tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307345738386912021.post9031558369229342330..comments2016-04-22T19:45:26.474-05:00Comments on The Toni Times: A Few Words About Movies...From A FanToni Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16033528842523989063noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5307345738386912021.post-73422952315726402782014-12-30T15:17:02.088-06:002014-12-30T15:17:02.088-06:00I don't have a profile so this is published as...I don't have a profile so this is published as Anonymous. - Steven<br />Toni, I appreciate what you are saying about so-called "Christian" films. However, I think the label is used incorrectly. Items are neither Christian or non-Christian/secular. It would be like calling a film a "son or daughter" film or a "bride or groom" film.<br />We label things like movies and music because they are produced or written by Christians. But that does not mean that only Christians will view/listen to them.<br />Having said that, I am familiar with the first film you mentioned (as we had a conversation regarding this film).<br />To use the vernacular, I would not call this a "Christian" film. It is a film about an artist who struggled with his belief in God as Father because of the struggle the person had with their own earthly father. Many people have the same struggle - a poor relationship with a biological father makes it difficult to understand how there can be a Heavenly Father that loves unconditionally, and I would add that this film portrayed this concept well.<br /><br />Perhaps others who saw this film who would agree with you have had very good relationships with their fathers. Mine was OK, but I understood this was one of the themes of the movie. In fact, I believe, if this component of the film is accurate, it gives credence to the insight and artistry produced by the individual whom the story is about. And that is the "reality" to which you referred. I don't think that every so-called "Christian" movie is designed to be evangelical, which is what I read in your assessment here. Perhaps it could be called Christian entertainment (?). And some of which allow conversations to be started or extended between Disciples of Christ and people who they are attempting to reach.<br /><br />In this first film, I understand why you might see this individual as selfish, but at our core, we all are - that is sin with which we are born. This is YOUR blog. That's not an attack, but blogs, by definition are about the individual recording them. That is who we are as humans. But this individual's selfishness, was part of who they were; their upbringing, relations with others, etc. I thought the film was well produced, and acted. In fact, it made me appreciate more the relationship that I do have with the Heavenly Father - I am loved, unconditionally, in spite of my inadequacies and I believe this was hard for that individual to believe, but Scripture teaches otherwise, and this is what this person clung to.<br /><br />If only Dick Van Dyke could do more, but we live in a fallen world. It is up to us as Disciples of Christ to change our worlds within our sphere of influence to bring glory to God the Father. - StevenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com