Yesterday, I had the wonderful and rare opportunity to sit on the back deck, sipping coffee, watching the chickens and reading the paper. We only subscribe to Saturday-Sunday, but that is usually more than I can read in a week. There were a string of faith-related items that struck my attention, and I highlight them here for the sake of seeing what cumulative sense they make of how faith interacts with culture. These stories set side by side make a parable about faithfulness today. No commentary, just parable. For those who have ears to hear . . .
1. Sunday Magazine, p. 20 "Jesus Christ Superhero." Story details the rise of the company one2believe and their bible action figures which are a blockbuster in mainstream stores like Wal-Mart and Target. Most popular? Jesus, who according to sales projections will be sold out well before Christmas. But they also have "spirit warriors" like Samson who can take on any commercial bad-guy--the website even has a video of Samson wopping Goliath, an entirely consistent bending of the Biblical witness to serve their marketing agenda.
2. Sunday front page, "Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Game at Church." The story details the trend among churches to host gaming nights to play the wildly popular Microsoft X-Box game, Halo 3. The game, released two weeks ago, has already earned in excess of 300 million. Youth leaders just say their trying to be relevant to the 'young male' demographic. Critics, including some Elders and Senior Pastors, worry that the game's violent themes are inappropriate. Says one youth playing at the game night at Colorado Community Church, "It's just fun blowing people up."
3. Saturday, International section, p. A3. "Christian Split in Lebanon Raises Specter of Civil War." The story describes the growing conflict between Christians in Lebanon. Increasingly Christian youth are signing up for militant factions and retreating to the rural hills for militia training. Says one young man, "When the war begins, I'll be the first one in it." He was, at the time of the interview, in Shadow Tattoo, getting a cross etched into his shoulder. "I want everyone to know I am a Christian and I am ready to fight."
4. Saturday, Front page. "One Story at a Time, a Priest Reveals Ukrainian Jews' Fate." This French priest has, through what seems like providential grace, become some strange combination of confessor and historian uncovering the stories from the Nazi occupation of the Ukraine where estimates suggest as many as one and a half million Jews were systematically killed. While in Europe, the killing factories such as Auschwitz-Birkenau left a sort of historical record, a place, in Ukraine this was not the case --trenches were dug, Jews shot, and the site covered over. Now, in large part because of the singular work of Fr. Patrick Desbois, the stories and sites are emerging. Says Fr. Desbois, "I have to use simple words and listen to these horrors--without any judgment. I cannot react to the horrors that pour out. If I react, the stories will stop." He has videotaped more than 700 interviews with witnesses and bystanders .
+anon,
Chris
My oldest son is a "HALO HERMIT", a solid member of his high school youth group at church and a part-time Sunday School teacher. Sometimes, the strangest things can draw people closer to the Lord.
Posted by: Bob | October 08, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Great article! I've linked to your blog from my related posting:
"We watch Star Wars at our church"
http://www.mitchross.com/blog/index.php?itemid=57
Posted by: Mitch | October 10, 2007 at 08:57 PM