Do you want to build a worldview?

With the success of Disney’s most recent princess tale “Frozen” much discussion has been swirling about since its release concerning the overtones and themes hidden in the message of the movie.  One camp says that, though admittedly unintentional, the movie teaches several Biblically supportable principles. 

For example: The older sister, Elsa, contains her powers and ignores that she even has them until one day through a series of events she unleashes them on the kingdom and quickly ushers the entire land into a winter that is only reversible by her.  She then runs away and sings the now world famous song “Let It Go”, the ballad of her breaking free from the years of oppression and now she is just letting go and doing with her power what she wants.  What does she come to realize?  Spoiler alert: She comes to realize that though in her ballad she sang “no right, no wrong, no rules for me” that sort of behavior only brought about trials and misery for all those who looked to her for care. 

Additionally it isolated her from the rest of society.  Interestingly enough, the Bible teaches that there actually is a law, God’s Law, and it is written on the hearts of all mankind (Romans 1). If we violate that Law we are indeed sinning against God as well as our sin has effects on those around us who trust us or, in some cases, who look to us for provision and protection.  We would love to be able to say that there is no right, no wrong, and no rules that we follow but that is moral relativism that ultimately makes truth a subjective matter that leaves a true adherent to that worldview in total chaos.

The Bible also makes plain that there is absolute truth, God (Genesis 1:1).  When Jesus declares that He is the Truth, the Way and the Life He effectively closes the door on the validity to any other worldview that opposes that which is revealed in the Christian Bible.

Secondly, absent from “Frozen” but present in nearly every other Disney film is the theme of following one’s heart.  Disney has made billions of dollars selling the lie to our children that to find happiness and fulfillment all one must do is follow their heart.  While Frozen falls woefully short of labeling it dead in sin, it does imply that our hearts can be difficult to change and what is needed is love.  While I am certain that Disney’s definition of the love needed is quite different than the Bible’s, I find it interesting that they are sending this message.

Thirdly, Disney’s Frozen ultimately sends the message that what was needed was not the true love of a love at first sight romance that is usually so obvious in all of Disney’s princess films, (spoiler alert) rather it was the unconditional love of a sibling.  If we are to draw a parallel there to Biblical truth we might say that Anna, the younger sister, is the archetypal Jesus who we see loves her sister though her sister consistently rejects her and pushes her away.  Just as Jesus pursues us though in our sin we reject Him; His love never fails.  Ultimately it is the Anna who is willing to sacrifice her own life so that Elsa’s is spared.  Seems I’ve seen that act on a eternally grander scale somewhere before... Ephesians 2:1-0; Romans 5:1-10

None of those themes were in there for the benefit of the Christian community I assure you. It is not Disney’s hopes that people will repent and turn to Christ as a result of their film, so please do not begin to write your “Frozen” Bible studies because Lifeway, Family Christian, and Mardel are sure to snap them up and get them on the shelves quickly if you do... the next Christian publishing goldmine?

But if you, like my family, saw the movie and enjoyed it these might be some great themes to discuss with your children after the fact.

On the other side of the issue we have the not so hidden agenda of the homosexual community.  They would have us believe that the ballad “Let It Go” is ultimately a song about ending homosexual discrimination.  According to that view it is said that the message of the movie is that people need to learn to love their homosexual family/friends regardless of the consequences that their life choice may have on others.  Let me be clear when I say that Christians are called to love others period.  We do not have to agree with a person's behavior and choices and we may label some of those things (such as homosexuality) as sin.  However, the most loving thing you can do for a person is be truthful with them.  Not accepting homosexuality as natural and normal is not automatically equal to being intolerant or unloving.  If that is the theme of the movie there is a problem.  As pointed out above Elsa comes to realize that letting go and living with no rules is actually not helpful at all but very harmful indeed.

All of this coming to the forefront of the media due to a recent interview given by some of the song-writers who were hired by Disney to write for the film.  (Source story : http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/04/22/award-winning-song-writers-behind-frozen-out-with-giant-claim-about-disney-and-god/ )

The claim is that Disney does not allow God to be mentioned in any of their films and prefers for His Name not to even be mentioned at all in any form.  Some Christians are upset over this but I, for one, am thankful for it.

I do not need, nor do I desire, Disney to teach me or my family theology.  In fact, I am very glad that they keep their hands off of it.  Much harm has already been done to the doctrines held by many through films and other media that teach horrible theology as it is.  If Disney teaches me a principle through their media and uniquely labels it as God's truth and it happens to be false, then they are guilty of blasphemy and leading others to idolatry.  It is better Disney stick with their secular moralism than try and teach something that they are woefully unqualified and incapable of teaching, namely Biblical truth.  All the while Christians ought to remain prayerfully hopeful that not only those associated with Disney but that all who are lost and dead in sin would be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Even in the examples cited above of the Biblical truth parallels contained in Frozen, upon further dissection many of them break apart because as I mentioned it was not Disney’s intent to teach Biblical morals or truth through the film but rather to provide entertainment to the masses of moms and dads who would flock to the theaters with their daughters for one more princess film.

In the end, whether you go to watch Disney’s film or any secular media for that matter is more or less a matter of conscience.  Something that you must work out by examining what the Scriptures say about how Christians are to conduct themselves.  If you do go to see these sorts of films, please... please... I beg of you... do not go home thinking that now you’ve found the golden key for teaching your family Biblical truth.  You haven’t, because it is not contained in a Disney (or any other) film. The theology built on Disney film teaching or any other secular medium will fair no better than Olaf in summer.

If you have the Bible, you have the key to teaching your family truth and explaining to them the Gospel and their need for Jesus Christ.  Open the Scriptures with your family and explore them together.  It is God’s prescribed means for spreading the truth about Himself in this world.

[16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

[5] Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
(Proverbs 30:5 ESV) 

(In case you didn't see the movie, the title of this article is a play on the song "Do You Want to Build a Snowman" featured in Disney's Frozen.)

A Different Approach to a Difficult Story (My take on the Phil Robertson GQ interview)

It's all over the news today, Phil Robertson speaks out against homosexuality and as a result has been suspended from the "Duck Dynasty" show that features him among other family members of the Robertson clan.

Those who disagree with Phil's words are applauding A&E over this decision.  They are calling for boycotts and more of the whole Duck Commander brand.  I would not be the least bit surprised if in the fallout from this we see companies such as
Wal-Mart and others that carry Duck Commander products begin to pull these items from their shelves.  Although I find that to be a ridiculous thing for them to do.

On the other side we have two groups in Phil's corner.  Those who may or may not agree with him but recognize his right to hold his own views and voice them when asked and those who both agree with his views and recognize his right to have them.

After reading the GQ Article for myself I am lead to the following conclusions:

It seems fairly clear from the article that the reporter had an anti-God agenda.  Were it me who was in Phil's spot being interviewed by GQ and things went this way, I would like to think I would handle my responses a little better but that's easy to say when it isn't me who was in that situation.

Controversial quote #1:
“It seems like, to me, a v---na—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s a--s. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.” (source) (redacted letters mine)

I have said from my pulpit that homosexuality is clearly defined as a sin from Scripture.  It is clear that it is a sinful practice.  However, the above reasons given by Phil as to why it is illogical are not ones that I would every employ.  Whether he is right or not in his assessment of what is more desirable is irrelevant.

The issue of body parts is not the most compelling argument against homosexuality.  Phil's response forgets the Gospel.  Homosexuality is a sin because it is not how God created things to be.  He designed man for woman and woman for man and He did so for the purpose of illustrating the Gospel (see Gensis2:24; Matthew 19:5; Ephesians 5).

I don't believe his remarks to be in keeping with wisdom and speaking the truth in love.   Is it true that the physical benefits of the male female relationship are more enjoyable than male male or female female?  Sure it is.  How do I know?  Because God created it that way and His ways are always best. (Genesis 1:27).  Secondly, He created us in that way for the purpose of filling the earth. (Genesis 1:28).

But as I said, his response or at least the part of it that was published, leaves out the Gospel.  The sin of homosexuality is NOT the only sin a homosexual person has in their life.  So in making an appeal to a homosexual about the truth about homosexuality I would include all sin.  (see Exodus 20:1-17).  If am homosexual were to become heterosexual without repenting of that sin and all other sins in their lives then they would still be just as much headed for God's judgment and wrath as they were when they were a practicing homosexual.

Now the last remark about sin being illogical, I agree with completely.  That's where he should have started!  Sin is illogical.  In fact the Bible says that it is when man begins to think himself wise that he becomes a fool.  (Romans 1:22-25).  Begin their and then unfold what Scripture says about homosexuality and all forms of unrighteousness and I do realize that Phil quoted Scripture to support his view.  He did it in context too.  I'm just contending that for at least what we are told in the article he missed the mark of the Gospel and maybe spoke some words that lacked the wisdom of having thought them through before saying them.

As I have already stated, I fully support Phil Robertson's right to say what he said and think it is an ugly thing to see the liberal intolerance in this country get its way so easily with a little tantrum.  While the liberals scream that they want diversity, they are really terrified of real diversity that allows differing views to exist in the same world.

Controversial quote #2:

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field.... They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.” (source)

I do not agree with his view that "blacks" didn't want the civil rights that were held by "whites".  This quote seems to have been pulled from a broader context so more comment is not wise on my part but suffice to say while we do have entitlement and welfare abuse problems these days, it is not only the "blacks" or any one ethnicity that abuses those things.  We have a whole generation of young adults and children of all skin colors who feel themselves entitled to many things.  Thus the reason our country is in the trouble that it is in.

What would I like to see happen from this?

1.) Christians, voice your support for Phil, that's fine, but a whole load of Christians supporting Phil may get A&E to overturn their decision but it will NOT save one soul from their sin.  Let this incident be an every present reminder that a.) were it not for God's grace you and I would be just as lost as any lost person ever has been b.) we need to preach the Gospel!  We need to take to the streets and proclaim repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone!

2.) This was sort of said in number 1, but I do NOT want to see boycotts... For crying out loud... if you are going to boycott A&E for this, then go through your pantry and throw out all the foods from companies that support gay rights organizations, abortion clinics, or any other social ill you do not align with.  Unless you grew your vegetables from a seed yourself and you got that seed from the plants your family has grown for hundreds of years and never purchased that seed from a non-believing farmer, most of your food will be thrown out.  Turn off your electric service and stop using your cities water/sewage/trash services since most cities these days have taken some anti-Jesus stance of some sort... for our town it is "Happy Holidays" displayed almost everywhere this time of year instead of "Merry Christmas".  Oh and good luck with your clothing, you'd better learn to make your own because most clothing companies are very tied to the homosexual movement.  Your now a hungry, stinky, and naked.  Have fun with that.

3.) I would like to see the family vocally support Phil because right or wrong, wise or unwise they are family and family sticks together.  They talk about how the show is only good for them insomuch as it aligns with their faith and values. Now, the rubber meets the road, a stance from the family on this would do much more good to Phil's case than any amount of public support.

4.) I do not want to see Christians too bogged down in 1st Amendment arguments with unbelievers.  Have them to a limited degree brethren, but only inasmuch as it is a springboard for you to share the Gospel with someone!  If you only win the argument and convince them why Phil had the guaranteed right to say what he said, you have not done anything to lead that person to Christ!  Don't miss the forest for the trees.  Today alone, 150,000 people will step out of this world and into eternity.  Many of them doing so without having repented and trusted in Jesus Christ.  How much urgency do we sense for that need?  Many are posting "Standing w/Phil Robertson" photos/statuses and that's good.  We should speak up over 1st Amendment Rights violations.  But how many people have you shared the Gospel with today?   Do you care? Where is the passion for proclaiming the Gospel of repentance and faith?  Where is the passion for spreading the Name of Christ?  It seems it pales in comparison when we have the opportunity to jump on a hot and pressing social issue. 

Comments on this are welcome, keep them free from profanity or they will not be published. 

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