Baptism is the heart of the Christian practice of saying yes and saying no. In liturgical traditions, at the heart the rite, the presider asks the candidate or the sponsor and family of a young child:
to reject sin,
profess your faith in Christ,
and confess the faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
Response: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?
Response: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
Response: I renounce them.
This renunciation is followed by an affirmation, shared by the gathered community of faith, and typically following the ancient words of the Apostles' Creed
Do you turn to Christ as your Lord and Savior?
Response: In faith I turn to Christ.
The presiding minister addresses the assembly:
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
From this beginning in baptism, Christian faith as a way of life becomes a daily struggle of discernment: how shall we say yes and no to the things of this life?
I offer this reflection on baptism and the practice of saying yes and saying no to set up this quote on Mel Gibson's new movie that took the number one spot at the box office this past weekend. An unbelievable juxtaposition to set themes of Advent and Christ's coming again to make all things new, and Mel Gibson, who seems obsessed with blood and gore, no matter the plot. I won't link to the homepage of the movie. But check out this from Playfuls.com in an article called "The Resurrection of Mel":
"Disney release 'Apocalypto,' the first from director Mel Gibson since his much-publicized summer arrest for drunk driving, during which he spewed anti-Jewish remarks at police, had ticket sales of 14.2 million dollars from Friday through Sunday on its opening weekend. Disney's distribution chief Chuck Viane told Reuters that Gibson's headline-grabbing rant had "literally never been an issue" with theater owners. Filmed in a Mayan dialect with subtitles, the violent thriller starred no Hollywood stars.
The hyper-violent tale that includes beheadings and images of hearts ripped from people's chests. The film received grudging respect from critics, who praised its visual power, but stressed its ultra-violent content of this action drama about a man trying to save himself and his family from a bloodthirsty rival tribe."
Wow. Who is going to see this? 14.2 million in box office receipts? #1 at the box office two weeks from Christmas? Are we finally in a totally post-Christian culture? Or do people of faith so totally disconnect their faith from their pop cultural consumption that they think of this kind of movie as harmless entertainment? My kids were scared at "Happy Feet!"
Some pop culture I object to on some level but also listen to or watch because I think it has important elements along side the dangerous ones. But some things I don't go to to "make up my own mind" because they fit a category I just can't imagine finding edifying. I say "no," for the sake of Christ, and for the sake of waiting for the One who is coming, who is the Prince of Peace, whose Apocalypse (literally: revealing) will make the lion lie down with the lamb. It is into that vision, that "revealing", that I shall live as I wait.
anon, and peace,
Chris
I spent my money on the U218 Singles CD/DVD combo, and I can't theologically justify (in the spirit of Tony Jones) spending anymore money on entertainment this month, especially the latest Mel Gibson release (sorry Rocky 6 you will also have to wait)...so I say no as well.
On a more personal note, I hope you're doing well this advent season and finding rest during the Christmas rush. Keep working hard on the book; I look forward to reading it soon. Grace, love and peace (or else). Sorry I couldn't resist. Talk to you soon.
Tyler
Posted by: Tyler | December 11, 2006 at 06:01 PM
My son was scared of Happy Feet too ... we left before the movie ended. He's 4 years old. Good thoughts here.
Posted by: Sivin | December 12, 2006 at 06:15 PM