by Brian Hobbs | Jun 30, 2014
The ancient Romans had a phrase about winning and losing. In Latin, “Vae victis” meant “woe to the conquered.”
Within the last five years, conservative Christians have known all too well the feeling of being conquered, being on the losing side of many cultural battles. From the unhindered advance of so-called “gay marriage” to the normalization of once looked down upon things like pornography and marijuana use, the Christian view has slipped into a minority in America.
Just days before we celebrate Independence Day, however, the United States Supreme Court delivered Christians a decisive victory, upholding our first and most important freedom through its court ruling about Hobby Lobby.
Baptist Messenger readers will be familiar with the court case at hand, in which the Hobby Lobby owners, the Green Family, objected to paying to certain forms of abortion-inducing drugs required under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). Standing on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, the Court ruled in Hobby Lobby’s favor, 5-4.
The stakes were high, which makes the victory all the more important. This is not just a victory for the Green family though. As Ethics & Religious Liberty President Russell D. Moore pointed out, this is not even just a victory for Christians. This is a victory for everyone. After all, a government big enough to override our religious convictions is a government big enough to take away other liberties too.
This case also is a victory for the unborn. Because of their courage to stand, many companies and Christian institutions will not be forced to provide funds for abortion-inducing drugs. Even if this does not stop one scheduled abortion or one person from using such medicines (though there is good reason to believe it will), we will not be made partners in the action to it.
All that being said, this is no time to gloat or believe a political or judicial solution is going to reverse all of our troubles in this country. Indeed, it will only be by God’s grace that we will see revival in the land and a Church with a renewed vision for reaching the lost.
Trevin Wax of LifeWay resources elaborated on this concern in his piece “The Supreme Court agrees with Hobby Lobby, but your neighbor probably doesn’t.” Wax wrote, “The culture class today is less about the role of religion in business or politics, and more about which vision of humanity best leads to flourishing and should therefore be enshrined in or favored by law.
“As evangelicals, we can’t rely on the courts; we have to be in conversations,” Wax continued. “Not the kind of conversation where we debate the merits of a particular case or where we seek to back opponents into a corner, but the kind of gentle persuasion that rises from a joyful exuberance in one’s faith and a hopeful confidence for the future.”
Fortunately, if religious liberty is protected, we will have a more level “playing field” in which to advance the Gospel. Sure, Hollywood and public opinion will be contrary to Christian beliefs and the Gospel. But such has it always been.
What this case better represents is a check on Caesar’s greedy grasp for more power over conscience. For this we celebrate. For this we are grateful to reside in America, still the home of the free and the land of the brave.
Photo credit: Rob Wilson/Shutterstock.com
by Brian Hobbs | Jun 27, 2014
I recently rode on an airplane next to a man who previously attended a Southern Baptist Church but has fallen out of church. I quickly learned the man (who I will call “Bob”) was probably in his 50’s and had become disenfranchised with organized religion and dropped out.
He was not unchurched; he was what I called “de-churched.” What sparked a two-hour conversation with the man was his question about a book I was reading, Jesus Hates Religion.
The book, by Oklahoma Pastor Alex Himaya, essentially focuses on the trappings of false, man-made religion and points toward Christ and the Doctrine of Grace, all in a clever, catchy packaging. By explaining the truth contained in the book, it led very easily to a faith-based conversation with the man.
Our conversation ended with Bob saying, “You know, it is probably time I get back into church.” We left it at that. Only the Lord knows if he will follow through on that urge to be part of the Church, but it left me pondering.
How could a book that appears anti-Church—or at least anti-religion—create such a spark? Perhaps that is the genius of Himaya’s book. It attracts attention—for and against it—and helps create conversation opportunities that might not otherwise be there.
The risk in writing a book like this is that many today claim to still love Jesus but hate the Church. We have what author and pastor Kevin DeYoung called a “de-corpulation” problem—meaning cutting off the Head of Christ from the Body of Church.
Early on in the book, Himaya makes it clear, however, that “When I say Jesus hates religion, I do not mean God hates the Church. He loves the Church.” Himaya, who has a very interesting religion background, contrasts the good religion we read about in James 1:27 and the bad, meaning man-made approaches to God.
Whether you are like Bob, out of church but still longing for God’s Hand on your life, or if you are a faithful church attendee, this book would be a good read. If you are anti-Christianity, this book too would challenge some presuppositions you might have.
For a more in-depth look at this book, check out this new podcast with Pastor Alex.
by Brian Hobbs | Jun 17, 2014
In most Disney movies, the protagonist is the hero, not the villain. In other words, we see movies through the eyes of the good guys.
In its 2014 release, “Maleficent,” starring Angela Jolie, we see the “Sleeping Beauty” plot through new eyes, specifically from the fairy/witch who cursed the infant Princess Aurora. In this work, the villain becomes the hero—or at least the lens—through which we view the story. This comes with great potential… and some problems.
Positive elements
Perhaps the strongest emphasis of “Maleficent” is true love. The movie distinguishes between this deep, abiding love that has, in this case, the power to save Sleepy Beauty, from an empty or superficial love.
Secondly, though I am no fan of Angelina Jolie, she plays her part to a “T,” and the other actors do well too. The special effects are well done, even if obviously computer-generated. Finally, for a story with a well-worn plot, this movie re-imagines it in new and memorable ways.
Negative elements
Some Christians cannot handle a movie or book that depicts sorcery or witchcraft. While the Bible does condemn witchcraft, there is a difference between make-believe magic and real magic (as I explain here). Be that as it may, parents must make sure their children understand the difference, so the movie would not entice someone to delve into the world of dark arts.
Parents who take their children to this will also need to explain the way romance and love really work, as there are some Hollywood-style of falling in love which could set some bad expectations for later in life.
Spiritual content
The Bible emphasizes that we all have sinned and that no one is truly good (Romans 3). This lesson is sometimes lost in movies, where the heroes are good-as-gold good guys in white hats, and the villains wear black hats and are thoroughly bad. That does not happen here in “Maleficent.” Except for “Sleeping Beauty,” each of the characters have flaws, limitations and sins, which is true to life. We see Maleficent’s wickedness plainly when she issues her famous curse, but we learned what made this once fairly innocent child into a warped woman.
Thus we see that for every sin and sinner, there is a tempter beckoning us to sin (Gen. 3). At the same time, we have the moral responsibility to avoid the bad and do the good. I fear in movies like this and similar works like “Wicked,” we end up making the bad guys too sympathetic of characters and thus exonerating them from guilt. Sometimes it was “their bad childhood” that make them evil. Other times, a bad ex-boyfriend turned them into a rotten person. Still other times, it was the devil who made them do it, thereby freeing them from moral responsibility.
Meanwhile, in a Christian worldview, we know that we each are responsible and accountable for our actions. Yes, each of us is born into sin, but we actualize it through our own actions. In the case of Maleficent, she does evil herself after previously being wronged. Without spoiling the plot, she does take redeeming actions that help to make things right. In Christianity, however, we do not redeem ourselves in a theological sense. Only God through Jesus Christ can restore us and make us righteous.
So, viewers, especially children, would not necessarily walk away from this movie with a helpful way of looking at the world—a right worldview—but there would be some great spiritual and religious conversations to be had.
Overall
Not since Darth Vader can I recall a villain whom people will walk away liking as much. I had no plans to see this movie, but after recommendations from a few people I trust to go see it, we did. It is not a movie I plan to see again or buy, but it gave me plenty to think about and talk about. I will end with a note of caution to parents to make sure your child is old enough to deal with the issues at hand. Just because it is a Disney movie and rated PG does not mean it is safe for the whole family anymore.
Photo credit: Disney
by Brian Hobbs | Jun 2, 2014
Who is an orphan? Why do so many people, including Christians, have broken relationships? Why is God called our Heavenly Father? How important are good relationships to life on earth and in Heaven?
These questions and more are answered in Escape the Lie: Journey to Freedom from the Orphan Heart (Published by Randall House) by author and missionary Walker Moore. For more than 15 years, Walker has been delighting Baptist Messenger readers with his wit, wisdom and humor through a weekly column titled “Right of Passage Parenting.” His latest book exhibits the same practical wisdom drawn from God’s Word and speaks straight to the heart.
Readers already familiar with Walker’s hilarious stories and anecdotes won’t be disappointed, as this book contains numerous powerful stories from his own life and experiences, as well as from others. Yet the work is even weightier, as Walker brings up some of the deepest topics of life, including our relationship with our earthly father and ultimately our Heavenly Father.
Many who read this book will find the tools to mend broken relationships and bring to new heights family relations and friendships. Some will even find forgiveness from God for the first time.
This book, unlike most books published today, is comprehensive in its worldview and has the potential to transform the reader’s life. For example, each chapter contains action points that the reader can immediately implement into life.
Escape the Lie shows the Devil for who he really is (a liar, really the father of all lies) and God the Father for who He is. Whether you are a new believer or have been one for most of your life, this is one work you will not want to live without.
It is readily apparent that Walker brings his many decades in church ministry and missions into focus, offering story after story, precept after precept, that will uplift you. I highly recommend you order a copy for yourself and one to give away (available at Amazon.com or awestar.org). It could be the difference maker in your life between bad and broken relationships to Christ-honoring ones.
by Brian Hobbs | May 28, 2014
I had high hopes going to see Disney’s latest family movie, Million Dollar Arm. The movie is based on a true story and tells of J.B. Bernstein (played by Jon Hamm), a sports agent looking to find a new start athlete to whom he can hitch his wagon. Not finding such in America, he thinks to look toward the untapped market of India, where he believes he can find cricket players who can be converted to all-star baseball pitchers and then “cash in” on their stardom.
Positive elements
Truth is more interesting than fiction often times, and this movie is no exception. The real-life story is unique and shows viewers some of the extreme and interesting parts about life in India. Sports stories, too, provide an added level of drama and fodder for movie makers. In Million Dollar Arm, we get drama, humor and entertainment. We even see the character development of Bernstein and the two ball players he is trying to get into the Big League. There also is a portrayal of how empty a life is that seeks only money and sexual activity. This movie has a good screen play, and the actors are all very believable.
Negative elements
The movie is rated PG and is promoted and one for the whole family. In fact, there were people with children in the theatre in which I saw it. Because of some bad language, depiction of the party life, matter-of-fact references to sex-outside of marriage and so forth, I cannot recommend this movie for families. While we are not led to be like the characters who are portrayed living a bad life, Disney could have done with less crude and off-color content and been just as effective.
Spiritual content
Since much of the movie is based on India, it is to be expected that there would be numerous references to yoga and the Hindu religion. At one point in the story, the two Indian athletes are praying, and Bernstein states matter-of-factly that he does not pray.
The universal values of truth-telling and good family relations are upheld, but any Christian hoping for some positive references to Jesus Christ will walk away disappointed. There could, however, be some springboards for real conversations about faith, and the movies offers a reminder that there is almost the whole sub-continent of India (a billion-plus people) who need the Gospel.
Overall
I mentioned that I walked into the movie with high hopes. I love sports, baseball and even cricket. I have taken a missions trip to India, and my heart aches for that noble place. That is partly why I walked away from Million Dollar Arm a bit disappointed. The movie, which certainly was well done, I am grading down for including things it shouldn’t have (and leaving out things it should).
Rating
2.5 of 4
Photo credit: Disney