I have a new business idea. When faith gets challenged or offended by a movie, book, television show or stupid celebrity quote I am going to sell an evangelistic hyperventilation bag. This paper bag, featuring stylish cross artwork on one side and a fish insignia on the other, will allow beleaguered Christians to witness as they hyperventilate over the latest dire e-mail warning to boycott, plunder and protest.
The most recent threat to faith and, according to some distraught sources, God’s sovereign plan on earth is an upcoming movie called The Golden Compass. I recall that God and His people have somehow weathered other recent crises like The DaVinci Code, The Book of Daniel TV show, Madonna’s stage presentation, the Lost Tomb of Jesus and a veritable parade of books by atheists who could use the non-religious version of my hyperventilation bag when discussing God.
Yet somehow, the God that I believe created the heavens and earth has survived the punches of Hollywood, television and print. What a surprise. In fact it appears that they have not made a dent in His plan. May I suggest to you that this has been going on since the creation. My position on such issues is based on the game plan that the Apostle Paul outlined in the book of Acts. Yes, he was angry that Athens was full of idols and false gods. But he chose not to organize noisy protests or a boycott of the tourist attractions in Greece. His plan was simple.
- Be aware
- Be informed
- Be faithful
Anytime we have a chance to engage others in a discussion about authentic faith, Jesus and grace in the natural flow of culture I think it is an open door. This movie is another treasure chest of opportunities to discuss faith in real life. Paul is the working model of engaging a culture that is often less than sympathetic. Paul went fearlessly to the intellectual epicenter of his day.
The longer Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, the angrier he got–all those idols! The city was a junkyard of idols. He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: “What an airhead!” But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: “That’s a new slant on the gods. Tell us more.”
These people got together and asked him to make a public presentation over at the Areopagus, where things were a little quieter. They said, “This is a new one on us. We’ve never heard anything quite like it. Where did you come up with this anyway? Explain it so we can understand.” Downtown Athens was a great place for gossip. There were always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest tidbit on most anything. So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with. (The Message – Acts 17)
Paul was aware of the opposition to his faith and to the God he believed in. He was informed about the philosophies of those who opposed his faith. He engaged them in intelligent and probably spirited debate. The book of Acts honestly records the results.
Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, “Let’s do this again. We want to hear more.” But that was it for the day, and Paul left. There were still others, it turned out, who were convinced then and there, and stuck with Paul–among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.
Maybe that is why we are often more comfortable decrying the culture instead of engaging it. Most of us don’t like being labeled as airheads (The Message) or as a babbler (NIV). I certainly don’t enjoy the very real fact that some will laugh at me and walk off making jokes. But perhaps some will want to hear more. And the reason for taking the chance is that some will be convinced. How do I know that such a strategy works? I have been able to introduce my faith naturally while discussing every one of the perceived threats listed above (DaVinci Code, Lost Tomb of Jesus, et al). The door opened naturally because of the culture. Isn’t it amazing what God can use for His purpose if we will just let Him?
Cyndi
This post is a refreshing read. Thank you! Your 3 points are well stated. I think, as Christians, we often confuse the ‘be informed’ point with trying to drag everyone over to ‘our side of the fence.’ That’s God’s job, thankfully! Ours is to live the life.
Brandon Price
Though I agree very much with your comments, and I do think that we Christians often over-react to such things, I do feel we are forgetting something in all of this:
That our support of these movies and books and things is what makes them keep coming.
I’ve heard that Christians shouldn’t “shelter their children” and that we should use these movies as a teaching tool. First of all, God gives us some specific things he wants us to teach our children (Deut. 6) so that WHEN THE ARE OLDER they can filter through the good and the bad. We most certainly wouldn’t want to “guide them” through a porn movie so we can explain what’s wrong with it.
But more than all this, when I go to the movie and pay money, I am giving these people a reason to make another one. I cannot feel confident that God is happy with that. And according to Focus On The Family’s article about this movie, quoting the director, say that the next two films will not pull any punches when it comes to fully disclosing the religious tones in the movie.
I’m not afraid that God’s plan will be thwarted. I’m afraid that I may be helping the ungodly further their plan. And how can I be proud of that?
Dave Conklin
I would not have been able to formulate it so succinctly, but you captured my own thoughts on this subject. Nice post! Cross-posting at:
http://warriorshand.blogspot.com/2007/12/confessions-and-compasses.html
Joy
I agree with you however there is another side to this that we need to look at. I am more concerned about our kids because the guy that wrote the story, wrote it so that the 1st story would draw the kids in and then the 2nd would reveal the whole killing God scheme. I worry about our kids because alot of them do not get spiritual teaching at all, this movie is very dangerous in this respect. I understand what you are saying and I agree it can be a very good tool for witnessing however, I am boycotting it for the simple fact that it is very damaging to our children. Joy
Larry Hehn
Thanks, Dave. It always upset me to get emails of panic from other Christians about the latest perceived “threat” to my faith. Was I missing something? I figured there must be a more effective way to respond, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Thanks for shedding the light on the Biblical standard.
Blessings,
Larry
Pete
Dave,
As always, another great posting. I could not help but tie your last two postings together. If more Christians took on the characteristics of the “Secret Santa”, perhaps fewer would view our message as the mindless ranting of an “airhead” or “babbler”.