Monday, March 3, 2014

Son of God



I started this post over a year ago and never finished it. I'm posting it in its unfinished form with the original date.


 


I went to see Son of God opening weekend. I don't claim to be the most studied Christian, in fact I'm learning more about God, the Bible, and my relationship with God everyday.  There are certain aspects of the movie that bothered me. I could be incorrect in something I'm about to say, so I welcome comments and corrections - I thrive on learning and personal development. On the surface the movie was good. No denying that; however, I question the accuracy and interpretation of the Bible for the big screen. Here are a few things that caught my attention:


1.      The Purpose of the Messiah - the opening scenes of the movie explain how the people need and messiah and a savior to free them from Roman rule. WHAT!?!? I thought Jesus was born in the flesh to save us from our inherent sinful nature and that was His purpose. John 3:16-17 states "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16 is one of the most popular scriptures, how did Hollywood get this wrong?!


2.      Jesus is Still White - most of the supporting characters were obviously of middle eastern decent, or at least appeared that way. But the character of Jesus was clearly European and straight pearly white teeth. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. Judea is currently know as the West Bank - a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, forming the bulk of the Palestinian territories. In other words, no where near Europe. Jesus is portrayed by Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado. Can Hollywood let Jesus be non-white? Please?


No Mention of the Resurrection - Jesus predicts his betrayal and death, but I don't remember a mention of his resurrection 


 

Opportunit​ies for Miracles




I was having the debate about whether people are born gay or choose to be gay. Someone made the point that “why would God make you gay?” and my rebuttal with the fact that people are born with other afflictions and predispositions that they have no control over, like birth defects, chronic illnesses, alcoholism, and mental illness. Some of which the Christian community consider to be some form of spiritual attack.
Fast forward to Sunday’s service, which was about Extreme Faith and the scripture was John 9:1-7:

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Like most, I’ve heard and read this story several times, but what stuck with me this time was “this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” WOW! That just clicked for me. Basically Jesus is telling us that it doesn’t matter how it came to be, and placing blame won’t fix the problem. We’re focusing on the wrong things because what matters is that through our faith in God even the blind from birth can be healed. Every affliction and attack is another opportunity to see a miracle of God.

We spend so much time trying to figure out why things happen and it clearly says it here. Whenever we struggle and overcome it’s just another opportunity for us to glorify His name because the works of God have been displayed in us. I encourage everyone to look for opportunities for miracles so that we can see our faith and His works manifested in our lies.

-Trans