Why Christians Ought to See "The Dark Knight"

I AM BACK... the trip was amazing! I have seen some things that have truly broken my heart and redefined prayer in my life. Thank you for your patience in my absence. I am now back on schedule (1-2 posts/week). HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

To begin: I am NOT a comic book junkie. I don't know what happened to Iron Man in issue #354 or Superman in issue #417… I do not know Captain America’s or Green Lantern's alter-egos’ names… I do not know which comics are actually still in circulation; however, I do like many comic book movies. I love GOOD movies with amazing stories and that are solid technically (directing, cinematography, effects, music, etc.), and recently many of the comic books-turned-movies have been enjoyable.

"The Dark Knight" is no ordinary, “enjoyable” comic book movie. It is a masterfully done piece of art that is probably the BEST good vs. evil movie I've ever seen. Politics aside (as many have alluded to the potential political message seen throughout the film), Christopher Nolan has directed a true masterpiece of a movie that I believe all Christians ought to see.

Superb acting aside (yes, Ledger’s Joker is worthy of all the hype), here's my rundown of why this film is one of the best (newly added to "my favorites" list) and why Christians ought to see it:

• Evil is portrayed as it truly is – pure evil. No real motive or reason for its cause – just the absolute lack of good. (Matter of fact, seeing it this way helps the viewer see how easy it is for good to blur the line of evil for its own sake… I digress.)
  


• I have not, in recent memory, seen evil portrayed in such a manner that the resulting anarchy/chaos actually become their own character(s). As the story and city seemingly come unglued, the audience is masterfully put in a shaky position of choosing its side (and for many, the good side is not as easy to identify as originally thought).
  


• The middle characters (supporting cast) do an amazing job of painting a grey line right down the middle of good and evil. If doing evil allows for good, is it really evil? Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhal), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), Alfred (Michael Caine) and even the citizens of Gotham each come face-to-face with this question. How would you respond in such an event?

As a Christian this movie is even more enjoyable (though I am not a big fan of violence) because of how it wrestles with good and evil. It does not paint an easy to follow, cliché line of good. Instead it grabs the audience and puts them in a position where they are forced to see (maybe even test) their own ethical/moral values.

While the Bible does not paint an ambiguous line of what is good, many times Christians repaint the line for God according to their own definition of "good." That is what this movie shows, but (as Nolan beautifully illustrates) if good is ever going to conquer evil, there can be no compromise.

EDITORIAL NOTE: Just to be clear (though I know this is obvious to most), The Dark Knight is rated PG-13 for scenes of violence.

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Many Apologies and President-Elect Obama

I am so sorry for the virtual absence. I am leaving tomorrow for a mission trip to Palestine and the last few weeks have been very busy as I prepare for that trip (among other many details). I will return in 10 days, so look for a new post around November 17. :-)


A quick word on President-Elect Obama. I was listening this morning to a national radio program that was fielding calls from listeners regarding their reaction to his victory and it disturbed me greatly. Many self-described "religious" or "Christian" listeners were sharing some very hateful words insisting that his victory meant the end of a Nation (many also insisted he was the Anti-Christ).

Let me assure (and remind) and encourage you...

1. Be GRACIOUS with your words!!!! A LOST world is LISTENING to every word that proceeds from your mouth! He is now the President-Elect... campaigning is over - respect his position! Name-calling is not a form of accountability. It's childish. Honor Romans 13:1-7.

2. True "Change" is not coming from Obama (nor would it have come from McCain or Palin!) or any other members of our government. True change comes from a HEART change. In this case, America will change when people seek change and take responsibility. To sit back and wait for change to rain down (trickle down) from Washington is irresponsible of us as Christians. Money fades, taxes go up and down, gas prices rise and fall, salaries adjust and the economy booms and busts - it's a regular part of life. Truth and love, however, remain the same and it is our calling as believers to show what true change looks like from that perspective.

3. Above all - SHOW LOVE with all that you do, say and think!!! Remember, we know love because God first loved us. He extended love FIRST - He didn't wait for us to deserve it. Let us live that example as well - let us love all, first (Even if they do not ask it of us)!!!! SERVE those in your homes, work places and communities.


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Offensively Offensive

I love video games. I don't play nearly as often as I would like, but such is the life of a father, husband and one who works (in my case, in ministry). When I was growing up I read Nintendo Power magazine cover to cover every time it was released. I was a video game junkie! I lived on pins and needles when a new Mario game was on the horizon.

Much like me with Mario, many have been awaiting the arrival of PS3's newest arrival Little Big Planet (slated to be released Oct. 21), but were disappointed over the weekend to learn that its highly anticipated debut is being pushed back... for RELIGIOUS reasons. Apparently, one of the songs in Little Big Planet features a few lines from the Qu'ran, causing outrage among a Muslim group. They sent a letter of complaint and so the game developers stopped shipment, issued a letter of apology and took the song out (leading them to have to repackage the games and delayed the game's release by one week). Now I am offended.

Why? Because if it were a Christian group protesting something in that game or any of the other games available (such as rap artist 50 Cent blowing rivals away, sexuality and nudity in games marketed to teens, gratuitous violence of the Grand Theft Auto series, etc.) they would be brushed aside as "religious zealots" or "intolerant" or "judgmental hypocrites". I do not believe Christians ought to protest all ungodly things, but there are times when their protests are legitimate concerns. Does anyone listen? Rarely. The concerns are usually brushed off as unfounded nitpickings. However, if a Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish or other non-Christian religion protest - the wheels stop churning, apologies are issued and matters are changed.

So "tolerance" is available to all but Christians? I see. How conveniently (in)tolerant.


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"New" Britney - Same Message

Britney Spears - “America’s Sweetheart” - is back, apparently, and her new song/video “Womanizer” is all the buzz. Reviews are positive from critics and music bloggers to ecstatic Britney fans alike. And what lessons has she learned from her struggles (anyone remember “bald Britney”?, losing her children, being caught in several public incidents, etc.)? Apparently none. Her music has not matured and neither has she, unfortunately.

“Womanizer” represents everything parents ought to teach their daughters and sons to NOT to be, or look for in potential spouses: flirty, morally lost, selfish and focused only on sexual attraction (not real love, intimacy, etc.). The song's lyrics have a hint of hope to them as she tells the womanizer she has no time for him; however, she ultimtely blows it by telling him "no" in a flirty manner while playful acknowledging that she does like him and want him. Since I have no desire in promoting anyone watching the video (lyrics can be found here), here are a few highlights from it:

• Britney appears entirely nude throughout the majority of the video, laying down and moving provocatively (she wasn’t able to cover everything, so the strategically placed “blur” helps her
  
• “Morning after Britney” shows her in a shirt and bra cooking breakfast for the “womanizer” man who she apparently slept with
  
• “Office Britney” dances provocatively around the office, flirting with the “womanizer” and posing for his iPhone pics while sitting on the copy machine and making a copy of what’s under her skirt (yes, she shows the camera the copy)
  
• Britney and dancers (male and female) dance sexually around the “womanizer” while kissing him and each other
  
• "Morning After Britney” exacts her revenge by making her bed while he’s in the shower (yes it shows that too) and showing him who’s boss by not sleeping with him again

• There are several other over-the-top and suggestive sequences, but I think you get the idea

So, let me get this straight… Britney proves to the womanizer (the man) that she is “all woman” by stripping, sleeping with him, dancing sexually around him, teasing him, then walking away? So the essence of her value as a woman is in her sexuality?

What about her motherhood?

Being a wife (former wife)?

Loving others less fortunate?

Loving God (the One she said she used to love with all her heart as a child/teen)?

My heart hurts for her… I thought after all she had been through, Britney was going to come out of it all with better understanding and clarity of mind. Instead, we get the same, sexually-driven Britney who speaks sweetly in interviews, but has no idea who she truly is or what she’s truly worth.

Parents: Since most of your teens and tweens have (or will have, soon) heard this song. Read the lyrics and use it as a conversational tool. Discuss what God describes as valuable. Who they are in Christ. What marriage is and why they ought to look forward to sexuality in that type of relationship versus what's seen in this video (and other TV shows). Here are some Bible passages for you to check out to help: 2 Timothy 2:21-22, Ephesians 1:3-14, James 1:22-25, 1 Peter 3:3-5

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Confession of a Teenage Girl

First, my apologies for the delay in posts. My children and I have been trading sickness back and forth for the last two weeks, so much of my time has been consumed with caring for sick children or resting. We all seem to be getting better so hopefully posting will resume as normal.

I love teenagers! They’re the most unique species (yes, species… I know what I mean) alive, in my humble opinion. They’re bold, lack tact, speak their minds, risk big (of course, at times, sin big, too), love big and genuinely care, though not always being able to show it. I love being a part of teens’ lives as they wrestle with BIG stuff: faith, love, family, etc. Recently, in exploring the blog-world I stumbled across a real treat from a teen I’ve never met and know nothing about. While I enjoyed reading many of her entries, one in particular stood out to me. She entitled it “Father of Glory” and its honesty and depth were very profound. I haven’t been able to get it out of my thoughts, so I decided to share it with you all… I pray it blesses you like it did me.

FROM “BIBLEGEEK” (posted September 18, 2008):

father of glory

“so, i was talking to God today...

oh, it's such a relief to be able to start out a story with that! i feel like i could just leave that there and be done 'cause that amazes me. not because i haven't been doing that recently (which i haven't) and not because i think it'll make me sound cool or anything ridiculous like that. but simply 'cause i can talk to God! honestly, there's absolutely no logical reason for Him to bother listening to me. i don't deserve to be able to talk to Him.

i've been ignoring Him. though, that's not exactly abnormal for me. but i was pouting because God wasn't talking to me anymore and i was kicking myself because i hated that it seemed like i was stuck in the past and moping that things aren't like they used to be.

it came down to me saying, "God... i want to talk to You. i want to come back. but i don't want to see it that way. it seems every time i decide that's what i want it lasts for a few hours and then i slip back into complacency. i don't want to try it if it's not going to work." i didn't expect an answer. after all, i hadn't heard from Him in a while.

"stop trying so hard."

i sighed. "what else is there to do?"

"abbie..." He reminded me that trying things on my own was useless.

i knew He was right. is He ever not?

we kept on talking and i felt the reserve in His voice. i realised how much all of this had hurt Him. my ignoring... my pretending... that struck. hard. i hurt God.

"God. i... i'm sorry. i shouldn't have done this to You. it's so easy to get into Bible scholar mode and talk about You but then walk out of the room and forget to talk to You. but it's wrong."

He forgave me, of course. but i still felt sad.

the conversation continued, but it was subdued, quiet. but a good quiet. i had a lot to think over. but at one moment i mumbled something and then regretted it. not because it was something wrong but because my mind immediately flipped the words around in my head and came up with a better way to say it.

"err... sorry. God, why do i always do that? why do i flip words around in my head? it's not like someone's going to write a book about everything i think and then criticise my sentence structure."

"because you're a writer. that's what I created you to do."

i bit my tongue and decided not to argue this time. "are you saying You want me to write this down?"

"I want you to give Me glory."

"hrm..."

i thought about that for a while and said, "God... honestly, i don't know if i want to give You glory."

"abbie, do you love Me?"

what an absurd question... "yes!" i cried, "You know that i love You."

"then do you want to give Me glory?"

i did love God. and because of that, i wanted to do what He wanted. "yes. yes, i do."

after a while. "God?"

"yes?"

"You know that verse i've memorized for bible class today... in it, paul calls you 'the Father of glory.'"

"yes..."

"so i've been thinking about that. if You're the Father of glory... then... it's not like glory's Your kid... but in the very least it belongs to You... exclusively, right?"

"yes."

"so... when we give glory to something else... like i've been giving it to myself recently... does that mean we're stealing from You?"

He didn't give me a verbal answer, but He knew i didn't need one.”

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Should/Can All Religions Coexist?

Yesterday my wife and I were driving home from a weekend trip to the beach (awesome trip!) and we saw the above bumper sticker with various religious symbols arranged to spell the word “COEXIST” (maybe you’ve seen, or even own, one of these bumper stickers). “Bumper sticker theology” (the art of expressing one’s theology on a bumper sticker) is a particularly favorite topic of mine for various reasons, but that’s a topic for another day. This particular “theology” bumper sticker got me thinking: “What do they mean by ‘Coexist’?”

#1 Keep believing what you believe, but don’t be hatefully judgmental toward those who believe differently?

OR…

#2 Find that all religions are seeking the same thing and agree that we are all on the same team?

If it is the first statement, then I agree. Yes, there are dramatic differences in belief systems, but to be hateful or spiteful is reprehensible!

However, while I think the first option is part of the package, I think the intention of the sticker is more of a theological statement (#2). Theological in that it attempts to say more about God than any of the religions on the bumper sticker teach.

To say that all religions are virtually the same is absolutely incorrect. If they were, there would be no conversation since all religions would teach the same thing: “Coexist.”

• Buddhism doesn’t teach that belief in Jesus alone is the only way to heaven (“enlightenment”), therefore, those two cannot reconcile their differences theologically.

• Judaism doesn’t teach the only way to heaven is to become one with everything (“enlightened”); therefore those two cannot reconcile their differences theologically.

• Islam doesn’t teach that life is an endless cycle of reincarnation; therefore it and Hinduism cannot reconcile their differences theologically.
  

• Christianity doesn’t teach anyway to heaven is fine as long as you believe in something; therefore it and any religion that teaches that cannot reconcile their differences theologically.

So now what do we do? There are only three options:

Either

Only one of them can be correct.

Or

Pretend that they match up (or make them match up by distorting various parts of them) by making up your own religion and blending the religions.

Or

Make up your own religion from scratch.

The major problem with the second and third options, however, is that neither would be truly credible because it would make the one blending/making up the religions god (since they would be the one making the rules).

I applaud the intention of the people who designed the Coexist sticker, but unfortunately it is not a realistic possibility (from a theological standpoint). However, this does not mean that a royal, religious rumble ought to take place among the various faiths, either. For most of the faiths mentioned, such hatred actually goes against their basic teachings.

Theologically speaking - we have come to a fork in the road. What do we do???

Simple (yet life altering):

a choice must be made.

NOTE: I always welcome dialogue, so feel free to leave any related comments!!! Please be respectful!

Until next time…

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My Hope (and Prayer) for Audacity

Obama promises change. McCain promises change. So with the economic structure of the country in flux both candidates have boldly risen up and said... nothing.

At least both sides do truly have one thing in common - they're both playing the politics game. The same "game" both have campaigned against for the last year. If either of them had one clue how to truly "change" the game, NOW would be the time to rise up and outshine the other. If either Obama or McCain could deliver the "change" they are promising, they would have spoken up by now (and better yet - back it up by going to Washington and voting on President Bush's economic plan, whether for or against it). But they won't. They'll sit back and watch... from a distance... hidden behind speech writers and more people with agendas. Why? Because that's how the political game is played.



Right now America's chief concern is money. Why wouldn't it be? It's what we've built our foundation upon as a nation. What happens when that foundation is washed away (or shaken, as it seems to be now)? The hope of the country fades... because they placed all their eggs in the basket that has no real value or answers. It is also the reason both Obama and McCain will remain silent... True Hope can't be sold (God already gave it away - free!).

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Matt. 7:24-27)

"Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:5-6)


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TV Wars: The Return of Cable

About three or four years ago my wife and I decided to give up cable television in order to save money. I must admit that it was a MAJOR adjustment… especially the loss of DVR (a really convenient function that can be a great resource for families). No longer could we pause live television to attend to unexpected issues, auto-record shows in our absence and then skip the commercials... gone were Disney, ESPN, Nickelodeon, and Lifetime movies (a favorite of my wife’s). It was a major adjustment.

After months of discussion, my wife and I decided to venture back into the world of cable after our 3-4 year hiatus. Last Friday the Dish Network guy came and installed our new DVR Satellite Cable and showed me how to work the very complicated system and then left me with “THE remote” in hand… the remote which held the destiny of my future ESPN appointments in its complicated and illuminated buttons. Then something strange (and definitely unexpected) happened… I didn’t really care. I flipped through the guide and saw show after show after show – something for everyone I suppose – and had no desire to watch any of them, so I turned it off. The same thing happened with my wife – she had opportunities to watch, but opted to read instead. It’s been almost 4 full days and we have not watched one complete program (to include any sports programming or Lifetime Movies). In talking about it today we’ve noticed something about our cable hiatus:

1. It de-programmed us and we actually liked it (it took us getting cable to realize that, though)… our TV “habits” were tamed and simplified to local network programming.
2. It made television watching easier for my children (with no cable they had one channel choice: free PBS Kids shows). Once we got cable, the arguing ensued – “no! I don’t want to watch that… or that… I want to watch…”. Even more startling is their willingness to watch different shows in different rooms (to isolate themselves from the family) – something that didn’t happen with one option.
3. We really didn’t miss cable. The only feature we really missed was the ability to choose when we watched TV. DVR gave us a freedom in watching TV – we could watch our shows anytime we wanted and pass the junky commercials.

That’s pretty much it. Not much in terms of news – just an interesting development in our lives. Those who know us well know we are/were TV junkies and the addition of cable to our house again would have normally been reason to celebrate. Instead it’s given us some perspective.

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