3-2-06
I wrote something about Gibson's Passion of the Christ when it came out
about all the talk of a great revival that was going to happen as a result of the
film. Well, it does not appear to have led to a great revival. In fact, the only
widespread lasting result may be the money in Mr. Gibson's pocket. I know
some people were saved because the film convicted them and some people
were blessed by experiencing the movie - I count myself in that last group -
but, it did not shake the world for Christ.
The latest efforts in the Christian pop-culture world have fared no better in
producing seismic spiritual movement. Purpose Driven, Experiencing God,
the latest outreach tool, and whatever others have changed the lives of
millions and reached millions for Christ they say. Many of the same people
must be having multiple life-changing experiences.
The culture looks the same or worse, the church looks the same or worse,
evangelistic results look worse (I'm talking about in the USA here). The one
thing no one seems willing to try is the one thing that will work - the local
church. God's tool to reach the masses. The preaching of the local church
pastor and the singing of the local church singers are needed to carry the
day. The witnessing of the local church body along with the teaching of the
local church teachers will change the lives of millions.
God's truth does not have to be in a movie to be relevant or to be 'more real'
or anything else. We don't need novels to teach theology. We need local
churches staffed by people whose passion is that local church and that local
church's local mission. Pedestals are for Satan's crowd and the applause of
men for his minions.
I'm all for Christian movies, music, and books. But, I'm more for faith rising
up in those who hear the gospel from the mouths of people who are present
with the hearers. Those who love the hearers personally not from afar and
just because they are lost souls but because the bearer of the good news
knows that person by name and is willing to develop an ongoing relationship
and often because they already have that relationship.
Dale
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