I guess I am behind the times a
bit. I just watched the film "Courageous" for the first time. I can
see why so many have spoken highly of it.
- The acting and production has improved
dramatically from "Flywheel."
- The story is compelling and emotional
- The conclusion is powerful and convicting.
It was a pleasure to watch.
That said, there were some things
in the show that a Christian ought to give second thought to. This show claims
a Christian message. For that reason it must be held to a higher standard than
other things a person might watch. As much as the "message" of the
show is preached, so too are some more subtle "mini messages" that we
might not even be aware were preached.
First there was the issue of
allowing a nine year old daughter to attend a party where there would be
dancing. The daughter wants Dad to teach her to dance and the clear message is
that he should have done it. I understand that Baptists are about the only
people in the world who are opposed to dancing. But we have good biblical
reason.
- The music is sensual and worldly.
- The context of dancing is sexual in nature.
- Those dances that involve an embrace are in
direct violation of the Bible[1]
- The atmosphere of the dance hall is wicked.
- The conclusion of a dance is nearly always
(especially in the heart of the worldly male) to find someplace to
consummate what was acted out on the floor
This film's not so subtle
approval of Christians dancing is an enemy of the cross.
Second there is a prosperity
theology message promoted in the film. I commend the film for encouraging men
to work and I certainly commend the film for encouraging workers to be honest.
But Javier's story is the opposite of the message of the Christian classic
"In His Steps" by Charles
Shelton where the character does the right thing and losses his job because of
it. The message of this film is that if we will do the right thing, God will
reward us with a promotion and more money. That flies in the face of those
millions of Christians of the past who did the right thing and we're burned at
the stake or torn to pieces by wild animals. Where was God for them?
It might seem like a trivial
complaint but as a preacher I deal with the consequences of this false doctrine
regularly. Americans have been led to believe that if they become Christians
and obey the Bible they
- Will get raises at work
- Own the best houses and
- Raise the happiest families.
But that isn't the message of the
Bible and years of reality have now led to a generation of people who do not
trust Christianity because the (false) message of prosperity hasn't come to
pass so they won't listen to the (true) message of salvation.
The movie is good. I do not deny
that it is compelling and mostly clean. But the messages under the message are
dangerous and Christians ought to take heed.
Marvin
McKenzie
In
the fields
