A Christian Worldview from Silicon Valley

Power of One

Why do 97% of the customers reviewing To Save a Life on movietickets.com give the film a four to five out of five-star rating? While not a perfect film, its rich content makes it easy to forgive minor flaws. I found it so compelling that even after a second viewing, my entire body ached from the white-knuckle dramatic tension.

For starters, this low-budget indie film isn’t an embarrassment of sentimental dreck, as many “Christian” films are. In the words of one reviewer, “The production values are the best and least cheesy since The Passion and the music is great.” Moreover, instead of the usual one-dimensional, perfect Christians, we see characters in a range of commitment levels, including agnostic, seeker, holier-than-thou, and in-name-only, although a few but growing number are genuinely transformed by Jesus. Such sophistication was summarized by a reviewer, who said, “Everyone needed to be rescued from something, not just the loners.”

For me at least, and I suspect for many of us, the core issue of the film resonates: (more…)

I came across this explanation of the difference between a Conservative Christian and a Progressive Christian at a local church website a couple of days ago.

“You’ve heard the phrase ‘Conservative Christian,’ but what’s a ‘Progressive Christian?’”

• • The life, teachings, and example of Jesus are the core of progressive Christianity.
  • The Bible was not written by God. It was written by people – many of whom were inspired by God’s presence. The Bible is worthy of our deep study, but not unthinking belief.
  • Ultimately, it’s NOT what you believe that makes the difference. It’s how you lead your life. Our members have a wide range of beliefs.”

So, what’s the definition of a conservative Christian?

The Taliban admitted to being responsible for killing a Christian aid worker in Kabul.

Taliban gunment drove by on a motorbike in western Kabul and shot and killed 34-year old Gayle Williams as she walked to work. Her work, helping handicapped Afghans.

“This woman came to Afghanistan to teach Christianity to the people of Afghanistan,” militant spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press. “Our (leaders) issued a decree to kill this woman. This morning our people killed her in Kabul.”

How long, Oh Lord? How long?

I have never been much of a movie goer toer. I know, I know, I need to get out more. Still.

There’s another new movie out that I am not planning go see - Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

“Guinevere Pettigrew, a middle-aged London governess, and daughter of a vicar finds herself unfairly dismissed from her job. An attempt to gain new employment catapults her into the glamorous world and dizzying social whirl of an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse. She consequently finds herself in a quandry because “morals are very important to [her].”

The theme - every woman has her day. Oh boy!

One thing struck me, morals mentioned in a Hollywood production? Is that possible?

The Point asks the question, and this also caught my eye, “What’s a movie without a Christian worldview angle, after all?”

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