Hate the sin / Love the sinner (and go to the movie he helped make).
All Christian legalists (in whatever form) should get their heads checked and/or go argue in front of God now.
Posted on 01/24/2006 7:51:17 AM PST by No Fool
I got spammed this morning by Jason Janz with some heroic epic about his own personal crusade to save the Christian world from the terrible threat of The End of the Spear - a movie on the redemption of the native tribe who killed the five missionaries including Jim Elliott and Nate Saint.
The movie had gotten a lot of good Christian press and seemed poised to do well at the box office.
Now Janz is demanding a boycott by us and an apology from the film's producers because of the terrible sin they committed of hiring a homosexual actor to play the part of Nate Saint.
I was rushing out the door this morning but sent this hasty email to the heretofore-unknown-to-me Mr. Jantz:
Jason -
Please consider that the best place for a gay activist to spend time would be surrounded by Christians. Who knows what long-term impact that may have on him, what seeds were being planted, what God will do with it?
I am all for building bridges. It's hard to make a monster of a group of people when there is open communication.
And among those Christians were probably at least a couple adulterers, porn addicts, and so on.
Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors. I think he would want us to not be afraid of associating with sinners. I think he would like it.
Just a few thoughts as I am dashing out to the Blogs4Life conference and the Right to Life March.
Barbara Curtis www.mommylife.net author of Reaching the Left from the Right (out 8/1/06 - my 7th book, but first one on politics)
When I got home there was no email from Mr. Jantz waiting for me. I checked out his website and found that he has made quite a name for himself with his crusade. Then checked around the blogosphere to find tons of Christians who'd jumped on his bandwagon - with hundreds of words, words, and more words.
This is so sad. I disagree with most everything I read, except my friend Molly's analysis. And not wanting to add to the avalanche of words already, I'll just leave it at what I said to Mr. Jantz, plus a few thoughts:
I can picture God saying to those who cast a homosexual in a Christian film: "Well done, my good and faithful servants." I think he would be very pleased. Honestly. I really, truly do.
I don't think he is pleased at the ranting and raving and gnashing of teeth of the sinners he has so graciously saved who find it so incredibly difficult to relate in a meaningful way with anyone not meeting up to their standards. I agree with those who've asked if we should boycott all products and stores owned by sinners. Should we quit our jobs if our bosses are sinners? We live in a fallen world. Get over it. Be kind and be grateful if you ever have an opportunity like the producers of End of the Spear had to live the Golden Rule and be a true witness to the God they are obviously serving, in the face of all this unwarranted condemnation by those who love to call themselves "Brothers and Sisters in Christ."
I'm sorry, but as someone who wasn't saved until the age of 38 - precisely because of the ridiculous mess Christians have made of Christianity, I do get a little riled up when I see this kind of stuff.
As to whether the content was overtly Christian "enough" for all the very talented and creative bloggers sitting back in judgment, I would beg to point out that the book of Esther never mentions God.
And finally, my memory verse this week:
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! James 2:12-13.
Kind of makes any "boycotters" seem like they are stepping out of the step with the rest of the band.
How could Jesus hang out with such scum. I mean those tax collectors are disgusting.
I'm more concerned with the message of the film than the failings of those behind it.
Next time bring a gun
I took my daughter to see it opening night....it was powerful and moving. Since none of the actors were "A" list...not a peep out of my 12 year old as to "who" the actors were anyway. This movie is focused on story, not celebrity.
Too many "Christians" are losing sight of what it really means. They either condemn people for homosexuality, without attempting to influence the homosexuals in a positive fashion, or they promote homosexuals within their churches. When asked why he hung out with the low-life, Jesus made a statement akin to: The well don't need the attention of doctors. Since it is our biggest duty as Christians to spread the Word and try to get others to claim Jesus as their own Saviour, we need to spend more time with those who are wandering in darkness, in the hope they may see the Light.
Ugh, and those prostitutes and hos. Especially the ones with skimpy clothes, and the nice bods and . . . . Oh, Lord. Help me.
Bingo.
Hate the sin / Love the sinner (and go to the movie he helped make).
All Christian legalists (in whatever form) should get their heads checked and/or go argue in front of God now.
It's not a preachy movie. Themes important to our culture. Compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation.
Check out the review from Cal Thomas I posted a few days ago...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1560105/posts
Excellent observation we need to say this clearly: Homosexuality is a damnable sin and an addiction, not a lifestyle choice and you were no more born a homosexual than I was an alcoholic but I know I have the genetic background which makes me susceptible to that so I avoid the drink.
At the same time we need to love these people, and love does mean telling someone they are in sin and endangering their soul. I think many Christians pick homosexuality and abortion as their pet sins because its easy for them to avoid doing it themselves while pointing a finger at others. Always talk to someone about the saving grace of Christ by using a sin you commit, a sin you have in common with that person.
There are so many things Jesus did that would have so many people today all twisted up, and to be honest with you if crucifixion was standard and allowed, he would probably be crucified faster TODAY (and by a good segment of Christians) than he was when he gave Himself up for us. For one he'd be banned from very many churches for many of the things he said and did.
What if she'd actually thought through Jason Janz' (she misspells his name) very carefully documented, well thought out writing, and dealt with his thoughts and facts, rather than her feelings about his thoughts and facts?
A different perspective here and here.
Dan
Not to mention turning water into wine and (gasp!) drinking wine!
So you believe in only hiring perfect, "pure" people?
I'm not being sarcastic in saying this: that you would ask me this tells me that you have not read my linked essays on this topic. I spell out what I think and why, on that very issue, pretty clearly. If you're interested, give it a read, get back to me.
Dan
Well-said.
Well, we finally get a movie that shows what Christianity is about. It shows what our goals and motives are (or at least should be).
Who cares if the messenger is flawed. Moses killed a man. Peter denied knowing Jesus. Paul held people's coats while they stoned the Christians to death. These are some of the people God went on to use to communicate the building blocks of our faith.
God has a history of using flawed people to spread his message. :-)
In other news; "Book of Daniel" cancelled today.
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