who had his son's junior high class read a novel (title
not mentioned) which was, in the father's opinion, R-rated. He
met with the teacher and requested a different novel for his son.
And he was quite proud of his actions.
While listening,
I was going crazy over the issues of isolation, self-righteousness,
and knee-jerk thinking. Many books and movies tell stories of
characters who wander from the typical Christian path. Sometimes
these wanderings are purely cultural, like hair style, tattoo's,
music styles, etc. We Christians should be slow to criticize cultural
choices other than our own.
Other times
these wanderings have moral and/or spiritual significance (criminal
behavior, personal immorality, etc.). In these cases, we should
look for the consequences in the story. If truthful consequences
are portrayed, then the story becomes a moral lesson. If the consequences
are absent or contrived (i.e. spiriually dishonest, if you will),
then we have the duty to come against the story.
I admire
The Apostle for this very reason. In
the story, a man of God, a pastor, lets his temper get the best
of him, acts out on his momentary feelings, and suffers a huge
moral failure as a result. He acknowledges his failure before
God, seeks forgiveness, and then walks out his repentance. He
is restored spiritually and does great work for Christ's kingdom.
Yet he has to eventually deal with the consequences of his actions
according to the justice system. And he deals with them with an
incredibly great attitude, as is shown in the last scene.
The
Apostle is one of the greatest Christian films I have ever
seen. It shows the truth that we humans are prone to failure,
that God will restore us after failure, and that there may be
earthly consequences that have to be dealt with in spite of God's
grace to us. It is the story of Everyman. It tells the God-human
story with truth, grace and beauty. But is the Christian world
excited about this film? No. The Christian world would rather
see Left Behind! What a tragedy.
Roderick K
Boulder, CO
CHRISTIANS
IN THE CULTURE
Subject: Newsletter 27
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001
From: McNair Wilson
David -- Old
Daniel (of Bible fame) would be hard pressed to find a friend
among todays Christian Media Monarchs who rant against Hollywood
and modern culture. He would not be welcome at the "Get Prayer
Back in Government (Public) Public Schools" at the local church.
Unlike the convention wisdom of this day, Daniel attended the
U.C.Berkely of his day, worked for several Presidents (Kings.)
He learned their ways--their culture and its underlying philosphies.
Then, once he was accepted for his effective contribution he stood
up to the authorities and said this is what God says.
The difficulty
with being a Christian working in todays culture (author, theatrical
director, actor, corporate trainer) is not being in that culture,
but finding support--any support--form the church, the family
of God. We artists cannot all design bulletin covers, write praise
songs ("words-on-the-wall-that-don't-know-how-to-end") and paint
beautiful (inoffensive) cottages in the forest that glow in the
dark. (Do the people that live in them also glow?)
The church
needs the artist and the artist needs the church. But the world
needs every believer to be IN the world, but not OF the world.
"Transformed," Paul pleaded, "by the renewing of (your) mind."
Just as the Creator God embued Bezalel and his team of craftsman
to amke beauty in the Tabernacle, so, too, the Creator would have
us create art--film, fine art, graphic design, music, dance, theatre,
performance art, archetecture, poetry, fiction, puppetry, industrial
design, fashion and so much more, for the whole world.
Goodness knows
we ain't making good architecture in the church. But it's big.
Where are
the Christ-following artists that will shake up the Museum of
Modern Art, MTV, and Broadway?
And where
are the pastors who will support them and the church-goers who
will be their patrons?
C. McNair
Wilson
Response:
You are so very right on. Oh my gosh. If others understood the
truth you are giving we would have one hell scattering revolution
on our hands. God speed the day. -David
THE
BEAUTY IN OTHER PEOPLE
Subject: Hollywood Jesus Newsletter
27
Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001
From: Reg
The Thomas
Kinkaid Dilemma Your critique upon the symbolic imagery and social
reprocussions of popular Christian 'art' is right on, sistah.
It is a time-eternal backlash of American religion that promotes
and subscribes to escapist notions of the family in an isolated
nirvana of pastoral beauty and white-picket fence quaintness.
Not to mention, the lack of socio-political consciousness in a
country that is imbibed with struggle, stress, and strain of quintessential
daily living. This not only removes spirituality from the urban
landscape, it is devoid of actual humanity. Your insights upon
loving thy neighbor are a crucial component in discovering our
beauty within by experiencing the beauty that is outside of ourselves;
other people and our communities. Thanx for the vigilence and
positude that is delivered in your snipits from HollywoodJesus.
Peace. Reg
Response:
Thanks for the encouragement. -David
CHANGING
THE WAY WE LOOK AT OUR CULTURE
Subject: response to newsletter 27
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2001
From: Pastor Dale
The Book you
sight by Stephanie Coontz "The way We Never Were, ..." has some
compelling stats. I do not know where to purchase, read, etc.
her book. If her stats are right it changes the way we look at
our current culture.
I appreciate
comments from an earlier Newsletter in reference to the boomers
stepping aside and allowing Gen X to step up. It is passing on
the mission and the faith in Jesus Christ.
My heart break
is that in both of the above concerns I some times feel time warped
and out of step as a pastor in a small fellowship "traditional"
church in rural Ohio. Our biological children are aware but the
youth of the church, may be even the adults may be a step (s)
behind. It would seem a step forward to become a "family worship
center." This is not a statement against the brothers and sisters
here, but it is a concern.
The confidence
I have is that the Holy Spirit is moving and is the great evangelist,
convicting, empowering, encouraging, pointing people to Jesus
Christ. A Charles Wesley song "A Charge to Keep I have" v.2 "To
serve the present age my calling to fulfill, O may it all my powers
engage to do my Master's will!" seems right in step with what
your newsletter seems to be saying about engaging the culture
as a missionary.
These reflections
come on a Sunday evening after feeling very drained from Sunday
morning services.
Keep up the
good work of Jesus Christ. I pray that you are part of a viable
and lively community of brothers and sisters redeemed by the live
blood of Jesus Christ.
Thanx for the newsletter.
Pastor Dale
Response:
Thank you. Here is a link to the book: The
Way We Never Were, American Families and the Nostalgia Trap.
I
HAVE NO IDEA WHY
Subject: Newsletter_27
Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2001
From: C T Blake FirstConsul@Earthdome.com
Couldn't agree
more. I personally have no idea what the attraction is to these
paintings (maybe it's because I'm a kid from the age of Nixon,
and non-Christian to boot), but they always struck me as souless,
lifeless and dull. Kinda like the landscapes you see from the
18th Century- no people, no nothing that would connect you as
the viewer to the painting.
I also have
NO idea why anyone would have some sort of romantic connection
to the Victorian Age-- a bloodier, more cruel and more pathetic
age of suffering & excess we've hardly seen in our entire history
as Humans. Yet there it is-- one painting after another, with
some English cottage in the fields.
CT Blake FirstConsul@Earthdome.com
Nacogdoches, Texas
BALANCE
IS NECESSARY IN ALL OF LIFE
Subject: Newsletter 27
Date: Tue, 07 Aug 2001
From: George
In all aspects
of life, people need to remain balanced.
There are
those who avoid all contact with the "pagan" culture around them,
feeling somehow that any involvement in it will taint their walk
with God. This is not unlike the attitude of the pharisees in
Jesus' time. It is also the group that will give anyone grief
for integrating with the lost culture all around, insinuating
for example that a pastor who visits a bar to relate better to
forestry workers is corrupt for that reason alone.
The other
extreme is those Christians who feel that they should blend in
with society to feel more "connected" with the pagan culture.
Their argument is that unless they become completely immersed
with those around them they cannot effectively reach them. They
wear their relationship with sinners as a badge of superiority
over other Christians. They point to Jesus as their model for
this kind of involvement.
Jesus, of
course, spent a great deal of time with those who were lost. However,
he never went to an extreme. Every moment of contact with prostitutes,
drunkards, and other sinners was spent with a commitment to share
with them the good news of God's love and forgiveness through
Christ. It is inconceivable to imagine Jesus sitting in a darkened
theater laughing with the audience over a sexually explicit joke.
He only put himself in settings with sinners where he could intelligently
engage them in ministry-related conversation.
Both extremes
modern Christians take are completely wrong. One side does not
reach out in love to a lost world. The other thinks that it reaches
out merely by being close to sinners. Both viewpoints are misguided.
Being close counts for nothing if Christ is not clearly and constantly
presented to those we interact with.
Although I
don't believe it is inherently wrong for a Christian to view an
R-rated movie (there may be many reasons for being there such
as reviewing the film), the Bible does tell us to guard our thoughts
and to keep them pure. Watching such a movie for entertainment
purposes is generally not appropriate in light of the Bible's
commands regarding the behavior of saints (all believers in Christ).
We are told that all things are allowed but not all things are
beneficial (1Cor 6:12). With freedom comes responsibility. And
we are both salt and light to the culture we live in. There must
be something different about us in our attitudes and behavior.
In most cases, making R-rated movies or enjoying them with the
lost souls around us does not create the distinction we were called
to portray, and therefore makes us traitors to the cause of Christ.
If we are to be more like Christ, we must purify our thoughts
(2Cor 7:1, James 4:8). Many motion pictures do not assist in this
process, but work against it.
It appears
that you (David Bruce) have been the victim of judgmental Christians
who have unfairly attacked you with no love or grace in their
hearts. I was deeply saddened to discover how they reacted to
your ministry. But I urge you to be cautious in your response
so that your pendulum doesn't sway to an extreme and make you
worthy of their judgment.
Response:
In all things modesty. You are right. -David
OFF
BASE
Subject: Newsletter 27
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001
From: Woody
David, I enjoyed
your web site a great deal, but I do disagree with you concerning
certain matters. I think you're way off-base with your criticisms
of Kinkade's artwork. I think his work is uplifting, and he doesn't
need to get "in touch with reality" to be effective. (Effective?
Hmm, well, yes effective marketing perhaps)
Also, I wouldn't
criticize people, Christian or other-wise for watching R-rated
movies because I watch them from time to time myself. I do think,
however, that we need to show discernment concerning what we allow
in. You totally butchered the scripture passage when you said
Christ said, "It is what comes from us that makes us unclean,
and not what we take in...." Well, the context of this was in
terms of food (the teachers of the law holding on to legalism),
not what we watch or to what we listen. (Same
difference. Jesus meant this in a broad context as verse 21 points
out)
In closing,
I think your site is a valuable resource, especially for those
that are seeking TRUTH. (Thank you)
But, in expressing Christian love, we must never forget that right
is always right, and wrong is always wrong. We are to never tell
anyone that they are going to hell because God will ultimately
decide that, but when people are living in compromise to God's
Word, we can't just tell them it is okay either. There MUST BE
balance in our message as we reach out to the lost and dying world
around us.
In Him, Woody
LIVE
YOUR FAITH
Subject: Newsletter #27
live
your faith
Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2001
From: kim
Oh, boy- where
to begin.... by saying that Thomas Kincade 'art' is Classic Christian
Cultism? It's one example of bubble-gum, popcorn, yummy-warm-and-fuzzy,
please leave out the substance, don't make me think- thinking
is against the movement of the Spirit. When I first started going
to church a number of years ago, a well-meaning friend bought
me a "straight" coat, presumably so I wouldn't embarrass myself
in the Christian crowd by wearing a jacket that was obviously
secular in appearance. I went through a look-alike, think-alike
phase, meanwhile feeling very unworthy and inadequate. I listened
to only contemporary Christian music and read strictly Christian
novels. I FELT ANCHORED, BUT NOT LOVED. I felt that the World
was a horrible place, and that I must insulate myself to survive
it.
Wow. It didn't
last long. I realized that I couldn't practice the principles
Jesus laid down for us and live that way, as a fake. I was becoming
incredibly judgmental and increasingly unhappy. Just headline
that: Baby Christian Gets Sidetracked. Then the Spirit got through
to me. I got back to the original lesson that I am to love other
people, just as they are. That's really easy to do as long as
I'm not judging them, or myself.
What I've
learned is that it's fear that motivated me to insulate myself
- fear that I would lose my faith in God if I didn't, as if He
had nothing to do with creating me and guiding me and loving me.
I'm not backsliding, I'm growing in the Lord, who strengthens
me, and teaches me, daily. I love Christian music, and still love
jazz and blues, too. I hang out with Christians, and with those
who need the Lords touch in their lives, too. I'm not afraid of
being influenced by worldly things, I just hope the Lord can touch
worldly people through me. A poster at my home quotes St. Francis
of Assisi: Preach the gospel to all the world and, if necessary,
use words. Everyone is different for a reason, so we can be useful
to God in different ways. Jesus said we should be in the world,
but not of it. That requires thinking. Thanks for letting me rant!
Kim
Response:
Excellent. Powerful. I can only hope your words will help people
understand the problem of fear that cripples us, and judgmental
attitudes that harms others. -David
HOG
WASH!
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001
From: Steve
Your article
is utter hogwash.. and Dan Cramer's comments are justifying his
desire to sin! Ps 101:3 3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing
NIV
Response:
Gosh Steve, how insightful of you to know, as only God would know,
the real intent of Steve's heart. And how, good of you to identify
the true meaning of hogwash. In terms of Ps 101:3, perhaps this
has more to do with placing false gods before our eyes (set before
my eyes = devotion. Cross reference Ps. 40:4). As in the same
sense as Hebrews 12:2 ("looking to Jesus"). Certainly
Paul in Acts 17:16-34 was fouced on Jesus even though he was viewing
idols. Any way, thanks for all your judgements. Refreshing, some
how. I am curious, Do you have many friends? -David
WHEN
PAUL?
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001
From: Bicwyzer
Hello David
thanks for the info. When will the 'Paul' review be completed,
do you have any airing times for the US yet?
God bless Abu Joshua
"The way of the fool seems right to him" - Proverbs
Web: www.geocities.com/athens/agora/4014
Response:
I should get on this one. Thanks for the reminder. -David
THE
"KINKADE PROBLEM"
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001
From: Geoffrey Dennis
David,
I just read your analysis of "The Kinkade Problem" and then read
your review of Legally Blonde.
I noticed that what you criticize Kinkade for you embrace in Legally
Blonde. (Kinkade is isolation from the real
world, and Legally Blonde is about "being in the world")
"Legally
Blonde Review by David Bruce: Everyone in the theater seemed
happy watching this film. And that is what makes this film so
compelling. It is saturated with compelling optimism and happiness.
It is a delightful film that makes you smile..."
Isn't that
what Kinkade's artwork does as well? (Yes,
you are right. But the issue is not smiles) He is not painting
"Christian" paintings, he is painting sentimental paintings (Very
true). He is doing what you supported Legally Blonde in
doing creating artwork that makes you smile
(again the issue is not smiling). Just as you implied that
there is no harm in doing that for Legally Blonde, there should
be no harm in doing that in art. It seems like you criticism is
leveled inconsistently. (No, the issue is isolation.
In Legally Blonde the main character never gives up on the world.
She hangs in there with a smile and gains the victory. Kinkades
gives up on the real worl and creates something that does not
connect with life as we know it) Granted, Kinkade has painted
some "spiritual" paintings, but your criticism seems to be leveled
at his other work. By the way, when will you have a review for
the movie "Memento?" (It
is reviewed. Great post modern film)
Geoffrey Dennis
Vice President,
Outreach Ministries Good News Publishers/Crossway Books
(630) 682-4300 Phone
(630) 682-4785 Fax
www.goodnewspublishers.org
gdennis@gnpcb.org
Response:
Always good to hear from you Jeff. I remember our times in South
Chicago -establishing transitional housing for homeless and abused
women with children. Reaching out for those who needed a hand.
-David
SHAKE
OFF FEAR
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001
From: Perrianne Brownback Azle, Texas
Well done
handling of a controversial subject. I had a personal revelation
while reading the section on "Blaming the Wrong Things." I realized
that art and music are mirrors of our culture, not dictators to
it. How ridiculous it suddenly seemed to me to blame art and music
for being accurate mirrors of a society that has perhaps disintegrated
because of a passive church! If we as the people of God have offered
no more creativity than we have, shall we blame the artists for
reflecting the emptiness--or for searching and expressing that
search??? For years I have felt that songs (I think of Matchbox
20's "Bent" and many others) and art expresses the cries of a
people searching for truth. They mirror the culture.
A great example
is the Dadaist movement earlier in this century. The average Christian
looks at Dadaism and repeats what they have heard someone else
say: "That's not art! That's of the devil." Ironically, the dadaists
had as their very motive the expression of the emptiness they
felt in a post-war society. They were trying to hold up a mirror
to society and say, "This is what we see."
That is not
to say that all art must have that motive, but all art does mirror
who we are. Even Kincade. As an artist, I believe he paints from
an inner vision I respect. It's not the art--in my view--that
is the dilemma. Rather, it is the attitude of Christians sentimentally
promoting it as, "Now we can have some art, too." Maybe he paints
the ideal--that has a place too. Creed sings, "Can you take me
higher--to a place with golden streets..." Let Kincade's cottages
beam the light of home and family, etc.--just let Christians wake
up and look at the things hanging beside that painting--let them
see a few Dali's or Edward Munch's "The Scream" juxtaposed. And
more than that, let them SHAKE OFF THEIR OWN FEAR of being "contaminated"
by the world.
If you ask
me, that--FEAR--is the root of it. Hebrews describes "so great
a salvation," but to many Christians it is still a tenuous, shaky
salvation. Let us finally delve into how really huge salvation
is--big enough to walk through museums with honest hearts and
wake up to our own culture--big enough to look in the mirror and
love instead of cringe.
Perrianne Brownback Azle, Texas
Response:
I agree. Fear is a powerful enemy. Thank you for your insightful
thoughts. -David
GOOD
POINTS
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001
From: Taisha
While I agree
with your over all assessment of the problem of isolation Christianity,
I have to say that I didn't even know that Kinkade WAS a Christian
until I read your article. I don't think that he is trying to
give anyone the idea that through Christ you will receive a blissful
life, I think that he just paints landscapes because he's good
at it. Bob Ross did the same thing. You never saw people in his
paintings because he sucked at drawing people. That may sound
a little ignorant, but I assure you, people don't buy his paintings
with the pursuit of Christianity in mind. They buy them because
of escapism (much like classic films of the 30's-50's), and for
a status symbol in their homes.
Personally,
I don't like his style and I would never buy his paintings. I
would, however, spend a fortune on a Todd McFarlane action figure,
or a tattoo by Sam Keith of "The Maxx" fame. This is because I
find personal value and meaning in their writing and characters.
Todd McFarlane, by the way, has said to be a Christian.
Okay, to sum
up what was not supposed to be an angry e-mail, I believe that
art is a very personal form of expression. One in which both the
artist and the viewer can attach different meanings. Where Kinkade
sees beauty and family, you see isolation and misrepresentation.
Please feel free to e-mail me at toodlesmrjim@hotmail.com
Thank you, Taisha
Response:
Actually when I see Kinkade I think of an amazing marketing machine
that rakes in mega dollars on so-so art. -David
APPRECIATE
NEWSLETTER
Subject: Newsletter #27
Date: Fri, 03 Aug 2001
From: Thom
David,
I wanted to take a moment to say hi. I really appreciate your
newsletters and the Hollywood Jesus site (I even linked to it
from my site). It's been a hard push in my life...often seeing
positives in films my fellow Christians are tearing apart. Just
last night a friend and I were discussing American Pie...for all
it's failures, there are some strong moments in that film. I look
at my DVD collection and see a cross section...all four of the
Kevin Smith films, American Pie, the Abyss, Akira, Halloween,
Se7en, Pumpkinhead, the Stand, Die Hard trilogy, the Scream trilogy,
Fight Club and so on. Plenty of films deemed to violent, to sexual
and so on. In fact, I often just don't let people see my video/DVD
collection...I get tired of explaining it.
But you have
given me hope as an aspiring screenwriter (sorry-but I will not
write Christian screenplays for Christian production companies...to
limiting) that some Christians may "get it". Thanks for the edification.
Thom
http://odin.prohosting.com/nezpop
Happy Fool Notions:
http://www.geocities.com/nezpop/
Response:
Go for it. May God bless you as a screen writer. -David
SOME
THOUGHTS
Subject: Newsletter_27- Disengagement
Date: Fri, 3 Aug 2001
From: Bouwhouws
We live in
an age where there are many Christians who are in the arts completely
cut off not only from the larger culture but also from each other.
There are far more Christians in positions of power and influence
in our world than we are aware of. Why must we all beat our tiny
little drums alone? Why aren't we networking and creating a potent
force to be reckoned with? Why don't Christians of like mind help
each other out to create films, paintings, books, theater, music
and dance of substance? Why are we so full of ourselves that we
can't work as a collective whole? We spend to much time whining!
Forget about Kinkade and others! His work is vacuous and empty.
There is good work out there! No one knows about it because we
don't talk and work together!
Response:
Good point. -David
AWSOME
CREATIVITY CONFERENCE!
Subject: Newsletter_27
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001
From: Marianne Savell
Hi, Please
check out our "Show Me Something New!" Writer's Creativity Conference
at: www.Inter-Mission.net
We'd love your people to know about it and come!
Marianne Savell
Act One: Writing For Hollywood
REMEMBERING
THE OLD DAYS
Subject: Response
Date: Thu, 02 Aug 2001
From: Jrausch
Late at night
and very tired but I strongly agree with what you have to say
about Kinkade. Life is not all pretty lights and rolling hills.
I am 60 so I remember the wonderful 50 ties when all the men at
the table drank until they couldn't stand and women wore shiners.
Oh yes, I have a Masters in English Literature and if you want
a a list of books from that period that are listed as "XXX," plan
on your printer running for a long time. For the "Good People"
of that time turn to Queen Victoria herself. During the Irish
Potato Famine this fine lady found it in her heart to donate 50
pounds to the care of the stray dogs of Ireland and on the same
day opened her generous heart to give the starving Irish 50 pounds.
People have not changed much in the last 1000 years. We should
not give up on humanity but this generation certainly should not
be playing "Better than Thou."
WHY
WOULD A GENUINE CHRISTIAN WRITE THAT.
Subject:
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2001
From: "Julie Pain"
I received
a copy of your piece about Kinkade's Christian artwork.
Firstly, I
have to say that your comments: "We need more roaring lambs. Being
salt and light is not optional." is clearly unbiblical, and it's
hard to understand why a person who is a genuine believer (are
you?) would write that.
With most
of the text, however, I can see where you are coming from. I think
it's true that sometimes as Christians we try to separate ourselves
from the world, which is not what God has called us to do. Sometimes
in our choices we can appear boring or fake to people who don't
believe. However, i think in the Bible it clearly tells us to
reflect on Heavenly things, which I take to mean spiritual things
about God, & Heaven and things that are pure. I don't think it's
helpful for us to saturate ourselves with fleshly evil that is
around us. Be aware of it sure, keep an eye on the world to know
what is happening (I chose to see Moulin Rouge), to understand
where people in the world are heading. We need to do this to know
how to pray for, and to help unbelievers and believers in the
world. But to surround ourselves & to dwell on evil practices/ideas/arts
is not good for our spirit. As we know, we are always close to
sin, Satan loves to use things to provoke the embers of sin in
our hearts into flames. So we should be drawing closer to God,
and allowing him to show us what we should watch/read/experience.
As always, look to Jesus - he was always in prayer, surrounding
himself with his disciples, and yet, and the same time, willing
to associate with a tax collector or a prostitute. Like Jesus,
let's be real.
PEOPLE
Subject: Re: [newsletter] Hollywood Jesus Newsletter #27
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001
From: KevinKunz
Good Newsletter.
Keep them coming.
Kinkade`s
paintings lack people. However, that what makes them good!.
Kinkade paint`s light!.
Most painter`s paint dark.
(-.-) SMILE
! JESUS ! LOVES ! US ! . (-.-) . [ ALSO I LOVE JESUS.] † x ><>
+ <><)))))~~~~ http://community.webtv.net/KevinKunz/JESUSTHEWAY
ABOUT
R RATED
Subject:
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001
From: Kevin Kunz
First I like
, to say that I`m fond of "family films" I enjoyed "Shrek" a lot.
But, I think we as christians can't condemn all R rated movies.
I`ve seen PG's and PG13's that could have been rated X. I say
we should use discernment. For example "Baywatch" I would rate
PG13,and "X Files" An R. yet I know underage kids were watching
those shows. So I say, that Its possible for christians to make,
good Hollywood movies. Including "R"s That promote Christian values.
Like "T2" -camoran mitchel is a christians-
We are called
to live in the world. NOT! of the world. An " R " rated movie
is " of " the world.big time. Seeing an R-rated movie, is like
going to a strip club. Both are of the world, And a no from JESUS!.
Keith w.
Kunz sent with joy and love! http://community.webtv.net/KeithWK/PSALM45
http://community.webtv.net/KeithWK/Thepottersclay
NO
ISOLATION
Subject: Kinkade
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001
From: Keith
Good Point;
I agree with most of what you say. we must not isolate, ourselves
from the world. and family mustn`t be all there is. sent with
joy and love!
I
AGREE WITH YOUR NEWSLETTER
Subject: I agree with your newsletter
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001
From: "glorialeeis"
I find Thomas
Kincades cottages ect. beautiful and peaceful . It seems like
a fantisy to me. I believe if Jesus was here on this earth he
would probably be in nightclubs, movies or whereever people truly
needed him. Forbidding children to view what their friends are
viewing at the local theatre will only case shock later on and
I believe an inability to deal with the real world. As far as
the language is concerned that is just the way some people communicate
and it's better to be used to it rather than sheltered from it.
I enjoyed your newsletter and hope the people who should really
realize it is truth will do so.
DISENGAGEMENT
FROM CULTURE
Subject: Disengagement from culture
Date: Wed, 1 Aug 2001
From: Dubman
DAvid, You
speak a lot of truth. There will always be a tension between being
in the world and not being of it. Today, though, we have tilted
toward the protectionist side of things and that has hurt us in
being salt and light. We must restore our missionary call. Just
wanted to recommend a book I received in the mail recently that
deals with the very issue of Christians in the arts called Imagine:
A Vision for Christians in the Arts published by IVP last year.
Think you might appreciate it,
Loren Dubberke from Fresno, CA
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