CapChurch » movies

True Grit – A Movie Review

Paula — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:04:50 +0000

A review of the movie by Mike Nichols here

Recommended Movies

Paula — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:02:06 +0000

Some movies recommended by Mike Nichols here

Why Go to the Movies?

Paula — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:57:47 +0000

View a .pdf version of this article by Mike Nichols here

Release for the Oppressed (Part 4)

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:27:09 +0000

(July 26, 09 – Mike Nichols interviewing Ralph Winter)
Jesus is not afraid of the dark. He knows that no darkness can overcome him. He was not afraid of the dark intentions of the Jewish leaders, nor the darkness of sickness; mental disease, or evil. He was not afraid of the darkness of death of his own friends or his own death. So many of the stories of our lives have darkness in them—things that are untimely, rude, and hopeless—whether it is death taking a grandparent, a teenager speeding on a darkened highway, or an infant just beginning life.

There is darkness when we lose our jobs, or a close friend, or our marriages fail. darkness surrounds us when we struggle with addictions, battle with cancer, flunk out of school, give up on family plans. darkness especially attack us when we get wrapped-up in ourselves, and allow hate and resentment to control our lives. But the gospel reminds us that Jesus is not afraid of these dark place. He comes to be with us in these places; to walk with us and redeem what “the locusts have eaten”. Life with Jesus is essentially a mix of our story with Jesus story.

Today Ralph Winter, accomplished movie producer, speaks to us about not being afraid of the “dark”, and how we need to embrace some of that in how we tell stories and discern stories as Christians.

Release for the Oppressed (Part 2)

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:07:17 +0000

(July 12, 09)
Dr. Glen Scorgie of Bethel Seminary San Diego writes: Gran Torino is a remarkable exclamation point to the Clint Eastwood film genre. From earlier Eastwood films we are accustomed to witnessing grim vigilante violence that poisons the avenger and leaves little room for hope. Who would have guessed that Eastwood, now in his 70s, would go theological on us?

Three explanations of the death of Christ have prevailed through the centuries: The classic: the cross is the means by which Christ conquers death and the forces of evil. Moral influence: the cross is the means by which Christ wins our hearts. Objective satisfaction: the cross is the means by which justice is served by a costly payment for sin being made. We grasp the significance of Christ’s death by embracing all three.

All three explanations of atoning sacrifice are depicted in Gran Torino. Classic: Walt Kowalski’s sacrifice renders the gang permanently powerless and no longer able to create fear in others. Moral influence: Walt’s sacrifice empowers the Thai lad Thal to differentiate himself from the bad influences of the neighborhood and inspires him to live life that will make the one who died for him proud. Objective satisfaction: a guilt-stricken and bitter Kowalski, bearing the weight of his part in Korean atrocities, makes his peace by an act of ultimate penance.

When Walt goes to the gang members’ house to abuse and threaten the boy he finds there, the result is more violence – evidenced by the drive-by shooting and Sue’s injuries and degradation. However, when Walt puts down his weapons and offers himself has a sacrifice, the result is freedom from oppression for the whole Hmong community. Violence only begets more violence, while love truly transforms.

Release for the Oppressed

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:39:41 +0000

(July 7, 09)
When we think of oppression, we generally don’t think of the Bible. Yet, the Bible is filled with teaching that is relevant to today regarding oppression. In the Old Testament there are sixteen root words for oppression, oppressors and the oppressed. Two Biblical scholars, Elsa Tamez and Thomas Hanks, from Costa Rica, argue that the Bible teaches that oppression is the fundamental cause of poverty. When one looks at the Bible through the lenses of oppression and poverty, then you begin to see class struggle, the story of the Exodus, liberation, democracy, revolution, land/property, the wrath of God, and salvation/sanctification/hope in a bit different light.

Hopefully, in our series on Release for the Oppressed we are going to look at the Bible’s teaching on oppression and release in a new light. We are going to do this by dialoguing the Bible with some modern films whose subject matter is oppression. In each of these films we will see a different kind of oppression and a different concept of what it means to release someone from oppression. Our first Sunday we need to get our biblical bearings and review how to watch and interact with movies. (Mike Nichols