Perspectives that Matter

Pursuing dialogue about current issues from a perspective of faith informed by the character and principles of Jesus Christ.

1. dongale 1.3.08 / 1pm

   It’s not quite doctrinally sound, but it does pack a punch. Jesus wouldn’t have to struggle against all of those temptations/demons so much. If he wanted to, he could’ve broken through at any moment. The video makes him look helpless at times. That said, I still like the video and would use it for youth with a disclaimer at the beginning or end about the doctrine. It makes me cry everytime I watch it. It makes me think of the things I did before being saved and how Christ literally pulled me out of all of it.
2. Thomas 1.3.08 / 3pm

   I was impressed. I try to see the use of drama, pantomime and other forms of acting and/or other forms of art in depicting the values of the Kingdom of God the same way I see the parables of Jesus - metaphorical in nature. The Jesus Everything Skit is a powerful metaphor and I believe as such conveys a moving message. I am almost in tears whenever I watch the culminating part of the presentation.
3. AR 1.3.08 / 7pm

   My reaction is a little bit complex so this might go long.

   First, it’s incredibly moving as everyone has noted. Second, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the theology when it’s understood correctly. Third, the camera missed a few things and I think that’s why it seems a little off. Finally, I’m disturbed by some of the peripheral things you see in the video.

   I think most of us see ourselves and all our kind in this performance. I think it deals with our confusion: If I ask God to save me, why is everything still so hard?

   Yes, Christ is strong enough to take care of all those evil influences in her life. That’s why HE’s not subject to them. But that’s not the point. It’s not him they are attacking, at least not directly. They have power over HER. They’ve seduced her. It’s her entire being that is under their power and simply removing the influences isn’t going to fix everything now. I think what the skit shows is Christ having to enter our existance and our experience in order to save us. I think it also shows that we have to want him more than anything.

   Unfortunately you only glimpse the Christ-figure with his arms outstretched as on a cross for the breifest moment, almost too quick to recognize. This is when the girl has the gun to her head. At the moment he slumps down in death and then stands up again, she drops the gun and finds the strength to flee back towards him. As much as she tries however, he must still get in the fight, take the beating, and throw the enemies off of her before she’s completely free.

   Yes, God is all-powerful but let’s not have too simplistic a view of how that plays out in the life of his free creatures.

   What really disturbs me is the setting in which we see this beautiful story. Frankly, treating Christ like a celebrity instead of granting him the more thoughtful approach due to a Person of his Dignity is getting old. It wears on my spirit. The strobe lights, the clapping, the theatrical setting, all impaired this otherwise wonderful telling of the story of Mankind’s Salvation.
4. Lynn 1.4.08 / 8pm

   I watched the skit twice - Lifehouse Everything Skit!

   It reminded me of the ode “Making footprints” where you see the follower learning to walk with Jesus, then walking very clearly in sync with Him. But then we see in the skit, where during the “Dance with Jesus” that the gal slips out of the arms of Jesus and falls into the arms of jerk satan, and truly how her life changes so drastically, so quickly from stability to “love of money”, alcohol, walking with the wrong kind of friends-those whose emphasis is their body not their soul, to the point of not wanting to live-to the actual act of trying to commit suicide-by knife, then gun!

   But then we note the scene of Jesus dying on the cross, and then the part where Jesus comes again as the savior, to hold back the enemy while the young lady is able to regroup herself, and come back into the dance with Jesus. To walk again with Jesus. The blessing is that Jesus is so forgiving, so loving, so caring, and is always there for us.

   In these difficult days we need any means possible to portray to the world the love of Jesus and the joy we have with HIM in our life and in our hearts.

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