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Hilarious! The confused, confounded, elated, wonderful faces of these people are so funny. But then I thought, “when we actually get to heaven, won’t our reaction be something similar?” I’m thinking that I’m going to be somewhat confused and confounded myself, just from the newness of it all, even though I’m expecting to be there when God calls me. Oh, well, we’ll have eternity to figure it all out–and even them we won’t even come close! How cool!
If Danny’s feats on a bicycle don’t inspire you to go a little above and beyond in what you’re good at, I don’t know what else could. Ok, I do know something else, and it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. But it seems that today He decided to use Danny’s skills to connect with me. Hope He connects with you too!
Cast of Star Trek
“Space, the final frontier…” It never seems to be final if you are a Star Trek fan. Hollywood has found a new way to engage fans for another two hours of popcorn and fun: go back in time to the beginning. How did James T. Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the original crew of the USS Enterprise come together? That’s the story line of the new Star Trek film.
My teen daughter and I went on opening night last week, both anticipating different things. For me, I brought my memories of sitting in front of my black and white TV, watching William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the rest of the original crew form the foundation of the Star Trek legacy. I kept wondering how this new film could pull it off—staying true to the characters but providing something new and interesting. My daughter only knew of the existence of Star Trek, but had no prior knowledge of the characters and their individual quirks. How would she take to the young versions of the old characters, never knowing them first as adults? Finally, we both wondered what themes would we experience that would prick our Christian worldview somehow?
Firstly, the acting, special effects, and overall cinematic experience were very good. We both were “wowed” by the development of the characters. Sure, I chucked at some of the familiar antics of McCoy and Scotty. But a young person experiencing them for the first time also can appreciate their individuality, mainly because the film took enough time to explore each character without forcing the issue. Sure, Kirk and Spock received the most attention, justifiably so. Bones, Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov were on TV and are now in film the supporting cast to the Captain and First Officer. Their growth as people and as friends kept both the series and the movies alive for so long. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the two could not be more different, a fact that provides much of the tension and the humor of the film.
If I have one criticism of the movie, it’s the story-line. I found it hard to follow and somewhat worn at times. I guess going back in time proves that “there’s nothing new under the sun.” The writers of this Star Trek did not come up with an especially original story compared to the previous films. Earth is in mortal danger—can Kirk pull a rabbit out of his proverbial hat and save mankind from destruction? Been there, done that. Another criticism, as a Christian and a father, is the use of a couple of curse words which certainly could have been avoided. Also, one scene showing a scantily clad Kirk and his date (Uhura’s roommate at the Academy) could have been toned down as well. Kirk’s a lady’s man—OK, we get it. No need to show too much skin in a movie that is generally family-friendly in most other ways.
What keeps the movie interesting and new, as mentioned previously, is the fascinating characters. The cast did a fine job playing their parts without becoming a cartoon version of a 70’s TV show. Instead, they poured new emotion and vitality into the roles while retaining the qualities that made them unique. In my view, and my daughter’s as well, Scotty and Chekov stole nearly every scene they were in.
From a Christian worldview, the character of Spock is easily the most fascinating. His dual natures—Human from his mother, and Vulcan from his father—reminds us of the Apostle Paul’s discussion of the two competing natures in a believer that war against each other. In Romans 7:21-25, Paul writes: ”So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. “ The way Spock wrestles with his two natures reminds us of how we also wrestle, as Paul describes, with our two natures. As many have said in the past, the nature that wins the wrestling match is the one you feed the most. Spock finds that he identifies with and therefore feeds his Vulcan nature the most. However, he has moments of rebellion where he gives into his human nature. At times, as in his relationship with Uhura (OK, that was a little creepy to me), giving in to his human nature is a plus. At other times, such as when he is bullied by young Vulcan classmates, it’s not. His Vulcan nature (the logical-based one) serves him and the Enterprise crew well and brings out his best. Our spiritual nature, speaking as a Christian redeemed by Jesus Christ, also seems to be the one that serves us and our “crew”– our friends, family, and coworkers–the best as well.
All in all, Star Trek is an entertaining movie with plenty for old and new fans to enjoy. With a few noted exceptions, mature Christians have plenty to smile and think about well after the popcorn is gone. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.
The Christian rock band Red recently released its second CD titled “Innocence & Instinct.” This follows their critically acclaimed debut effort, “End of Silence.” Their unique style of combining driving guitar riffs with soaring ochestration is again prevalent on “Innocence.” It’s clear that Red recognized after the release of their first CD that it had a winning sound with it’s core audience, young Christian rockers. They do nothing to alter the formula in “Innocence.” This is both good and bad. Good because it’s unique and makes for an interesting listen. Bad, because at times you aren’t sure which CD you have dialed up on your iPod. One of the nice features of “End of Silence” is how the tracks flow seemlessly together; you want to experience the CD as a whole. I don’t have that same feeling listening to Innocence. The tracks seem to stand alone, again both a good and bad element of the CD. That doesn’t mean there aren’t some exceptional tracks on Innocence. Most of the tracks deal either with deep struggles, both inside of us and with the world around us. “Start Again” is an emotional track dealing with repairing broken relationships, a cause Christians should be more concerned with than they seem to be at times. “Fight Inside” and “Confession” deal with the fight that rages between the carnal and spiritual sides of our being–hence the title of the CD. The CD comes to a slightly disappointing end with the slower “Take It All Away.” Although they try hard here, Red pulls off the rock ballad-style climax to the album better in their first CD. All-in-all, a fine listen that maybe tries too much to carry forward the momentum of their debut album. But that’s a minor point, as their unique sound begs for more for the ear to chew upon. This is a band, a CD, and a message that Christians and secular folks can both appreciate.
Recent worldview studies have stunned the Christian community. They are showing that very few young people have a Christian worldview. (See my previous post on “Some thoughts about the future…”) Why should this matter? What’s so important about having a Christian/Biblical worldview? Why should Evangelical parents be making a concerted effort to shape the worldview of their children?
Here are 5 reasons why:
1. Christianity stands for something
If it didn’t, it would stand for nothing. Standing for nothing is another worldview, but it’s not Christian. Unfortunately, many Evangelical believers don’t know what they believe and why they believe it. Your worldview is a reflection of what you believe. Believing in something isn’t wrong, in fact it’s quite normal.
2. If you stand for nothing, you’ll get run over
It’s my observation and experience in life that people with no core values or principles to live by are frequently at a disadvantage. Nobody wants their child to get bullied on the playground. However, children will get intellectually bullied as well. One of our jobs as parents is to prepare their children for the battle of the heart and mind that each person finds themselves in. Having a Christian/Biblical worldview is one of the ways to “stand firm” in our world, as Ephesians 6 tells us we should.
3. If you stand for something, you’ll do better
As I alluded to in point #2, those who are able to stand up for core principles are better prepared for life. Here’s a truth you can rely on: either you are going through a tough time right now, or you will be shortly. How will our children, much less ourselves, make it though the tough times if their minds and hearts are not grounded in Biblical truth? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (NIV) Peacemakers are at peace because of a dynamic relationship with God – a relationship that transforms their entire life, including the way they look a the world (their worldview). Those who are at peace, even in the middle of storms, are able to stand strong through them (remember the story of those who built their homes on solid rock).
4. The Christian worldview is emotionally satisfying
What does that mean? It means that the truths of the Bible satisfy the inner emotional need we all have for safety and security. It means that when our children and have a need for safety and security, instructing them in a Christian worldview helps to fill those needs. Perhaps in an upcoming post I’ll explain this point more fully. But for now let’s recognize that people of all ages look for answers to the hurts, joys, and struggles of this world. Many worldviews propose answers and each worldview must be evaluated for it’s ability to come through for us. Christianity comes through, from the very beginning of humanity and our struggle with sin to the end of this realm and how sin is handled with complete justice.
5. The Christian worldview is intellectually satisfying
I know what you’re thinking. Yes, another post is needed to fully explore this point as well. True. Many over the years, particularly those with anti-supernatural biases, think this point is silly. However, reasonable people have been persuaded to believe in the God of the Bible for thousands of years. It’s not a coincidence and it’s not group-think. The evidence has been weighed and belief in Jesus Christ as Savior of the world is more reasonable every day. In many cases, parents have taught their children to believe without teaching them why. I believe in having a childlike faith, but as our intellects develop we also want answers to the pressing intellectual questions about belief. It’s the job of the church to instruct parents and for parents to instruct their children.
Much more could be said, but I’ll save that for future posts. Until then, feel free to leave your thoughtful comments.
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