by Brian Hobbs | Sep 24, 2013
If you live anywhere close to “Sooner Nation,” you are likely to have heard about the controversy surrounding the new Pride of Oklahoma marching band director, Justin Stolarik.
Dr. Stolarik, who hails from out of state, made waves in August for changes to the longtime pre-game marching band routine, which includes fan-favorites such as the interlocking OU formation. While the University backed off of most of the changes after the public outcry, Stolarik’s woes continued as Pride alumni and others continue to criticize his work.
Some went so far as to distribute flyers prior to the OU-Tulsa football game, asking fans not to cheer for the Pride as a sign of protest. As a former Pride member, I wish to wade into the mix and address some comments specifically to Christians.
It’s only polyester
“Live on University,” the famous OU chant, brings rise to deep emotions within us. I admit that wearing the polyester uniform, memorizing the fight song and performing each week in front of thousands has its deep-seated imprint on my life. Indeed the combination of sports and the alma mater indeed take on a special place in life.
At the same time, there are things more important than sports and football traditions. As Christians, our highest loyalties belong to Christ. While Dr. Stolarik or someone else may be able to sweep away what people hold dear at the University of Oklahoma, no one can take away the Faith, given once and for all (Jude 1:3).
“Trrr-adition”
“Fiddler on the Roof,” the classic Broadway musical, opens with the popular song “Tradition,” in which the main character “Tevye” explains all of life in Jewish society through that one word. He is ferocious when his people’s traditions are challenged, and the same attitude is showing up in Oklahoma.
Now, I am as upset as the next person about the band traditions being changed. In fact, what this society needs as much as any time in history are positive traditions that can be passed on to future generations. We are in a crisis in America largely because we are rootless.
Be that as it may, Christians ought to beware of making too much of man-made traditions. Christ Himself warned of propping up man-made traditions (Mark 7:8), and Christians who are worked up about this should check our priorities.
Do unto others…
For those who do not have a Christian worldview, it is to be expected that a non-Christ-like attitude would emerge. As Christians, however, we are called to more. Disagree with Dr. Stolarik all you want, but do so with gentleness and respect.
To quote the Apostle Paul, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).
In the end, this controversy will pass. Meanwhile, we will all stand before God someday and give account as to how we responded to it, whether we were in the band or not.
by Brian Hobbs | Sep 12, 2013
The latest company to join the bandwagon of those extending employee benefits to same-sex couples just so happens to be the largest and highest profile. Walmart, the world-largest private employer announced in August, that couples “living together in an ongoing, exclusive, committed relationship — similar to marriage — for at least 12 months” now will receive health care benefits if their partner is a full-time employee.
The move, which reportedly came in response to pressure from so-called “gay rights” activists, was lauded as a “historic action.” Indeed it is. While it is unsure how many people this will affect (Walmart has more than 1 million workers, with half reported to be enrolled in its health care plan), the move is significant mostly in what it represents.
While many Christians who have faithfully shopped at Walmart for decades are alarmed at the company’s compliance with the push for “same-sex marriage,” what is going almost unnoticed is that the company is, perhaps inadvertently, undermining marriage in a much more direct way.
Walmart’s benefits for same-sex and married couples are available to those who are merely cohabiting. Therein lies the largest problem. The debate still rages whether homosexual couples can successfully raise children (though we who are approaching the issue from a Biblical standpoint know where it will necessarily lead). The debate is closed, however, on the matter of cohabitation. It is decidedly bad for children.
Children in homes of cohabitation are more likely to be abused, less likely to graduate from high school and are more likely to become sexually active (“Monkey see, monkey do”), as NPR reported as recently as 2011. This comes as little surprise, as cohabitation arrangements are inherently unstable.
According to the Baptist Press, “Walmart previously had offered benefits to domestic partners of employees,” but only in states that required the company to do so by law. In this latest policy move, Walmart has effectively made cohabitation an equal option to marriage.
Many believe Walmart founder Sam Walton would be ashamed to know that his company would do anything to harm children. And rewarding men and women who, to use an old term, “shack up,” with the same benefits of those who do not is tantamount to child mistreatment. Walmart should remember the law of unintended consequences. While the company many have scored some short-term political points and a publicity boost with this move, the long-term implications may likely cause the social fabric to tear apart even more quickly—like a cheaply made shirt.
by Brian Hobbs | Aug 21, 2013
Oklahoma has found itself in the international news spotlight once again, as two teens are accused of killing a 22-year old man in Duncan just “for the fun of it.”
The problem of evil shows its head again, as the community and victims ask “Why?” This problem boils down to the following: If there is an all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves us, why does He not stop evil from happening to us?
In his seminal work, “The Problem of Pain,” the great C.S. Lewis seeks to answer this question, which he believed was the greatest challenge to Christianity. Though you should read the book, Professor Louis Markos of Houston Baptist University summarized it in one phrase, “free will.”
In other words, God could have created a universe in which men only acted out His wishes, but from creation He gave us the ability to choose the good or choose evil. For the Reformed and Calvinists among us, this answer may not be satisfactory. But what Lewis was getting to is that the explanation of pain and evil is sin, and the fallen nature of man.
In his exquisite Confessions, St. Augustine recalls a time in the days of his youth when he and his friends stole pears from someone’s pear tree, not to eat from them, but for the pure glee of doing evil. Sound familiar?
Lewis went on to say that were it not for the goodness of God, we would not even know what evil is. In other words, how do we know what a crooked line looks like if we do not know a straight one? Mankind’s hearts are desperately wicked the Scriptures tell us (Jeremiah 17:9) and the enemy, Satan, is always tempting men to do evil.
On a deeper level, as we grieve the death of this man, it is important to focus on what we know. But now is not is not the time for a cold, theological analysis. It is always best to turn people’s “Why?” into a focus on “Who?” Only God can right all wrongs. Only Jesus Christ lived the sinless life. In Him alone, we have life and hope amid the darkest days of evil.
by Brian Hobbs | Aug 9, 2013
From the ones who brought you Pixar’s Cars and Cars 2 comes the newest animated picture, Planes. As the name suggests, the movie revolves around airplanes, including “Dusty Crophopper,” a dust-cropping airplane who wants to be the best plane racer in the world.
Positive Elements
The characters (planes) within the movie had a unique flair, each representing a different country like India, Britain or Mexico. Without spoiling the plot, the planes world-wide race took them around the globe and through some amazing scenery. Moreover, this underdog-who-fights-the-odds-to-compete story will fire the imagination of many children, and the military references are all positive.
Negative Elements
The movie was fairly clean and family-friendly, but there were some crude jokes and double references throughout. Further, there are several moments depicting wooing a love interest between a man and woman (plane) that parents will have to explain. Finally, the characters did not quite live up to the lively personalities of Cars, such as “Lightening McQueen” and “Tow-mater.”
Spiritual Content
The religious and spiritual references in the movie were, unfortunately, nonChristian. In fact, there is a recycling reference while they are in India that clearly implies reincarnation. Be that as it may, the movie upholds the timeless, universal truth of, well, truth. Further, the heroes and villains each display the goodwill and ill-will that will help children recognize right and wrong.
Overall
Within the Pixar movie library, Cars and Cars 2 are among the most beloved. Because of that, this movie was bound to fall short of those expectations. If compared to the ordinary children’s/family movie, however, it was above average and fairly entertaining. There are some scenes that could scare some of the youngest of viewers, and parents really need to make sure children know that the crude references and imitative phrases are a no-no. Nevertheless, I predict Planes will do pretty well at the box office, as Cars fans turn out in fleets to see it (though they just might leave with their tires a little deflated).
Rating: 2.5 stars
by Brian Hobbs | Jul 29, 2013
Have you ever had a movie sneak up on you and exceed your expectations? That happened to me with “Turbo” (rated PG), a new DreamWorks animated movie for the whole family.
According to the movie’s website, “Turbo is a high velocity comedy about an underdog snail who kicks into overdrive when he miraculously attains the power of super-speed. … he puts his heart and shell on the line to help his pals achieve their dreams, before Turbo-charging his own impossible dream: winning the Indy 500.”
Positive elements
For starters, the voice talents in this movie, which included Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, fit the parts perfect. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud funny moments for adults, not only the children. Further, this movie was a clean movie. Not only were there few, if any, bad words, the characters did not do the usual cheap laugh gimmicks, like loud belching. Finally, the movie excels at character development (yes, they are only snails, but they represent people here, like in Aesop’s fables. There are people in the movie too that give the movie warmth and a little more depth).
Negative elements
There’s little to say here, save one thing. If you are highly, hyper-sensitive to anything approaching ethnic stereotypes, there is a small chance you could be offended by some of the stereotypes displayed on the silver screen. Again, you would have to really be thin-skinned to take offense to say, the French-Canadian Indy race car driver “Gagne,” who exhibits some of the famed quirks of French Canadians.
Spiritual elements
In one scene, one of the snails thinks he has died and gone to heaven. In another, one of the characters makes a passing reference to confirmation (in a Lutheran or Catholic sense). While the movie does not explicitly direct the viewer to God, there are godly characteristics on display, such as perseverance, hope and faith to name a few.
Overall
Yes, the plot is far-fetched and unrealistic. If you set that aside and enjoy the ride, for a run-of-mill family movie, “Turbo” will provide entertainment, laughs and some good life-lesson conversations. This is one movie we will highly consider adding to our DVD/Blu-Ray collection.
Rating: 3.5 stars (out of 4)