Every now and again a film, book or play is released that draws the call for a boycott from some Christians and Christian groups. To watch or not to watch - that is the question.
But if we believe that our Christian faith should impact every area of life, and make us distinctive, then the question 'to watch or not to watch' is surely a question we answer personally on a daily basis. But how do we come to an answer and how come my answer and yours may be different?
Two verses spring to mind that bring us to different sides of the debate. In John 17:15 we see that even though we are not of the world we are called to be a part of it. We need to engage with those around us. If we withdraw from our culture how will people see Jesus? Then Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent - hardly the description of your average Hollywood offering!
5 December sees the release of the widely anticipated and advertised 'The Golden Compass', clearly targeting the highly lucrative Narnia, LOTR and Harry Potter market. This is one of those films, that even though it is a children's film, has brought calls of a Christian boycott. Not so much for the content of the film but more because of the book on which the film is based, 'The Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman, the first in his 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. The concern is that unsuspecting parents will allow their children to see the film and they will then want to read the books.
Many who have read, or watched, C.S. Lewis' 'Narnia' stories, especially, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' will not have missed the Christian images and values that Lewis promotes in his writing, for Lewis was a Christian. Pullman, on the other hand, is an atheist - and he uses his writing to promote his beliefs. According to Wikipedia, Pullman is a supporter of the British Humanist Association and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. He has been described as one of England's most outspoken atheists. It is my understanding that towards the end of his trilogy 'god' is killed and a republic of heaven is established. Pullman says,
"We're used to the Kingdom of Heaven, but you can tell from the general thrust of the book that I'm of the devil's party, like Milton. And I think it's time we thought about a republic of Heaven instead of the Kingdom of Heaven. The King is dead. That's to say I believe the King is dead. I'm an atheist."
According to the Channel Four website review of the film, 'The subtext of the novels [His Dark Materials] is fiercely critical of religion - involving the overthrowing of God'.
But you may not pick this up from the film. Film makers after all are there to make money. And therefore making a film that would be potentially boycotted by Christians - particularly right-wing Christian America and the worldwide Catholic Church would not be a good economic move. Therefore many references to God and the church have apparently been stripped out, in favour of a more general attack on large powerful institutions.
Not long ago I blogged about Dawkins' 'God Delusion'. One thing we can be sure of is that atheism and secularism are not going to go away. If anything they are becoming more 'popular' - at least their public intolerance of anyone with a religious viewpoint is becoming more vocal and more acceptable. I have since got a copy of Dawkins' book - but not from Borders (who have missed out on all my Christmas shopping this year!) - but not read it yet. But I do not anticipate this book shaking my faith - certainly if the section on miracles is anything to go by!
But what should our response as Christians be? As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. The people we meet each day, and the children our children go to school with are soaking up an increasingly atheistic and secular worldview without even realising it. And films and books like this simply add into that melting pot. This is why I don't feel that a blanket call on Christians to boycott this film is helpful. Clearly every individual, and parent, needs to take what they believe is the right decision for them and for their family. But for those parents who feel that it is appropriate for their children to watch 'The Golden Compass' I would want to encourage them to watch it too (not necessarily together!) and read the books behind it. And then engage with their children and the bigger themes from a biblical perspective.
A Christian is a person whose mind has been transformed and renewed (Romans 12:2). Therefore we no longer think the world's way and so whatever we read and watch - whether Neighbours, Eastenders, James Bond or The Golden Compass - we should be aware of those messages that are not consistent with the Bible and our Christian faith. A Christian has had their mind renewed - not removed!
Our Christian young people will come across the atheistic/secular worldview sooner or later no matter how hard we might try to 'protect' them. And they need to know that their faith has nothing to fear. The atheist believes that God is dead. Sometimes I get the impression that some Christians believe that too and they are desperate to keep the secret hushed up. As if films like 'The Golden Compass' or 'The Da Vince Code' will bring down a faith that people have died for for thousands of years.
But people today do believe that God is dead - at least they live that way. Isn't the release of this film more of an opportunity than a threat? "You believe that God is dead? Let me tell you how I know He is alive."
Wednesday 28 November 2007
Saturday 24 November 2007
Struggling with God
This week, in our preaching series ‘The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’ we are looking at yet another story that by the time you’ve reached the end you’re left wondering what it's all about and how it applies to me today. In Genesis 32:22-32 we read that Jacob is left alone and spends the whole night wrestling with ‘a man’. It turns out as we read on that this individual may be God or an angel (see for example Hosea 12:3-4). But then we are left with the question, ‘how can a 97 year old guy wrestle with God and seem to be an equal match?’ If ‘the man’ could dislocate Jacob’s hip with a simple touch, would it really be beyond him to overcome Jacob?
And yet, if we’re honest, many of us wrestle with God and God does not overcome us. What do I mean? God has given us free-will. God will never force you to do anything. Even when God commands us to do something we are free to disobey – but we must then live with the immediate and the eternal consequences of our actions. Let’s take baptism as an example, as we’re having a baptism service this week. Many of the people I speak to about baptism have known for a while, in some cases years, that they should get baptised. They know that baptism is a command of God for all those who believe and are seeking to live as disciples. Yet for one reason or another (sometimes fear of others, sometimes it is a sense of not feeling spiritual enough…) that decision to get baptised is put off and put off and put off. And they struggle with God. Yet God won’t make them get baptised. It has to be their own free-will choice – to reach the point where they submit themselves to God.
In the story of Jacob we see that submission in the willingness to declare his name (Jacob – deceiver) to God, and the willingness to take on the new name (Israel – he struggles with God) given to him by God. Names were very important in the OT days. To know someone’s name was to know something about them. To take on a new name was to take on a whole new character.
And when we submit to God we become an ‘overcomer’. As long as we hold on to our own will and plans God will not force Himself on to us. But when we submit to God we become those who will overcome the world (e.g. 1 John 5:4-5). But what does it look like to be an overcomer? In some churches you will hear that an overcomer is someone who has a good job, a nice home, a good family life, they have good health… This is what it means to be an overcomer from the world’s perspective not from God’s perspective! What is important in the world? Worldly things. But often in the Bible those who have overcome the world are those who are experiencing hardship and persecution for the sake of the name of Jesus. Think of Jesus and the apostles. Look at the letter to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Here we read the promises to those who overcome (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). The word ‘overcomes’ (Gk: nikao) might also be translated conquers, overpowers, prevails, triumphs, victorious. Revelation was written to persecuted and soon to be persecuted Christians as an encouragement to stand firm to the end and to stand firm even to the point of death. There is not the promise of worldly comfort in Revelation. There is not the reassurance that the Christian will find a home amongst the world. But there is the promise that for the one who overcomes, for the one who does the will of God, for the one who submits to God, there is an eternal future awaiting in the presence of God. And whatever hardships we might be experiencing now they pale into insignificance when compared with that future (Romans 8:18).
Being victorious in this life is all about dying to self (no longer doing what I want to do) and living for God (doing what God wants). Mark 8:34-38.
Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 25 November 2007.
And yet, if we’re honest, many of us wrestle with God and God does not overcome us. What do I mean? God has given us free-will. God will never force you to do anything. Even when God commands us to do something we are free to disobey – but we must then live with the immediate and the eternal consequences of our actions. Let’s take baptism as an example, as we’re having a baptism service this week. Many of the people I speak to about baptism have known for a while, in some cases years, that they should get baptised. They know that baptism is a command of God for all those who believe and are seeking to live as disciples. Yet for one reason or another (sometimes fear of others, sometimes it is a sense of not feeling spiritual enough…) that decision to get baptised is put off and put off and put off. And they struggle with God. Yet God won’t make them get baptised. It has to be their own free-will choice – to reach the point where they submit themselves to God.
In the story of Jacob we see that submission in the willingness to declare his name (Jacob – deceiver) to God, and the willingness to take on the new name (Israel – he struggles with God) given to him by God. Names were very important in the OT days. To know someone’s name was to know something about them. To take on a new name was to take on a whole new character.
And when we submit to God we become an ‘overcomer’. As long as we hold on to our own will and plans God will not force Himself on to us. But when we submit to God we become those who will overcome the world (e.g. 1 John 5:4-5). But what does it look like to be an overcomer? In some churches you will hear that an overcomer is someone who has a good job, a nice home, a good family life, they have good health… This is what it means to be an overcomer from the world’s perspective not from God’s perspective! What is important in the world? Worldly things. But often in the Bible those who have overcome the world are those who are experiencing hardship and persecution for the sake of the name of Jesus. Think of Jesus and the apostles. Look at the letter to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. Here we read the promises to those who overcome (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). The word ‘overcomes’ (Gk: nikao) might also be translated conquers, overpowers, prevails, triumphs, victorious. Revelation was written to persecuted and soon to be persecuted Christians as an encouragement to stand firm to the end and to stand firm even to the point of death. There is not the promise of worldly comfort in Revelation. There is not the reassurance that the Christian will find a home amongst the world. But there is the promise that for the one who overcomes, for the one who does the will of God, for the one who submits to God, there is an eternal future awaiting in the presence of God. And whatever hardships we might be experiencing now they pale into insignificance when compared with that future (Romans 8:18).
Being victorious in this life is all about dying to self (no longer doing what I want to do) and living for God (doing what God wants). Mark 8:34-38.
Listen to this message from Pastor Keith from 25 November 2007.
Saturday 17 November 2007
The Thin End of the Wedge or a Bridge Too Far?
That is the question I am left with after a recent visit to Borders Books on Oxford Street. I had about 10 minutes to kill before a meeting so thought I'd browse the top sellers section (paperback). Picked up Dawkins' 'The God Delusion' and had a quick flick in the section on miracles. If the rest of the book is of the same standard then it is going to take a lot more than this book to convince me that God is dead! But that's not what got me going - after all Dawkins is free to write what he likes - and God is big enough to look after Himself. Standing back and viewing the whole section I noticed another area given over to 'The God Delusion', but this one a special Borders edition with a sticker on the cover advertising a free Christmas card inside. The card has across the front, 'O come all ye faithless'.
Since then I have been trying to decide what an appropriate response would be. Is this 'just a bit of harmless fun' or something that as a Christian I should take more seriously? A search of the internet has not revealed this particular marketing ploy being used by any other book seller. I can't imagine Borders mocking a major event in the Islamic calendar - they would be only too aware of what happens when you do that kind of thing. Yet Dawkins' book is targeting the idea of 'god' and religion, not specifically the Christian faith.
Some of you will already know that I emailed some friends to gauge reaction. I was surprised by how many responses I got. Some responses were short. Others were longer. Some were theological and backed with Bible verses. Yet these responses varied widely in what kind of response we should have as Christians. There were those who saw it as a bit of harmless fun. Others thought it might be offensive but to react would just lead to greater publicity - the very thing the publisher and seller want! Others recognised that we continue to see subtle attacks on the Christian faith, at the same time that other faiths and secularism are being 'promoted' in the name of a tolerant and multi-cultural society - but there was no clear strategy on how to deal with this. Should we simply accept this as inevitable and something that Jesus warned would happen to those who genuinely seek to follow him? Or should we think that the reason Christianity seems to be an easy target is because Christians never stand up to be heard? Or should we be concerned but recognise that there are more important things to protest about - injustice, poverty ...? Should I simply write a letter to register my concerns? Should we see ourselves as in a spiritual battle and not look to fight with the world's weapons?
As a result of the variety of responses I'm not really any further forward in knowing what to do. I guess my concern is that at some point there is going to come a time when as Christians we need to stand up and be counted - and if we're not careful that might be when it is already too late. Why wait until it is illegal to proclaim that 'Jesus is the only way to God'? Why not start making our opposition to the erosion we see of the Christian faith heard now?
One of my initial thoughts was to write to Borders telling them of my concerns and informing them that I would no longer be shopping with them - hitting them where it hurts (although my individual contribution would not hurt them very much!) But then I thought - what if the company that owns Borders owns Smiths, Waterstones and Amazon - where am I going to buy my books (other than Wesley Owen)? And then what about other retailers with unacceptable advertising campaigns or unethical practises? Could it ever get to the point where I can't buy anything from anyone!
It would have been a lot easier if the tube had been 10 minutes later and instead of having 10 minutes to kill I was rushing to make it on time. Where was I going? The annual conference of 'Christian Solidarity Worldwide'. Tomorrow (18 November) is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church ...
... and I'm worried about a 'Christmas card'.
Since then I have been trying to decide what an appropriate response would be. Is this 'just a bit of harmless fun' or something that as a Christian I should take more seriously? A search of the internet has not revealed this particular marketing ploy being used by any other book seller. I can't imagine Borders mocking a major event in the Islamic calendar - they would be only too aware of what happens when you do that kind of thing. Yet Dawkins' book is targeting the idea of 'god' and religion, not specifically the Christian faith.
Some of you will already know that I emailed some friends to gauge reaction. I was surprised by how many responses I got. Some responses were short. Others were longer. Some were theological and backed with Bible verses. Yet these responses varied widely in what kind of response we should have as Christians. There were those who saw it as a bit of harmless fun. Others thought it might be offensive but to react would just lead to greater publicity - the very thing the publisher and seller want! Others recognised that we continue to see subtle attacks on the Christian faith, at the same time that other faiths and secularism are being 'promoted' in the name of a tolerant and multi-cultural society - but there was no clear strategy on how to deal with this. Should we simply accept this as inevitable and something that Jesus warned would happen to those who genuinely seek to follow him? Or should we think that the reason Christianity seems to be an easy target is because Christians never stand up to be heard? Or should we be concerned but recognise that there are more important things to protest about - injustice, poverty ...? Should I simply write a letter to register my concerns? Should we see ourselves as in a spiritual battle and not look to fight with the world's weapons?
As a result of the variety of responses I'm not really any further forward in knowing what to do. I guess my concern is that at some point there is going to come a time when as Christians we need to stand up and be counted - and if we're not careful that might be when it is already too late. Why wait until it is illegal to proclaim that 'Jesus is the only way to God'? Why not start making our opposition to the erosion we see of the Christian faith heard now?
One of my initial thoughts was to write to Borders telling them of my concerns and informing them that I would no longer be shopping with them - hitting them where it hurts (although my individual contribution would not hurt them very much!) But then I thought - what if the company that owns Borders owns Smiths, Waterstones and Amazon - where am I going to buy my books (other than Wesley Owen)? And then what about other retailers with unacceptable advertising campaigns or unethical practises? Could it ever get to the point where I can't buy anything from anyone!
It would have been a lot easier if the tube had been 10 minutes later and instead of having 10 minutes to kill I was rushing to make it on time. Where was I going? The annual conference of 'Christian Solidarity Worldwide'. Tomorrow (18 November) is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church ...
... and I'm worried about a 'Christmas card'.
Thursday 8 November 2007
Does it matter if I'm late for church?
Blogging, for some, is an opportunity to get stuff off their chest. A rant - if you like. This is not the purpose here. Over recent weeks I have tried to tie this blog with our current preaching series, but this week we're off on a bit of a tangent!
If God is outside of time does it matter if I'm late for church? First things first - I'll put my cards on the table. Culturally and personality wise there is only one answer to that question, 'yes, it does matter'. But does that necessarily mean that it's the right answer! (We all like to think we're right after all.)
As I've been thinking about this question it has opened up other questions, and no doubt you will want to add others that I have missed altogether.
Our starting point is going to be church. Why do we come together at all? Surely part of the reason is that we come together for mutual support and encouragement (e.g. Hebrews 10:24-25). We come together to build each other up. For those who are on time it can be a discouragement to begin a service with a mainly empty building. This is particularly true of those who have given their time in the week to prepare the first part of the service. They begin and look out over mainly empty seats. Those who are present are then distracted over the next twenty minutes as people come in and the building fills up.
I tend to think of putting a service together as preparing to take people on a journey. People enter the building all having had different experiences over the past few days. Some are happy, others are mourning, others are anxious ... During the course of the service people are led from that starting point to a place where they can experience God. It then makes it very difficult for people to reach the destination if they only entered the journey half way through. There should be a point at the beginning of the service to acknowledge the baggage we bring and to trust that to God. There will be a point of confession and receiving the forgiveness of God. But if you miss the first half hour you don't get the opportunity to deal with that 'stuff'.
I sometimes wonder whether the people who are regularly late for church are equally late for work. What does this say about our attitudes towards God and His church? To me it says that I don't need to make the same effort because it doesn't matter as much. And if we are always late for work - what kind of witness is that? As Christians surely we should be the best and most reliable members of the work force.
Another question to ask is 'why are people late?' Are they late because they need to get five buses? [That in turn raises the question - surely there is a church closer to home that you could attend - but let's not go there today!] Are they late because they rely on carers or else care for others and it is just not possible to be on time - it is after all better to attend half a service than no service at all. Are they late because they don't 'enjoy' the first half an hour of what we do in church - they just want to turn up for the sermon - or even just for the coffee and to see their friends afterwards! Are they late simply because God is not a priority in their life?
Of course there are always times when we will occasionally be late. Something unforeseen will happen. One of the children will be sick all over the car. A road will be closed because of a traffic incident. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about those people who are consistently late - those who are never on time.
Some people try and convince me that lateness is cultural - but so far I'm not convinced. I've taught in Kenya and the weeks when I was on duty the students were always on time for everything - including breakfast. That could not be said when others were on duty! We all have the ability to be on time. I guess the question is, does it matter if we're not; and should it bother me?
When you've got a few minutes, pour yourself a coffee and have your say.
[To have your say click on the word ' # Comments' below. Type what you want to say in the box that appears. Assuming you don't have a blogger account choose 'Anonymous' and then click 'Publish Post'.]
If God is outside of time does it matter if I'm late for church? First things first - I'll put my cards on the table. Culturally and personality wise there is only one answer to that question, 'yes, it does matter'. But does that necessarily mean that it's the right answer! (We all like to think we're right after all.)
As I've been thinking about this question it has opened up other questions, and no doubt you will want to add others that I have missed altogether.
Our starting point is going to be church. Why do we come together at all? Surely part of the reason is that we come together for mutual support and encouragement (e.g. Hebrews 10:24-25). We come together to build each other up. For those who are on time it can be a discouragement to begin a service with a mainly empty building. This is particularly true of those who have given their time in the week to prepare the first part of the service. They begin and look out over mainly empty seats. Those who are present are then distracted over the next twenty minutes as people come in and the building fills up.
I tend to think of putting a service together as preparing to take people on a journey. People enter the building all having had different experiences over the past few days. Some are happy, others are mourning, others are anxious ... During the course of the service people are led from that starting point to a place where they can experience God. It then makes it very difficult for people to reach the destination if they only entered the journey half way through. There should be a point at the beginning of the service to acknowledge the baggage we bring and to trust that to God. There will be a point of confession and receiving the forgiveness of God. But if you miss the first half hour you don't get the opportunity to deal with that 'stuff'.
I sometimes wonder whether the people who are regularly late for church are equally late for work. What does this say about our attitudes towards God and His church? To me it says that I don't need to make the same effort because it doesn't matter as much. And if we are always late for work - what kind of witness is that? As Christians surely we should be the best and most reliable members of the work force.
Another question to ask is 'why are people late?' Are they late because they need to get five buses? [That in turn raises the question - surely there is a church closer to home that you could attend - but let's not go there today!] Are they late because they rely on carers or else care for others and it is just not possible to be on time - it is after all better to attend half a service than no service at all. Are they late because they don't 'enjoy' the first half an hour of what we do in church - they just want to turn up for the sermon - or even just for the coffee and to see their friends afterwards! Are they late simply because God is not a priority in their life?
Of course there are always times when we will occasionally be late. Something unforeseen will happen. One of the children will be sick all over the car. A road will be closed because of a traffic incident. I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about those people who are consistently late - those who are never on time.
Some people try and convince me that lateness is cultural - but so far I'm not convinced. I've taught in Kenya and the weeks when I was on duty the students were always on time for everything - including breakfast. That could not be said when others were on duty! We all have the ability to be on time. I guess the question is, does it matter if we're not; and should it bother me?
When you've got a few minutes, pour yourself a coffee and have your say.
[To have your say click on the word ' # Comments' below. Type what you want to say in the box that appears. Assuming you don't have a blogger account choose 'Anonymous' and then click 'Publish Post'.]
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