Let the Conversation continue. . . in Every Square Inch of life!

Thanks for these. I was interested in seeing "...

2011-04-13T23:07:49.850-07:00

Thanks for these. I was interested in seeing "The Last Exorcism," but alas, it wasn't the type of film the missus would enjoy. Maybe we need to catch a film or two together!

First, I apologize for not making my final questio...

2010-08-26T10:24:57.195-07:00

First, I apologize for not making my final question clearer. By "Do we 'go Josiah'" I was referring to individual Christians (or a group of individuals). I wasn't referring to the organized church. Josiah was an individual, acting in his official capacity as king. He wasn't a prophet or priest or an "official" representative of God.

I was actually more interested in seeing what people's responses would be to the earlier questions, esp. "What is the appropriate response [to modern-day idols]?"

Kyle: Agreed - the church is not society & vice versa. But does the passage ONLY refer to God's physical places of worship, or can we draw a general principle from the passage that can be applied today in a broader context?

I want to be sure I understand your comment. When you say "By definition, we cannot. Our society is not the church":
[I realize some of the following statements are ridiculous-not all even deserve a response. I'm just trying to consider all the options, rhetorically].
~ I assume you mean we cannot "go Josiah," on society, correct?
~ Who is the "we" in your statement? Individauls believers or the organized church?
~ Are you saying that Christians have no ability (cannot) or necessity to impact society for the cause of Christ?
~ Are you saying that the organized church's primary (or only) calling is to make disciples and then those individuals can go out and impact society?
~ Or are you saying that we cannot because there are no idols of any kind in our world today? (I assume this last is not your view).

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. If
1. there are modern-day idols or prophets of Baal that need to be destroyed, and if
2. we are called to destroy them, then aren't we in some way "going Josiah" on society? After all, these prophets and their temples/idols, etc. are a part of society, aren't they? Our actions sometimes have secondary consequences (sometimes unintended). By "going Josiah" on the prophets & idols, isn't society a secondary recipient?

As Christians, we are called to destroy and take c...

2010-08-25T15:14:49.386-07:00

As Christians, we are called to destroy and take captives!

... of arguments and thoughts.

"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ," 2 Cor 10:5

By definition, we cannot. Our society is not the ...

2010-08-25T11:10:45.113-07:00

By definition, we cannot. Our society is not the church. We can and should "Go Josiah" on the idolatrous church in the 21st century and identify the high places put up in God's holy temple.

How many prophets of Baal have thousand-seat churches in these days?

Baird boy, I think you've hit on something he...

2010-08-19T16:02:00.213-07:00

Baird boy,

I think you've hit on something here. I never thought about it before, but you're right. It's one thing to confront a giant spider, or a hideous monster, but a "hollow" version of ourselves, devoid of humanity. That's truly terrifying.

Brian R.

2010-06-15T22:02:29.847-07:00
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I like what you have to say here. I think your de...

2010-05-26T23:10:56.216-07:00

I like what you have to say here. I think your definition of a Christian film is a pretty solid one.

I will say that the desire to have films where "ultimately evil is punished and good is rewarded" is one point that a lot of people in the Christian-Filmmaker-Hater crowd cite as a problem with Christian films. They say that Christian films have happy endings where the hero gives his life to Jesus and everything in life turns peachy.

I think there's validity to that criticism because that is so inconsistent with the real Christian walk. Often we walk through years of pain and questioning before we see "evil ultimately punished" sometimes we never see certain goods rewarded in this life time. See Psalm 73 "for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked..."

I'd say it's good that a Christian film doesn't show the opposite to be true.

There's a great interview with a Christian film maker here http://sonlightpictures.com/slp-podcast-index.html (episode 6, second half) where he wrestles with these issues and shares why his film "Impostor" doesn't have such clean edges.

Thanks for the invite to continue the conversation...

2010-05-26T10:20:48.862-07:00

Thanks for the invite to continue the conversation. The title of this article is something I've been thinking about lately, though from the opposite perspective.
I find it disturbing reading so many 'Christian' movie critics these days offended by proselytizing 'Christian' films. It is offensive to be about using this medium to seek and save that which is lost/down trodden/captive if it is done in poor standards, I agree. But when has the Christian message ever been about pleasing tastes? I am not ashamed of the idea the message will be 'preachy' - I am hoping it will be exactly that, not because I don't fear what 'critics' say but because I do fear what unbelievers miss witnessing great art with no eternal hope or direction. I believe it more 'offensive' couching our message in art than proclaiming it openly and honestly, with humble, sincere confidence. Three years ago, a 'Christian' movie came out I found embarrassing. It used new testament scriptures in old testament dialogue - UGH! supreme 'cheesiness' I yelled... yet later, my girl friend was greatly moved by it and since I've seen it used in several Woman's bible studies to uplift and encourage. Paul had grace to see even with regards to some who abused him, "...at least the message of the gospel is being preached."

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2010-05-12T22:39:23.471-07:00

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Well said! -STG

2010-05-01T17:04:36.608-07:00

Well said! -STG

Agreed. I hope you scrolled down & read the pr...

2010-04-28T10:14:07.265-07:00

Agreed. I hope you scrolled down & read the previous 3 posts on art, aesthetics, & film - but especially this one:
http://conversation.acwi-online.org/2010/04/filmmaking-is-not-preaching.html

Labels are a necessary evil, I suppose. I think th...

2010-04-27T13:17:39.254-07:00

Labels are a necessary evil, I suppose. I think the most important genre is the "great" Family film and the "great" Christian film. In fact, leave the Christianity latent and just make the film incredibly sublime. When I hear about a new "Christian Film" I just assume it will be preachy, which is the death blow. Good preaching comes naturally out of a pulpit, and good art out of a film.

I am with you brother. I think even the ceremonial...

2010-02-09T18:51:53.708-07:00

I am with you brother. I think even the ceremonial laws which were superseded by Christ's work on the cross are still valuable and relevant to Christians since they foreshadow Christ in the Old Testament. That is one of the things that has always excited me about the Bible. Over huge periods of times and with different authors it is a book that amazingly has a common theme from start to finish, Jesus Christ.

There is an old Bulwinkle cartoon that has the Moo...

2010-01-23T22:44:12.502-07:00

There is an old Bulwinkle cartoon that has the Moose and Squirrel involved in a search for a rare mineral called "Upsidasium" which makes things float in the air. Maybe that is where Cameron got the idea? -Grez

I will have to step beside you and be as radical a...

2010-01-08T17:07:45.226-07:00

I will have to step beside you and be as radical and dogmatic as you are.

There is a grave movement to personalize the Bible to meet our individual preferences, and then justify that our position is Biblically endorsed. Which cannot be the case.

What definition God meant for one He meant for all and that cannot not be divested for the self serving of personal opinion or views.

Proper exegesis, means reading the text in proper context; the context and meaning though emanate from God Himself and it is our responsibility to pursue what He meant and not invalidate His statements by being self-serving.

I have to agree with R.V. Sproul. http://www.ligo...

2009-12-11T03:17:39.516-07:00

I have to agree with R.V. Sproul. http://www.ligonier.org/blog/the-manhattan-declaration/

I never hope nothing about my actions i learn that...

2009-12-07T04:55:45.478-07:00

I never hope nothing about my actions i learn that a long time a go.
I aprecite a lot your help i read a the bible a lpong time ago maybe that was a mistake (stop Reading) but my live have a grate chage i lost a lo of thing in that moment and i hate God now i understand he wasn't the guilty.

Now i have nothing hope, love o expectatives, the only thinck i can do is stand up and conitiue figthing and waitng the end of this Can't Rain all the time.

thanks a lot

Homero: I'd like to reply to your comment. W...

2009-12-06T21:08:24.867-07:00

Homero:

I'd like to reply to your comment.
We all have difficult times in our lives; I'm sorry to hear that you are going through such a time right now. Know that you have been prayed for today.

As to your comment about trying to do good and hoping (expecting?) God to reward the good person, I would offer this word from Scripture:

Colossians 3:12-17:

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

You'll see that we are called to behave a certain way (to "do good") - but Saint Paul never says "Do this with the expectation of receiving any reward." He simply says "Live your life this way."

In fact, Paul says just the opposite - that our lives are going to be filled with difficulties:

2 Corinthians 4:8-11

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

Paul - and others - are able to live with joy IN SPITE OF these earthly challenges and afflictions because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I hope this helps; feel free to write more!

May be i am in not a very good moment in my life b...

2009-12-06T15:48:45.888-07:00

May be i am in not a very good moment in my life but what is God? i use to believe that he give good thinks to the good person but I try to do good thinks and always i receive bullshit

As much as I respect Dr. Mohler and many of the me...

2009-12-03T00:11:18.856-07:00

As much as I respect Dr. Mohler and many of the men who have signed, I think I must stand with those like Dr. White and MacArthur. While I agree with what the document stands for, I would not be able to sign it because it fails to bring clarity on the only cure for man's sin, the Gospel. Considering the document is signed by Catholics, Greek Orthodox and evangelicals, it cannot mention the Gospel, because the Catholics have a different Gospel than the evangelicals do. For that reason, I must respectfully disagree with Dr. Mohler. I know that Dr. Mohler signed because the document did not claim that we (catholics evangelicals etc) are united in the Gospel but untied under these issues. However, I agree with Dr. White and Dr. MacArthur that the only solutions to these issues is the genuine Gospel of Christ. I put some links below that say what I am trying to say much more clearly.

http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3643

http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3641

http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3638

I think Christians need to consider that as knowle...

2009-11-09T23:29:44.768-07:00

I think Christians need to consider that as knowledge of science increases, religion will decrease proportionately

I found this to be an interesting post. I always t...

2009-11-06T14:28:45.549-07:00

I found this to be an interesting post. I always thought of Zombies as a symbol of naturalism taken to its logical conclusion. In other words I think Zombies are the best thing that naturalism could accomplish. As Doug Wilson lieks to point out, "atoms baning into one another cannot put together a coherent thought." (I put quotes but it was more of a paraphrase).

I would also like to add that Blaster the Rocket Man has long been in the business of using sci-fi themes to represent the Christian Life e.g.

"All we little unvamps
Once were sluts, were whores, were tramps
But now we are the Bride
Of Jesus Christ." - Baby Unvamps by Blaster the Rocket Man.

Amen Milt, I am very glad to see you write this. ...

2009-09-10T20:38:51.436-07:00

Amen Milt, I am very glad to see you write this.

The SC Representative was very much out of line. But, of course, not surprisingly, the man is also a Christian.

The political vitriol currently coming from the right is so far beyond the pale, I'm not surprised that something like this eventually occurred in the capitol. And for many of those in the heartland, they probably echo his sentiments.

Why do we need to be told to be civil? Because our talk radio shows and talking heads have shown us for so long that it's more successful not to be.

I'm a bit confused. This quotation does not an...

2009-08-20T14:50:20.944-07:00

I'm a bit confused. This quotation does not answer Edward's question.

Do we need to read the whole sermon to get the answer? Probably.

Let the Conversation continue. . . in Every Square Inch of life!

Thanks for these. I was interested in seeing "...

First, I apologize for not making my final questio...

As Christians, we are called to destroy and take c...

By definition, we cannot. Our society is not the ...

Baird boy, I think you've hit on something he...

2010-06-15T22:02:29.847-07:00 toronto loans This website is the best quality I appreciated it quite a lotAAA Toronto Payday Loans 1172 Bay St #101, Toronto, ON M5S 2B4 (416) 477-2817

Hi! Ruth Rittenhouse . payday loans

I like what you have to say here. I think your de...

Thanks for the invite to continue the conversation...

My name is Houston Brafford I was browsing interne...

Well said! -STG

Agreed. I hope you scrolled down & read the pr...

Labels are a necessary evil, I suppose. I think th...

I am with you brother. I think even the ceremonial...

There is an old Bulwinkle cartoon that has the Moo...

I will have to step beside you and be as radical a...

I have to agree with R.V. Sproul. http://www.ligo...

I never hope nothing about my actions i learn that...

Homero: I'd like to reply to your comment. W...

May be i am in not a very good moment in my life b...

As much as I respect Dr. Mohler and many of the me...

I think Christians need to consider that as knowle...

I found this to be an interesting post. I always t...

Amen Milt, I am very glad to see you write this. ...

I'm a bit confused. This quotation does not an...

2010-06-15T22:02:29.847-07:00
toronto loans This website is the best quality I appreciated it quite a lot
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