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Monday, December 17, 2007 
I typically get disappointed not with movies like The Golden Compass but with the narrow imagination and lack of discourse among some Christians regarding such art. The posture of the Christian community often sets us up for valid criticism when we can't recognize redemptive themes and life in such films. Going to a movie is not agreeing with it. It's like reading a book or talking to a friend. You choose to enter into a dialogue. While I may not be a fan of Pullman's theology I can still appreciate his imagination.
I went with my daughter and actually found the movie entertaining and filled with magical moments. If you can get passed the fact that witches and demons are often considered good in the film, you can actually appreciate the creativity of the film and mind of the makers. But even in the Scriptures we find evil doing what looks to be good. Satan himself is called an angel of light. The scriptures even say demons believe in God. Use the film to have discourse and even good and lively debate but boycotting a film like this seems way to extreme.
Here was a good excerpt from our friends at Intervarsity Publishing House regarding The Goldeen Compass.
The Golden Compass
New Line Cinema's The Golden Compass opens in theaters this week amid much debate and controversy. Based on Philip Pullman's book, the first of a trilogy, it is set in another world like ours but not. Some are concerned that the book does (and that the movie will) represent Christianity in a false and unflattering light. Certainly Pullman has said, "My books are about killing God." So he is not being guarded about his intentions.
Having made my way to the halfway point of the third book, I have found the books to be immensely imaginative and creative. The worlds, the framework of his universe, the driving plot line all contribute to a good read. With a few exceptions, I found the characterizations generally disappointing. Somehow I don't get Lyra. And Will (who shows up in books two and three) hasn't captured me either. On the other hand, Mrs. Coulter is deliciously evil--one of the best-crafted villains I've met in the pages of a book in a long time. (I'm sure Nicole Kidman will be perfect for the role.) Lee Scoresby is as enjoyable a Texas sidekick as you'd ever want exploring the arctic with your pre-adolescent daughter.
But then there are more villains than Mrs. Coulter. Chief among them are the Magisterium (the council that rules the Church in Pullman's world as there is no pope) and ultimately the Authority (a god who was the first to evolve out of matter and who has hoodwinked angels, humans and others into thinking he is eternal in an attempt to control all). This, of course, is where all the hullabaloo comes in. The Magisterium is responsible for immense wickedness and abuses of power. The Authority is not far behind.
So what should we think of all this? Tony Watkins offers a balanced perspective on the trilogy in Dark Matters, a book that I think will be welcomed by devotees and detractors alike. Tony sat down with Pullman to interview him for the book and offers an appreciative portrait. A coworker here at IVP actually believes the books subvert Pullman's own viewpoints, for his heroes and heroines actually act out and approve themes of grace, sacrifice and redemption that would have been impossible without the biblical story.
Mark Morford in a no-holds barred piece puts the challenge this way to those who are upset about the books and movie, "If your ancient, authoritarian, immutable belief system is truly threatened by a handful of popular novels, if your ostensibly all-powerful, unyielding creed is rendered meek and defenseless when faced with the story of a fiery, rebellious young girl who effortlessly rejects your stiff misogynistic religiosity in favor of adventure, love, sex, the ability to discover and define her soul on her own terms, well, it might be time for you to roll it all up and shut it all down and crawl back home, and let the divine breathe and move and dance as she sees fit. Don't you agree?"
Morford's challenge is valid. This is a case where the proper response is likely not boycott or blanket condemnation but engagement and discussion. To the extent that Pullman's work feeds into and reinforces existing stereotypes of God and Christians, a response is needed. Rather than dissuading others from hearing a thought-provoking and potentially hostile story, however, let us offer better thoughts and better stories.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
This week has been fun!
With needs both in London, Bangkok and Irvine, we've seen God provide in great ways! Our people are believing the vision as indicated by their sacrificial giving not only on Sundays but in other generous ways.
Check it out:
- Angel Tree- purchased 400 gifts for families in Santa Ana; Angel Tree party in Santa Ana
- Soup kitchen provided 75 gift baskets for the homeless at the OC rescue mission
- Casa Hogar Ministry provided 100 christmas gifts for the children at the orphanage
- International Students ministry is growing. They had a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov 17th with students from UCI
Also, since these are all completed Christmas opportunities, if families still want to get involved and give for Christmas, we have an announcement in the bulletin for the KidWorks Christmas store. This is the last Christmas opportunity....There will be a table in the foyer with more information too. Basically, families buy Christmas gifts for the KidWorks Christmas store, and the parents can go to the store and purchase gifts for their kids at 10% of the value.
There's nothing like giving. . . We never become more like Him when we do!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
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NewSong Church
December 2-9, 2008 |
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Hey NewSong!
WE had a great VIBE this morning sharing what God is doing in our church! Here were some highlights:
1. A key study done by a consulting team affirms the direction we're going at NewSong! And so did many who attended the VIBE Core meeting this morning! We're also a few percent above budget!!!
2. The dirty little secret is alot of the mega church movement is in decline. And even more sad, is that the church is the biggest social network in the world yet is probably the most reluctant to collaborate.
3. Affirming Research findings and what we are going to do about it:
A. Catalyze Spiritual Practices/disciplines at NewSong! Our FLOW process is unfolding with key experiences, consultations and coaching for you. We'll also be handing out a special tool for spiritual growth in the beginning of the new year.
B. Focus on ACTION! There comes a point in our spiritual maturity that we grow the most when we SERVE. Where our focus is Giving not receiving.
The findings demonstrated that sunday mornings cannot meet all our spiritual needs. In fact, the primary source of spiritual nutrition is not church on sunday only (it's a great buffet but we all get hungry again). The goal is for us to become cwows--a church without walls. Where every one plays How? By BEcoming the church. While we'll have services on Sunday, for a healthy spiritual diiet must continue on throughout the week espeically by serving and giving our lives away to God and to others!
4. Vision of Irvine and Santa Ana: BOTH/AND
We are going to continue moving into serving both Santa Ana and Irvine. While we still will keep the location in Irvine we are also planning on serving in Santa Ana with continued passion and action. We have met with Santa Ana government officials such as the parks director, the educ director, city planner, community dev. corporation leaders. We're planning to adopt a school, a park, and renew our commitment to the CDC 's in Santa Ana. PLEASE AGAIN NOTE WE ARE STILL PURSUING SERVING IN SANTA ANA WITH EQUAL OR GREATER ENERGY yet we are also at this time, EQUALLY committed to serving the Irvine community! We're praying about starting a preschool program in 2008 in our Irvine location!
5. Check out the CIP and Invest now! Don't miss out on being a part of what God is doing locally and globally! http://newsong.net/cip/
My family and I are praying about what God would have us give not only to the great initiatives before us but also to newsong for an end of the year gift!
6. RED. . . We got a hot event for our whole newsong family in north America and around the world coming up the last weekend of June (27-29th)! It has to do with RED (we'll tell you more in a few weeks).Mark your calendars now. This will be a time of inspiration, newsong relationship building, and incredible fun! It's a time all of us come together to renew ourselves to God and one another. Don't miss it. This year Tony Campolo will be coming!
7. A Revolutionary WEBSITE for NewSong will be debuting in January!
That's it for now! Don't forget to see what God is doing through your passonate sacrifice and service at newsong at http://live.newsong.net
love,
dave
http://live.newsong.net
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007 Wild Men@NewSong!
Watch out when you get a group of men together! Usually when men get come together you think of hooting and hollering, crude jokes and other unsavory things. However, this uniquet gathering of men from newsong would go beyond what we could imagine.
This weekend men from mostly our three sites in SoCal got together. It was one of the highlights of the year for me.
An Indonesian lead pastor of one of the biggest churches in the world shared with us about a year ago that when God moved in his church it started with the men of his congregation confessing their sins. And that's what happened this weekend. The raw transparency and the grace shared among the men was a spark that I believe will ignite our church! One man shared he had dreamt of this two years ago. With tears in his eyes, he was able to see what God had laid on his heart come into fruition.
As we talked about on Sunday from Isaiah 6, "the cut off stump will become a holy seed!"
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Saturday, November 03, 2007
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I'm sitting with Bob. He's one of my closest friends. We have a blast together. He just finished blogging. Here's what he wrote. Check it out. . . and you know some of this isn't true!
posted November 2, 2007 by Bob Roberts Jr. Comments (0)
It’sbeen a wild ride. My clothes didn’t make it - so I”m wearing anotherman’s clothes - hope he doesn’t have any diseases! Last night we metat the US Ambassadors home - it was nice - opening remarks, etc. Then,several of us went to different art galleries to look - looking for aspecial painting for our new worship center. I’m sitting beside DaveGibbons from New Song Church in Irvine, Ca. Takes me back to our daysin the early 90’s with Leighton Ford. Dave was always makingwisecracks - disrupting the class - doing stupid stuff - he’s a reallive Irish/Korean/Texan wannabe! I’m on his computer - he tied intosomeone’s open wireless system - and in Vietnam everything is open! Dave is nodding his head as the lecture is going on, oh wait - - - -he’s not agreeing - - - - he’s sleeping, now snoring - should I wakehim? There’s a Vietnam TV camera man filming - will they get Dave? Nope, ain’t gonna wake him - this may get good.
I am sitting in a room with some of the greatest pastors in allVietnam, some of the greatest scholars on religion and rule of law inthe world, and my good buddy Chris Seiple. He’s just done an awesomejob putting this together. There are some 85 people in the room. Representatives from all over the world are present, scholars,religious leaders, and others. Phuc Dang is two down from me sitting byPastor YKim - NorthWood, he’s doing great and sends his greetings toall of you.
I can hardly believe what is happening here. I remember my first triphere in ‘95 - Vietnam is growing in every dimension - it’s economy,it’s education, it’s global involvement. No things are not perfect,but they are changing. We had meetings set up for Malcolm Morris ofStewart Title yesterday and he’s studying the whole real estateexplosion here. Kent Humphreys is also visiting with key leaderstrying to look at different business opportunities. Sherman Chau, headof Glocal Ventures here has made great inroads - between NorthWoodincreasing it’s involvement and now USAID here, along with a couple offoundations - we should have a fantastic year up and coming.
I’m convinced more than ever - whether working in the Vietnam or theMiddle-East - the way of the future is engagement. Communication andtransportation has connected us. Edicts, threats, and strong armdiplomacy/military must be used sparingly in this new world. There areenough reasonable people in the world with access to communication thatif we identify them and connect with them - we might be able to avoidwar like never before. I know you may think that’s crazy - BUT as themillineal generation comes into leadership - I”m optimistic.
Now for an interview with Dave Gibbons.
Dave why did you come and what do you hope to accomplish by being here?
Play with Bob. Eat Pho. Get Vietnamese massages.
Dave seriously - people are going to hell - what are you learning?
okay. . .i’m here to understand and get a pulse of what God is doingin one of the hottest spiritual areas in the world. I’m captivated bythe advancement of religious freedom that is being addressed. Moreover,I’m encouraged by individuals like yourself and Chris Seiple who arequietly doing work that is advancing the cause of Christ many inAmerica may not be aware of.
Bob: Dave you’re an Irishman who loves Thai’s - I’m a Welshman wholoves Vietnamese - why do you think we love this opposite cultures somuch?
Southeast Asians are some of the friendliest, loving people on theglobe. They have alot to teach us. Their culture and love of life, aswell as their hunger for the deeper things of life are certainlycompelling to both of us. Furthermore, this is the frontline of what webelieve is a great awakening like never seen before.
Bob: Dave I really believe the greatest move of God is from Asiaand it is going impact us more than the other way around - what’s youropinion?
I sense the same thing. Their are currents that are moving throughthis region of the world that are evident by the economic, political,and socio-cultural front that are unbelievable. Millions are enteringinto a conversation about God and spiritual things. At this Asianintersection, we’ll not only see business and artistic innovation buttheological as well. Theological perspectives coming from suffering andmarginality are deep and will resonate with most of the world more thana prosperity/blessing type of gospel often communicated via the west.
Bob: Dave that’s really good. OK, this is heavy - BUT, I honestlybelieve one of the biggest obstacles to the church in America is thather pastors are giving her the wrong medicine. It’s not that it’s justnot helping, but that it’s poisoning us. They see empty buildings,out of church people, and try to get them in the barn. The focusshouldn’t be the barn, but the Gospel of the Kingdom engaging the lifeof the disciple. Willowcreek just released their Reveal study - butthis isn’t a shock - it’s obvious. What’s your take?
hmmmm . . i love what bill hybels and willow has done for the churchnot only in America but also the world.. They have encouraged many ofus to be sensitive to the culture around us while communicating thegospel in relevant ways. While the study may not be new to those whoare engaged in a more global dialogue it is certainly welcomed. My hopeis that the study will lead us to who really is in our backyard andwhat is our main task as the church. It should lead us to reallyexamine who truly is our neighbor. As time goes on, the megachurchmovement has framed a unique picture of our neighbor that may not bewhat Jesus was actually talking about. Our typical American definitionof our neighbor has further ghettoized and segregated the globalvillage. We are more polarized than ever with the typical church growthbeliefs we have posited not only on the US but now in churches we haveinfluenced around the world. It’s time for a dramatic change.Otherwise, our church in America continues to become more self-centeredand insular.
OK, guess we’d better be listenning closer - if you have questions - email us and we’ll perhaps tackle some of them later!
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