Without Jesus….Hollywood Parables

Hollywood continues to put out movies with theological messages.  Some are subtle and some are not.  Legion tells the story of what happens when God tires of human frailty and failure, loses hope in our possible redemption, and decides then to simply remove us from creation.  Ironically, an archangel decides to defy God and attempt to save us.  The Bible tells us the story of a rebellious archangel who defies God and seeks to destroy us, while God seeks to redeem and save us.   This is more than a simple confusion of details.

Devil is the story of man’s supposed accountability, not to God, but rather to the Devil.  How can one escape such a supernatural and determined pursuer?   The secret as revealed in the movie is to simply redeem oneself.  Come clean.  Admit your mistakes.  Own the pain and misery you have brought to others and you can escape the devil.  The theology of the movie seems to be self-redemption.  There is a subplot focusing on a theme of “not casting the first stone – but rather forgive” that comes closer to legitimate Biblical theology…closer, but not spot on.

When you reject the truth of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ, where do you turn to comfort a tortured conscience?  I suppose you can seek to minimize God.  Why not depict Him as a fickle,  impatient, demanding, unsympathetic deity who is not truly worthy of our worship, or perhaps even our attention.  If God isn’t the answer, perhaps other supernatural answers are available.  Maybe there are legions of answers.

If you fear having to answer to someone for your life’s decisions, why not create a plan for self-redemption.  After all, you got yourself into this situation, why can’t you get yourself out of it?  After all, we are fond of saying the devil is in the details.  Well, get him out by confessing the details…and then you are home free.

Part of me says I shouldn’t care.  I shouldn’t pay any attention to such movies.  However, millions will go to see these films.  How many of these don’t know the truth of Jesus Christ?  How many might, therefore, be influenced by such misguided theology?  As a believer, my calling is to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ so that real comfort, hope, and peace might be sown into the hearts of all who call upon the name of Jesus.  If I am unaware of my competition, how effective might I be?

Jesus told parables (stories) in order to reveal some truth about the Kingdom of God.  Hollywood seems to be telling parables (stories) in order to share a message to our society.  There must be a hunger for such a message as these movies make money.  Is it just about selling tickets and making profits or is there something more here?  I might never know the answer to that question, but I think we need to be aware of the messages that seek the hearts of men so we can reveal the emptiness of such messages and share the truth of Jesus.  Well, that is what I think.  How about you?

Any one else confused by ELCA?

I read an article in Christianity Today about a group of “conservative” members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America who are considering leaving the ELCA and starting yet another Lutheran denomination.  Their consideration is a result of the ELCA’s decision to allow practicing homosexuals to serve in the pastoral ministry within the ELCA.  The article stressed that the justification for this decision failed to consider or offer any Biblical defense for such a decision.  These conservative members are questioning how any theological decision made by Lutherans could fail to consult Scripture.  I get that question.  What I don’t understand is why they don’t ask they same questions about such issues as…

1.  Women’s ordination

2.  Abortion practices

3.  Fellowship and pulpit exchange with denominations such as the Reformed Church in America which does not practice infant baptism nor accept the real presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Where was their objection to such decisions being made or opinions held which contradict Scripture?  Is the current objection truly about Scripture or about sex?  Certain detours from Scripture seem to go unquestioned and unchallenged.  But sex?!!  We still tend as a society to view certain sins as “greater” than others.  Most people view rape as more offensive to God than gossip.  But any all sin is offensive to a righteous, just, and holy God. Jesus Christ remains the only answer to sin, all sin, any sin.  His death is the source of our forgiveness and His resurrection the only source of our life.   So why are our brothers and sisters in Christ ( and they truly are our brothers and sisters in Christ by His grace) objecting now?  If it is about Scripture then why not apply that standard across the board?

The article said most of those who object in the ELCA won’t consider joining the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  We are too fundamentalist for them.  I am not sure what they mean by that comment.  I wonder if we are just too Biblical for them.  We choose to apply Scripture to all our decisions in the Church, not just when we find it to agree with our position.  If I am too harsh on my brothers and sisters, I beg their forgiveness. I am confused.  Can anyone help me out?