Monthly Archives: March 2017
The Gospel in Hollywood – Part 2
Previously, we have discussed some of the Gospel elements that appear frequently in Hollywood fiction. Movies often portray a Christ-figure who fights for truth and saves people. Often the Christ-figure experiences a (usually symbolic) death and resurrection, and defeats an imposing enemy against incredible odds. We have seen how the Christ-figure is generally the main character in superhero movies. We now examine the movie genres of science fiction and fantasy.
The Gospel in Hollywood – Part 1
God has told us in His Word how the universe began, how it came to be the way it is today, and how it will end. This is the ultimate true story. It is history – literally His story. And it is the Gospel. The Gospel message doesn’t begin in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. It begins in Genesis. This is where the problem of sin is introduced into a world that was once perfect. Genesis is where we learn that death is the penalty for sin (Genesis 2:16-17). And it is where humanity was first promised a Messiah, who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
Christ at the Movies
I enjoy a good movie, especially those that are uplifting and imaginative. But not everyone does. Some Christians shun virtually all forms of entertainment. Others openly watch just about anything. In between these two extremes is the position held by many Christians: that some forms of entertainment are acceptable while others are unethical. But where should we draw the line? What can we conclude on the basis of Scripture?
The Two-Book Fallacy – Again
Those Christians who reject the biblical timescale or who embrace evolution often defend their position using the two-book fallacy. They claim that nature is essentially a 67th book of the Bible, and equally authoritative with Scripture. Consequently, they argue that we must interpret the Bible in light of this “book of nature.” They might also argue that nature reveals that the world is billions of years old, that all life has evolved from a common ancestor, that stars formed billions of years before earth, and so on. And they interpret Genesis to match this so-called natural/general revelation.