Remembering Bruce Gentry

October 30th, 2015 will mark the four year anniversary of the death of my best friend, Bruce Gentry. It's a tough day for all who loved this man, but I can never let it pass without saying something about him. This year, I have revised a post that I wrote back in 2011, shortly after his passing. Here it is.

I met Bruce Gentry on a film shoot during my sophomore year at North Greenville University. The very day that we met, I felt as though I had known him for years. He kept me laughing the entire day. We exchanged numbers, and the very next day at 7 a.m., I got a phone call reminding me to get to my Biology class on time. From then on, we talked on the phone constantly. Bruce became as close as a brother. We shared a love of film and of music that only served to bring us closer together. Bruce was a wellspring of knowledge, and he was always willing to teach me new things, to expand my horizons artistically, and to keep my ADD riddled mind on task. 

When I entered an internship in Marietta, GA, it was one of the first times that I had ever been away from home, living on my own. As a result of my panic disorder, I was plagued with attacks for many nights. I spoke with Bruce for hours every night that summer, and every time I would call him in a panic, he would calmly recite Psalm 91 for me, and before I knew it, the wave of fear had passed and had lulled me into a place of peace. Bruce always said, "when you share a burden, it's divided; when you share a joy, it's multiplied". During the tough times in my life, he always reminded me that I was loved, and I could always depend on him. I would find myself calling him when I was in need of comfort. He never missed a phone call. He was most definitely a caretaker. During a recent film shoot, I became ill with dehydration. There was Bruce, running to the nearest drug store, forcing me to drink Pedialyte and pulling me off the set. I would have been angry with anyone else, but because it was Bruce, because he was my brother, my best friend, and my artistic soul mate, it didn't matter. I just sat down for the remainder of the shoot, and listened to Bruce talk away about Charles Laughton and Bette Davis. I often joke that I would have listened to Bruce Gentry read the phone book for hours. The man had the richest voice. He'd often leave voicemails on my phone, where he'd recite long monologues from Shakespeare, and fill up my entire inbox. I never complained. I loved every minute. He was one of the greatest actors that ever lived. Those who have worked with him one on one know this to be true. He was a consummate professional, and he absolutely adored the stage and screen. Everyone wanted to work with him. To know Bruce was to love him - that's all there is to it. I could go on and on about this beloved man.  

My friend, James Turner, and I were lucky enough to capture footage of Bruce and his beloved Aunt Doris a few years previous. James and I have many memories of those two. As you can see in the video above, they had a way with one another. They kept us laughing. As incredibly gifted as he was, Bruce dedicated the latter part of his life to caring for his aunt, as well as others. He put his own dreams to the side, making huge sacrifices for the ones that he loved. But he always planned to return to the arts. There were many projects that Bruce and I discussed over the years that never saw the light of day. I regret that wholeheartedly. However, Bruce touched my life in a way that few have. I have so many memories that I will cherish forever, and thank God that I saved most of his voicemails. I will miss him so much. My heart is breaking. I am devastated because of this tragedy, but I do know that he is with the Lord now. He's with his Doris. And Lord knows, they're probably fussing at and joking with each other like they always did.

Bruce, my brother, my best friend, I will miss you more than you will ever know, but I will see you again. 

I love you. 

The Journey Continues

Some of our friends in the world of social media would have us believe that we are living in the “end times”. We’re told that the world is heading straight for hell, that God is wrath, and that our days are numbered.

The only problem with all of this is that none of it is true. Despite what you may have heard over the years, we aren’t living in the end times. Despite what the street prophets and televangelists are shouting from the sidewalks and atop the New York Times bestseller list, Jesus is not coming back. Speaking for myself as someone who professes Christ, I believe that He’s here, in this time and place, right now. The very essence of Christ abounds in every person who has the capability to love another.

Yes, there is injustice in the world. Yes, there is violence and death. Yes, there is inequality. But I do believe that the human race is progressing towards a greater good in spite of it all. We may not be there just yet, but even so, we are pressing forward.

Grace will abound in the end, for all. Not just for an elect group of people, but for everyone. What we need to keep in mind is that none of this change will happen without us - the world working together as a whole. Every person from every walk of life - black, white, gay, straight, Christian, Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, etc. Let’s work together and try to stop spreading the gloom and doom propaganda that is depressing and false and only serves one purpose - to obliterate hope and keep us afraid.

Break free and keep pressing on. Cleave to that precious and small circle of friends who can embark on this journey with you. Live your life without fear, without regret, make the most of every moment, and never apologize for who you are.

In this way, there is always love, always hope, and the end is nowhere in sight. 

On Charisma News And Willful Ignorance

For years now, Charisma News has been a thorn in the side of many progressives - those on the left, right, and middle of the spectrum - due to a pattern of blatant hatred and an attitude of willful ignorance regarding issues of social justice and equality.

Just recently, Charisma News published an article authored by a woman named Chelsen Vicari, who has also written a book entitled, "Distorted". The article in question was titled "How The New Christian Left Is Twisting The Gospel". Admittedly, this was a well-written - albeit largely naive - attempt to attack "hip" evangelical congregations by making the unfounded argument that we have abandoned traditional teaching in favor of cherry picking Scriptures that "jive" with the culture. The article featured a photo of a young tattooed couple in causal clothing (as if being young and tattooed is something to be ashamed of) and then proceeded to break down liberal Christians into three convenient categories. In doing so, Little Miss Chelsen entirely missed the mark - several times over.

You see, Little Miss Chelsen used to a progressive. By progressive, I mean that she used to stand for the raw, unadulterated teachings of Christ, championed equality for all people, and placed grace at the forefront of all things. She "loved her neighbor as herself". She was a free thinker. All good things. We each have a personal journey, each to walk out in his or her own fashion. But along the way, Little Miss Chelsen suffered some type of a relapse. Before long, social justice wasn't good enough. Feminists became evil. And capitalism was a-okay - not to be questioned. She then decided that "liberal Christianity" was all about "issues" and nothing else. She decided to stop dancing and opted for a march instead. And then someone gave her an outlet to write about this. And, boy oh boy, here comes Charisma. They posted her article, which contains the following quote:

Popular liberal evangelical writers and preachers tell young evangelicals that if they accept abortion and same-sex marriage, then the media, academia and Hollywood will finally accept Christians. Out of fear of being falsely dubbed "intolerant" or "uncompassionate," many young Christians are buying into theological falsehoods. Instead of standing up as a voice for the innocent unborn or marriage as God intended, millennials are forgoing the authority of Scripture and embracing a couch potato, cafeteria-style Christianity all in the name of tolerance.

A bit shallow. Totally untrue. In Little Miss Chelsen's eyes, we're all blind, incapable of thinking for ourselves, and are all nazis. This is where Little Miss Chelsen screwed up, by allowing her mind to become warped by the extreme right and then sitting down at a keyboard to share her thoughts before she even had a moment to ponder them, to seriously consider what she was saying. She's so out of the  loop, she no longer understands what it is to be "progressive" anymore. She also assumes that all progressives are liberal.

And Charisma News is eating it up. Last week, they posted an article about Rachel Held Evans' departure from the Evangelical church. They made it seem like Rachel had abandoned Christ altogether, and that every follower of hers was going to do the same. But this is what they do. Charisma News likes to instill fear by telling lies. And now, they are using Little Miss Chelsen as a way to promote that sickening agenda. This is what the extreme right excels at. They see progressive Christians who celebrate freedom, and they are mad because they see that we have discovered truth. They then set out to attack that freedom by any means necessary - even if they have to flat-out lie to do it.

It's time that true Christ followers took a stand. Let Charisma News and Little Miss Chelsen know that you are tired of their kind. That you are fed up with the abuse. That you will no longer allow them to speak for all believers. In the meantime, pray that Little Miss Chelsen comes back to her senses. Pray that she finds a group that will help to undo much of the brainwashing that has apparently gone on over the past few years. Pray that she finds freedom.

And most of all, pray for an end to Charisma News.

To Walk Away

Over the years, I’ve become very aware of a good many of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are leaving the faith - or who are seriously considering it.

This saddens me for many reasons, but most of all, it breaks my heart because I know the reason that they are falling away - and I think that it has less to do with God than it does with the people who claim to follow him.

Quite simply, the people who are falling away in droves are tired of the bullshit. They’ve grown weary of the lack of compassion that has taken over within the walls of the church. They have listened for years as the church has condemned minorities, made the “tithe” a priority, and considered those who are different to be “less than” God’s best. And Church, they are tired of the “drive-by guilting” (love that term) and the lack of grace in your sermons, the self-righteous attitudes of those in your congregations, and all of your sorry excuses that allow you to keep things as they are. The "churches are made up of imperfect people" argument can only get you so far, and by now, you've worn it out. It's not good enough, just like all of the other go-to excuses that you use to keep the pews packed every week. We're too smart for that, Church. Welcome to the 21st century. 

They’re flat-out sick of it all. And, because you foolishly do all of these things in God’s name every Sunday, they have begun to falsely associate your abhorrent behavior with a loving God. And now, they are walking away from Him. Walking away from their Creator, because they feel that He doesn’t want them. 

This burdens me because I know that they’ve got it all wrong. They need to direct that anger where it belongs - at the church, at the followers and leaders who have failed miserably, and who have done so willingly and without a care in the world.

My brothers and sisters, God does not want this for you. Do not let the false prophets and Pharisees color your perception of God, of Christ. Despite what they may think, they do not speak for Him. They are dead wrong. Please understand that I know how you feel. I’ve been there, but I also know that my relationship with Christ is one of beauty, love, and grace that never ceases. It looks nothing like what the “white washed tombs” that make up a good many of the churches in this nation have made it out to be.

For a time, it may even be necessary for you to walk away. You heard me correctly. Walk away from the church. Figure some things out, just you and Christ and nobody else. Sometimes, walking away from it all can be for the best. Walk away until you can find a group of people who can actually help you to grow, who will constantly remind you of the gift of grace, who refuse to condemn you. Believe it or not, there are congregations like this - groups of believers who make it a priority to include everyone, not just the spiritual elite. In the meantime, as church attendance continues to take a nosedive, those in the church who have driven others away will be forced to take a different approach. The resounding message will be "either change with the times or be forced into obscurity".

If the church is damaging you at this point, then I encourage you to leave. Stay away until you find a family that will help you to heal. To borrow a quote from the immortal Dolly Parton in Nine to Five, no one wants to be treated like a “bastard at a family reunion”! 

Walk away from the church before you walk away from God. Walk to Him. Most likely, it’s not Him you’re angry with anyway. Trust me. 

Conflicted, Angry, Confused...Hopeful.

"Who never doubted, never half-believed. Where doubt is, there truth is. It is her shadow." ~ Ambrose Bierce

With all of the unrest in the world, it's easy for the cynic in me to come crawling out.

When I hear of the senseless violence that is being carried out in other countries towards my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as others -- it only serves to bring feelings to the surface that go against my nature.

I mean, you hear that children are being murdered systematically by a rag-tag terrorist group, and you can't help but hope that God wipes out the guilty parties en masse. You can't help but hope for the death of the evil forces. And I don't like feeling that way. I don't like the fact that I long for the death of anyone, terrorist groups or anybody else for that matter. I'm a peace-loving hippie. I'm supposed to be the peacemaker. I always have been. These angry feelings go against the very essence of who I am.

Nevertheless, this is how I feel at the moment.

And then there's God. I believe that He is out there. I've placed my faith in Him. But I want Him to show up. When your children are being beheaded,  you're supposed to do something about that - and in a big way. It's the age old question: God, where are you? In times like these, I feel as though people are justified in asking that question. "God has a plan," they say. Okay. What plan is that? And why does it have to involve terrorism? God parted the Red Sea. He's performed all kinds of miracles. He can do anything he wants, really. I mean, this is God we are talking about. So, why can't he just snap his fingers and wipe these enemies out in an instant? "God has a plan". That's great, but that's an answer that's currently not good enough for me. I also do not believe that God is "allowing" these things to happen in order to "teach the world a lesson". I don't serve that kind of God. I wouldn't serve that kind of God. If you have to kill millions of your own children to teach the rest of us a lesson, well, that's horrifying in and of itself -- and that's simply not my God, the "for God so loved the world" God.

And yet...

I'm hopeful that He is going to work it all out, in His own way, in His own time. A peace came over me today. I don't know where it came from, so I can only assume that it came from God. I am hopeful that His grace is sufficient and that He takes care of His own.

I am hopeful, and because of this, I can move forward. There is a comfort in knowing that it is okay to ask God, "What in the hell is going on?" I know that he understands. He hears it from me quite often!

If you are out there and your faith has been shaken, know that you are not alone. Know that this is okay, and that He is okay with it. It is in these doubts and questions that we grow closer to God and to each other. It is in doubt that you find freedom. It is in doubt that truth is revealed.

My Filmmaking Journey with A BEAUTIFUL SILENCE, Part I

Over the past few weeks, I have set out to shoot a film that I wrote nearly two years ago with one of my best friends, entitled A Beautiful Silence. Inspired by the films of Terrence Malick and the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke, the film tells the story of a young woman who is dealing with an intense case of spiritual doubt that has been building within her for quite some time.

Plagued with nightmares, she arises early one morning, says a prayer by candlelight, and goes downstairs for a cup of tea and to quietly reflect on recent events. At this moment, we flashback to a worship service at her church. In a moment of frustration, she storms out, and is followed by a friend who confronts her and reminds her that doubt, in and of itself, is not a bad thing.

Questions are necessary. Our protagonist is a seeker, who has finally seen past the mask that she has been forced to wear for so long -- and while this is freeing, it also thrusts her into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions when she begins to suspect that God has possibly forsaken her.

In an effort to confront these feelings head-on and without distraction, she makes her way to a nearby park. As she begins to walk along a path in the woods, she proceeds to contemplate her spiritual walk up to this very moment in her life. In the midst of all of this turmoil, she will learn that faith and doubt are mutually inclusive, and that God is not as silent as He seems.

The experience of A Beautiful Silence is one that has helped me to grow in a myriad of ways - as a writer, as a filmmaker, and as a seeker. Brittany Renee Smith is my co-writer and lead actress on this project, and over the course of two years, we have seen this screenplay evolve as we have matured and wrestled with our faith at different times. I've had to go to some scary places emotionally and spiritually, but in doing so, I've become far more grounded than ever before. I've unpacked much of the old ideals that I used to hold in favor of others that place an emphasis on grace and authenticity.

While these themes have been dealt with many times before by other artists, we are merely offering our own unique message. We have abandoned a traditional narrative structure in favor of a more fragmented approach. I wanted the viewer to feel as if he or she was inside the mind of the protagonist, moving seamlessly from one thought to another - but with a common thread that holds everything together, much like the feeling of reading a diary. We're creating a tapestry of words, sounds, and images that will hopefully appeal to the intellect as well as the heart. This is not a "Christian" film. We are dealing with faith, and faith is universal. Being a Christian myself - and not entirely fond of the preachiness that often comes with "Christian" filmmaking - I have set out to make a film that refuses to preach, and also refuses to end things on a safe and tidy note.

I am working with a top-notch crew of carefully selected, incredibly talented individuals whom I love dearly. We have only two more scenes to shoot before this film is wrapped. We've had to make some sacrifices here and there. We've had to lose some shots. We've had to improvise and work with what we have -- but all in all, this has been a highly successful and artistically fulfilling shoot.

I am never completely satisfied with my work. I am my worst critic. I always will be. I think it comes with the territory. However, I hope that there is an audience for this film who will be genuinely moved and touched by it. I can't wait to unleash it upon the world!

On this day, I am thankful and blessed. More to come!

And They All Cried BOYCOTT!!!!

So, it has recently come to my attention that evangelicals the world over are attempting to orchestrate yet another boycott.

Yes. You read that correctly. Another boycott.

The last time, it was Oreos. This time, it's Burger King.

Apparently, there is ONE location in downtown San Francisco that is wrapping their burgers in rainbow colored wrappers, which read "We are all the same inside". This is all part of last week's gay pride celebration in San Francisco, and this was Burger King's way of contributing. The money that is made off of the "Proud Burger" will go towards scholarships for LGBT students. Not a bad investment, if you ask me. That's someone's education, after all. Straight or gay, scholarships are great! Just don't assume that the religious right is going to agree. Just know that if your company is thinking about slapping a rainbow next to their brand name, you may be next on the "boycott" list.

Take a moment to quiver and shake at the thought. Done? Okay.

Really, the deep-seeded issues that I have with boycotting go way beyond the rainbow. This isn't just about the LGBT community. The evangelical boycott threat is everywhere. These people attack what they don't understand. Remember, this is a group that takes pride in anti-intellectualism. Take the arts, for instance. Remember the lively boycotts for the film adaptations of The Da Vinci Code? How about The Golden Compass? Some groups even boycotted "Christian" films, such as The Passion of the Christ and Blue Like Jazz. Conservative groups have boycotted libraries for carrying certain titles, like "The Color Purple" or "The Catcher in the Rye" for "offensive" content. Art can be challenging, therefore, it must be the enemy.

The boycott mania also extends to companies like Target, Starbucks, The Walt Disney Company, Lowes, and Best Buy - even Heinz ketchup isn't safe from the finger-wagging, picketing Pharisees.

Yes. They tried to boycott ketchup. Let that sink in.

And, speaking of ketchup, does anybody remember those "freedom fries"? Yeah. Feel free to roll your eyes in disgust. That happened.

As a Christian, this has always annoyed me to no end. I have no respect for these people or their cry-baby histrionics. They're like those kids in Wal-Mart who throw tantrums when they can't get that toy that they want so much. I could go on and on, but I'll just say this: if you're going to put all of your time and energy into boycotting something, make it worth your while. Use boycotting to make a difference. Stop boycotting cookies and burgers and books and movies and ketchup, because when you boycott those things, you only succeed in doing one thing and one thing only. You make yourself look like an idiot. And, trust me, in that moment, you are the idiot. You're a joke. You should be ridiculed. You should be mocked. You're asking for it, for goodness sakes! YOU BOYCOTTED KETCHUP!

Furthermore, as so-called Christians, you should know better. I have no qualms about calling out my supposed "brothers and sisters" when they are damaging the kingdom, because believe it or not, that's what you're doing.

Also, if this hurts you, perhaps you're the one who needed to read it. I'm not sorry for speaking the truth.

Faith Without Doubt

"Faith without doubt leads to moral arrogance, the eternal pratfall of the religiously convinced." —Joe Klein 

 

I've never been able to trust anyone who claims to know it all, especially in regards to faith. Webster defines faith as "firm belief in something for which there is no proof". As followers of Christ - or any other faith - we have chosen to believe in the unknown. I've never seen God, but I feel that He exists. I've trusted that He is there. I have no physical proof, other than the beautiful world that surrounds me. True, I feel "something", a presence, as though someone up there is guiding me along a certain path. I have the Bible, of course, but it takes a great deal of the aforementioned faith to put my trust into it - and I do trust a great deal of it, especially those red letters. 

However, with all of that being said, I still doubt. 

I used to think that doubt was entirely bad, but I've found over the years that this isn't so. I've only discovered that doubt has made my faith stronger, if that makes any sense. Doubt allows me some ambiguity in all of this. Doubt opens me up to a world of healthy questions (some of them with answers...I think) and allows me to relate to others around me who are in different stages of their journeys. Some of my friends are atheists or agnostics. With the exception of one or two, my relationships with my atheist and agnostic friends have been entirely healthy. I surround myself with conservatives, moderates and liberals, and I feel as though I get a fair balance of every perspective and worldview out here in the Bible Belt. These relationships are anything but toxic. They've helped me to grow. Through these people, I have been able to explore all facets of my faith. All of this is good.

But...

There are those (in every group) who believe that they have God in a pretty little box and that they alone have all of the answers. Any attempt to challenge them or to broaden their horizons is thwarted. This makes them arrogant. This hurts the cause of Christ. The very fact that they have no doubt is actually harming them. They don't realize it, but the rest of us do. When you think that you have it all figured out, there is no room to grow. There is no room for mystery, for discovery - and what a boring and senseless walk that must be. It is crippling in the worst way possible. I would even go as far to say that my interactions with atheists, agnostics, and left-leaning Christians have been far more beneficial than those that I share with the more evangelical types, if only because extreme conservatism leaves little room to breathe. That saddens me. 

Learn to embrace certain doubts. At least, this is what I'm learning. Doubt can lead you down some beautiful paths if you let it. God can use doubt to bring you closer to Him. After all, we're not meant to know everything. 

There is a comfort in that. There is beauty in silence and uncertainty, and in the end, whether you believe it or not, He will guide you. You will see what He wants you to see, all in his time. 

The Grace Conundrum

I know, to banish anger altogether from one's breast is a difficult task. It cannot be achieved through pure personal effort. It can be done only by God's grace. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Hi, everyone. Adam here. I'm so happy to be writing again. So many things have happened in my life over the past few months, and they've all been crazy and wonderful at the same time. 

Spiritually speaking, my walk with Christ and my relationship with God continues to evolve. I'm still asking scary questions. I'm still seeking answers. I'm still embracing doubt. I'm still a crazy liberal Jesus freak.

Perhaps I'm a bit nicer when it comes to my many issues with the state of modern evangelical conservatism. Perhaps I'm practicing what I preach (or trying to, at least). 

Grace, grace, grace. 

I'm a huge fan of grace. Any self-respecting follower of Christ appreciates grace and the freedom that comes with it. Those who prefer to remain enslaved by arbitrary laws -- well -- they're missing out. Some of these types may insist that I follow suit. Some of them have tried to pull me back in to the trap of legalism, anti-intellectualism, and various other "isms" that require me to fully accept a questionable doctrine or agenda without question.

Give up to grace. The ocean takes care of each wave 'til it gets to shore. You need more help than you know. -Rumi

This is where grace becomes hard. This is an area where God has convicted me.

The aforementioned types of individuals immediately put me on the defensive. I've struggled so hard and so long with my faith - this faith that has shaped me into the person that I am today - that any subtle attempts to challenge that and drag me back to the shallow end must be resisted, by any means necessary. I can lose myself in these situations. I get agitated easily.

But I'm getting better.

I'm willing to put grace into action. I'm willing to agree to disagree, to wish you well on your journey, your own unique quest for truth - whatever that may be.

I'm trying, people! I'm anything but perfect, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

On God, Grace, and The Tree of Life

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth? When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

With this verse of Scripture from the Book of Job, Terrence Malick begins his philosophical exploration of God, of nature, and of grace. The Tree of Life is an extraordinary experience. It is a work of art in the truest sense. It is living, breathing poetry.

God. Grace. Beauty. These three things will be referenced more than once, because every single frame of this film is saturated with them.

The Tree of Life jolted me awake during a difficult period in my life, causing me to embrace my spirituality in ways that I never had before. More than anything else, I believe that God speaks to use through the arts, whether it be through a combination of images and sounds, drawings on a canvas, or a piece of music. Even those who don’t believe in a god will agree that the arts offer a direct line to truth and beauty. The arts are essential to our lives because they offer an outlet through which we are able to share our souls with one another, to lay ourselves bare to the world, if only for just a moment.

The Tree of Life is Terrence Malick’s most personal film. It tells of a man named Jack O’Brien, who drifts through his life on the anniversary of his younger brother’s death. He contemplates his past, and how his mother taught him the ways of grace. How she instilled within him an appreciation of the world and of beauty. He thinks of his brother and his mother, and how they influenced his relationship with God.

“Brother. Mother. It was they who led me to your door.”

These lines are whispered into a black void which is gradually illuminated by a single flame of light in the opening moments of the film. During the course of the film, we will hear the voices of these individuals as they contemplate the nature of God, as they wrestle with the one being on Earth whose very existence is made known by the world that surrounds them.

“The nuns taught us that no one who loves the way of grace ever comes to a bad end.”

Many classical pieces from various requiems, to modern works of holy minimalism, to the familiar strains of Smetana’s Moldau accentuate the meditative tone of the film. Each piece has been carefully selected to convey the proper mood or feeling that Malick associates with the scene. Like Kubrick, Malick relies on the great composers of the past to craft the soul of his film.

As a mother wanders through the woods and prayerfully questions God concerning the death of her son, she shuts her eyes. Immediately, we are led into a transcendent sequence which takes us through the creation of the universe, the brief reign of the dinosaurs, and finally, to the birth of the main character, Jack. As the galaxies are formed out of nothingness, Zbigniew Preisner’s “Lacrimosa” plays over the soundtrack. The Latin word “lacrimosa” translates to “weeping” in the English language. As the mother’s whispered prayers are juxtaposed with the majesty and the beauty of the images and the music both on the screen and over the soundtrack, it is as though God is responding: “I am weeping with you, my child. You are not alone in your suffering.” The verse of Scripture from the beginning of the film is also echoed in this twenty minute sequence:

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth? When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

There is no possible way to understand God and his motives. Who are we to question the Creator? And, yet, he understands and welcomes our questions, communicating with us through his creation and through our loved ones. Jack finds God by way of his mother and his brother. Inside of Jack, there is a love of all things beautiful and an understanding of grace. Also buried deep within Jack is the darkness, nurtured by his loving yet stern father’s rigid philosophy of life, which is in direct opposition to the ways of grace which his mother has taught him, as well as his two brothers. Jack’s father becomes a model for God Himself. As a result, Jack’s foundation is shaken. God is not always fair or kind. And yet, God is an ocean of grace.

“Why should I be good when you aren’t? What I want to do, I can’t do. I do what I hate.”

The Tree of Life is full of impressionistic images that serve as symbols within the film, particularly water and light.

Water represents grace. Light represents God. In many moments, Malick cuts to a cascading waterfall and to rolling waves in the ocean to remind us that grace abounds. As we follow young Jack on this journey from birth to adulthood, we notice that he never quite escapes the light. As an infant, Jack watches happily as the reflection of the sun through the window causes the light to dance on the wall of his room. Jack’s mother points towards the sunlit sky and tells him, “That’s where God lives.” We push in on the bulb of a street lamp during a scene which suggests that the O’Brien family is content and peaceful. All seems right with the world in this moment. Later, when Jack begins to rebel, we cut to the very same street lamp – only this time, Malick’s camera quickly pulls away from it. Jack is falling away from the light, as we all tend to do in our lives at some point or another. He antagonizes his younger brothers. He fights with his mother. He breaks into a neighbor’s house and rummages through her belongings, staring lustfully at her lingerie. He falls in with a group of young hooligans.

No matter how hard Jack may try to avoid it, the light is always there in the background, following him, and patiently awaiting his return.

We watch as Jack allows himself to feel again. We watch as his brother embraces and forgives him. Jack becomes a wellspring of love, and reconciles with his father, who will struggle in his own way throughout the course of the film.

“I didn’t know how to name You then. But I see it was You. Always you were calling me.”

We see Jack as an adult as he wanders through a vast desert. Lost. Confused. He passes ancient ruins and stumbles through the emptiness which stretches out before him. Suddenly, he approaches a doorway which leads to a divine vision in which he confronts the people that have influenced him throughout his life, including his childhood self. As “Agnus Dei” from Berlioz carries us through the scene, we witness  as Jack walks along the shore of an ocean, surrendering to the beauty of his past as well as the splendor of the life that he has yet to live. It is an awakening. In one of many memorable scenes, Jack’s mother finally releases herself of the burden of grief over her son and finds peace with God.

“I give him to You. I give You my son.”

The film ends with Jack, fully aware of the magnificence around him. He has discovered God once again, as evidenced by the slight smile on his face. With that, we cut to black. A moment later, and the flame of light appears again before slowly fading away.

“You spoke to me from the sky. The trees. Before I knew I loved You. Believed in You.”

It took a film like The Tree of Life to wake me from my spiritual coma. I was numb. I had a shallow understanding of grace. I could relate to young Jack. I had asked many of the same questions. I was in the midst of a battle between the light and the darkness, good and evil. As a believer myself, I often wondered, “Why would He want anything to do with me?” However, God met me in the one place where He knew he could find me – a darkened movie theatre. He spoke to me through Terrence Malick’s beautiful tapestry of sight and sound. After the film was over, I sat in silence with my friend. I couldn’t move. I knew it was unforgettable. I knew that I had to see it again immediately. And I did. I saw The Tree of Life eight times during its theatrical run at Cherrydale Cinemas in Greenville, South Carolina. I’ve seen it at least eight more times since the Blu-ray release, each subsequent viewing proves to be a unique experience.

Whether you have faith in a God or not, this is a film that should be able to touch you in some way. I can only speak from my own experience. Since the film’s release, there have been many interpretations. I can only offer mine. It is a polarizing experience. Many love it and many loathe it. I can only hope that you will give it a chance.

Five Things You Didn't Sign Up For When You Became A Christian

“You ought to live your life with such freedom and joy that uptight Christians will doubt your salvation.” ― Steve Brown

Every day, all I have to do is look on my newsfeed in order to see that some of my fellow believers are struggling in their journey with God. I see that they are still performing, still looking for excuses to rob themselves of their God-given freedom. I believe this comes from the fact that the older generations are still spreading around the same poisonous, legalism-riddled theology that's been going around for years. Their children have become pastors, or they have influenced other impressionable young men, and the vicious cycle goes on and on. 

The progressive voice in the Christian community has grown considerably over the past few years. We have managed to drown out as much of the poison as we possibly can. And still, there are those who remain afraid. They're trapped in a web of spiritual slavery. What they don't seem to understand is this: they didn't sign up for any of that. The fear, the constant doubt, the masks -- you didn't sign up for those things when you accepted Christ. In actuality, you were given the gift of freedom, with all of the things that the word "freedom" implies. 

Here are a few things that you didn't sign up for. 

1. Fear. You didn't sign up for a life saturated by fear. God is not angry with you. He loves you. He understands that you are not perfect. He has accepted you as you are, no questions asked. He loves your past, present, and your future self. There is nothing that you can do that will make Him stop loving you. He is your father. You don't have to walk on eggshells around him, despite what the "hellfire and brimstone" spewing pastors would have you believe. Ignore their heresies and live without fear. You are really free. 
2. Doubts Concerning Your Salvation. Know that if you have confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior and you really meant it, you are saved. The faith of a mustard seed. It is as simple as Romans 10:9. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." There is no fine print. That is it, folks. And, despite what the advocates of lordship salvation may tell you (John MacArthur, John Piper), there is nothing that you can ever do to lose that salvation - neither is there anything that you have to do in order to earn it. 
3. The Need To Perform. You don't have to wear a mask. You don't have to try so hard to be perfect. If you continue on that path to perfection on your own, you will fail. You'll drown yourself in on ocean of false guilt and impossible standards. Change doesn't happen over night. Change lasts a lifetime - and it doesn't always occur in the areas that you think it will. God isn't concerned with how "good" you are. I know that it's a terrible cliche, but there is some truth in "letting go and letting God". So, let go! And don't let some pastor or fellow Christian tell you otherwise. God is changing you in his own way and in his own time from the inside out. 
4. Legalism. Somewhat related to #3. When I think of legalism, I come up with all kinds of examples. You'll have people preach to you about the evils in our culture - how all music is sinful, how all movies are tools of the Devil. That drinking is an unpardonable sin. I'm here to tell you right now - that is all nonsense. You are free to watch, to listen to, or to drink anything you want. Follow your own convictions, not the convictions of others. They are on a different journey altogether. Perhaps they are on a path which will lead to the bondage of performance, of wearing masks. You don't want to go there. If these types approach you - especially if you are a relatively new Christian - turn and walk away in the other direction. Yes, you can love these people. You can also love them from a distance. Choose the path of freedom, always. 
5. Loneliness. As Christians, depending on where you live and who you surround yourself with, it can get kind of lonely, especially if you are a bit on the unorthodox side. Please know that you did not sign up for that. There is a spiritual family out there who is willing to grow with you in Christ. Take a moment to look around, hook up with a grace-loving, freedom-celebrating group of fellow believers who can help to guide you. Also, know that God is always with you and that Christ lives inside of you. Once you grasp that, you'll realize that you're never really alone. 

These are the five things that you did not sign up for. If ever one of these five things rears its ugly head up at you, remember that you are absolutely, unapologetically free - and that nothing or no one can take that away from you.

"Everything Is Permitted": On Game of Thrones, John Piper, and Freedom In Christ

So, there's a lot of hoopla (backed by a lot of bad theology) going on in the Christian community surrounding the nudity in the show, "Game of Thrones", and whether Christians should watch the show because of that nudity. The general consensus amongst the people in the anti-Game of Thrones camp is that nudity is "bad". That artistic nudity will turn us all into godless deviants. On one hand, I can understand. Some Christians have struggled with pornography addiction in the past. If this is you, then perhaps you shouldn't be watching anything containing nudity. Go with your convictions on that one. However, the rest of us just enjoy great cinema and the wonderful stories that come from some of the more adult television shows. Just as you see nudity in real life, naked people are indeed present on some of these shows. Just like there were naked people back in Biblical times, we have naked people today - and since art represents certain truths, like the fact that sometimes people get naked, you will find nudity on these programs.

This is both a good and a bad argument to have. Good, because it helps certain people determine where they stand on the matter, according to their own convictions. Bad, because some of those well-meaning people try to force a religious dogma down our throats which says that nudity is of the devil. Which just isn't true. 

There is a healthier way to have this discussion in the Christian community, and it starts with 1 Corinthians 10:23. 

Everything is permitted, but not everything is beneficial. 

We are free in Christ. We are free to watch "Game of Thrones" if we so choose. Totally free. Some of us will watch "Game of Thrones", or any other work of art, and find something that will benefit us, whether it is watching a character go through some sort of profound change, a battle between good vs. evil, etc. Others will watch the same show and find that they can't get past the adult content. It doesn't benefit them. Both of these scenarios are okay, but they must remain personal decisions for each individual. Just because John Piper feels one way about the issue doesn't mean that you are obligated to feel the same way. "But he's a pastor," you say. So what? He's also human. He doesn't have all of the answers. This is one fallible man with one questionable opinion. "But he's a man of God, though. He's trustworthy! He's been to seminary!" Be careful with that. Be very, very careful. A man of God is still just a man. 

Another way to look at the situation: I am a film critic. Every day, I get review copies in the mail. Just this week, I got a DVD copy of a Zalman King film entitled, Pleasure or Pain. Now, knowing all that I know about Zalman King and his filmography, I can guess based on the synopsis and the title alone that this film is going to contain lots of gratuitous sex and nudity. Just like Wild Orchid before it, it is going to be all sex with little substance. In other words, it's not going to be spiritually or emotionally beneficial for me in any way. 

Take another, altogether different film. Eyes Wide Shut. Stanley Kubrick's last film and one of my favorites. It is full of nudity, but unlike the work of Zalman King, the nudity in this film serves a specific purpose. There is nothing blatantly or even gratuitously erotic about the nudity in Eyes Wide Shut. For me, the experience of watching Eyes Wide Shut is entirely beneficial. There is a very pro-fidelity message that runs throughout the entire film., about what it means to really love your wife or your husband, learning not to take he or she for granted in the bonds of marriage. It is an incredibly Biblical message, if you ask me. A film that I have learned from, that I have pondered over for years - and not once did I ever "dwell" on the nudity. I didn't become a deviant. I took what Kubrick had given the world, I listened to what he had to say through the images and sounds that he put in front of me, and it was all very beneficial. 

As I said earlier, if we're going to have this discussion, we need to have it this way. Is what you are watching going to benefit you? Is it going to stay with you for all of the right reasons? Will it change you? If the answer is yes, then by all means, go forth and enjoy that work of art, whatever it is! Let God use it in your life. If the answer is no, then I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I can tell you that if you go with the beneficial option, you'll have a lot more to think about at the end of the day. 

Thank God for the arts. Let's not make them something to be avoided. The arts are a gift. They should be approached accordingly. 

Free Yourself

Many times in my life, I have felt inadequate. There were people inside and outside of the church who told me that my "walk" was less than perfect. I felt the need to push towards perfection, but every time I tried, I failed miserably. Because of my many failures to live up to impossible standards, I felt as though my journey with God was headed to some dark places and that He, my father, was not pleased with me.

Years passed. I grew. I learned about the radical nature of grace. My life changed. I tore the mask off and gave it to God. He tossed it away. I was finally free. I experienced a joy like no other. After this, I became aware of others around me who were still masked. They were in the midst of freedom and were terrified of it. They were Stepford Christians. I made it my mission in life to be a living example of the freedom that comes through spirituality, through God, through Christ. Nothing was ever the same again. 

Today, I am thankful for the beautiful mystery that my life became when I chose to place my faith in God. It doesn't always make sense, and there are always more questions than answers. And yet, I wouldn't have it any other way. Anything is possible for the eternal seeker.

Free yourself. You don't have to keep performing. The ones who judge you now will find other reasons to judge you later. You were never meant to be their puppet. Now, go and live. 

Missing Bruce Gentry

I met Bruce Gentry on a film shoot during my sophomore year at North Greenville University. The very day that we met, I felt as though I had known him for years. He kept me laughing the entire day. We exchanged numbers, and the very next morning at 7 a.m., I got a phone call reminding me to get to my Biology class on time. From then on, we talked on the phone constantly. Bruce became as close as a brother. We shared a love of film and of music that only served to bring us closer together. Bruce was an encyclopedia of knowledge, and he was always willing to teach me new things, to expand my horizons artistically, and to keep my ADD riddled mind on task.

When I entered an internship in Marietta, GA, it was one of the first times that I had ever been away from home, living on my own. As a result of my panic disorder, I was plagued with attacks for many nights. I spoke with Bruce for hours every night that summer, and every time I would call him in a panic, he would calmly recite Psalm 91 for me, and before I knew it, the wave of fear had passed and had lulled me into a place of peace. Bruce always said, "when you share a burden, it's divided; when you share a joy, it's multiplied". During the tough times in my life, he always reminded me that I was loved, and I could always depend on him. I would find myself calling him when I was in need of comfort. He never missed a phone call. He was most definitely a caretaker. During a recent film shoot, I became ill with dehydration. There was Bruce, running to the nearest drug store, forcing me to drink Pedialyte and pulling me off the set. I would have been angry with anyone else, but because it was Bruce, because he was my brother, my best friend, and my artistic soul mate, it didn't matter. I just sat down for the remainder of the shoot, and listened to Bruce talk away about Charles Laughton and Bette Davis. I would have listened to Bruce Gentry read the phone book for hours. The man had the richest voice. He'd often leave voicemails on my phone, where he'd recite long monologues from Shakespeare, and fill up my entire inbox. I never complained. I loved every minute. He was one of the greatest actors that ever lived. Those who have worked with him one on one know this to be true. He was a consummate professional, and he absolutely adored the stage and screen. Everyone wanted to work with him. To know Bruce was to love him - that's all there is to it. I could go on and on about this beloved man.  

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the death of my best friend. God has placed many people in my path, but few have touched my life in the way that Bruce did. He had such a profound impact on me, one which I will never forget. In these times when I miss him dearly, I can still feel his presence. I know that he is looking down on me from Heaven, keeping a watchful eye on me, his "little Orson Welles". I miss you more than you will ever know, Brucie! I love you.

"A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"

It has recently come to my attention that a member of my former church has labeled me a "wolf in sheep's clothing". This comes as no surprise as I consider the source of the comment; however, this is not the first time that the self-righteous have bared their claws.

I actually take this sort of thing as a compliment. 

The past few years of my life have been the most significant, the most revealing, the most precious - as far as my spirituality is concerned. I've learned a lot. I've unlearned a lot. Somewhere in between lies doubt. I've learned to both embrace and resist doubt in equal measure. It's incredibly frustrating at times, not knowing all of the answers. If I could have one wish in the entire world, I would want to have a one-on-one with Jesus Christ, in the flesh. I would like to sit with him, maybe sip on a cup of coffee, and go down the list of questions and concerns that I have about life, about his Word. However, the closest that I'm ever going to come to this - until I enter the pearly gates, of course - is what I have in front of me. The Bible. The teachers, leaders, and counselors that God places into my life. Sometimes it's all that I need, and at other times, it's not good enough. Sometimes holding onto my faith becomes a sort of wrestling match between Rinky and the Almighty. The only thing that I've noticed thus far is that He won't let me go. I can't escape his grasp. Not that I'd want to.

I've noticed that this has made me stronger. As I said, I still have doubts, but I have a strong spiritual foundation, thanks to my wonderful mother, which has allowed me to explore, to roam freely - to figure things out on my own. It's my faith. It's my journey. It's unique. It pisses people off. My quest for total freedom in Christ gets me in trouble. It upsets the self-righteous - the hypocrites who hoist themselves up onto pedestals and toss out labels, such as "heretic", "false prophet", and "wolf in sheep's clothing". Maybe they're upset that they haven't yet discovered the freedom that I've found. This is possible. Maybe they're just having a bad day.

Or maybe they're just assholes. 

Who's to say? We all toss out labels from time to time. All I know is that I don't have all of the answers. I'll never have all of the answers. Until then, I'm going to keep searching. I'm going to push forward on this beautiful journey - and if that makes me a wolf, then so be it.

Shades of Gray

Beyond definition.

Eternal mystery.

Abstract entity.

The future stretched out before me, pathways branching out far into the horizon. 

An ethereal tapestry - a living, breathing artifact.

Constantly evolving.

Boundless journey - incessant wanderer.

Seeking you in shades of gray.

The wings of grace carry me ever on.

It's been a long, difficult, beautiful journey thus far. I'm still learning. Bear with me. 

There are things that I'll never understand - things that I don't necessarily want to understand and things that I am not meant to understand. 

The one characteristic of God that I love most: ambiguity. 

There is a freedom in knowing that you don't always have to get it right. 

You don't need all of the answers. 

More often than not, you will get it wrong. 

And you know what?

That's okay.

My Encounter with Grace at GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

The past three years of my life have been a spiritual and emotional roller coaster - with an emphasis on the spiritual. During this time, I've done a lot of unpacking. By that, I mean that I have abandoned all types of legalism and suffocating, grace-less theology. I no longer have any tolerance for such things. With that being said, I was pleasantly surprised this past Sunday when I attended Grace Baptist Church in West Virginia with my grandfather. 

My current angst concerning all things Baptist was certainly challenged when Pastor Delbert stepped up to the pulpit. Now, I must preface this by saying that Delbert is a fine man. Both he and his wife have been extremely supportive of my grandfather, as he has been struggling through a grieving period as a result of the loss of my grandmother. The pastor and his wife are incredible people on that end. However, I'm not used to hearing Delbert preach. In my experience - and taking into account that pastors are human, and humans are fallible - what most pastors preach on Sunday seldom aligns with their actions during the rest of the week. One pastor may give grace with one hand during the week, and snatch it away from the pulpit on Sunday with a "hell-fire and brimstone" fear-mongering guilt-trip. I've encountered this more times than I care to remember, and honestly, I was preparing for something similar this past Sunday.

And then Delbert started speaking. And Adam started listening. 

What sprang from Delbert's mouth wasn't at all what I was bracing myself for. No, Delbert preached from Ephesians, and he spoke of the "glorious grace" of God that Paul raved about. He spoke not of sinless perfection, but of the imputed righteousness of Christ that makes us perfect in God's eyes. There is no need to wear masks. There is no need to fall into the trap of legalism and law, because Christ has set us free in every sense of the word. 

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This sort of grace-centric message is not common in the Baptist church (note: not all Baptist churches, but some Baptist churches are guilty of this). I was humbled, that's for sure. It was encouraging. It gave me a sense of calm. It gave me hope, as if God was reaching down and reassuring me that everything was going to be okay. His grace finds its way into the unlikeliest of places.

It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning, there with my loved ones, listening to our dear friend, Kelly, sing beautifully before the sermon that dashed all of my expectations. 

I confronted the pastor after the sermon and thanked him for speaking love and truth to his congregation.

This crazy liberal Jesus freak is definitely on Team Delbert - Delbert, the Baptist preacher. 

Day two in Oak Hill, West Virginia. My little cousin, Nolan, is currently fighting sleep. The kid is screaming his head off. You would think that someone was murdering him in the next room. We just finished eating dinner. I'm about to settle into my book. 'Running with Scissors' by Augusten Burroughs. I've read it before, and I liked it a lot. Later on tonight, the girls will watch Real Housewives. I actually got roped into the show late last night, and an hour or so later, I had to get up and leave. Unlike the superficial bitches on that show, I have real problems. The fact that our generation embraces such shallow entertainment is beyond me. We cater to the lowest common denominator. Bitches and white trash families are now something to be glorified and exploited for our amusement. It's embarrassing. It's a sad commentary on our culture.

I hate reality television.

Tomorrow, I'll attend church at Grace Baptist with my grandfather for some southern-fried theology, not to mention some singing, courtesy of my friend, Kelly. Afterwards, it's on the road, headed back to Easley. I always look forward to these trips to Oak Hill. Many of my fondest childhood memories concern this place.

I'll miss it tomorrow after we've left - the unique, homey aroma of 401 Rogers, the chill in the air...I can't wait for November. Thanksgivings in Oak Hill are the best.

My eyes already touch the sunny hill,

going far ahead of the road I have begun.

So we are grasped by what we cannot grasp;

it has its inner light, even from a distance—

and changes us, even if we do not reach it,

into something else, which, hardly sensing it, we already are;

a gesture waves us on, answering our own wave…

but what we feel is the wind in our faces. 

~ "A Walk" ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

So, this is my new blog. I welcome you all. This blog shall serve as a refuge for me - a place to share my thoughts, a place to wittily vent my frustrations. Here's hoping you may find something insightful and provocative among all of the bitching and nonsensical rambling! 

I shall begin posting on a regular basis as soon as I get a chance. Be on the lookout, and remember: this is not a blog for children or the faint-hearted. If you're easily offended, you may want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, read away! :-)

Regular postings will begin soon. I've got to figure this thing out in the meantime. 

Breaking Free From The Bubble: Christians vs. The Movies

This morning, I decided to peruse some of the film reviews on a Christian website. Usually, the reviews on this site are fairly unbiased, focusing more on the qualities of the film itself rather than pointing out what some may consider “offensive”. However, there are other conservative sites that offer quite the opposite. You find sites such as these all over the internet. Some self-proclaimed Christian builds a “film review” site and then, rather than give an actual review of the film, what we get is a list. Yes, some Christians like to make lists. This is especially true when it comes to Christian film reviews. We have lists galore: lists of certain types of profanity (including the actual number of times that the individual words are used), sexual content (in explicit, graphic detail so that you can almost see it play out in your head), violent content, drug content, spiritual content, and just about any other kind of content that you can think of. It’s all right there, leaving nothing to the imagination – and most of the time, there are spoilers included – without warning. Context is rarely even considered. This is all very disturbing to me. Mind you, not all Christians are close-minded when it comes to the arts, but some of them are. It may be a sense of self-righteous pride, or the way in which some were raised which contributes to this narrow opinion of the film industry; either way, it is unfair.

As an artist, whether you are Tyler Perry or Stanley Kubrick, it is your job to present “truth”. What is truth, you may ask? People have been asking that same question for many years. Pontius Pilate himself even pondered upon this from time to time. To me, truth, as it is portrayed in art, should be a reflection of the world around us. Now, I personally cannot speak for anyone else, but the last time that I stepped outside of my home and into the real world, I encountered things that may have been unpleasant. If some people would just read their Bible, they would see right away that the book is pretty intense. I mean, this is God’s word, and all of these naughty things are present: fornication, adultery, profanity; violence, false doctrine, rape, murder - it’s all there on full display for anyone to read. Let’s not fool ourselves. The Bible is not an easy read. The truth as it is presented in the Bible is unfiltered and raw and ugly, but it is also redeeming, providing a balance with shades of light and grace. This is what most artists, Christian or non-Christian, are trying to convey in their work. You cannot escape the fact that darkness exists and must be dealt with. It may be a tough concept for most people to handle, but this is the way that it is.

Christian cinema is often riddled with cliches, proven by films such as Facing the Giants and Fireproof. The characters in these films are caricatures at best, and as a result, we cannot connect with them. The conflicts in most Christian films have been whitewashed and cleansed of any questionable language or content considered offensive, leading to a false view of the world. Christianity is dangerously portrayed as being "safe", leading to sanitized films that are labeled "family friendly". Why should audiences pay for a diluted version of reality? Why should we settle for anything less than the truth? Why should we expect every film to be suitable for family viewing?

Filmmakers such as Terrence Malick, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Ingmar Bergman engage our intellect as well as our heart, in films such as Magnolia, The New World, and Winter Light. They deal with similar issues, such as faith, redemption, grace and God, and yet nothing is held back. Life is shown in all of its beauty and ugliness. There is no spoon-fed Christian conversion at the end. Ambiguity is the key, and the audience isn't limited to Christians. These films are for everyone, from every walk of life. Because these films are honest, they win our respect. Because they don't insult our intelligence, we revisit them, learning from them time and time again. Modern audiences are often smarter than we give them credit for.

I believe that some Christians today are so comforted by the safe little bubble that they surround themselves with, that they are incapable of knowing, or maybe even forget, that we live in an R-rated world and read from an R-rated Bible. Philippians 4:8 is often used as a battle cry from conservative Christians as a poor defense of this illogical war on modern culture, particularly the arts.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

One particular area of this Scripture is largely ignored. Not surprisingly, the conservative argument crumbles in light of this.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true..." 

Whatever is true.

Truth. 

Film is art. Art should represent truth. It simply isn’t debatable. If you are going to represent truth on film, you should portray it the way that you would encounter it in the real world. Don’t shove the ugly bits under the rug. After all, even Scripture tends to bring us down to reality and rub our faces in ugliness from time to time. Not everything in the Bible is "right, pure, lovely" or "worthy of praise". Sunday after Sunday, pastors around the world encourage their congregation to explore some of the darker elements. Some of them proceed to condemn "Hollyweird" as well as adult content in film, when the very book that they preach from contains the same type of abhorrent content in spades. This is an unfortunate double standard. The Bible takes us to some pretty disturbing places. So should the arts.

Enjoy the everlasting feast of cinema which is laid out before you. Sample everything. Learn how to properly discern the good from the bad. If you must, use 1 Corinthians 10:23 as your guide:

"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive." 

Let's face it: you cannot have light without the darkness. It’s time to break free from the bubble. Embrace your freedom. Explore. Christians of the world, it is time to stop making useless lists, and instead, be thankful that we have artists in the world who do not wish to lie to us.

After all, isn’t “Thou shalt not lie” one of the big Ten?