From time to time I hear comments made by Christians that seem to grind against what I have come to believe through my own Christian experience. Like all Christians, my theology and personal perspective as a believer have been shaped by a variety of sources. Yet for me personally, I can testify that, to the best of my knowledge, I have allowed the Bible to shape what I know, believe, and stand on as a Christian. What I am proposing must begin at this point, for all policies of conversation, both great and small, begin here.
Recently I "dipped" into a conversation that a mother was having with her young daughter. Mom was correcting some comment her daughter had made about someone being "ugly." I listened as mom chastised the little girl and then instructed that "all people are beautiful, no one is ugly." I thought to myself, what a strange perspective...and one I do not agree with.
Perhaps there are many ways to speak of beauty, such as the beauty found in minds, attitudes, and voices. I have witness for myself such beauty and I was privileged to behold it. Yet, there is also ugliness. This also can be seen in the mind, attitude, and voice. And like any who choose to open their eyes, this ugliness is easy to find and behold as well.
Yet we have yet to speak of the beauty and lack thereof that surrounds us and which this mother was instructing her young daughter. This, of course, is the physical appearance of the human being. Is there such a thing as beautiful and ugly here too? I believe there is.
I have never in my life been viewed as physically beautiful, yet truth be told, few have. Like most people, heads do not turn when I enter a crowded room. I've never stood out as someone to be gawked at. Now this is not to say that I scare away small children or peal the paint off houses, I am simply ordinary in the realm of physical appearance.
I am an example of one who should be contrasted with others. There are some who are blessed with physical beauty. There are those, when entering a room, draw all attention to themselves. They do this unwillingly, and sometimes unknowingly, for they are beautiful to look upon. They are the ones, in the times where our paths cross theirs, that the air around them seems to tingle and declare their loveliness. They are beautiful, and some, stunningly so!
The Scriptures do not openly instruct how we are to judge physical beauty, but it does reveal from time to time that there are some who possess extra-ordinary, exceptional beauty. In 2 Samuel 14:25, we read,
"In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him."
We also read of the comparison and contrast between Rachel and Leah. In Genesis 29:17 we read,
"Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful."
This quality of beauty was also seen in Abraham's wife. She was so lovely to look upon, that Abraham, at times, feared for his life to be seen with her in public. You can read for yourself his dilemma in Genesis 12:10-20.
These are but a few examples, but it seems obvious, both from the Bible and from common sense, that there are a few who enjoy the blessings of physical beauty. They stand in contrast to others. These others, who make up the many, do not possess beauty and therefore do not bear the weight of such a responsibility. To be beautiful is to bear the weight of great responsibility.
Those who possess beauty, possess both the possibility of a blessing and a cursing at the same time. It is so with any gift. In the same way that a preacher can become enamored with his gift of insight and proclamation, so too can the beautiful fall in love with their beauty.
It is a tragic thing to witness one of beautiful fall into the curse of vanity. The gifts of God are to always remain gifts. To seek to own a gift, to take it and use it for oneself, is vain and it will corrupt the very heart. In particular, when beauty becomes the passion and focus of the lovely one's life, everything in their life shifts toward their beauty. From the clothing they wear to the surgeries they endure, their life becomes twisted in order to obtain, possess, and preserve the gift of beauty.
The Bible is clear; our life is to revolve around Jesus. We are driven by the Holy Spirit in matters of daily physical routine, such as dressing our bodies. Even this menial task is to bring glory to God. When our obsession shifts from Jesus to beauty, the clothing of our bodies also shifts. We then dress not for Him whom we serve, but for the curse of beauty in which we are enslaved.
I believe there is such a thing as physical beauty that sets some apart from others. To deny this fact of life is not only to willfully live in deception, but to alleviate the beautiful of the God given responsibility in which all gifts are given.
I challenge those who are blessed with beauty, to walk cautiously before the Lord your God in recognition and awareness of the gift bestowed upon you. Do not seek to hold on to it, nor seek to use it for yourself. Rather, be the blessing to others that you were created to be. And in modesty, be the revelation of Christ's wonderful handiwork. The Bible has much to say about physical appearance and the Holy Spirit, through the vehicle of the Church, will help you understand and see yourself as God Himself sees you.
As for the rest of us, I would encourage that we praise God for the beautiful around us. That we enjoy, through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, the wonder of our great God's creation. Beauty is a delight to behold, but a curse to take for oneself. Allow the gifts of God to remain gifts and pray continually for wisdom in all such matters that pertain to the physical.
To Christ be the glory, in CrossStyle,
Jeremiah Bolich
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Is Strawberry Shortcake Going To Hell?
Like most Sunday’s, my family and I were invited by the pastor to join his family for dinner. So, after the service we piled into the Jeep and followed the pastor to Applebee’s. About half way into town, another unexpected conversation arose between my wife and I and our five year old son. The conversation began when CJ broke through the silence calling from the back seat, “Dad, Strawberry Shortcake is not a Christian.”
For those of you who have never purchased girly greeting cards or do not frequent the Saturday morning cartoon channels, Strawberry Shortcake is a fictional character born in the 70’s, but recently revamped to capture the attention of my 3 year old daughter. Strawberry Shortcake and her “Berry Friends” inspire children with their challenging adventures in and around Berry Bitty City. Each episode explores topics ranging from love and friendship to honesty and compassion. Strawberry Shortcake is a cute, sweet, and charming little girl who while capturing the heart of my daughter, has raised some serious questions in the mind of my 5 year old son.
It seemed plain from the look on my daughter’s face, that CJ must be out of his mind to even suggest that the cute little moral, upright, loving and compassionate Strawberry Shortcake would one day face judgement and damnation. Wanting to keep the peace in the backseat and without thinking to deeply about what was stirring in the mind of my son, I responded with “Sure she is CJ.” “We like Strawberry Shortcake, don’t we Lani?” Without missing a beat, CJ responded saying “Then why doesn’t she ever talk about Jesus?”
Strawberry Shortcake Christianity
Like I have, I think most people probably accept without really thinking about it the Strawberry Shortcake version of Christianity. She is modest, kind, and without question, moral. Strawberry Shortcake is safe and like my wife and I, many parents entrust our daughters to her for a few hours each week. Yet is she Christian? Does she embody and model the message that Jesus called the Church to embrace?
I need to openly confess that I do not insist that my children watch only Christian television. Nor do I insist that they play with only Christian toys. I think part of parenting is training your children to differentiate not only between what is Christian and what is not, but also between what is beneficial, tolerable and adverse. The issue at stake in our conversation Sunday afternoon was not so much whether or not Strawberry Shortcake was beneficial, tolerable or adverse, but whether or not she could be called Christian.
Some might think drawing lines in the sand over these kinds of issues is more problematic than beneficial, especially at the age of 5 years old, but I would strongly disagree. First, because often times, as in this case, these kinds of sticky conversations are not initiated by us, but pressed upon us. Another question could be asked at this point; who is doing the pressing? Could we answer and say the Holy Spirit? I think we not only can, but should say “Yes!”, it is He. I believe Jesus is at work behind the scenes in these types of uncomfortable situations. He brings them about, they do not simply arise out of thin air. Therefore, lines must be drawn.
Secondly, these lines should be drawn for the sake of The Message itself. We as Christians do great injustice when we sweep under the rug opportunities that come as vehicles to carry others into a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. Life is not simple. It is complex and dangerous and sometimes filled with questions that allow for no easy answers. It is sometimes cowardly and most of the time lazy to simply not engage when the time comes to do battle over what is Truly Christian and what is only nice and sweet.
Like our fictional character Strawberry Shortcake, the politically correct version of Christianity often times tolerated by those of us in the Church is also fictional. The sum of cute and kind do not equal to Christianity. The message Jesus came to show and tell is much more than what Strawberry Shortcake, as good as she is, models to our children, and we are called to be courageous and even a little narrow in what we proclaim as right and true Christianity.
It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit would guide us through the quagmire of these life kinds of events and that He would be both glorified and made known through them.
For those of you who have never purchased girly greeting cards or do not frequent the Saturday morning cartoon channels, Strawberry Shortcake is a fictional character born in the 70’s, but recently revamped to capture the attention of my 3 year old daughter. Strawberry Shortcake and her “Berry Friends” inspire children with their challenging adventures in and around Berry Bitty City. Each episode explores topics ranging from love and friendship to honesty and compassion. Strawberry Shortcake is a cute, sweet, and charming little girl who while capturing the heart of my daughter, has raised some serious questions in the mind of my 5 year old son.
It seemed plain from the look on my daughter’s face, that CJ must be out of his mind to even suggest that the cute little moral, upright, loving and compassionate Strawberry Shortcake would one day face judgement and damnation. Wanting to keep the peace in the backseat and without thinking to deeply about what was stirring in the mind of my son, I responded with “Sure she is CJ.” “We like Strawberry Shortcake, don’t we Lani?” Without missing a beat, CJ responded saying “Then why doesn’t she ever talk about Jesus?”
Strawberry Shortcake Christianity
Like I have, I think most people probably accept without really thinking about it the Strawberry Shortcake version of Christianity. She is modest, kind, and without question, moral. Strawberry Shortcake is safe and like my wife and I, many parents entrust our daughters to her for a few hours each week. Yet is she Christian? Does she embody and model the message that Jesus called the Church to embrace?
I need to openly confess that I do not insist that my children watch only Christian television. Nor do I insist that they play with only Christian toys. I think part of parenting is training your children to differentiate not only between what is Christian and what is not, but also between what is beneficial, tolerable and adverse. The issue at stake in our conversation Sunday afternoon was not so much whether or not Strawberry Shortcake was beneficial, tolerable or adverse, but whether or not she could be called Christian.
Some might think drawing lines in the sand over these kinds of issues is more problematic than beneficial, especially at the age of 5 years old, but I would strongly disagree. First, because often times, as in this case, these kinds of sticky conversations are not initiated by us, but pressed upon us. Another question could be asked at this point; who is doing the pressing? Could we answer and say the Holy Spirit? I think we not only can, but should say “Yes!”, it is He. I believe Jesus is at work behind the scenes in these types of uncomfortable situations. He brings them about, they do not simply arise out of thin air. Therefore, lines must be drawn.
Secondly, these lines should be drawn for the sake of The Message itself. We as Christians do great injustice when we sweep under the rug opportunities that come as vehicles to carry others into a deeper understanding of the Christian faith. Life is not simple. It is complex and dangerous and sometimes filled with questions that allow for no easy answers. It is sometimes cowardly and most of the time lazy to simply not engage when the time comes to do battle over what is Truly Christian and what is only nice and sweet.
Like our fictional character Strawberry Shortcake, the politically correct version of Christianity often times tolerated by those of us in the Church is also fictional. The sum of cute and kind do not equal to Christianity. The message Jesus came to show and tell is much more than what Strawberry Shortcake, as good as she is, models to our children, and we are called to be courageous and even a little narrow in what we proclaim as right and true Christianity.
It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit would guide us through the quagmire of these life kinds of events and that He would be both glorified and made known through them.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Twilight Saga
Christ & Culture: The Twilight Saga
To be honest, I feel that writing this blog article is a waste of my time, but in light of so much buzz about the movies in Christian culture, and my open love for the books, I feel I have a responsibility to at least offer another perspective. I say “other perspective,” for most of what I hear about the series, again from Christian culture, is negative.
Where to begin... First off, this is my opinion, and my opinions, from my opinion, are often correct. Secondly, this opinion is based off of my reading, rereading, and then rereading again the book series. Regarding the movies, I have no opinion. Thirdly, I choose the right to publish this article more as a statement and not so much as a dialogue piece. Which, of course, releases me not so much from responding, but from endless dialogue. Lastly, this is not a definitive work on the subject, nor is it my full and thorough opinion. It is a statement to make you think and perhaps even read the book series before placing judgement; a judgement you have the right and responsibility as Christians to give if you speak openly negative about it . So, that’s it. Enjoy or Dislike...
To say the very least, I have been intensely disappointed with how Christians, in general, have responded to the Twilight Saga, written by Stephenie Meyer. This disappointment does not arise from an opinion that differs from my own, but from ignorant people making flippant remarks about a book they’ve never even read. (Note: I use the term ignorant in the educational sense, referring to their lack of information) The remarks I hear remind me of the people who hate John Calvin and his Calvinists without ever reading any work in which he published. It’s strange and a little embarrassing.
The Twilight saga is frowned for many reasons, to many here to try and list. There are numerous things the books present that create problems for Christians living out the message of Jesus Christ. However, do they offer more problematic issues than American Idol, Survivor, UFC, The Bachelor, and countless other television shows and movies that provide entertainment in our homes each week? This is not to validate the books by comparison, but to place them in the context of entertainment available today.
I remember when Harry Potter began to have the influence that we now see with the Twilight series. The Church seemed once again torn by differing opinions. Having never read the Harry Potter book series, I could not give an opinion and therefore could not support those who sought my condemning stance on the work. Yet even after my own research, which discovered that the magic and spells used and referenced within the book series were actual real-life witchcraft spells and therefore of the occult, I did not stand with the church.
The blanket statements and generalities that come from not reading the Harry Potter books, such as the using of spells, wizards, and dragons, is ridiculous and misses any point of criticism. The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillian, The Children of Huren, and other short stories in which J R.R. Tolkien wrote and published have the same topics. As do C.S. Lewis’ books. Yet, do we equate these works as both being condemned because of the similar fantasy themes? Most of the Christian world would agree that we should not.
I have found the same type of scenario regarding the Twilight Saga and other vampire cultures and literature. Yes, the Twilight books have vampires who drink blood, some drinking human blood and some only animal blood. Yes, there is killing in the books. Yes, there is an occasional foul word. Yet I have found in the pages of this book many positive and thought provoking ideas worth reading. I am the first to admit, it is not Christian. Without seeking to defend the work, its aim is not Christianity driven. The book is a romance...and a very good one.
Parts of the story that caught my attention immediately was the history behind the Cullen family and their “vegetarian” lifestyle. Carlisle Cullen was the son of a preacher, who in the mythical world of the books, pursued, hunted, and exterminated vampires. As Carlisle grew and embraced his call in the church, he too joined in the cause. In a pursuit one evening, Carlisle was bitten and transformed into a vampire. The story develops and we learn of Carlisle’s many years of hatred of himself, knowing what he had become, and his attempts to end his life (a near impossibility for a vampire). After months of starvation, having never killed another human being, in a moment of weakness, he attacked and killed an animal.
Carlisle learns that he can survive on animal blood and not be a killer. Though believing he is damned, he gives his life to what he formally did before he was transformed; the ministry to mankind. He becomes a doctor and uses his immortality to serve God and humanity, rather than live for himself, indulge in power, and murder incessantly to satiate his “thirst.”
This is the premise behind the drama behind Edward (Carlisle’s adopted son, whom he “saved” for companionship and the desire of Edward’s mother) and Bella. Edward is torn between being an “evil” creature, though he does no evil, being condemned to live a life of solitude and embracing the girl he is strangely drawn to. Bella sees the Cullen family as purely good, a phenomenal blessing to mankind, and embraces Edward as the boy she wants to spend the rest of her mortal and immortal life with.
There are many more aspects to the story which I cannot adequately present here that would lay before you support for an “alternative” opinion to the books. Anything can become your focus and therefore lead you away from Jesus. Ministers do it everyday with the churches and its growth, yet we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The same is with fantasy, in movie, book, and gaming form. Sure there needs to be supervision and caution, just as there are with firearms that can kill more than deer and driving a two ton weapon to school every morning which ends lives, everyday.
The Christ-filled life is filled with responsibility and freedoms, some of which are beneficial and some of which are not. Wisdom, life experience, and above all, the leading of the Holy Spirit guides the believer through the quagmire of this world. Be careful to not judge something out of the “noise of the masses,” just because it is what is easy to do. Gather your courage and read, research, and study to come up with your own opinion. Then, judge for yourself what you deem appropriate and what is unacceptable.
As for my opinion of the Twilight Saga; it is a fantastic piece of writing in which I enjoy reading a couple times every year. If that makes you think less of me, I do not hold it against you. ...you probably would not like my opinions on tattoos, piercings, and most other things that grade against the politically correct Christian culture in which we find ourselves living in today either. Ahhhh, I guess it’s just the way it is.
Blessings upon you.
His Alone,
Jeremiah
To be honest, I feel that writing this blog article is a waste of my time, but in light of so much buzz about the movies in Christian culture, and my open love for the books, I feel I have a responsibility to at least offer another perspective. I say “other perspective,” for most of what I hear about the series, again from Christian culture, is negative.
Where to begin... First off, this is my opinion, and my opinions, from my opinion, are often correct. Secondly, this opinion is based off of my reading, rereading, and then rereading again the book series. Regarding the movies, I have no opinion. Thirdly, I choose the right to publish this article more as a statement and not so much as a dialogue piece. Which, of course, releases me not so much from responding, but from endless dialogue. Lastly, this is not a definitive work on the subject, nor is it my full and thorough opinion. It is a statement to make you think and perhaps even read the book series before placing judgement; a judgement you have the right and responsibility as Christians to give if you speak openly negative about it . So, that’s it. Enjoy or Dislike...
To say the very least, I have been intensely disappointed with how Christians, in general, have responded to the Twilight Saga, written by Stephenie Meyer. This disappointment does not arise from an opinion that differs from my own, but from ignorant people making flippant remarks about a book they’ve never even read. (Note: I use the term ignorant in the educational sense, referring to their lack of information) The remarks I hear remind me of the people who hate John Calvin and his Calvinists without ever reading any work in which he published. It’s strange and a little embarrassing.
The Twilight saga is frowned for many reasons, to many here to try and list. There are numerous things the books present that create problems for Christians living out the message of Jesus Christ. However, do they offer more problematic issues than American Idol, Survivor, UFC, The Bachelor, and countless other television shows and movies that provide entertainment in our homes each week? This is not to validate the books by comparison, but to place them in the context of entertainment available today.
I remember when Harry Potter began to have the influence that we now see with the Twilight series. The Church seemed once again torn by differing opinions. Having never read the Harry Potter book series, I could not give an opinion and therefore could not support those who sought my condemning stance on the work. Yet even after my own research, which discovered that the magic and spells used and referenced within the book series were actual real-life witchcraft spells and therefore of the occult, I did not stand with the church.
The blanket statements and generalities that come from not reading the Harry Potter books, such as the using of spells, wizards, and dragons, is ridiculous and misses any point of criticism. The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillian, The Children of Huren, and other short stories in which J R.R. Tolkien wrote and published have the same topics. As do C.S. Lewis’ books. Yet, do we equate these works as both being condemned because of the similar fantasy themes? Most of the Christian world would agree that we should not.
I have found the same type of scenario regarding the Twilight Saga and other vampire cultures and literature. Yes, the Twilight books have vampires who drink blood, some drinking human blood and some only animal blood. Yes, there is killing in the books. Yes, there is an occasional foul word. Yet I have found in the pages of this book many positive and thought provoking ideas worth reading. I am the first to admit, it is not Christian. Without seeking to defend the work, its aim is not Christianity driven. The book is a romance...and a very good one.
Parts of the story that caught my attention immediately was the history behind the Cullen family and their “vegetarian” lifestyle. Carlisle Cullen was the son of a preacher, who in the mythical world of the books, pursued, hunted, and exterminated vampires. As Carlisle grew and embraced his call in the church, he too joined in the cause. In a pursuit one evening, Carlisle was bitten and transformed into a vampire. The story develops and we learn of Carlisle’s many years of hatred of himself, knowing what he had become, and his attempts to end his life (a near impossibility for a vampire). After months of starvation, having never killed another human being, in a moment of weakness, he attacked and killed an animal.
Carlisle learns that he can survive on animal blood and not be a killer. Though believing he is damned, he gives his life to what he formally did before he was transformed; the ministry to mankind. He becomes a doctor and uses his immortality to serve God and humanity, rather than live for himself, indulge in power, and murder incessantly to satiate his “thirst.”
This is the premise behind the drama behind Edward (Carlisle’s adopted son, whom he “saved” for companionship and the desire of Edward’s mother) and Bella. Edward is torn between being an “evil” creature, though he does no evil, being condemned to live a life of solitude and embracing the girl he is strangely drawn to. Bella sees the Cullen family as purely good, a phenomenal blessing to mankind, and embraces Edward as the boy she wants to spend the rest of her mortal and immortal life with.
There are many more aspects to the story which I cannot adequately present here that would lay before you support for an “alternative” opinion to the books. Anything can become your focus and therefore lead you away from Jesus. Ministers do it everyday with the churches and its growth, yet we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The same is with fantasy, in movie, book, and gaming form. Sure there needs to be supervision and caution, just as there are with firearms that can kill more than deer and driving a two ton weapon to school every morning which ends lives, everyday.
The Christ-filled life is filled with responsibility and freedoms, some of which are beneficial and some of which are not. Wisdom, life experience, and above all, the leading of the Holy Spirit guides the believer through the quagmire of this world. Be careful to not judge something out of the “noise of the masses,” just because it is what is easy to do. Gather your courage and read, research, and study to come up with your own opinion. Then, judge for yourself what you deem appropriate and what is unacceptable.
As for my opinion of the Twilight Saga; it is a fantastic piece of writing in which I enjoy reading a couple times every year. If that makes you think less of me, I do not hold it against you. ...you probably would not like my opinions on tattoos, piercings, and most other things that grade against the politically correct Christian culture in which we find ourselves living in today either. Ahhhh, I guess it’s just the way it is.
Blessings upon you.
His Alone,
Jeremiah
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