I hear a lot of my Christian friends talking about what a great movie ‘Avatar’ is. However, I won’t be seeing it anytime soon even though I’m an avid Sci-Fi fan and would no doubt love the movie.  …

Why? Because of what James Cameron might do with all that money in the future. Remember the documentary hoax –”The Tomb of Jesus”? Bought, paid for, and produced by Cameron.

<<Read the rest of what I have to say about it on my Answers For The Faith blog>>            *Top

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<<View the trailer>>

"Fireproof" is a film made by Christians for Christians, starring Christians with a Christian story and a Christian worldview. It was produced by Sherwood Pictures, a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church, the same bunch who produced Facing the Giants and Flywheel.

In short I liked it, I really liked it. I found myself laughing and crying all the way though. Usually I find Christian films to be rather boring, amateurish, and preachy—-but that was not the case with this film.  <<Read my complete review>>            *Top

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First of all, it seems like only the poor folk were really looking and hoping for the Messiah. Joseph and Mary were poor, and all their friends and relatives were also. The angel appears to poor shepherds in the field, not to the princes in the palace.

It is obvious that King Herod and the Chief priests were not seeking or even wanting a Messiah. The star was visible to all, but only the ‘gentile’ Magi left home to investigate. The Priests and scribes who supposedly knew the scriptures were not looking for the Messiah and didn’t care to leave the Temple even after they found the Bethlehem prophecy (Micah 5:2). Herod didn’t leave his comfortable palace; he did react later however, sending soldiers to kill the child.

It is clear from the text that the Magi were in the east on Christmas night when they saw the star and probably several months passed before they made it to Jerusalem. Also notice that we really don’t know from the text how many Magi there actually were. We only know that they brought three different gifts–gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Leaving Jerusalem, they follow some kind of ‘supernatural’ star right to the house where baby Jesus and his parents were then living in Bethlehem. According to Matthew 2:9-10, the star looked similar to the natural star they had observed months ago, but this one actually guides them right to the house? What kind of star was this?

So it seems that there were really two stars in the Christmas story, a ‘natural’ display on Christmas night, and some kind of ‘supernatural’ representation several months later. The first natural star was definitely a ‘sign’ but the second was a ‘wonder’ for sure. Least I sure wonder.

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The following is the best review of the film that I have read, including a discussion of the issues from a Pentecostal/Christian perspective. It was written by Rich Tatum for Christianity Today:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/brainwashed.htmlÂ

Also: -See Rich’s blog (BlogRodent) for more articles, observations, comments, an extended review, and even a TV interview that Rich gave about the film. Rich is particularly insightful, having attended an AG camp while growing up, and as a media observer/participant.

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” I saw a great movie this week while I was out of town–’End of the Spear’–a story of five missionaries who went with their families to Ecuador. It is a true story that demonstrates the true strength of Christianity. It really does show that the gospel & the Kingdom is more than just wisdom, philosophy, and scholarly study–but there is a reality in the power of God that transcends time. Christianity is the greatest scientific experiment of all history–duplicated in every generation with the same results–angels, miracles, healing, inspiration, sacrifice, repentance, faith, redemption & changed lives. What a great movie, like the Book of Acts only with airplanes! It is told from the perspective of the tribe. If you see it, make sure you stick around for the credits–the real people are shown at the end.”

It really is a shame that the controversy over shadowed what is a movie celebration of a really famous story & triumph in Christian missions. Critics have conclusively been shown to be wrong in their assertions that the producers knowingly cast the actor. It would be a shame if Christians did not support this film when it comes out in DVD. Especially since a portion of the proceeds goes to the actual mission.

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