by Michael Foust | Apr 5, 2019
The inspiring historical drama ‘The Best of Enemies’ (PG-13) opens this weekend, telling the unlikely story of a civil rights activist who befriended a KKK president
Ann is an outspoken civil rights activist who has never had
an opinion she didn’t want to share.
C.P. is a low-keyed Klu Klux Klan president who has never
seen a black person he didn’t hate.
They come from opposite sides of town and opposite ends of
the ideological spectrum, and now they’re being asked to find common ground on
an issue—school integration—that has divided the city of Durham, N.C.
The inspiring historical drama The Best of Enemies (PG-13) opens this weekend, telling the
unlikely true story of how a black woman (Ann Atwater) and a white racist (C.P.
Ellis) helped end school segregation in a corner of North Carolina in 1971 when
hatred and racial strife were dominating local politics.
One of the city’s black schools had been damaged in a fire,
forcing Durham officials to try to find a new home for hundreds of black
students. With white city officials dragging their feet in integration and
neither side willing to budge, a judge ordered a 10-day charrette—a forum in
which two sides come together to try to forge an agreement. The 12-member
council included six black people and six white people, with Atwater and Ellis
leading their respective sides. At the end of the 10 days, they voted.
The film stars Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures) as Atwater, Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) as Ellis, and Babou
Ceesay (A.D. The Bible Continues) as
charrette organizer Bill Riddick. All three are spectacular.
The Best of
Enemies
is historical drama at its finest, although its inclusion of racial slurs and
other strong language may repel some moviegoers.
The movie’s spiritual themes (reconciliation, redemption and
standing up for righteousness) shine through the hate-filled rhetoric. Ann
Atwater had a salty tongue—in the film and in real life—but she was a
churchgoer, too.
“Same God (that) made you made me,” Ann tells C.P.
Warning: moderate/major
spoilers!
(Scale key:
none, minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Moderate. We see KKK members shoot into a single woman’s
home after they learn she is dating a black man (She survives). Later, they
break into her home and threaten to harm her unless she says she’s not friends
with black people (They make her use the n-word).
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
Minimal. A woman is seen in a bra.
Coarse
Language
Moderate. N-word (19), h-ll (6), d–n (3), a– (2), s–t
(2), misuse of “Christ” (1), GD (1).
Life Lessons
It’s difficult to watch The
Best of Enemies and not see parallels to our modern-day divided society,
where hostility is the norm, goodwill is rare and trust is nearly
nonexistent.
Thankfully, Ann and C.P. demonstrate a better way, even if
they do get off to a rough start.
We learn lessons about loving your enemy and doing good to
those who hate you (Ann goes out of her way to help C.P.’s mentally challenged
son, who is institutionalized).
We learn that hate-filled hearts can change, if we are
patient (C.P., by the end of the film, views black people in a different light).
We learn the benefits of relationships, community and
conversations (Both sides watch their preconceptions disappear when they are
forced to talk to and work alongside one another).
We learn that talking to one another—instead of about one
another—can solve problems (Imagine that!).
It’s easy to hate a person you’ve never met. It’s much more
difficult when you’re face to face, learning about their problems, their
weaknesses. Pretty soon, you discover you have a lot in common.
Perhaps America could benefit from a charrette in 2019.
Worldview/Application
Jesus commanded us: “Love
your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). We see that
demonstrated in The Best of Enemies—so
much so that C.P. begins doubting what he’s been taught about other races. “I’m
the president of the Klan. I’m supposed to hate black folks,” he says.
It isn’t a faith-based film, but it has more spiritual
themes than seen in most mainstream movies.
The final 15 minutes drove me to tears and had me clapping,
too.
Discussion
Questions
1. What led C.P. to change his views about other races?
2. Do you think a modern-day charrette would work?
3. Name three biblical lessons from The Best of Enemies.
4. Was Ann’s outspokenness helpful or harmful?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5
stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out
of 5 stars.
Rated PG-13 for thematic material, racial epithets, some violence and a suggestive reference.
PHOTO CREDIT: STX
by Hannah Hanzel | Apr 2, 2019
Recently, a friend of mine got me hooked on a show. I love a
good TV show, so the draw was quick and the investment was easy. You may
recognize the show simply from the title of this blog, or from a few quick
quotes here:
“How you doin’?”
“Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!”
“We were on a BREAK!”
A lot could be said for the 10 season, fan-favorite TV show
called “Friends.” The show started in 1994 (a year before I was born), wrapped
up in 2004 and lives on in the hearts of many Millennials and Gen Xers today.
The story was simple, though often got migraine-worthy complicated more times
than not. The narrative displays six young adult friends who are doing their
best to navigate relationships, careers, pop culture, failures, successes and
conflicts that face every young adult trying to find their way in life.
I thoroughly enjoy vegging on the couch and watching an
episode (or 20…) of Friends after a
day of work. Though I find relaxation and joy in this, many times I can’t help
but analyze the show from my Christian worldview and feel sad for these
friends. In at least every other episode there is critical miscommunication,
crushingly selfish actions and a shameless parade of sexual jokes, comments and
behavior.
In this blog, my desire is first to highlight some key red
flags that, as believers, should bother us in Friends. Lastly, I will then offer gold stars to positive
friendship goals portrayed in the show.
Red Flags:
‘Follow your heart’ mentality
Through nearly every episode, we see characters face hard or
conflicting decisions. In the end, the person has a realization of what their
heart “truly” wants.
So, naturally, they follow their heart into unwed sex as they
face temptation. They follow their heart into self-serving situations as they
face others. They follow their heart into silence as they face injustice or
discomfort.
It’s not surprising that each of these characters take these
actions at the whim of their heart. Nonbelievers will act like nonbelievers,
and we should neither be surprised nor angry with them when they behave as such.
Believers, however, should always take note and weigh the repercussions of
following their heart over following the Spirit.
Casual use of
pornography
Pornography has plagued our culture. It has been around
longer than you think and is here to stay, as long as believers wish war against it rather than wage war against it.
Friends characters
continually paint pornography merely as a tool for sexual arousal,
self-satisfying therapy or a “how-to” guide. It is portrayed as humorous,
normal and even beneficial. I’ve seen this played out in current TV shows such
as New Girl, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
and others as well. Don’t give the Enemy a foothold by adopting a casual use or
view of pornography.
Unrealistic relationship
pressures
The show is consistently nurturing discontentment and shame
in being single. When a couple breaks up (or “takes a break”), immediate
pressure is placed on them to resolve this issue called “loneliness.” The
behavior and mentality are naturally adopted by the viewers.
I, myself, have found an increased struggle to manage my contentment in singleness the more immersed in the show I become. I consistently must remind myself that my loneliness is cast out by the omnipresent Father.
Gold Stars:
They build each other
up
The characters in Friends
are continually building each other up. It may come in either a sarcastic
comment or a warm hug, but there is no doubt about it—these friends are here
for each other. This can be elevated and increased in Christian relationships as
friends spiritually sharpen one another (Prov. 27:17).
They have moderate
boundaries
Boundaries aren’t these characters’ strong suits, especially
when it comes to sexual temptation, but they are something I consider gold star
worthy. However, I reserve the right to demote them to a silver star as I wrap
up the ninth season.
The Bible tells us that we should be careful and thoughtful
in how we handle our friendships (Prov. 12:26). As believers, we should be able
to surpass those in the TV show by simply being prayerful about our
relationships. There should especially be caution and boundaries between
friends of the opposite sex.
They are sacrificial
The friends in this TV show exemplify sacrificial love as
best can be displayed in a secular sitcom. In most episodes, their sacrifice
comes in the form of surrendering time, effort or respect. John 15:13, however,
tells believers that more is required of godly friendships. We are called to
lay down our lives for our friends. There is no greater love.
On one hand, I love this TV show, and often find
encouragement from its gold stars. On the other hand, I’ve had to check my
flesh and spirit as I feed my body with the red flag elements of the show. I
would like to encourage you, friends, to continually check, not only your
friendships, but also things of which you fill your mind.
What we listen to, watch, read and consume will affect our
friendships, and even more so, will affect our view of God.
by Emily Howsden | Apr 1, 2019
I don’t know about you, but on Mondays especially, I need a wake-up call.
Normally I have just spent a nice weekend with my family, either relaxing or every minute was scheduled, and I need one more day to recover from my busy weekend.
So, this morning, as I was taping my eyelids back (kidding) due to lack of sleep because I still can’t seem to get myself to bed at a reasonable time (not kidding), I stumbled upon an Instagram story by Annie F. Downs.
Annie F. Downs is a powerhouse speaker, full of transparency and just love for God and people. She’s my kind of person. She challenged her followers to read the book of Jude—so being the obedient Millennial that I am, I did it.
Jude is the second-to-last book in the Bible, and just 25 verses long, so go read it right now, so we can be on the same wave length.
HELLO MONDAY WAKEUP CALL!
It starts heating up in verse 12, under a section labeled “The Apostates Doom” in my Bible. Jude is serving a warning about people and behaviors of which you should flee.
Verse 12 says, “These are the ones who are like dangerous reefs at your love feasts. They feast with you, only nurturing themselves without fear. They are waterless clouds…”
Verse 16 continues saying, “These people are discontented grumblers walking according to their desires, their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage…”
Seventeen through 19 continue, “But you, dear friends, remember the words foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; they told you, ‘In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires.’ These people create division and are merely natural, not having the Spirit.”
What a gut punch, am I right? Have you ever feasted only to nurture yourself? I have. Have you been a waterless cloud? A tree that doesn’t produce fruit?
Does “discontented grumbler walking according to their desires,” sound like you at any point in your life? I know that has been me.
Scripture like this not only makes me ashamed for my selfish
and sinful ways, but it challenges me. It makes me want to say, “Hey Jude!
Thank you for the wakeup call!”
Verses 20-23 say, “But you, dear friends, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. Have mercy on some who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; on others have mercy in fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
I am so thankful when the Lord uses one of His servants to challenge me spiritually by calling out my sins and flaws. He follows with how I can be like Him.
I am so thankful that I can turn from my wordly desires and actions, and through the death and resurrection of Jesus, I can turn my eyes toward eternity in Heaven, “expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.”
I’ll wrap up with verses 24-25. “Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our Savior; through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now, and forever. Amen.”
by Chris Doyle | Mar 29, 2019
Greetings!
I’m tired. Karen decided we needed a new bedroom furniture
set, which was delivered this morning. The problem is, we live among a bunch of
clutter, so the clutter had to be relocated in order to make room for the new
furniture.
The new bedframe with tall headboard, new dresser and two
bedside tables look really nice. Karen’s excited because, as she declared, it’s
the biggest addition for the house we have purchased since we’ve been married.
I’m whooped from all the rearranging. Olive is worn out too,
from stressing over her confusion of what we were doing.
But I have just enough energy to offer thoughts on six
timely topics. Thanks for reading!
1. Smith’s series on ‘Transgender
Moment’
WordSlingers’ blogger Ryan Smith is offering a three-part
series on “The Church and the Transgender Moment.” Part
two was published on the website yesterday, and I think Ryan’s commentary
is excellent and helpful.
He reminded me of a piece I wrote almost five
years ago, after I attended a conference focused on the Gospel and issues
of sexuality. I mentioned in that blog how the church is not prepared for major
social changes, especially ones relating to LGBTQ issues. Looking back then and
comparing to now, local churches today may be more aware, but I am curious from
a national perspective how well churches are ministering.
Ryan’s part-two piece is relevant to this, and I especially
appreciate how he shares the gender issue is not all that new for the Christian
church.
2. Modern-day take on
a N.T. parable
Some of my favorite blogs are of those who share how Bible
passages are relevant. Peter Gurry discusses an interesting question on Jesus’
story on The
Rich Man and Lazarus. He asks whether or not the teaching illustration is a
parable (fictional) or an actual occurrence.
I remember being taught in my younger years that since there
was a specific name, Lazarus, mentioned, it was to be concluded as a real
event.
I appreciate Gurry’s diagnostic approach in his commentary
and his conclusion:
“Bank balances aside, none of
us is above helping others; we are all beggars helping beggars. When I see the
homeless, the helpless or the hurting, I should see myself, because this is
what I am like before God.”
3. Wax on Gospel and
justice
Another one of my favorite bloggers in Trevin Wax. This week
he took on the sensitive issue of how the Gospel
should relate to social justice.
Wax’s breakdown of how evangelical Christians seem to think
every issue is two-sided. I agree that it is more important to learn from
everybody regardless and not think Christians who may differ on an issue are
not that far apart.
“My point here is not to
offer a middle or a third way on these debates,” Wax wrote, “but to call
brothers and sisters who share a common commitment to biblical authority to
recognize that they may be closer on the spectrum than they realize. Those who
see these debates as two distinct sides would do well to articulate the real
dangers of their own side (quietism and social apathy in some circles, and ideological
compromise and theological liberalism in others).”
4. Abortion and the
movies
Today is the theater debut of the movie Unplanned. Wordslingers entertainment writer Michael Foust offered
his review
on the movie, and he and others have considered it a “must-see” movie.
Brett McCracken wrote an interesting piece this week on how movies
promoting abortion are rather rare, especially compared to the abundance of
movies that present a more favorable message regarding the Sanctity of Life.
“There is no way to depict or
even suggest abortion on screen without reminding audiences of
the ugly, ‘doing harm to another’ violence of the practice,” McCracken wrote.
5. Tramel’s travels
Berry Tramel, Oklahoman sports columnist, likes to
offer travel blogs whenever he makes a business trip, covering athletic events.
I love reading about Berry’s adventures.
His latest travel blog, about
his trip to Columbia, S.C. to cover the OU men’s basketball team in the NCAA
tournament, is almost like a modern day version of the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Check it
out here.
6. Get paid to watch MCU movies
I like watching the Marvel
superhero movies. I especially like how many of them string together almost
like a single TV drama. Marvel struck gold with this approach, especially as
they are building up their latest film Avengers:
Endgame which will be in theaters April 26.
Now a company is offering
someone $1,000 to binge watch the 20 movies that relate to the latest Avengers
movie. Check out the story here.
Reportedly, it would take 40
hours to watch them all back-to-back. And the company wants the movie fan they
pay to also offer social media commentary while they are binge watching.
Do you think you would be up
for this offer?
by Michael Foust | Mar 29, 2019
Disney’s film ‘Dumbo’ opens this weekend, giving us a live-action remake of the 1941 animated classic.
Holt Farrier is a dispirited father who lost his left arm in
battle and his wife to influenza.
Yes, he still has his two young children and his job in the
traveling Medici Brothers Circus, but things have changed since he returned
from World War I. His relationship with his daughter has suffered. His job—as a
horse-riding stuntman—has suffered, too. Circus owner Max Medici sold the horses.
This means Farrier has a new task: taking care of the
pregnant elephant.
“It’s a big job,” Medici tells him.
That’s because the elephant’s calf will become the center of
the show. Newspapers will cover it. Most importantly, Medici will sell more
tickets.
Yet something strange happens when Medici’s pregnant
elephant gives birth. This new calf has most of the features of an elephant—a
trunk, a large head and a body the size of a boulder—but it has
larger-than-normal ears, too. They’re so big, in fact, that they cover its
face.
Medici is incensed.
“I already got fake freaks in the freak show. I don’t need a
real one in the center ring,” he says.
This new baby elephant, labeled “Dumbo,” gets insulted
wherever it goes. Soon, though, it displays a unique talent that transforms it
from “freak” into an attention-grabbing phenom.
Disney’s film Dumbo
opens this weekend, giving us a live-action remake of the 1941 animated classic
that was nominated for two Oscars and won one. It stars Colin Farrell (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)
as Farrier, Danny DeVito (Throw Momma
from the Train) as Medici, and Michael Keaton (Spider-Man: Homecoming) as V. A. Vandevere, a theme park owner who
purchases Medici’s circus.
The movie stays true to the core story of the original while
giving it a third act beyond Dumbo’s discovering that he can fly. Like the
original, it also includes plenty of positive life lessons for children.
Warning:
minor/moderate spoilers!
(Scale key:
none, minimal, moderate, extreme)
Violence/Disturbing
Minimal. The film opens with the two children, Milly and
Joe, meeting their father at the train station and discovering he lost an arm
in World War I. We then learn their mother died from influenza. Holt later
punches a man who is mistreating Dumbo’s mother. A circus tent pole falls on a
man, who dies (It’s not graphic; we then see the coroner). One of the sections
of Vandevere’s theme park Dreamland is “Nightmare Island,” where the “most
dangerous beasts in the world” are kept (It houses wolves and an elephant named
Kali the Destroyer, but will trouble only sensitive children). Several times in
the film, Dumbo and other circus artists perform high-wire acts that place them
in peril. Later in the film, a tent catches fire, endangering a family.
Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity
None.
Coarse
Language
Minimal. H-ll (3), misuse of “God,” and an unfinished “bull—-.”
Other
Positive Elements
Dumbo’s mother protects her son, and he loves her in return.
It’s touching. Milly and Joe love and encourage Dumbo in the midst of the
taunts.
Other Stuff
You Might Want To Know
Medici encourages Milly to learn telepathy (she doesn’t). A
Hindu man, seeing Dumbo fly, say his people believe “gods can take animal
form.”
Life Lessons
Our social media-crazed, hyper-critical society needs Dumbo, simply to help children
understand and respond to bullying. It’s painful to watch him get insulted. Yet
it’s wonderful to watch him overcome the taunts and to discover his unique
ability. It’s also uplifting to watch Milly and Joe encourage him. Like Wonder, Dumbo helps us empathize with
the character being bullied. It also gives us a positive example of responding
to it.
The film provides not one but two characters with
disabilities (Dumbo and Farrier). It also presents multiple characters who are
battling a loss (Dumbo and Milly and Joe).
Of course, the movie teaches us to have courage. After all,
the feather Dumbo trusted had no magical power.
Worldview/Application
Dumbo isn’t a Christian movie, but its
core message—all of us are unique and loved—is founded in Christian principles.
We are all made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26), and we are all valuable to Him—disabled
and non-disabled. That’s a message all children need to learn from Dumbo.
Sponsors
Spirit Airlines and The Giving Keys are the primary
sponsors.
What Works
The interaction between animation and real-life characters.
Yes, it’s a normal part of movie magic, but it never grows old. The film’s
animal-human parallel—Dumbo and Farrier—is a nice touch, too.
What Doesn’t
Farrell’s Southern accent.
Discussion
Questions
1. What did you learn about bullying from watching Dumbo?
2. What did Dumbo
teach you about disabilities?
3. What can you do to encourage others who are different?
Entertainment rating: 3 out of 5
stars. Family-friendly rating: 4 out
of 5 stars.
Rated PG for peril/action, some thematic elements, and brief mild language.
PHOTO CREDIT: Disney
by Emily Howsden | Mar 25, 2019
Over the weekend, I was faced with a couple of different instances where I could have chosen to stay mad and hold a grudge. In some situations, I did a good job of deciding to choose joy over resentment or anger. However, in another instance, I failed.
I am preaching to the choir right now because I am currently harboring hard feelings about someone… someone with four legs that barks.
I’m talking about my dog. Over the weekend she ate some food we had planned to eat for dinner off of the counter, and I’m still mad about it. This happened on Saturday, and I continued to be mad on Sunday, even until about noon today, the following Monday.
It was no coincidence that the speaker who visited our church talked about forgiveness. He told the story of a man, well into his 80s, who was still harboring resentment toward his father because of something that happened in his childhood.
I was thinking yesterday, as I let what my dog did ruin yet another day, what good does it do when I continue to be angry? It doesn’t make me feel better. My dog hasn’t thought about it since the incident. Why am I still angry?
There have been times in my life, and I’m sure even yours, that you chose to be mad at someone, and maybe you gave them the silent treatment rather than talking to them about what is on your heart.
Maybe you took other actions, of which you aren’t proud, to prove a point, or to make them hurt too. Have you felt good about these decisions and actions? I know when I have done things out of spite I never come away feeling good about what I’ve done.
What if your action caused your brother or sister in Christ to stumble further, and leaves an even bigger ripple effect of angry, spiteful actions from people? Is that something for which you want to be responsible?
In Matthew, we’ve all heard the verse in which the Lord
tells Peter how many times he’s supposed to forgive someone. Matthew 18:21-22
says,
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
Do yourself a big favor and bring your anger and burdens to the cross and lay them at Jesus’ feet.
Our anger and bitterness are just two things that were included in the payment of our sins when Jesus died on the cross on Calvary’s hill. Give these things to Jesus and feel the overpowering feeling of redemption and freedom that His blood offers.