Why you shouldn’t read the Left Behind series too much

//www.milkandcookies.com/link/66125/detail/

I am stretching to put this clip in my blog, but this is a good reason not to read the Left Behind series too much. Not only is it crappy fiction but crappy theology too.

The Left Behind series is an example of Christ Above Culture in that it is using a cultural medium (pulp fiction or, as the Beatles say, “paperback writer”) to promote a higher view of Christ. They’ve even extended this into the cinema for the same goal.

The Golden Compass

I am already getting a ton of questions about the new movie, The Golden Compass. People are telling me that it is anti-Christian and should be avoided (and even protested). Since this topic is starting to boil over, I have to take a break in my series on the Heidelberg Disputations to talk about this movie.

One Night With the King

http://www.wittenburgdoor…s/one_night.htm

Here’s an LA Times article (from the Wittenburg Door website) that describes how the recent Christian film, One Night With the King, came into being. Using movies like this one to promote Christ is an example of Christ Above Culture. This article highlights many of the dangers in this perspective- potentially sacrificing some values in order to promote others.

About this movie, the Wittenburg Door comments:

Mel Gibson: GMA Interview

http://www.devilducky.com/media/52314/

It’s hard to watch someone apologize. It’s even harder to comment on them. I don’t want to question the sincerity of Mel Gibson’s apology here, but use it to illustrate how we apologize and hone up to our own sin.

Ferris Bueller and the Worst Verses in the Bible

http://www.biblegateway.c…10;&version=31;

There are a lot of nice things about working in a coffee shop- the obvious one is free coffee. It’s also fun to meet new people and engage in interesting conversations. At our shop I am proud of the artistry it takes to be a good barista (making latte art and timing your espresso shots). It’s a great job, really.

Sometimes the job can be difficult. As usual, the difficulty comes with other people. This can be difficult customers who don’t know what a real cappuccino is, so they complain when it’s not sweet. Sometimes customers are rude and talk on their cell phone while you are trying to take their order. At other times it’s the fellow employees…

Ice Age 2: The Christian Meltdown

http://www.wittenburgdoor…es/iceage2.html

I wasn’t planning to see Ice Age 2, but especially not after reading this article!

Yes, friends…the next great attack by godless liberal Hollywood on traditional sacred creationist goodness is this work of Satan which glorifies evolution and makes no attempt to present any alternative viewpoint. There isn’t even a disclaimer during the commercials that this devilish computerized cesspool is but one theory among many as to the origins of our planet. I don’t exactly know that there’s no disclaimer as I have not and will not actually see the movie, but knowing those coldhearted heathens, there won’t be one.

Talladega Nights: Christ and Stock Car Racing

If my post from yesterday wasn’t clear in saying how much I enjoyed Talladega Nights let me be more specific- it was great!

One of the funniest parts, though out the movie, was the mixing of Christ and Culture by the characters. Especially funny was the conversation about how each of the main characters likes to think about Jesus. Ricky Bobby always prays to the “Baby Jesus” because he likes to think of him in that way. He won’t listen to anyone else who reminds him that Jesus eventually grew up- but keeps praying to the “eight-pound, nine-ounce baby Jesus.”

Talladega Nights: The Justification of Ricky Bobby

The moment I saw that this movie was coming out, I couldn’t wait to see it. I finally got to see it on Saturday, and it lived up to my expectations.

There is a lot to blog about from this movie.

The first thing that comes to mind is why this movie is so funny. We all like to laugh at other people who we consider silly- it simply makes us feel better about ourselves. In other words, we seek our own justification when we can look down at others and laugh at them. This is true even with such a gross stereotype as Ricky Bobby. Sure, no one is really like that, but if they were, at least we’d be better than him!

30 Days: Athiest in a Christian World

http://www.fxnetworks.com…0days/main.html

I guess I would call myself a fan of Morgan Spurlock ever since I watched Supersize Me (which, among other things, made me crave a Big Mac). When I found out he was starting a TV show with the same premise of his movie- put someone in a new situation for 30 day to see what they learn- I was excited to watch.

The first couple episodes- living off Minimum Wage, living as a Muslim in America, and living as a homosexual each for 30 days- were provocative and challenging. This season I heard he was doing an episode where an atheist would live in a modern Christian home for thirty days and I couldn’t wait to see it.

Mel Gibson’s Confession

http://www.timesonline.co…2295020,00.html

With all the terrible things going on in the world right now, it is disappointing that the typical American is so easily distracted by one man who was pulled over for driving drunk in California. Nevertheless just as a leopard cannot change its spots, Americans can’t help themselves when the latest celebrity scandal surfaces. Maybe, at least, there is something we can learn from it.