CULTURE

FAITH

Music and Its Message

Musicians communicate a view of the world through music.

Musicians shape the world as their message is heard over and over.

Music is a medium which attempts to shape your view of the world.

Watching Movies with Redemptive Eyes

Why do people watch movies?

Why do people make movies?

Why do people make movies? Jeffrey Skoll, a Canadian

and the billionaire co-founder of eBay, has taken his profits to Hollywood to make movies that first and foremost contain what he calls "a message for social change."

Why do people make movies? It's our job as

filmmakers to reflect the world right now, and this year has proven that you can make these movies and make them not taste like medicine,"

Charlize Theron

Why do people make movies? There is an expression in Hollywood that

the studios make movies about what people were talking about last year. There is always a lag between idea and premiere.

More than sparking a social trend, "movies reflect more how people are starting to think," said Patricia King Hanson, executive editor of the American Film Institute's Catalog of Feature Films.

Why do we talk about movies? “We believe that …films…are valuable for

the discerning Christian. Valuable as a window of insight into the heart of our postmodern culture, or as a point of contact to begin discussion with a non-Christian about things that matter. It’s in a culture’s stories that we have access to what is in their hearts and imaginations – their hopes and fears, values and dreams.”

Dennis Hack – Ransom Fellowship

“Approached with discernment, movies are powerful tools for Christians to better understand the world and to better engage with friends on topics that matter.”

What is the difference between…

Watching a redemptive movie

Watching a movie redemptively

Be Personally Aware

Our own weaknesses

Flee temptation

Wrong to fail to act on our understanding

It is self-centered to assume that since we shouldn’t see a certain film, no else should either.

How to watch movie redemptively Questions for Discussion

How does this movie reflect creation?

How does this movie reflect the fall?

How does this movie reflect redemption?

As Christians what can we affirm about the film?

As Christians what must we deny about the film?

How to watch movie redemptively Questions for Discussion

What was your first impression of the film? Why did you react that way?

What is the main idea the director appeared to be communicating?

Which character did you easily identify with? Why?

Consider cinematography – in what ways were the techniques of film making used to get the main message across

Lighting Music Action Sets

“The most demonic, satanic movie I’ve ever seen.”

“Avatar calls us to see with our hearts, to remember that people matter and places matter”

What are the main ideas the director appeared to be communicating?

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Main ideas

Longing for Freedom

Desire to “see” and “be seen”

Respect for the culture of others

Stewardship of the environment

Main Theme

What idea does the director develop up to the climax of the film?

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What can we affirm about the film?

“I See You” Genesis 16:11-13 11 The angel of the

LORD also said to her: "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." 13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "I have now seen the One who sees me."

“I See You” Matthew 13:15-16 15 For this

people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

“I See You”

Ephesians 1:18 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

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Purging of evil

Revelation 20:13-15 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

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Redemption of our bodies

Romans 8:22-23 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

What must we deny about the film?

Deny

Hope in Pantheism Worship of creation Abusing our Father’s name Anti-government sentiment

What insight into the heart of our culture does this film provide?

Hunger for renewal Need for rescue Desire for unity and peace Desire for evil & self-centeredness to

be purged

What is an AVATAR, anyway?

“It’s an incarnation of one of the Hindu gods taking a flesh form.”

James Cameron interview with Time magazine.

The Reality

John 1:14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.