I saw a powerful, uplifting movie this weekend, called "To Save a Life". As I continue to contemplate this movie, its message, and its potential reception, I was drawn to seek out the secular reaction. As such, I went to RottenTomatoes.com. For those who are unfamiliar, this site provides probably the most comprehensive cross section of reviews that I know of.
The cumulative "professional" rating was lower than I would have given it. Of the 11 Industry reviews posted, only 3 gave it a positive review. The generally negative response prompted me to read all 11 reviews. There were some definite trends. Of the eight negative reviews, half of the reviewers revealed what I would consider a clear "anti-Christian" bias. Two of the four complained that the Christian "preachiness" detracted from the quality or message of the film. The other two dismissed the movie outright due to its Christian basis. One even suggested their hope that teen viewers, who this movie is targeted toward, and who would be most directly impacted by the message, would avoid the film altogether. Interestingly, both referenced, and dismissed, the same minor element of the film as part of their 'reviews'. Both complained of the filmmakers' decision to thank God in the closing credits. To be clear, I say minor due to its importance to the art of filmmaking, not due to what it represents. I found their distaste oddly humorous, as this reference came at the end of the credits, where none but the most ardent film junkie would be likely to see it. Did they both sit through to the very bitter end, just to look for something else to dislike?
Here are several other trends that I noticed, in no particular order. More than half of the reviews made no mention of any of the key messages that were meant to be conveyed. Two of the reviews(oddly, not the two most outwardly anti-Christian reviews mentioned above) made negative references to the use of "Christian persecution", and dismissed this as a non-existent phenomenon. Only one reviewer indicated a resonance with their own faith, and in turn gave the most positive review provided. Here's another trend that I found interesting - three of the reviewers pointed out that no Bible or Scriptural references were used in the movie. I didn't notice at the time, but upon recollection, I believe that they were right.
RottenTomatoes also includes a forum for the community at large to provide their own reviews or ratings. Here, the movie scored much better, garnering a 93% positive response. I was initially surprised, but immediately saw the logic in that. This movie will, at this early stage, have been seen by largely Christian audiences. Not being offended by the film's "Christianity", they would tend to be receptive to the message contained therein. I may have to come back in a month or so to see if this changes by much.
I didn't think about it during my viewing, but reading these reviews allowed me an opportunity to reconsider the film from a different vantage point. In all honesty, at the risk of alienating some readers, I would almost label aspects of the faith in this film as "Christianity lite". As mentioned, there was no reference of the Bible that I can recall, no scripture, and very little theological depth whatsoever. What this film did have in spades, which is a key to the "Christian ideal", is application. Specifically, it was a strong, vivid encouragement to Love your brother as yourself. But even this -should- extend beyond Christendom. Last I checked, Christians certainly don't have a monopoly on the desire to make a positive impact on the people around you.
It is just disappointing to me that in this age, any media endeavor to which the Christian label is applied is often dismissed or belittled as an attempt to indoctrinate. Instead of allowing the message of the film to resonate, it is generally waved off as dogma without substance.
Side note - I went back and looked up Fireproof and Facing the Giants, two recent notable Christian films with positive messages, just to see how they stacked up. Fireproof scored 40% positive reviews among critics, and 82% among the community. Facing the Giants scored a reprehensible 9% among critics, and a far more respectable 65% among the community. Sadly, I am largely unsurprised by the size of the chasm between the reviewers and the public.
I think I've done enough aimless railing for one night. Maybe I'll follow up on this in a day or two, once I've had more time to process.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Faith Like a Child
Tonight I watched the first study from The Truth Project. Near the end of the video, there was a clip focusing on "the faith of a child". The clip showed a young boy on a diving board, inching forward, then eventually leaping into the arms of his mom, who was treading water in the pool below. It was a spot on representation of a child's faith in action.
But it got me to thinking. I've always looked at that phrase as representing the innocence and purity of faith. But in actuality, it is much more than that. I hadn't really considered just how deep and powerful a childlike faith truly is. If you think about it, a child runs into new things on an almost daily basis. Everything gets a first experience during childhood. The big things are obvious - learning to walk, talk, read, write, and on and on. All of these are nurtured by the child's perceptions, observations, external stimuli, support, and most of all by their faith. But even the little ones - trying new foods or a simple game of peek a boo, for example - require a deep, innate trust in the encouraging adult who is leading the child forward.
If a child lacks that innate belief in the world around him, or in the people who surround him, his ability to grow, adapt, and develop into a functional member of society is stunted, if not corrupted entirely. This is another reason why it is imperative as a parent, guardian, or even as an acquaintance of a child, to do what we can to nurture, respect, and protect the sanctity of that faith. Until violated, a child's trust, his faith in the world and people around him, is complete, unwavering, and immensely powerful.
This is the essence of the "faith of a child" that God desires of us, but very rarely receives. The complete and trusting faith that God's will and God's ways will not lead us to harm. An innate, fundamental surety that He is our protector. Absolute certainty that He is the complete, immutable Truth.
Oh what I would do to have that kind of faith.
But it got me to thinking. I've always looked at that phrase as representing the innocence and purity of faith. But in actuality, it is much more than that. I hadn't really considered just how deep and powerful a childlike faith truly is. If you think about it, a child runs into new things on an almost daily basis. Everything gets a first experience during childhood. The big things are obvious - learning to walk, talk, read, write, and on and on. All of these are nurtured by the child's perceptions, observations, external stimuli, support, and most of all by their faith. But even the little ones - trying new foods or a simple game of peek a boo, for example - require a deep, innate trust in the encouraging adult who is leading the child forward.
If a child lacks that innate belief in the world around him, or in the people who surround him, his ability to grow, adapt, and develop into a functional member of society is stunted, if not corrupted entirely. This is another reason why it is imperative as a parent, guardian, or even as an acquaintance of a child, to do what we can to nurture, respect, and protect the sanctity of that faith. Until violated, a child's trust, his faith in the world and people around him, is complete, unwavering, and immensely powerful.
This is the essence of the "faith of a child" that God desires of us, but very rarely receives. The complete and trusting faith that God's will and God's ways will not lead us to harm. An innate, fundamental surety that He is our protector. Absolute certainty that He is the complete, immutable Truth.
Oh what I would do to have that kind of faith.
The Truth Project
Tonight, I began hosting a mens group in a series called The Truth Project, produced by Focus on the Family. This video-based series works to present a comprehensive and systematic worldview based on Biblical and Godly Truth. It covers the gamut of topics, from "What is Truth", to "Who is man", "Who is God", to discussions on history, ethics, government, science, philosophy, and a host of other areas. I previously sat through this as a 'student', but now is my opportunity to share my experience with others.
I hope the men in my group will take as much out of it as I did when I originally sat through it, and I hope to gain both a refresher and a deeper understanding of the Truths contained within the study.
As the Spirit moves me, I'll sometimes be posting on topics from each week's study, to try to fish out a wider view, or maybe to chase a thought all the way down into the rabbit hole. I'll go as the Spirit leads, and hopefully will be faithful to that task.
I hope the men in my group will take as much out of it as I did when I originally sat through it, and I hope to gain both a refresher and a deeper understanding of the Truths contained within the study.
As the Spirit moves me, I'll sometimes be posting on topics from each week's study, to try to fish out a wider view, or maybe to chase a thought all the way down into the rabbit hole. I'll go as the Spirit leads, and hopefully will be faithful to that task.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Be careful what you ask for...
Hah.
A drought of progress, indeed. Within a week or two of that last post, our house sold, with a quick close. We finished and moved in to our new home. The real drought in San Antonio finally ended. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. New directives and directions in Church and at home. A very strong Godly push to quit skirting the issue and deal with my work/career situation (more on that another time). Lots of rain, figuratively and literally, has washed my drought away.
Suddenly, it is almost 4 months later, though it feels like its been closer to a year. A confession - my writing isn't the only thing that was lacking over that time. My dialogue with God turned into more of a monologue, with me yammering on about my plans, and my schedule, and how I was going to move forward on my path to personal happiness. God let me talk (and talk and talk and...), but eventually he started to interject again.
This weekend, He leaned in and -really- got my attention again. At His urging, my life is about to take a sharp turn, so I've decided to pick this little indulgence back up to help me keep things in better perspective.
Hopefully, the future holds more listening, contemplation, and writing than the last few months. This blog will likely be indicative of whether I can hold true to that. Hope to see you more regularly from here on out.
A drought of progress, indeed. Within a week or two of that last post, our house sold, with a quick close. We finished and moved in to our new home. The real drought in San Antonio finally ended. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. New directives and directions in Church and at home. A very strong Godly push to quit skirting the issue and deal with my work/career situation (more on that another time). Lots of rain, figuratively and literally, has washed my drought away.
Suddenly, it is almost 4 months later, though it feels like its been closer to a year. A confession - my writing isn't the only thing that was lacking over that time. My dialogue with God turned into more of a monologue, with me yammering on about my plans, and my schedule, and how I was going to move forward on my path to personal happiness. God let me talk (and talk and talk and...), but eventually he started to interject again.
This weekend, He leaned in and -really- got my attention again. At His urging, my life is about to take a sharp turn, so I've decided to pick this little indulgence back up to help me keep things in better perspective.
Hopefully, the future holds more listening, contemplation, and writing than the last few months. This blog will likely be indicative of whether I can hold true to that. Hope to see you more regularly from here on out.
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