1. What can the gospel do, according to Romans 1:16?
The gospel is God's power to save anyone who believes it. In our unrighteousness as humans, we suppress the truth which puts us under God's wrath. The gospel turns His wrath away from us.
2. What are the four elements of the gospel message according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-5?
-Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures
-He was buried
-He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures
-he appeared to James, and then all the apostles
3. How are Christians to fight in defense of the gospel according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5?
We are to take "captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. We are also to destroy every argument and lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Chapter 6 Reflection Q's
Chapter 6 Reflection Q's:
1. Is it okay to watch movies that tell stories about evil? If not, why are so many stories about evil recorded in Scripture? If so, what are the dangers in watching such stories for entertainment?
-According to Scripture, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Therefore, it is okay, but be cautious about it. Don't let the evil influence you. I think the stories about evil in Scripture are mostly warnings against dabbling in the occult and such. But the dangers of watching such stories is that it might corrupt you or turn you away from God.
2. Is it legitimate to read spiritual messages into a movie that go against what the movie actually communicates?
-I think it is. There are many different perspectives and ways to understand or perceive a movie. As I have learned in literature class, there are always multiple sides to the story. What you take from the movie might be different from what was actually intended.
3. Is the gospel story a comedy or a tragedy (in their class senses)? If it is a tragedy, did Jesus fail to overcome the challenge? If it is a comedy, how did Jesus overcome the challenge?
-The gospel story can be both, depending on what perspective you take. If you take a non-christian point of view, the story of Jesus was a tragedy, because he was crucified at a young age and that was the end of him. However, if you are a Christian, than you know and believe that Jesus resurrected and conquered death. Therefore, Jesus overcame his challenges.
1. Is it okay to watch movies that tell stories about evil? If not, why are so many stories about evil recorded in Scripture? If so, what are the dangers in watching such stories for entertainment?
-According to Scripture, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Therefore, it is okay, but be cautious about it. Don't let the evil influence you. I think the stories about evil in Scripture are mostly warnings against dabbling in the occult and such. But the dangers of watching such stories is that it might corrupt you or turn you away from God.
2. Is it legitimate to read spiritual messages into a movie that go against what the movie actually communicates?
-I think it is. There are many different perspectives and ways to understand or perceive a movie. As I have learned in literature class, there are always multiple sides to the story. What you take from the movie might be different from what was actually intended.
3. Is the gospel story a comedy or a tragedy (in their class senses)? If it is a tragedy, did Jesus fail to overcome the challenge? If it is a comedy, how did Jesus overcome the challenge?
-The gospel story can be both, depending on what perspective you take. If you take a non-christian point of view, the story of Jesus was a tragedy, because he was crucified at a young age and that was the end of him. However, if you are a Christian, than you know and believe that Jesus resurrected and conquered death. Therefore, Jesus overcame his challenges.
Chapter 5 Reflection Q's
Chapter 5 Reflection Q's:
1. How can a movie that takes place in a made-up world still tell a true story?
Movie worlds that have fantastical elements to them are merely suppositions or "suspending disbelief". They are there with full knowledge that they are not really. So instead of looking at this, you should look past to the story that the movie is actually telling, which could be a true story or a biblical story.
2. Is the real world the only world in which biblical morality matters?
No it is not, biblical morality is often present in many movies with made-up worlds such as Lord of the Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia.
3. Which movie genres can most effectively communicate biblical, moral themes? Why?
All movie genres can communicate biblical, moral themes. However, horror is probably the worst at communicating it as most people tend not to look past the blood and violence and to the story behind it. I personally think that Western movies communicate the most effectively with the base idea of 'good versus evil' and 'protecting the innocent'. These themes are very closely related to themes in the Bible.
1. How can a movie that takes place in a made-up world still tell a true story?
Movie worlds that have fantastical elements to them are merely suppositions or "suspending disbelief". They are there with full knowledge that they are not really. So instead of looking at this, you should look past to the story that the movie is actually telling, which could be a true story or a biblical story.
2. Is the real world the only world in which biblical morality matters?
No it is not, biblical morality is often present in many movies with made-up worlds such as Lord of the Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia.
3. Which movie genres can most effectively communicate biblical, moral themes? Why?
All movie genres can communicate biblical, moral themes. However, horror is probably the worst at communicating it as most people tend not to look past the blood and violence and to the story behind it. I personally think that Western movies communicate the most effectively with the base idea of 'good versus evil' and 'protecting the innocent'. These themes are very closely related to themes in the Bible.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Chapter 4 Reflection Q's
1. What are the positive and negative aspects of deciding what movies to watch based on the MPAA ratings?
Movie ratings do not necessarily provide an accurate evaluation of a movie's overall moral value. Instead a movies morality is dependent on both its message and its methods. The ratings system looks past these categories and looks at the superficial things like sex, profane language, nudity, violence, etc. MPAA is helpful in the fact that it allows us to determine if a movie is appropriate for children or not, but adults should base their decisions of watching a movie or not on a higher standard.
2.What should we do when we encounter something in a movie that we are uncomfortable with or feel guilty over?
If we encounter something in a movie that we are uncomfortable with or feel guilty over, we should not dwell on it. Either you forget about it and move on, or if you can't you should just stop watching the movie.
3. Since our reactions to certain style elements differ, what approach should we take around others who are more sensitive than we are to movies or other activities?
We should not force them to do anything out of the comfort zones and don't "quarrel over opinions" on whether something is immoral or not. As well as this, "let us not be a stumbling block to the weak." So don't force your own moral standards on others.
Movie ratings do not necessarily provide an accurate evaluation of a movie's overall moral value. Instead a movies morality is dependent on both its message and its methods. The ratings system looks past these categories and looks at the superficial things like sex, profane language, nudity, violence, etc. MPAA is helpful in the fact that it allows us to determine if a movie is appropriate for children or not, but adults should base their decisions of watching a movie or not on a higher standard.
2.What should we do when we encounter something in a movie that we are uncomfortable with or feel guilty over?
If we encounter something in a movie that we are uncomfortable with or feel guilty over, we should not dwell on it. Either you forget about it and move on, or if you can't you should just stop watching the movie.
3. Since our reactions to certain style elements differ, what approach should we take around others who are more sensitive than we are to movies or other activities?
We should not force them to do anything out of the comfort zones and don't "quarrel over opinions" on whether something is immoral or not. As well as this, "let us not be a stumbling block to the weak." So don't force your own moral standards on others.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Movie writing prompt:
Would you rather live…in a world characterized by the movies theme: Rules stand in the way of compassion or a world characterized by biblical morality?
Personally, I would prefer to live in a world characterized by biblical morality. A world with standards from the Bible would be a world of order. It still wouldn't be a perfect world, but in my opinion, it would still be a lot more peaceful than a world with no rules, or in this case a naturalistic world. In a world without rules, anyone could literally do whatever they wanted. This includes murder, theft, sex, drugs, abortion, and so on, pretty much all of the things we look down upon in our present day society (mostly). It would definitely be chaotic, with no structural backbone to uphold society and its morals. Without morals and nothing technically illegal or wrong, but commonplace, everybody's consciences and moral compasses will be distorted. In a Naturalistic world, like the world we live in now, you could do anything that is socially acceptable, as long as it does not bother the people around you. People could think/believe that abortion is acceptable, or that sex is just a casual thing that you can do whenever you want.
Contrary to the prompt, I do not think that rules stand in the way of compassion. I actually believe that it is the opposite. Laws and rules in a society help and encourage people to show compassion, as well as keep order in society. This is especially prevalent with Biblical laws. In the Bible, we are commanded by Jesus to "Love our neighbors", "Love our enemies", to care for the poor, and so on. In such a world or a strong society with rules and laws characterized by biblical morality, there is a backbone and a positive or negative consequence for every action. People will obey the laws not only because they are supported with clear cut consequences, but also because they will have a clear conscience. They also know the positive benefits at the end of the road waiting for them. As well as this, I have learned from my father countless times when he tells me to clean my room that God is a God of order, not of chaos.
Personally, I would prefer to live in a world characterized by biblical morality. A world with standards from the Bible would be a world of order. It still wouldn't be a perfect world, but in my opinion, it would still be a lot more peaceful than a world with no rules, or in this case a naturalistic world. In a world without rules, anyone could literally do whatever they wanted. This includes murder, theft, sex, drugs, abortion, and so on, pretty much all of the things we look down upon in our present day society (mostly). It would definitely be chaotic, with no structural backbone to uphold society and its morals. Without morals and nothing technically illegal or wrong, but commonplace, everybody's consciences and moral compasses will be distorted. In a Naturalistic world, like the world we live in now, you could do anything that is socially acceptable, as long as it does not bother the people around you. People could think/believe that abortion is acceptable, or that sex is just a casual thing that you can do whenever you want.
Contrary to the prompt, I do not think that rules stand in the way of compassion. I actually believe that it is the opposite. Laws and rules in a society help and encourage people to show compassion, as well as keep order in society. This is especially prevalent with Biblical laws. In the Bible, we are commanded by Jesus to "Love our neighbors", "Love our enemies", to care for the poor, and so on. In such a world or a strong society with rules and laws characterized by biblical morality, there is a backbone and a positive or negative consequence for every action. People will obey the laws not only because they are supported with clear cut consequences, but also because they will have a clear conscience. They also know the positive benefits at the end of the road waiting for them. As well as this, I have learned from my father countless times when he tells me to clean my room that God is a God of order, not of chaos.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Chapter 2 Reflection Questions
1. Does the inclusion of a religious message in a film make it propaganda?
The inclusion of a religious message in a film does not always make it propaganda. However, "the more blatant the message, the more likely it is to be taken as propaganda. Almost all elements have Christian elements, whether it is good against evil, or having a chosen hero to save the world. Instead of blatantly stating the message, most movies indirectly suggest the theme in other ways, such as quotes from the movie, or the unspoken things that you are able to see and infer from the movie, as demonstrated in Wall-E (2008).
2. The Bible describes a lot of bad things (for example, violence and immorality). Why isn't this considered bad by most people?
The Bible does not say that the violence and immorality that occurred was right, only that it did happen. It is simply describing the situation, not prescribing it for us. Instead, the Bible tells us that these things are immoral and shouldn't be done. Even though it did happen, God shows us the consequences through historical events of such actions.
3. If someone did not mean for a message to come through in a film, or meant for a different message to be communicated, does that change what message the film actually sends?
Yes, to me, it does change the message. The message that all audiences receive from the movie is what they actually see in the movie. No one is going to go search up the director's real intent after they watch the movie. If it sends a message other than what was intended, then that is the message that the audience will receive. For example, in the movie Facing the Giants (2006), the real message that was intended to be sent was to put God's will above our own and to lift all our concerns up to him. However, the message that the audience seemingly received was that a life lived for God gets you whatever you want.
The inclusion of a religious message in a film does not always make it propaganda. However, "the more blatant the message, the more likely it is to be taken as propaganda. Almost all elements have Christian elements, whether it is good against evil, or having a chosen hero to save the world. Instead of blatantly stating the message, most movies indirectly suggest the theme in other ways, such as quotes from the movie, or the unspoken things that you are able to see and infer from the movie, as demonstrated in Wall-E (2008).
2. The Bible describes a lot of bad things (for example, violence and immorality). Why isn't this considered bad by most people?
The Bible does not say that the violence and immorality that occurred was right, only that it did happen. It is simply describing the situation, not prescribing it for us. Instead, the Bible tells us that these things are immoral and shouldn't be done. Even though it did happen, God shows us the consequences through historical events of such actions.
3. If someone did not mean for a message to come through in a film, or meant for a different message to be communicated, does that change what message the film actually sends?
Yes, to me, it does change the message. The message that all audiences receive from the movie is what they actually see in the movie. No one is going to go search up the director's real intent after they watch the movie. If it sends a message other than what was intended, then that is the message that the audience will receive. For example, in the movie Facing the Giants (2006), the real message that was intended to be sent was to put God's will above our own and to lift all our concerns up to him. However, the message that the audience seemingly received was that a life lived for God gets you whatever you want.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Reflection
Am I a cultural anorexic or glutton? Why is this? Should I change?
-I think that I display qualities of both cultural anorexics and gluttons. On one hand, I know what movies and things are bad and not necessarily beneficial for me, yet a lot of the times, I ignore my conscience and watch the movie anyways. If I know the movie is really inappropriate sexually, I'll refrain from watching, but if it was violent or gory, I don't really mind it. I think I should change to be selectively anorexic. Selective about the right movies to not watch and so on.
-I think that I display qualities of both cultural anorexics and gluttons. On one hand, I know what movies and things are bad and not necessarily beneficial for me, yet a lot of the times, I ignore my conscience and watch the movie anyways. If I know the movie is really inappropriate sexually, I'll refrain from watching, but if it was violent or gory, I don't really mind it. I think I should change to be selectively anorexic. Selective about the right movies to not watch and so on.
Monday, January 19, 2015
1.What are the benefits and pitfalls of approaching movies like Plato or Aristotle would?
-Plato viewed art as useless, so you would miss out on a lot of good things. The benefits would be that you would not be as affected with movies as others, so your morals and your perception may be more innocent or purer.
2. How did the apostle Paul adapt his evangelism style when he spoke with the Jewish people or Gentiles?
Paul adapted his evangelism style to each group trying to find something in common with each of them. This made him more relatable and increased the power of his sermons. With the Jewish people, he was a teacher and a Pharisee, a man of high respect. With the gentiles, he was an educated man with knowledge of the various teachings in the area.
3.When might it be best to avoid watching a "good" movie?
It is probably best when you know that the said movie is against your values. If the movie is rated R, that is also probably a good sign that you should not watch it.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Homework Week 1
Scenario 1:
You and your friends are hanging out on a Friday night. One
person suggests that everyone go to her house because her parents aren’t home.
She also suggests that she has recently watched a movie and loves it so much
that she’s already watched it five times. The movie is rated R.
-My stance would depend on other factors in the scenario. For example, is it all girls or is it a mixed group? How large is the group? Why is the movie rated R? Am I close with these people? Is her home far from my home? etc. I don't think I have very many moral issues with this scenario except for questions about the movie and what we're going to be doing at her house. If everything was ok, then I would go, but only after asking my parents for permission.
Scenario 2:
Beyonce (or pick your favorite secular artist) has decided
to come back to Hong Kong for another series of concert performances. This
time, her new album and concert will feature more sex-related content and some
partial nudity. In the cafeteria, your friends are discussing whether or not to
buy tickets.
-I typically do not go to concerts like these because they are really expensive and usually overcrowded. I definitely would not go to this concert because most of my favorite secular artists are male, and I don't really want to see any junk dangling around. It's also a moral issue for me because it's a pretty scandalous event, if there is going to be partial nudity in the concert. Also, my parents would definitely not let me attend.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Redemption Movie
After reading the excerpt from “Hollywood Worldviews”, spend
some time finding an example of a movie that you have watched that tells about
redemption. Write a short summary of
what the movie is about in your blog and be ready to share next class.
White Chicks-
Two FBI agents are staked out on a drug bust, but they mess up the bust by confronting the wrong man and letting the real perpetrator get away. They are reprimanded by their boss for doing such a poor job and get put on babysitting duty for two extremely rich white chicks going for a weekend in the Hamptons for a fashion show who had been threatened to be kidnapped. However, they manage to screw that up to getting into a car crash and both girls get scratches on their faces and refuse to go to the Hamptons looking like that. So, the two agents go undercover, disguised as the two girls, in order to save their jobs and keep their boss from finding out. Eventually, they get discovered and fired. However, they figured out the case as they were moping around and attempted to redeem themselves and win their jobs back. They succeed and are crowned heroes.
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