Around the Web

Anthony Bradley on "why men leave the church?" (Quotes Driscoll a lot.)
Tim Keller on "Prayer and the Gospel"
Jerram Barrs, of Covenant Theological Seminary, is coming to Grove City in March

This movie looks good...

Jet Li, Wushu, and the Dali Lama: more thoughts on eastern religions

Last night I watched the movie fearless, starring Jet li. It is an account of the modern martial arts father in China and takes place circa early 20th century. One might be sad to know that this is Li's last martial arts film. I too was shocked and displeased, for I think he is better than Bruce Lee. I know one person who would hurt me for that statement but, ces la vie.

A week ago i just finished studying the eastern religions, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism (more of a morality) and Shintoism. Early on in the movie Li's father tells him to write Confucius' sayings ten times. This movie brings in all the various elements of Buddhism (as Li is a Buddhist - he studied under the Dali Lama. In on scene a man slits his throat instead of allowing Li to kill him - honor and ancestor veneration coming into play there.

If you would watch the commentary Li explains the purpose of martial arts, or wushu in Chinese. He notes that the aim is not to hurt the other person, or to be victorious over others, instead it is of self. Buddhism is often known as the warriors religion, utilizing swords. It is to conquer self, for when you fight you truly know who you are. You see your worst come onto the stage and only there do you have the opportunity to actualize your potential of goodness.

The same was said for yoga. I am not against using yoga or martial arts as a sport or exercise, but I would condemn the spiritual component of it. Yoga is Hindi for "to yoke." Abstractly speaking it is to bind oneself with the Brahman, impersonal god fluff that is transcendent. When you practice yoga, a distinct form of Buddhist meditation, Buddhists claim that whatever comes to your thoughts are what matters to you most and what you should pursue. In the end hope lies within yourself, as mankind have great potential for good.

More thoughts on Buddhism.. see here.

Ancestor Veneration is key in Confucian thought - think of Disney's Mulan, or another Jet Li movie Hero. Li visited his parents grave after losing everything, and all the followed was in respect to them. For Confucius taught that there are 5 key relationships in all of life, chiefly being filial ties.

Shintoism is all about the honor and glory of a nation. What is best for China or Japan. It is very easily syncretistic with Confucian thought - how can I properly live, to be the best I can be, for the nation.

In the end this is a great movie to show one how all the eastern religions, minus Hinduism, match up in a similar vein (there are differences in the intensity and focus, but thats another story).

A little attempt at discerning The 300

Earlier this week I rented The 300.  A movie based on the historical battle of Thermopolae. King Leonidas and his 300 body guards against 1,000,000 Persians.  Leo chose a very strategic point to fight the Persians.  In the end, the Spartans died but caused the Persians to abandon their campaign.  

The movie was ok.... Most of the complaints about the movie is how it is almost entirely effects.  Which is true, as it was purpsoefully made that way in a warehouse.  But that is not my beef, instead I find an anti Christian message preached.  Allow me to explain...  

Persian heralds and emissaries praise their emperor, Xerxes, as the King of Kings and the Lord of Hosts.  This is biblical language, it might be a literary device just for arts sake.  But I am not entirally sure as the Spartans did not want to submit to this "King of Kings" as it would infringe upon their lifestyle.  Constrain them to a certain way of life and follow the Persian gods, but most of all worship the emperor as a deity.  At one time Xerxes is describing himself as a loving and merciful leader who only requires his followers to kneel, while Leonidas requires his to stand.  

Transformers

When I was younger I got a happy meal at McDonald's once and the toy was a cheap transformer. That was the extent of my morphing car toys (I know... it is sad.) Instead I picked up legos. But I am glad that Hollywood did not turn my aquanauts into a movie and instead when with the cult classic, Transformers.

Being that summer is the seasons for movies, yesterday I went out with Jen to see Transformers. I looked forward to watching it since I saw the trailer. Short story - it was great. The transformers were not the main actors, instead brought Even Steven's Shia LaBeouf and Tad Hamilton's Josh Duhamel (Jen noticed that one) to the big screen. I appreciated this and brought more than just special effects to theaters, acting, plot and theme were all huge parts of the film.

Topics of this visual sermon included loyalty, friendship and commitment. There are negetive aspects as well, with Shia and his female counterpart being highschoolers you have some high school humor, but that only goes to show you the reality of the characters and helps people identify. And just to have that Hollywood element of teenage sensuality.

My kid sister saw it and loved it, so did my buddy Seth (the Mountain Man), so if my word is not good enough for ya there are two more. Harry Potter and Bourne Ultimatum are the next blockbusters to come, But I am not sure which is better of the three... Ocean's 13, Transformers or Live Free or Die hard as they are all in their own genre and world.

John McClain, Morphing Cars and Driscoll

Last week I had the blessing to hang out with my fellow Light of Life Interns several times. One moment was when we went out to watch Live Free or Die Hard. I highly recommend seeing this one - it is definitely better than any of the past three. The script has a lot less swearing in it (a flaw in the previous 3!) and has several very good messages in it (family, being a father, loyalty). In the end as the credits roll by you think.... John McClain is the man.

other movies to watch:
TRANSFORMERS in 2 days!!! I played with these as a kid, watched the cartoons. First as they were sweet drawings then when they were 3-d and computer generated... I think i just admitted watching cartoons when I was 12.

PS. Book review of Driscoll's coming up in the next few days and more thoughts on church and the gospel. It is a good book, good questions are raised, but I don't like his conclusions, and methodology.

The End of the Spear - Review

Last night, along with 5 others, I went to see The End of the Spear. This is the movie that Evangelical Christendom has been telling pastors to cancel church to go see this movie. (Sounds strikingly similar to "The Passion of the Christ" two years ago).

The movie itself is an abbreviated tale of the missionary Nate Saint, his son Steve Saint and Mincayani, the Indian who killed Nate Saint. From an artistic viewpoint, I would argue that it was not well done. The movie had the feeling that it was rushed, lacking a climax (to the point of feleing anticlimatic), with several other flaws. The first 90 minutes of the movie seemed to build up to the point of where Mincayani would profess Christ as his savior (as he did in life). Instead it skipped that portion of life and went to 1994 where Steve Saint found out that this man killed his father. That moment felt like the climax, but the movie did not stress that as the "rising action" and deceived the audience to suspect something else instead of what it delivered.

To be postive however, the 3 men who were the focus of the movie were developed very well. The supporting actors were there to support and add to the three main characters. I think that the movie would be greatly improved if they would tell us why the missionaries were in Ecuador. The gospel of Jesus Christ was hardly mentioned at all where these people were seen to be there to stop the killing (mainly).

in conclusion: a movie that promised so much, delivered so little. A great moving story, but it missed the opportunity it had to make it brilliant.