It has been a long time. I mean a really long time since I have sat behind the computer screen and started to write on this blank page. I believe it was like 2011 or something like that...crazy. But, I found myself back on this blog to write on one particular subject that has ate at me for the past few weeks. Christian Movies.
We are all aware that "Christian Movies" for the past couple of weeks have been on the rise. One of the best movies I think I have ever seen was "God's not Dead." Great movie that I would suggest everyone to see, Christian or Non-Christian. I say that primarily because it answers a lot of questions that we find ourselves asking. Am I pushing for the Atheist and the Agnostic to go see the movie? Yes, I am. Not because I want to be a bible beater and beat it into their heads that they need to come to know Christ, thats not how I like to do things. But, I think it is good for the soul to see how other people view things. Do I think Christ is the only way to heaven, absolutely. Even though I don't agree with Atheist and Agnostics, I still have many people whom I consider a friend, that have crazy ideas about religion.
Am I writing this blog to push "Gods not Dead?" It wasn't my first thought when I started typing letters on the computer, it just seemed to have come out that way. What I wanted to come on here and write about is the next movie in line. "Heaven Is For Real."
Over the past few weeks I have been surprised as to the criticism that this movie is getting (I need to first mention this, I have not seen the movie and do plan to view it for myself). As I am scrolling through my feed on facebook, I have seen many people post the video of David Platt and what he had to say about the Books. The video can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEAko02HD5o
After watching (which I should also note, I like David Platt. By no means am I trying to bash him. Please do not think that) and seeing many post from various people bashing the movie and the people who have seen the movie and enjoyed it....Stop it. There is a couple big things that I wanted to mention. First off, who are we to say that this kid didn't have an out of body experience? Are we this kid, No. Do we know what he seen, No. So, how can we sit in our Lazy Boy recliner and deny what he experienced? Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4:
"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell."
Don't be confused, Paul is talking about himself in this instance. Do we sit here and call Paul a liar? No we don't, it's in the Bible. After he gets done describing he mentions, (Jacob Paraphrasing) "that he isn't quite sure what he experienced but God does. Whether in the body or not...God does." I mention that to mention this, God knows what this kid experienced and that is all that matters. If this child really didn't have an experience with Heaven and his father came up with this wild story about it, then on judgment day he will have to stand up and face the Almighty himself. But, we don't need to sit here and judge for ourselves. There is a reason why this book/movie came into existance.
The other side of the conversation is this -- "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heave -- the Son of Man."--Jesus speaking in John 3:13. I believe that you have to go back to the verse before to get the full understanding as to why Jesus said this, "I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things." The way I take this passage (and by all means you can have different opinions) is Jesus is saying no one has seen what Heaven is all about. And, no one will see what heaven is all about unless you lift up his name and receive him as your Lord and Savior. It starts here on Earth...you will not get a free pass into heaven without believing in Christ.
No one should ever take these books/movies and put them higher than the bible. There is only one living book in this world and it is the Bible. That will never change. Not today, not tomorrow or next week. It will forever be the Living Word. But, these other books that people categorize them as "Christianity" are to be viewed as encouragement during a hard time, challenging us in our faith or learning more about what believe among many other ways.
I will finish off this entry with this thought. Once again it is Paul in Philippians 1:15-18:
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.y 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,z not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.a 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
The important thing about this movie is this...Heaven is for real and Jesus lives!
