This church feels that the way to reach the lost is movie night. Here’s what their website has to say about this essential “ministry:”
Our focus from the beginning of this monthly ministry is visitors. We know that many people find the first visit to a church to be a daunting experience. On movie night a newcomer is greeted by smiling faces at the snack bar. Our folk are hospitable and friendly and not pushy. So bring a neighbor or family member who needs a new look at Christians and those receptive people at the Christian Church of Ashland.
Apparently, by coming to movie night and meeting the smiling church members at the snack bar will provide visitors with a “new look at Christians.”
I have a suggestion. If you want people to have a new look at Christians, how about preaching the whole counsel of God, practice what we preach and bare fruit of the faith we profess to have. Let them see a change in our lives and lifestyles instead of them scratching their head saying, “they talk, act, and look the same as us unbelievers visitors.”
I feel it’s important to show who has influenced the pastor of this church as quoted from the pastor’s biography.
“He would be quick to add that the most significant change in his ministry came as a result of working with David Bruce . . ”
He calls David Bruce his mentor on his blog. For those of you unfamiliar with David Bruce, check out the two websites he runs:
A man (and especially a pastor) is know by the company he keeps.
** UPDATE ** David Bruce reveals a little more on this post.
Christ Alone Wyoming 
Hello, I stumbled upon your website, and was a bit confused by your criticism of this church hosting a movie night. What’s the problem? If they were showing “Natural Born Killers” or “Saw IV”, I might understand. But they are showing black and white films from the early 1900’s!
I use films quite often to help explain different Christian concepts. I am currently trying to write a script that would potentially useful for helping break down some walls and show the secular world a bit of truth in a world that is used to telling lies.
I also don’t get your criticism of David Bruce. I don’t know him, but I’ve visited Hollywood Jesus before, and I think they are doing some good work.
I’d appreciate it if we could discuss this a bit.
Thank you,
Nathan Fleming
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Nathan:
Thanks for your comment. The issue is not the fact that a movie in and of itself is necessarily bad. Of course this is dependent upon the movie (like the ones you cited). But the use of a movie in a “church” for the purpose of welcoming visitors is what I take issue with. The lost are not convicted of their sin and converted to Christ by Hollywood films. They are, however, by the preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
Too many times today, we let the culture drive the church. We spend too much time trying to bend over backward to appease the world and be culturally relevant at the expense of solid sound Biblical teaching.
We tend to find ourselves hollering from the rooftops, “Hey look at us Christians, we’re just like you.” When we should be hollering from the rooftops the truths of God and Christ and Him crucified. The world is seeking out the truth; something different.
In this particular case, the pastor’s purpose is spelled out, the pastor wants to show that Christians can be hip and relevant like the world. The Bible tells us to be separate from the world, not to be like it.
I also urge you to use caution when saying that just because the films are from the 1900’s that they are acceptable in the house of God. Judging by today’s standards, I whole heartedly agree with you, they are mild in comparison. But I don’t judge the these things by the world’s changing standards but by God’s unchanging standard. Additionally, on the last movie night they showed a B-rated 1950’s horror flick. A little further away from those early 1900’s.
Regarding David Bruce, I have to ask, do you have any problem at all with the tag line on both of his websites? I quote: “Hindus, Jews, Christians, Wiccans, Muslims, New Agers, Atheists, Agnostics, Gay, Straight. Come in. Enjoy.”
For a little more understanding of my view (and those who hold the same opinion) I encourage you to check out this podcast on the topic of Movie Endorsing Pastors. If you use Hollywood movies to teach, you may be interested in this: http://reformationnation.wordpress.com/2007/10/08/movie-endorsing-pastors/
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Thanks Pilgrim, for your reply.
I can understand your concerns, but I’d have to say that I disagree with them wholeheartedly. I’ve never heard of the church you linked to before reading about them on your blog, but I don’t have an issue with their methods. It seems what they are trying to do is create a place where dialogue begins. The point of the movie night doesn’t appear to be to create an atmosphere where the lost will be converted – but a place where the lost can get to know some of the found, and maybe a conversation or two will be started where the found can share their story of how they came to be in a relationship with God.
I do agree, generally, that the church has real issues today, that the church has lost focus (again, generally) in a lot of ways. However, I don’t think this issue is one to be disturbed about – because it’s just a tool. Like a picnic or a softball game or a discussion group. Movies are just stories, and Jesus’ primary method of teaching was through telling stories.
As to the David Bruce taglines, I am not a pastor, but if I were, I’d want to put the same message out there. After all, Jesus himself said he didn’t come for the healthy, but the sick. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be about? I guess the big thing is when those folks walk through the door, and they are hearing the Word, do you give it to them straight, in love? But, they’ve got to have a reason to come through the door in the first place.
I’ll check out your podcast, but I have to tell you that I am a big proponent of Christians claiming the arts for the sake of the Gospel, so I’m going to be a tough sell for your way of thinking on this subject.
But, I enjoy discussing, so…
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I can completely understand where you’re coming from, however, as I mentioned before, our standard is not that which we measure things by.
Your allowance of this may be completely harmless and never go any further from there. Unfortunately there’s so much compromise that one can’t keep up with it all, so why even step onto such a slippery slope? All full-blown sin starts with just a little compromise. A little leaven ruin the whole lump.
When Jesus is lifted up He will draw men unto Himself. Too many times we think we can do better than God and we devise man-made business models to attract the “unchurched,” thinking entertaining them (like with movies) will do what (in their mind) the Holy Spirit is incapable of doing. Tis’ a shame, tis’ a shame.
You have to understand some of my cynicism when I sit back and watch all the shows, flashy lights, gimmicks and circuses that churches put on nowadays to fill church seats, when Jesus said No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. It is certainly an exercise in futility which produces countless false converts.
I think Charles Spurgeon said it best when he said: The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them . . . providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church . . . the need is for Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt that it sets men aflame.
I think the Apostle Paul said it best when he warned us of times like these: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 3:3-4)
And finally, regarding the acceptance of all those “groups,” I agree that as Christians we are to accept them as Jesus would have. However, He never embraced their sin and neither should we. When you come to Christ you can’t remain a Wiccan, or an Atheist, or a homosexual. To come to Christ means you surrender all and die to yourself. The fact that Christians are included in this list makes me very suspect that Bruce’s intent is an all-inclusive tolerance of all beliefs and lifestyles, and not exclusive to Jesus Christ.
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I respect your opinion about this, and agree with you for the most part. I am a full-time mission co-worker in the former USSR, and one of the things I appreciate so much about the church in that part of the world is that the main thing is the main thing, because the church is so young there and exists in a constant state of potential and real persecution. When you have the potential of being kicked out of your house or lose your job, or go to jail (look at http://www.forum18.com) for following Jesus, you don’t want bells and whistles – you want want Jesus.
However, in the U.S., things are so different. I have alot of emphathy for church leaders who see people’s attention distracted by so much – who feel like they have to scurry and be interesting to keep up. And really, they do. The sad reality is that so much of the church today is just plain boring to the younger generations, that church leaders who don’t want their churches to die try to be innovative and creative in the way that they keep their kids. I don’t have a problem with this, as long as the method doesn’t supercede the message. As I said before, method is nothing but an attempt to be relevant to the culture. But, the message has to be the same – the Gospel – or else it is just another entertainment.
What concerns me more is denominations like my own (Presbyterians) who cling to traditions of men as if they are clinging to the Gospel, and refuse to allow the music to update, or refuse to allow for innovation, or who are more concerned about their building or church grounds than sharing Jesus with neighbors.
You can preach the Gospel in any setting, with any kind of music, with any kinds of bells and whistles attached. And isn’t it better to fill a room with people who are hungry, and then feed them truth? And if movies or Superbowl games or concerts fill the room, all the better! Bring them in, love them, and share Jesus with them.
As to Bruce’s intent, I can’t tell you that. I hope that his intent is that the people on that list hear the Gospel and are given the opportunity to respond to the Good News, and then be discipled, but I don’t know that for sure. I do know this – that my church would be open to all, and all would be loved and accepted, and all would hear the Gospel and have that opportunity.
Thanks,
Nathan
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Me again.
I’ve listened to the majority of the Crosstalk broadcast, and I while I understand where the host was coming from, I think she’s throwing the baby with the bathwater. “Knocked Up”, I haven’t seen, and the caller that called to defend the film was not the best defender. However, here’s my angle: from what I understand about the film, it is, at it’s core a movie that defends the unborn. It celebrates (through comedy) a couple that accidentally gets pregnant, and decides to keep the baby. Now, no Christian will debate that message. And how many other “hip” movies would broadcast that message? Judd Apatow, the director, has made this his M.O., “40 Year Old Virgin”? A film that glorifies abstinence. “Superbad”? A film that shows the truth about binge underage drinking. Should Christians watch these movies? Maybe, or maybe not. Because these great messages are wrapped in some pretty lewd packages.
The good thing about these movies is that they are giving a great message to non-believers, a message that Christians CAN tap into. When discussing pro-life issues with non-believers, you can talk about “Knocked Up”. It can lead further into Jesus topics. It’s just a tool, and like any tool, you can misuse it, or choose not to use it.
Finally, I don’t want to be cliche’, but I would like to remind you that if you filmed the Bible literally as it is read, it would have some pretty lewd and disturbing images wrapping up the Message of Life – especially the Old Testament. Just food for thought.
Thanks,
nathan
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But Jesus didn’t walk around preaching at people and beating them about the head with the Bible. He got to know them, met them where they were, and loved them. Then he taught them. And he taught them by telling them stories. Parables. He told them stories to show them their sin – sin that they might not have been able to see before. Sometimes the stories showed them how they should be living…but they were still stories.
People who aren’t ‘churched’ sometimes need us to meet them where they are – and movie nights allow that. Jesus didn’t sit in the Temple during his time here. He got out and sat with tax collectors and prostitutes and ‘undesirables’ – yet he didn’t ‘preach’ at them and constantly read scripture. He loved them and told them stories. Movies are the stories of today. And his stories were NOT stories of the Bible. They were stories about farmers and widows and tax men and every day people…he could have told them about Esther. Abraham. Moses. Instead he told them stories about life they could recognize. Movies of today do that.
“The lost are not convicted of their sin and converted to Christ by Hollywood films.” That’s absolutely false and it shows me clearly where you stand. You seem to believe that there’s only one way to bring people to Christ and if it’s not your way, it’s not effective and not Biblical. That’s false. There are many ways to show people the love of Jesus Christ. MANY ways to get them to the point of understanding their sin and accepting Him. And just because those ideas aren’t specifically reading the Bible to them, doesn’t mean they aren’t Biblical. Sometimes it’s friendship. Sometimes it’s reaching out. And sometimes, like Christ did, it’s telling a story and bringing light to their world in a way they’d not seen it before.
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I went to the Hollywood Jesus site and saw this quote: “So, what is the matter with California? One doesn’t need to read 329 pages to find the answer. It’s called sin. Into this situation steps God, ready to change people’s lives for the better.”
Sounds pretty clear to me. The problem I see with the original post is that it seems to take one kind of experience of coming to Christ and making that normative. It is a problem that Christians often have: “This is how I came to Christ, that must mean everyone should come to Christ the same way.”
I know of people who came to Christ because they got involved with a sports team at church. With this entree into the church, they came for the meat of the Word and eventually came to Christ. It would seem to me that the idea is to get people to come to the church, and then make sure that you give them the meat of the Word so they can be convicted of their sin and come to Christ.
In your critique of the one night, you don’t mention how they deal with those who come to the movie night. It seems to me a good idea to nurture people to faith, rather than taking a one shot “turn or burn” attack on someone’s sinfulness.
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First I’d like to say that the true Christian life is not boring and thus, does not necessitate us to seek after ways to entertain the sheep (or in many cases the goats).
Secondly, I am cautious about the “draw them in and then hit them with the gospel” bait-and-switch technique because more often than not, the gospel being preached is a “try Jesus, he’ll make your life better” gospel.
Thirdly, Lori says that it’s absolutely false that people are converted by Hollywood movies. Yet I still haven’t been given examples otherwise. The movies that we see most often used are Knocked Up and the like. Why? Why do we take a movie full of sex, and profane language and polish the filth off to try to find a shiny piece to show people the “love of God?” Has your Bible become that boring to you that you must turn to filthy profane movies?
There are things in the Bible that are violent and sexual in nature. It’s a Historical account. They are in the Bible to teach, not to entertain. These movies are the exact opposite.
Hollywood constantly cranks out these awful, sinful, sex, violence, and blasphemy fests and the lukewarm church (like lemmings) continue to flock to them to find some redeeming value, while their Bibles remain unread. Hollywood is cashing in on Churchianity’s latest fad, and those who protest are usually called names and demonized (like myself) for daring to proclaim that we should live holy lives and that watching these filthy movies does not edify our spirit’s nor does it honor God.
The very fact that we have to have this conversation is the inevitable result of people who want to add Jesus to their life, but are not willing to take up their cross, die to self, and live the life of sacrifice that comes with such an honor to call ourselves “Christians.”
And to compare the Holy Word of God to movies like Knocked Up is pretty brazen. Be careful with that. We are warned that there will be a time when evil is called good and good is called evil.
I agree that Jesus used Stories (parables). But they were His parables, not the dramas that were being used in his day by pagans in the surrounding culture. You err when you try to equate the parables of Jesus with a movie like Knocked Up. When you do, Lori, “it shows me clearly where YOU stand.”
How you deal with the things of God directly reflects your view of Him. To justify using the garbage coming from Hollywood to reach the “unchurched” is sad. If the spirit inside you doesn’t grieve when you watch these kinds of movies, that speaks volumes.
The only thing that is more common around here than all the compromise, are all the excuses for the compromise.
Make all the excuses you want, but Jesus Christ would have never sat through a teen sex movie to illustrate a point. If you think He would have, then you certainly are bowing at the feet of a Jesus of your own making (golden calf) and not the Jesus of the scriptures, the only One who can save your soul.
And Bob, your pretext that I only accept one way that people to come to God is not only erroneous, but purposely deceitful to make me look like I’ve taken a stance on something I haven’t. When one stands in the mile-wide, inch-deep church calling for holiness, he will always be portrayed poorly by those who disagree. I wish you would have stuck to the issue and not tried to make me look like something I’m not. I will, however, never waiver on the fact that Jesus Christ IS the only way to the Father.
And finally, I keep hearing everyone’s opinion on what it takes to reach people. Doesn’t it strike you alarming that all of you think you know better than God? What says the Scripture about how to bring the lost to a saving faith in our Lord and Savior?
So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17). I will take the Word of God over man’s opinion any day.
Let me be clear, movies in and of themselves are not bad. It’s the content that can be really good or really bad. As Christians, we are to stay away from the bad stuff (it’s also known as sin). If you want to view a movie that will provoke thought and conversation, check out: http://reformationnation.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/time-changer-the-movie/
Also check out a podcast dealing with this very subject that will be interesting for those on both sides of the issue: http://reformationnation.wordpress.com/2007/10/08/movie-endorsing-pastors/
With that, I will give you all the last word. But I leave you with a few more verses to consider:
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)
You adultresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself and enemy of God. (James 4:4-5)
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The Christian life is not boring:
I didn’t mean to imply that the Christian life is boring. I think what I said was that church can be very boring when traditions of men are followed (rather than Scripture) to dictate what happens in that church. Being a furloughing missionary family, we are in a different Presbyterian church almost every weekend, and I see it with my own eyes. Most of the churches are filled with the elderly, while the youth and unchurched (if they even bother to come) are bored to tears unless they are extremely mature.
Is the Gospel boring? No. That is why in the country where I serve, you have people coming to faith and following Jesus even if it means being kicked out of their homes or suffering persecution at the hands of their husbands or parents. However, they are more like the New Testament church than our thousands of churches here.
So, what do you do to reach the youth and the unchurched here in the U.S. who won’t darken the door of a church? You try to give them a reason to come, because they need one. Some people use music, some people use movies, some people use game nights or Bible Q&A times. I can’t speak to the motivations of all of those people in doing so, but I hope that they do this so that they ultimately earn the right to share the Good News with these folks.
The “try Jesus, he’ll make your life better” gospel.
Well, doesn’t he make your life better? I shudder to think about what my life would have been without Him. I am against the “prosperity” gospel, but I do believe that following Jesus gives you a better life. This has been my experience observing new Christians in my host country.
Converted by movie/Bible boring
I’d appreciate if you don’t put words in my mouth. I didn’t say the Bible was boring – I said that using films to aid in sharing the Gospel is a tool. I’ll let Lori add to that regarding the use of movies to convert, if she’d like.
The Bible:
So, if your motivation on making a film like “Knocked Up” is to educate, then it’s okay? I don’t think that is what you meant. But the Bible often paints a graphic picture of lostness, of the consequences of sin, with the ultimate story being redemption. This is what much of Hollywood is “accidentally” about – even the redemption message.
And this is what people are celebrating about the Apatow films – that he tells the truth about what Christians call “sin”, even if he is not a Christian, and it’s not a pretty picture. I even read an article where Apatow talks about the couple’s decision to have the baby as their “doing the right thing” (as opposed to having an abortion). That’s a pretty staggering message to come out a non-Christian filmmaker’s mind.
You wrote (and this I have to quote):
“Hollywood constantly cranks out these awful, sinful, sex, violence, and blasphemy fests and the lukewarm church (like lemmings) continue to flock to them to find some redeeming value, while their Bibles remain unread. Hollywood is cashing in on Churchianity’s latest fad, and those who protest are usually called names and demonized (like myself) for daring to proclaim that we should live holy lives and that watching these filthy movies does not edify our spirit’s nor does it honor God.”
I’m sorry that you feel somehow wronged by the fact that people disagree with you. And I hope that you don’t feel like I am “demonizing” you. I respect your decision to avoid movies if that is what God has called you to do. However, I disagree. I see the value in films, and I want to find the redeeming qualities when I watch them. I typically avoid movies that have a lot of sex in them, because as a guy, sexual temptation is something I struggle with. This is why I haven’t seen any of Apatow’s films. However, I believe that there are Christians who can watch these films, not be brought down by them, and engage culture from the film’s point of view. I would guess you go to a Christian movie review site to read about movies, which means you are supporting SOME Christian seeing these movies because the reviewers have to see the the movies to be able to write the reviews.
You wrote:
“The very fact that we have to have this conversation is the inevitable result of people who want to add Jesus to their life, but are not willing to take up their cross, die to self, and live the life of sacrifice that comes with such an honor to call ourselves “Christians.”
And to compare the Holy Word of God to movies like Knocked Up is pretty brazen. Be careful with that. We are warned that there will be a time when evil is called good and good is called evil.”
I appreciate the warning, but I would also warn you to be careful with being judgemental. Seems like Jesus had something to say about that in Matthew 7.
Having said that, and not to make this too personal, I need to admit that I have difficulty dying to self each day. I’m a pretty sinful, selfish person, and I usually choose myself over others. And perhaps this clouds my judgement from time to time. But, my personal goal each day is to not get in the way of Jesus being the Lord of my life. So, my thoughts and opinions of film are the result of lots of prayer and discussion with other Christians, and I hope and believe that they are honoring to God.
And I just like to look for the good in the bad – not to promote the bad, but to lift up the good. But that’s just me.
Jesus and Parables:
Of course, no story we can come up with equates with the stories of Jesus. I think Lori was making a statement on methodology rather than the creation of a New Gospel. Jesus was a story teller. Sometimes his stories were scandalous, and really made people uncomfortable. And sometimes his stories brought comfort. We, as Christians, as Christ’s ambassadors have every right to use his methodology to do what He was trying to do – share the Good News.
Jesus at the movies
No, Jesus just hung around with the prostitutes and the tax collectors. Nowadays, those folks are in the movie cinemas, watching movies like “Knocked Up”. They are talking about the films Hollywood is producing over the water coolers on Monday morning. And, they are looking for something to believe in. If you give them over to the Hollywood moguls, you will lose them. But, if you (like Paul) become “all things to all people”, and learn their language so that you can share the Good News with them, I’d say Jesus would probably be pretty proud. I’d also remind you who Jesus chastized when He was loving on sinners – the “religious” crowd. You like to give warnings, I would warn you to be careful not to slip into Phariseeism. This is a warning I have to give myself on occassion, too.
Now, I would also say that believers shouldn’t go it alone. This is why God gives us our brothers and sisters, to hold each other accountable and to make sure that we aren’t being pulled away from Him by our exposure to the non-Christian world.
On the quotation of Romans:
I ‘m not disputing that one comes to faith through hearing the Word. I’m not meaning to suggest that films are to be equated with the Word. I’m not suggesting that anything other than Jesus saves. Believe me, if you and I were to sit and compare doctrine, we’d probably find agreement on most things – and definitely on the essentials of salvation. My whole point of contention is that you (and the Crosstalk people) think that there is not merit in the idea of using Hollywood films to reach the lost. On this we disagree, and that’s fine.
As to “Time Changer”, I saw it and it was just… okay. I wasn’t terribly impressed, to be honest. The question I would make to these filmmakers is – who are you trying to reach with your message? If you look up most “Christian films” on http://www.rottentomatoes.com, you’ll find that they don’t score very well with critics. “Time Changer” received a 33%, which means most critics disliked it, and wouldn’t recommend it. What’s the problem here? Well, if you are content with preaching to the converted, then you’ll succeed with this sort of film – because Christians will be the only ones to watch such a film. However, if you are trying to get a story seen by the lost, you have to make a film that the lost want to see. That doesn’t need to translate into bad language and sex, it also means just telling a good story, and telling it well.
Some movies that Christians should have made, but didn’t: “Finding Nemo” (98%); “Shawshank Redemption” (88%); “Dead Man Walking” (94%); “Amistad” (78%).
Which brings me to my last word. If you and Crosstalk are really so disgusted by what is coming out of Hollywood, you should learn what Christians are doing in Hollywood, and find ways to support them so that things can get better. This is what really irks me, because I have Christian friends living and working in Hollywood, trying to be salt and light. Act One, Hollywood Prayer Network, and Hollywood Connect are just a few of the amazing Christian organizations trying to help equip Christians to survive and thrive in the entertainment industry.
They understand the history of Hollywood, they understand why there is such an anti-Christian attitude in the halls of power there, and they are trying to counter that by showing that Christians can write and produce and direct good films. Christians should OWN Hollywood, because we are the recipients of the Greatest Story Ever Told. But, we shackle ourselves and each other, and we judge, and we condemn, and we don’t love the lost enough to go where they are. That is really sad, in my opinion.
My verses to consider:
Matthew 7: 1-7
“”Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 9:10-13
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Finally, Pilgrim, I appreciate the opportunity for dialogue. I realize that God has led you to feel very strongly the way you do, and I respect that. But I would remind you of Paul’s admonition in Romans 14:
“The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
God is using His people in new and different ways every day to make an impact on our culture and the world. He is using you, and where you have drawn the line, and he is using people like me, even if my line is not drawn in the same place. I hope that we can agree to disagree, and hold each other up in prayer for the lives that God has called us to live. And even more, hold up those Christians laboring in the mission field of Hollywood.
Sola Dei Gloria,
Nathan
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Hi pilgrim,
I know you were giving me the last word, but I would like to continue this discussion if you are willing.
Sola Dei Gloria,
Nathan
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Nathan,
That’s fine. I think I’ll create a new post just based on this topic. Keep an eye out for it. . . coming soon! We can continue there.
Maranatha!
– The Pilgrim
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