Wednesday, January 26, 2011

RELEVANT and NEUE

I often find myself unintentionally 'endorsing' movies and music and other things on this blog. I guess it's this stuff of life that inspires me. There are two magazines that I've been reading, one for about six years and the other only very recently—Relevant and Neue. They're both published by the same media group, Relevant Media. Founded by editor Cameron Strang, Relevant Media Group takes a fresh, hip look at Christianity and how it's impacting modern culture.

What I find interesting enough to write about is that these magazines, specifically Relevant, are surviving, if not thriving, in an economy where many magazines, including the similar, very popular, Paste, have had to limit their product to the Internet alone. Maybe Christians have simply stepped up to support Relevant. Maybe Cameron Strang and company have been innovative enough to break economic trends. They started with a magazine and publishing company in 2003. They printed a number of great books and, after dropping the book line, have once again investigated its re-establishment. They launched Relevant.tv and a really popular podcast, free online avenues to further build interest and buzz. They keep their Web site current, with new stories posted daily, so that the print product isn't the only way to stay connected to their content.

Relevant keeps its focus on popular culture and how Christians are working in that culture. They highlight up-and-coming bands, new movies, not-for-profits that are having a real impact, and other bits of news that add to the faith discussion. Neue has its focus on the Church and ministry. It's not a magazine specifically for pastors, but anyone who works or actively volunteers in a church. These magazines are a leading torch for young, progressive Christians who want to know what ministries and what people are making headlines because of their faith and involvement. These magazines are also diamonds in the rough. As I mentioned before, this is a time where the Internet is killing off print products one by one. Every artist and musician also feels the wrath of the almighty Internet. For a publisher to succeed in this time and place is a remarkable feat. When it's a Christian publisher, it's even more impressive.

If you're a Christian who's active in your church, I recommend both of these great magazines. I continue to find the articles challenging and motivating, all at once. I've been reading Relevant for a long time, and the columnists, articles, and direction of the magazine are as good today as in 2003. An iPad app is in the works, and there are plenty more goodies on the assembly line at Relevant Media Group. And I can't wait.   
www.relevantmagazine.com

Thursday, January 20, 2011

'Christian' Movies?

While reading a recent review of The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, I started thinking about what movies I highly value, and why I value them. The review wasn't scathing, but it certainly wasn't complimentary. The reviewer writes, "I can't get past the feeling, though, that what we're really watching is a child who desperately wants to steal attention away from his older, more impressive cousin, The Lord of the Rings." That one sentence seems to represent what all Christian movies seek—to be just as good a movie as all those popular, 'secular' ones. Some might argue that The Chronicles of Narnia series are simply fantasy movies, but I tend to lump them in with Christian films because they have over-arching themes that represent what Christians value: love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption. Voyage of the Dawn Treader masks its message in allegory and metaphor, but it still should be considered a Christian movie. Really good Christian films use every genre—fantasy, drama, comedy, romance, and even science-fiction—to present the message of the gospel in ways that have mass appeal.

The thought that I'm pondering is, "What makes a movie 'Christian'?" Does it need to be made by a church, such as Facing the Giants or Fireproof? Does it need to be biblical, like The Passion of the Christ or One Night With The King? Does it need to be specifically allegorical, like The Chronicles of Narnia? Or are we even asking the right question all together?

As Christians, why do we need to classify if a movie is 'Christian' or not? I think it comes from our desire to examine and censor all the negative stuff that might compromise our beliefs. But what kind of faith do we have if it can't be stretched and tested....

I always want to show my support for Christian movies, especially when I know a church or Christian organization made the film. For example, I saw the Christian teen-drama To Save a Life recently. Though I enjoyed it overall, I found the ending a bit anti-climatic and some scenes seemed especially forced, as if the producers were trying to prove how 'authentic' the movie was. I sense this with other Christian movies as well, which is part of why I'm writing this blog. Here I want to discuss three of my favorite movies, which all have Christian themes of hope and redemption. I also want to examine why I like these movies, whether or not they're a 'Christian' movie, and what that title really means, anyway.



Gran Torino (2008) starring Clint Eastwood
Gran Torino

The first film—and one of my all-time favorites—is Gran Torino. It's a film about an old man who's enervated by his surroundings. Walt Kolwalski is tired of his family's selfishness, tired of his neighborhood's encroaching multicultural diversity, and tired of the dilapidated and dying state of his once-great city. Despite the curmudgeon that he is, his new Asian neighbors befriend Walt, and he slowly withholds his prejudice. Walt becomes a father-figure to the family's son, and eventually stands up for the boy in inspiring—and unexpected—ways.

A very real and gritty depiction of our complex and diverse world, Gran Torino is rated R for violence and strong language. That can be the off-limits kiss-of-death for many Christian viewers...unless the movie is The Passion of the Christ. Many Christians are hesitant to engage a film that shows a realistic depiction of life...maybe because that reality is cruel and ugly. Gran Torino is one of the most redemptive stories I've seen on film in a long time. It's powerfully acted and by far one of Clint Eastwood's best.


28 Days (2000) starring Sandra Bullock
28 Days

The next film is 28 Days. No, not the zombie film...that's 28 Days Later. The 28 Days I'm referring to stars Sandra Bullock as Gwen Cummings, an alcoholic who can't quite come to grips with her addiction. She's sentenced to twenty-eight days in a rehab facility, where she's forced to confront her erratic lifestyle and what she must do about it. Will Gwen choose her also-alcoholic boyfriend and the life she's used to, or will she stand and fight against her own will?

Like Gran Torino, 28 Days is not a Christian film. Should that disqualify it from being considered by Christians? Movies that have redemptive and hopeful messages should be viewed by Christians, whether or not they've been "Dove-approved." The world we live in is a sinful place...shielding our eyes from films that portray our world realistically doesn't exactly set us up to be disciples to lost and hurting people.


The Second Chance (2006)
starring Michael W. Smith
 The Second Chance

Here I've picked a movie that can be considered 'Christian.' The Second Chance was directed by Steve Taylor, who was a successful Christian musician in the 1980s. It also stars popular Christian contemporary musician Michael W. Smith (in his first acting role). I've selected this movie not only because it is a favorite, but also because jaded believers like myself should realize that it's good to acknowledge a remarkable film, whether it's a Christian film or not.

The Second Chance takes a look at two pastors who, though they share a common faith, have to preach to very different sets of people. One is a black pastor who works in the inner city, the other a young, white pastor who works in the wealthy suburbs. When they are assigned to work together, tensions arise and they're forced to face their own prejudice and work through their differences. It's another great story that carries themes of redemption and forgiveness, all through the unique lens of inner-city ministry.

Some Christian movies, such as The Second Chance and To Save A Life, purposely sought a PG-13 rating, which allowed them more freedom to show realism throughout the film. Oddly enough, this sometimes alienates a movie from the Christian audience who should be the most supportive of the work. This blog is to point out that film is one of the best ways we have to depict stories. Christ used parables to illustrate messages of hope and reconciliation with God. We have this very same method, and while we must use it with care and responsibility, we must not forget that Christ came to save lost and broken people. When Christians "sanitize" that redemptive process on film, it's a disservice to the message being communicated. Blogger Mike Duran posed this same thought: 
" 'Knowing God' and descending into 'the dark places' of our hearts seems incongruous. As a result, many Christian artists, while touting God’s ability to save anyone, tend to sanitize depictions of the process. We say that God can save people from 'the dark places'—we just don’t want to show 'the dark places.' " 1
If we can choose to see a film's redemptive qualities, and not cast it aside because it portrays the ugliness and brokenness of the world, we might open ourselves up to a beautiful cinematic experience that tells the same story we continually see in the Bible...the story of love overcoming evil.

1  http://mikeduran.com/?p=5055

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Man With The Golden Voice

If you're a YouTube surfer, you've no doubt seen the popular video that's been posted about Ted Williams, a Columbus-Ohio-based homeless man who claims to have the "God-given gift of a great voice." When the videographer drives up to Ted and offers him a dollar to hear his "great radio voice," you don't expect to hear such a beautiful baritone come from such a disheveled-looking man.

Here's the video, followed by why I'm so touched by it.



Ted Williams and his "golden voice" stand out to me more than any other YouTube clip that's gone viral lately. There's something about his sincerity and admission of past mistakes that makes me want to root for him. I've done a little bit of work with the homeless, and I hurt for these people. We live in a world that doesn't quickly give second chances to strung-out drug addicts and alcoholics. That the Gospel is entirely opposite of how the world treats those 'who have messed up their life' is the reason that I'm drawn to it. The beauty of this story is that this man, Ted Williams, is getting a second chance, all thanks to this video interview. Ted Williams has become a mega-star overnight. And when you hear how the story has unfolded since it was first posted...about getting the chance to reunite with his 92-year-old mother, whom he hasn't seen in years...and about his two-plus years of sobriety...and about the many job offers he's now getting...you just want to stand up and cheer for him. It's not often that you seen a YouTube sensation giving thanks to God on CBS's Early Show for everything in his life, the good and the bad. Ted Williams, if you ever read this little piece of the Web, you've inspired me and I wish you the very best that life can offer.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Twenty-Eleven and Second Chances

There's something about the start of a new year.

We confess our holiday over-eating, over-spending, and over-indulging and ring in the new year with the promise of a new start at the stroke of midnight. We feel hopeful, as if what happened last year doesn't matter anymore—we can start over and try again. I love this. I love new beginnings. I somehow find new motivation...to exercise more, to live a healthier lifestyle, and to be a better person.

Twenty-eleven also makes me think about God's grace.

Christians know all about God's grace, yet usually have a hard time comprehending and accepting it. It's a topic that I'm definitely passionate about, because if we miss the point on this one, then nothing else about the Christian faith really matters. Why do people embrace a new year? Probably because of the hope and promise that lie within it. This is just what grace does for us. Grace is basically God's free gift of forgiveness to anyone who wants it. And grace, like a new year, is all about second chances.

Most of us continually let ourselves down. We gained too much weight last year. We didn't save enough money. We worked too much. We didn't spend enough time with our family. A new year offers us a chance to fix all the stuff we screwed up the year before. My question for everyone reading this, is simply: Why wait for a new year for a second chance?

God's grace comes to us immediately...in fact, it's as close as a whisper. Jesus came to offer mercy to sinners, not to people who thought they had it all together. Let's not live in our past mistakes. Let's not beat ourselves up over what we didn't accomplish last year. To this point, Martin Luther had a great saying: "Sin bravely." Sure, we all screw up. But you know what? There's forgiveness. And who doesn't long for a second chance? God's forgiveness is a reality that needs to be thought about...deeply. Many people feel a sense of hope on New Year's day. I hope these people can know that one day a year is too short a space for hope and forgiveness. We need to embrace it every second of every day. As often as we feel we need forgiveness, it's there. Embrace hope and forgiveness in the same way you embrace a new year, with a willingness to forget the past and a motivation to live today better.