20-20 Vision?
What do you see when you watch a film? What filters do you have over your eyes?
Do you see a world in need of redemption, or do you see Hollywood undermining the basic moral values you hold dear?
Do you see rampant sexuality and America-bashing, or do you see a stark portrayal of the void created by lack of a relationship with God?
Several articles have been written about the results of the Oscars, from both perspectives. Ted Baehr, of Movie Guide, just published a list of Rotten Banana Awards for the films he judges did their best to tear down traditional family values, the United States, and Christianity.
Paul Edwards, of “The Paul Edwards Program,” just published a great article about seeing the need for the Gospel when in the film “There Will Be Blood.” In his article, he points out that a film doesn’t have to be positive and uplifting “…in order to proclaim Christian truth.” In fact, the absence of the [true] gospel is the reason for the violence.
Both are judgments - one for and one against. Both are given by Christian men. Who is right? Is there a right and wrong to this question?
Me as a believer in Jesus Christ cannot expect an unbeliever in the movie industry no matter how talented and gifted they are to produce a movie that will glorify Jesus Christ. Therefore it is not my place to judge them on that basis. Their worldview is already darkened by the complete yielding to the sinful nature. It is the responsibility of the believer to teach the ungodly the ways of the Lord that we have learnt in our lives (you can’t give what you have not recieved). I would tend to go the way of what Paul Edwards has said regarding critiquing films made by non-Christian people. Maybe it would be good to engage in a conversation with some of these Hollywood directors why they like to publicise Christians in such negative ways. Maybe it has been because of bad experiences they have seen in others or they have gone through themselves with Christians who did not know any better at the time. If the truth be known many of us believers have seen a lot of bad things within the Body of Christ that has not truly represented Jesus Christ. But that said it is better that all of these Hollywood directors know and not assume that not all believers are the same and do not stand for a lot of the deception that does go on within the church world. Finally it is an opportunity on our part to make uplifting films but at the same time place the realness of human weakness prevalent in us all the only difference being that many believers will accept what God says and give in to His desires & will than their flesh (or natural impulses governed by sin) and eventually see how it helps them as well as others. It is better to obey now and know later than know why and regret afterwards.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Jesus said that even the rocks will cry out and glorify his name. We know that all of creation sings his praise too. God also used a Donkey to speak through in scripture. None of these things hardly qualify as “believers,” but yet they have all been used by God to make himself known to the world.
In the same way, I think He can speak through pretty much whatever he wants to (and whatever film)! If we put up our own arbitrary list of what he can and can’t speak through, we are not limiting his voice, but rather just closing our eyes and ears.
I also think Ted Baehr and Paul Edwards are talking about two completely different things. Wanting to see films used as a tool to mold our culture into a place we would feel more comfortable living in is very different than listening for God’s voice through all (or any) of His creation.
March 6th, 2008 at 9:05 am