Category: Film

Rob Bell Interview

Something else from that February issue of Christianity magazine is a terrific interview with Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church, Michigan and Velvet Elvis and Nooma DVDs fame. There is an extract on their website from the printed version; but even better is the full video interview (which lasts 35-40 minutes). Highlights for me include:

  • How Mars Hill can be ten thousand strong but distance itself from ‘mega-church’ values;
  • How Bell avoids label, including ’emerging’ and ’emergent’, because we all should be engaging with what it means to follow Jesus Christ today;
  • The use of everyday family life and friendships as a means of accountability.

But there is so much more. You may find your own highlights. I really can’t commend this too highly. I’m putting in my order now for his next book, Sex God, a provocative title for an examination of sexuality and spirituality. It’s due 30th March.

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Amazing Grace, Amazing Hypocrisy

More from February’s Christianity magazine: there is a pungent editorial by John Buckeridge about the forthcoming film Amazing Grace about the life of William Wilberforce and the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. The magazine carries a big feature about how churches may use the movie to interact with their local communities. But Buckeridge’s editorial raises an uncomfortable point: the backer of the film is Philip Anschutz, the American Christian who wants to buy London’s Millennium Dome and turn it into a super-casino. Buckeridge says,

Doubly curious then that Mr Anshutz should fund a film about a man who opposed all forms of slavery and who rejected gambling – while funding another project that threatens to corrupt and enslave thousands.

It made me think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:29-39. Is Anschutz making this film a tomb for a prophet and a decorated grave for a righteous man? If not, then what is he doing?

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Chelmsford Christian Festival – Films

Well, a big sorry that I haven’t been blogging that much in recent weeks. Much of that has been down to a couple of pesky viruses throughout December and into the New Year. Hence why this hasn’t been much more than a sermon blog in recent weeks. I’ll try to get back to posting a little more frequently now.

So here’s one for starters where I’d like your thoughts: I’m involved in planning next year’s Chelmsford Christian Festival (‘Festival’? Because some don’t like the word mission and we’re trying to be as inclusive of all shades of Christian.) One of my colleagues on the Programme Committee wants to hire the local Odeon cinema to run some films there during the Festival. But what would you show if it were down to you? Would you go for arty films like Jesus Of Montreal? Children’s films like The Prince Of Egypt or The Miracle Maker? Evangelistic films such as Jesus (a.k.a. The Jesus Film)? Recent Hollywood movies that have been targeted at Christians, such as The Passion Of The Christ, The Nativity Story or The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe? And what would you want to accomplish?

I have to accompany my colleague to a meeting with the Odeon manager, probably in about ten days’ time. What are your thoughts?

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Chelmsford Christian Festival – Films

Well, a big sorry that I haven’t been blogging that much in recent weeks. Much of that has been down to a couple of pesky viruses throughout December and into the New Year. Hence why this hasn’t been much more than a sermon blog in recent weeks. I’ll try to get back to posting a little more frequently now.

So here’s one for starters where I’d like your thoughts: I’m involved in planning next year’s Chelmsford Christian Festival (‘Festival’? Because some don’t like the word mission and we’re trying to be as inclusive of all shades of Christian.) One of my colleagues on the Programme Committee wants to hire the local Odeon cinema to run some films there during the Festival. But what would you show if it were down to you? Would you go for arty films like Jesus Of Montreal? Children’s films like The Prince Of Egypt or The Miracle Maker? Evangelistic films such as Jesus (a.k.a. The Jesus Film)? Recent Hollywood movies that have been targeted at Christians, such as The Passion Of The Christ, The Nativity Story or The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe? And what would you want to accomplish?

I have to accompany my colleague to a meeting with the Odeon manager, probably in about ten days’ time. What are your thoughts?

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Why Do Heathens Make The Best Christian Films?

Just found this article. It has lots of applications for people in all sorts of artistic and cultural fields. It’s not a perfect article (surprise – and read one or two of the comments posted) but it’s outstanding. It emphasises the importance of metaphor (Show, don’t tell) and makes a good case for why film directors with a Catholic background are better suited to movie-making (they understand iconography, whereas evangelical Protestants are so into the ‘word’ that their work risks degenerating into propaganda).

Here’s the link:

Why Do Heathens Make the Best Christian Films?, by Thom Parham

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