Worldview 101

Will Smith is a great actor and for the most part, I love his movies.  Having an opportunity to rent “Seven Pounds” ($1 at Red Box … don’t you love that?) and watch it alone (previewing to determine suitability for children) I have very mixed emotions.  Since I had read a few reviews beforehand, I knew the movie was not well received by Hollywood types.  Now that I’ve seen the movie, that surprises me.  I would think that a movie like this would have been very appealing to most people. 

It’s hard to review the movie without spoiling the plot and, when watching the movie, it takes a while to figure out exactly what is going on, so I’ll have to be slightly cryptic with  my remarks.  I’ll say right up front that I like a movie with some mystery  and although I enjoy figuring out what’s going on before facts are revealed, I didn’t totally understand this movie until the end of the movie.

In the movie the main character, Will, has suffered because of  something he did.  It was an accident, but this accident could/should have been avoided and the results are devastating.  In order to make up for the damages (or to live with himself), he attempts to help other  people.  Seven people were hurt because of his actions so he’s going to help seven people.  The title, “Seven Pounds” refers to pounds of flesh … or seven people.  The choices he makes are helpful to many, but hurtful to some.  Although the viewer is pulled into Will Smith’s quest to change lives for the better, the realization that he is hurting himself and others is unsettling.  The number seven comes up in the movie several times, including a quote at the beginning that goes something like this, “The Lord made the world in seven days.  I ruined mine in seven seconds.”  (When I heard this my immediate thought was … God didn’t make the world in seven days, it was six days and then he rested, but it’s a common misconception to say God made the world in 7 days.)

Will my children be allowed to watch this movie?  Not the younger ones and not without me fast forwarding through at least one scene.  The movie contains a little language and one bedroom scene (although nothing indecent is shown, you know what’s going on and during this scene you are wondering if Will’s lust isn’t overpowering his altruism because his actions certainly must be endangering this woman.).  The movie addresses several heavy topics (abuse, dishonesty, virginity, etc.). 

Basically the message is about as secular humanistic as possible.  You decide what’s right.  Use any means possible to achieve your goals.  Do good (your interpretation of good) to others.  Sacrifice (on your terms) for mankind.  Make the bigger picture the higher goal (even if others are hurt along the way).

Will Smith does a great job portraying his character, and when he’s kissing the gal I wonder what his wife thinks as she watches that scene.  (Makes me appreciate Kirk Cameron’s desire not to kiss another woman, even in a movie.)  Some reviews look at this movie and see redemption and self-lessness.  Others see total selfishness. 

Is it worth watching?  I think so.   If you watch this movie with older children, or with friends, there are definitely topics to discuss afterwards — moral relativity being at the top of the list.  Are there biblical principles involved?  Absolutely — reaping what you sow, honesty, fate, suicide, etc.  Ideas have consequences and this movie definitely shows the direct link to an idea and its consequence.  It also shows the foolishness of using a cell phone while driving (never can over-emphasize that for the teens). 

If you sign up for Red Box you often receive a code for a free rental (and they encourage you to share the code with others). 

Have you seen the movie?  What did you think?

At our seminars we encourage parents to be aware of what’s going on in our culture so that they can have meaningful discussions with their children.  All the hoopla surrounding Miss California’s question during the Miss USA contest is certainly a great segue to discussions regarding beauty contests, character of contestants, qualified (vs. nonqualified) judges, tolerance, the media, and more! 

If you are not aware, Miss California drew the name Perez Hilton as the judge who would ask a question during the interview portion of the competition.  He asked, “”Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?”  Miss California answered, “Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage.  And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.    No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be - between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

First of all, why would Donald Trump have a homosexual sit as a judge at a woman’s beauty contest?  That is not a question to which I have found an answer.  I guess we could go further and discuss the value of beauty contests … but that’s another discussion entirely. 

Next, note that Mr. Hilton’s question was worded, “Do you think …”  He asked for her opinion.  She gave her opinion. 

After the ceremony (Miss California lost to Miss North Carolina), Miss California’s sponsors disappeared, apparently very upset at Miss California’s response to this question.  Then many articles and blogs appeared on the internet espousing differing views about this situation.  Perez Hilton ranted and raved and called Miss California unmentionable names.  He said later, on the Today Show, that she gave “the worst answer ever in pageant history.”  Then he said that had Miss California won the contest he would have gone on stage and taken off her crown.  Donald Trump alluded to the fact that Miss California lost the competition because of that answer.  Another judge, Claudia Jordan, a past Miss USA contestant, said that there was an answer to be learned.  “In pagents, just like in politics,  it’s probably best to just give a neutral answer where you’re not committed to one side or the other — if you want to win.” 

When Mr. Hilton was asked on the Today Show what type of answer he expected he said that he thought Miss California, of all contestants, would be better prepared to answer his question and that he would have liked it much better if she had left out her politics and her religion out.  He said Miss USA needs to be politically correct and inclusive of everyone.  You should watch this video — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5tZbga2Iz8 

Miss California’s response was wonderful.  She realized that her answer probably cost her the title, but she wouldn’t answer any differently if she could go back and do it again.  Note that her answer did not mention her politics or her religion in any way … she simply said it was her opinion and the way she had been raised. 

Donald Trump finally commented and said, “I am very honored that she won.  She really did a fantastic job … She was doing well on every single card and she really did answer also a very, very tough question very well. Miss California has done a wonderful job, that was her belief … It wasn’t a bad answer, that was simply her belief.“

Let’s talk about tolerance.  The definition of tolerance is, “willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of other.”  Mr. Hilton and many other online bloggers were less than tolerant of Miss California’s opinion.   Some would like us to believe that being tolerant means embracing the beliefs of others and that is not an accurate definition.  Besides, as Christians, we are not to be tolerant of those choosing to practice sin.  We are to rebuke them and then, if they do not change, stay away from them.  Another blogger who goes by the name of JayBird actually accused Miss California of being both intolerant and unbiblical in her response.  He said, “Unfortunately her answer wasn’t exactly biblically correct, in the sense that the Bible also says a lot about tolerance and acceptance of everyone. It’s also widely open to interpretation. I’m not going to pretend to be any exceptional Bible scholar, but I do go to church every week. I am proud that my church belongs to several organizations that actively seek out and support GLTBQ people to let them know they are welcome, equal additions to our congregation. A few of the groups are also actively campaigning for marriage equality. There are a wide variety of responses to homosexuality within the Christian faith, and I hope people know that Prejean’s beliefs are not representative of everyone’s.” 

What a great opportunity to discuss tolerance, political correctness, false logic, and biblical mandates with your children!

We’ll be in Orlando this Saturday at Killarney Baptist Church for a Worldview 101 Seminar!!
http://s118392501.onlinehome.us/kbcnet/Default_home.aspx

It has been interesting reading the news today. Here are a few topics you may want to discuss with your teens.

Miss California has been lambasted for saying, “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”  Her comments have stirred up much discussion on the internet.  http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/04/perez-hilton-on.html

And just when you were wondering what has happened to cause so many aborted downs syndrome babies … here’s the answer: “…90% of Downs syndrome fetuses are aborted. Maybe some of these abortions wouldn’t happen if we backed women up in caring for special needs children. If conservatives hadn’t stripped our society of the social insurance that would help families raise children, there might BE fewer abortions…”  See there, it’s the conservatives’ fault for stripping our society of social insurance.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dot.comments/2009/04/sarah_palin_and_choice.html 

In another blog Barna is criticized for proposing a definition of “Biblical worldview” so narrowly that 99% of the population is excluded.  The blogger notes, “This is the first generation to grow up almost completely wired.  They’re knowledgeable about the realities of the way the world works.  They’re not narrowly defined because Nike and every fashion label has taught them to search for the always changing, next big thing.  They refused to be defined by us.  Yes they may be cynical but they also have learned to live in the shadow of tension. They’ve learned to hold the paradox of the both/and.  They’ve learned a right answer is silly because nobody lives it.  We’re all broken.  And we don’t like that do we?  We don’t like that Mosaics can live in the paradox of the not knowing.  They can hold two opposing views simultaneously.”  I’m not real sure why this author is so bothered by the classification suggested by Barna.  By the way, according to Barna, this generation is “very mosaic in every aspect of their life.” He continues,”There’s no attribute that really dominates like you might have seen with prior generations.” Barna also describes this group as “comfortable with contradiction”, “post-modern” and exhibiting “non-linear” thinking What do you think?  http://jonathanbrink.com/2009/04/20/a-biblical-worldview/

After finally receiving the move “Come What May” (I’m assuming it was back ordered) I watched it last night.  I’ll post a review soon.  In some ways the movie did not meet my expectations yet in other ways I was pleasantly surprised.  Have you watched it?  http://www.comewhatmaythemovie.com/

If you live near Orlando, plan to join us this Saturday!

A friend sent the following link to another review of Twilight.  You  may find this author’s opinion interesting and insightful.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGJjZGYyODRhMzVlMDFlODQ3MTU2YWYzNGE4ODI5MTg

I’m off to Alabama for an entrepreneurial seminar and then a worldview seminar in Florence on Monday!

Jonathan Skagfield, age 21

Let me begin this post by stating that I am not going to tell parents to send their children to see Twilight (especially if your child is drawing pentagrams on their High School Musical 3 notebook).  Neither am I going to tell parents that they shouldn’t allow their children to see this movie.  Instead, what I would like to do is have you, the parents, question your reasons for either allowing, or not allowing (as the case may be) your children to read these books or see the movie. 

Twilightis the latest Christian scare for many parents. Some think that if they allow their teens to read the books or go see the movie that the devil is going to grab a hold of them. This is a bit exaggerated, but it does make the point.   Parents don’t want their children watching the movie because of the inclusion of vampires and the supernatural.   Many parents will immediately quote the Bible verses that pertain to taking a stand against magic, and I think this is a valid point. Yes, we as Christians should not be practicing the dark arts.   But does watching a movie or reading a book mean that we are practicing the dark arts? My immediate answer would be … well, I’m not going to answer that question because you need to make that determination.

As far as Twilightgoes I think that the use of vampires and the supernatural is a theme used to highlight intrinsic longings in the hearts of many. Edward is a great guy. He is caring, spontaneous, protective, assertive, etc. (Besides the whole blood sucking thing, he really would be a great son in law!) Girls have a strong desire for a guy like Edward.   They want to find someone who is as good as Edward. It is Edward and his relationship with Bella that pulls a person into the story. The vampire motif is just a means to an end.  Side note:  Perhaps you should have your sons read these books so they can better understand what makes a girl willing to risk so much in order to maintain a relationship with someone like Edward.

The very mystery and restraint that shrouds Edward is easily seen in the classic portrayal of an international assassin or spy. The problem with these two motifs is that everyone is tired of reading about assassins and spies!  Then along comes Twilightwith its new spin on what it looks like to fall in love, and BOOM you have women at work reading the books while doing collection calls.  

Finally, many will still say that anything having to do with vampires is just plain wrong.  Avoid the books.  Avoid the movies.  Stay away from them.  Two thoughts:  1)  The apostle Paul didn’t avoid engaging the pagan culture of his day by avoiding the presence of idols or by avoiding anything having to do with vain philosophers.  In fact, he engaged the culture by using his knowledge of their beliefs in order to relate to them.  2) Do you allow your children to read authors such as Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, or J.R.R. Tolkien, all of whom use magic in their stories?   Stop and think of the authors’ use of magic.  They use magic so that the reader will experience life in a new and creative way. We sympathize with Bilbo as he struggles to give away the Ring, for we too have felt this in ourselves. We have hope in Romeo’s struggle against destiny, for we seek to defy the odds. Finally, we mourn with Lucy for Aslan, for we too know Someone who went to die on the behalf of another. The use of magic enabled these authors to let us see life once more, the good and the bad.  

Stephanie Myers, of course, doesn’t hold a candle to the previously mentioned authors, but she has definitely portrayed love in such a way that her books are on best seller lists.   I would not presume to tell you to go read the books right now, or to go to the movie (it really is rather bland), but what I would suggest is that you prayerfully consider the motives behind whatever decision you make.

(Another review to Twilight can be found below, or by clicking the “older posts” option.)

We have two seminars scheduled, so far, for the month of April.  Email info@worldview101.com if you would like a brochure and/or schedule for either event.

April 6th, 9:00 — 3:00

Creekside Church

2315 Roberts Lane
Florence, AL  35630

April 25th, 9:00 — 3:00

Killarney Baptist Church

701 Formosa Ave
Winter Park, FL 32789 

If you want to read the review previously posted about Twilight, it should be immediately after this post, if not then you may have to click “older posts.” 

 

 

If you’ve attended one of our seminars then you are familiar with what we offer.  We have found that we aren’t doing a very good job promoting our events because what usually happens is that go into an area and have a smaller-than-desired group attend the event. At the end of the seminar we hear many proclaim, “If I had only known … I would have filled this place up.”  We’ve even had parents leave the meeting and call their friends, telling them to drop what they are doing and come to the seminar.  We know that what we are teaching is valuable and life changing.  We know that the fee we charge is nominal and we will scholarship anyone who needs assistance.  What we don’t know, apparently, is how to promote the events in such a way that people realize the value of attending the seminar. So, of you have attended in the past, we would love your help in figuring out how to do a better job promoting our events!  We love teaching and we are okay with having small audiences, but in order to maximize our time fully and in order to reach more people, it only makes sense that we try and enlarge our audiences.  HELP! 

Below are some of the remarks we received from adults who have attended our seminars.  The last remark is from the director of a Classical co-op who canceled classes in order to offer the seminar.  If you are part of a Classical co-op you may find her remarks pertinent to your group. 

---Love what you are doing and you are communicating well. We need more of this worldview training for all Christians who need to be equipped for our culture. Lisa S, VA---------------Eye opening! Makes me want to better prepare my children for the dangers they face. Pam, VA----------Fantastic! We need more of these Ben W. did a great job and I was very impressed with the Bryan College students -- a terrific group. They were helpful, courteous, and I especially like their testimonies and stories.  Aaron S, NC----------------This was absolutely fabulous. I am very grateful for your ministry. Thank you for helping equip us (the parents) and the students. This is a gift from the Lord. Teresa H., NC--------------I especially appreciated the students being so open and approachable. They were polite and personable which made the whole encounter very pleasant. The enthusiasm was definitely contagious. Joe & Roslyn C., NC----------------Great information -- enthusiastically presented. I'm so glad you included the elementary group too. Thank you! Linda S., NC--------------Great job! More than met my expectations! Ben and Pat did a great job. I am hungry for more. Brenda J., NC-------------Outstanding program for all ages. I am definitely interested in more of your programs. Dawn B, GA------------------

Pat,I have heard wonderful things from everyone! The deal with home school families is they are so busy that they would probably not attend unless it was on a co-op or class day. We felt it was well worth our while to cancel other classes for the conference. We will probably try to do it again next year if you all are available. If so, we will start earlier in the school year planning it. We will probably do it again on a class day. We felt that it was too important to let the parents have the option of their students attending. They would come up with all kinds of excuses not to attend. One of the dads of a high school student wanted his daughter to attend one of the other conferences you had going. All of the men were very impressed and enjoyed it very much!Melissa, GA

We just returned to Florida after picking up a teacher in TN and conducting seminars in NC and GA.  We had an incredible week and will now be planning more events. 
We have discovered that partnering with Classical schools works well with our seminars. Inviting students from speech clubs to help with a few skits worked out great as well!   In Statesville, NC, my son, Jon Jon, was asked to speak at Statesville Christian School chapel.  He really appreciated having that opportunity and he loved having such a large audience to share the importance of responding to today’s culture in manner pleasing to God.   Hopefully many left the seminar pondering the importance of living out a Biblical worldview.  One of our main goals is to encourage students to ask important questions and, perhaps even more important, to question the answers given! 

 

 

Reasons for Attending the Upcoming Worldview Seminar

… because it is vital that we learn to think deeply, to ask important questions, and, more importantly to question commonly accepted answers.
… because the culture in which we live presents the challenge of engaging and countering this culture without assimilation
… because our students need to come face to face with what they believe and why they believe it
… because being ready always to give an answer means being prepared with an answer
… because it’s affordable, available, and coming to an area near you!

We have been taking our family to various seminars and conferences for more than twenty years.  Few have made such a difference in our childrens’ lives as the worldview seminars.  If you want your children to think deeply about issues that matter, if you want them to begin to question and understand worldviews, and, most importantly, if you want your child to have a strong desire to live out a Biblical worldview, make plans to attend one of the seminars coming to Viriginia and North Carolina during the week of October 13 - 18.

Details posted below.