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Paul,Apostle of Christ

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John from Kentucky:

--- Quote from: Extol on February 27, 2018, 04:49:30 PM ---You are overreacting, my friends. This movie is going to portray the life of Paul, not the theology of Paul. It's not going to be a film which (incorrectly) analyzes the meaty doctrines of Romans. Who would want to go see that? But the story of Paul as related in Acts is very exciting indeed--a persecutor of Christians, a dramatic conversion, missionary journeys, shipwreck, imprisonment, etc. Those elements make for a film people would want to see.

 JFK, if you're so sure of your freedom from religious lies, why does this film prompt such a reaction from you? Do you really think you're going to get poisoned and pulled away from the truth just by watching a movie about Paul's life story? Do you think the movie is going to preach about hellfire and man's free will, and you will get sucked back into that way of thinking? 

One time when I was visiting two brothers from this forum, we watched some episodes of a television series which told Bible stories. They were stories; they were historical, not theological, like this new film about Paul. We enjoyed watching them and discussing them afterward. We weren't watching them to gain great spiritual insights; nor were we watching them to point out all the theological errors and make fun of them. We were just enjoying the show, because we like history and we like the Bible.

Here is the synopsis of the Paul film, from Wikipedia:

The setting is Mamertine Prison in Rome where Paul has been imprisoned because he has been deemed a threat to the Roman Empire. Emperor Nero has sentenced him to death. Paul's long journey to this place has been eventful. At one time—as Saul—he persecuted Christians relentlessly. And then he converted to Christianity. That is when Paul became the persecuted. His path has involved degradation, torture and shipwreck. At Mamertine he interacts with his jailer, Mauritius, and Luke, the apostle. Mauritius is curious about Paul and seeks to learn how this one man can have such a profound effect on the empire. Luke, his dutiful caretaker, takes this opportunity to write his Gospel. Meanwhile the infamous persecution of the Christians under Nero is in full effect. As the time draws near to the date of his execution, Paul worries if God will forgive him for his sins.

The part at the end is the only thing that can be theologically objectionable. Call it one of "Satan's lies and false teachings" if you wish, but I think we should lighten up. I don't think the goal of the producers is to make people think God won't forgive them. I think the goal is to tell a good story and make money.

I didn't know about this movie before, but I'm definitely interested in seeing it now.  8)

--- End quote ---

Jesse,

Pamela asked a question if anyone was going to watch the movie.

I gave her an honest answer.  Why does that upset you?

All that we know about Paul comes from the Scriptures.  Any deviation in the movie about Paul then is a lie.

Jesus tells us that Satan is a liar and the Father of lies.  I believe Jesus.

By the Power of the Spirit,  I do not allow Satan or his lies to enter my mind.  Am I going to fast for you?  I can see the stitches on the fast balls he sends my way.

Again, why does my answer to Pamela's question bother you so?  Are you possibly overreacting?

I have no power over anyone as to what they think or do.  But neither do you.  There is no free will.  You will do what forces will lead you to do over which you have no control.

Enjoy your movie.  Enjoy the lesson.

My advice, if you want to know about Paul, and most importantly about the Truths he was led to teach, is to study the Scriptures.

John

ZekeSr:
I agree with John. I understand the excitement and desire to see these things up on the screen. I know the feeling. But I also remember when the 2014 movie Noah, staring Russel Crowe, was released. There were numerous Christian groups who prescreened the movie and recommended that people go to see it even though it “strayed” from the original scriptural narrative because the writers took a great deal of “artistic license” to pump up the story. But that was supposed to be ok because (according to them) it might still bring some people to Christ. I watched it at someone’s house after it came out on DVD. It made me squirm with remorse. There was more truth and moral content contained in a Transformers movie than that piece of heretical garbage. As far as I’m concerned, never again.
Perhaps this movie will not be as over the top, but what is the difference? If it contains even a single added sentence of dialogue, it is no longer accurate. Not one jot or tittle. 

Mike

Extol:
Howdy John (and Mike, and others),

It seems our difference of opinion comes from how we view the motives of the filmmakers. I think their motive is to make money. You seem to think their motive is akin to the false teachers of TBN who make money by knowingly swindling viewers. The filmmakers are out to make money by entertaining; they're not looking to make money by saying Give God [me] your money or people will go to Hell like some of the TBN preachers. They are not promising God will make you rich if you come to their movie, or that God will curse you if you don't. There is a big difference.

I think it is wrong to support fraudulent ministries, but I don't think there is anything wrong with supporting businesses who are "ignorant of Scriptural Truths". The producers of John Wayne films were probably ignorant of Scriptural truths too, but so what? (I know, I know, they weren't claiming to teach us the deep things of God; but neither are these people.) Maybe your barber is a Christian who believes in hellfire. So what? It's not a sin to give the man money to cut your hair. Maybe all the grocery stores in your town are supporters of gay rights. Are you going to stop eating?

For one of his conferences, Ray relied heavily on the books of an Orthodox Jew. That means that for a conference where Ray claimed we would be learning deep things that hardly anyone else knew, he was teaching us things he learned from a man who denies Jesus is the Messiah! Wow! Where was the sanctimonious vitriol then? I am not picking on Ray, I'm just pointing out the absurdity of looking for truth, or entertainment, or anything else, only from people who believe what we believe.

I'm not saying we all should go see the movie. If you don't want to see it, don't see it because you don't care about it, not because you think you're being more righteous than those of us who do see it.

Musterseed:
Proverb 16:9
A man’s heart plans his way.
But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:2
All persons ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

Christianity is big business in politics,entertainment,sports, etc. These business people
have no problem peddling and perverting the word of God for profit and taking advantage
of people.

2 Corth. 2:17
For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God,
we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Titus 1:11
They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things
they ought not to teach, and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Matt 21: 13
My house shall be called a house of prayer but YE have made it a den of robbers.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice,have their senses trained to decern
good and evil.

Isaiah 7:15
He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good.

Only God directs my steps.   Sincerely in Christ , Pamela

Wanda:
Romans 14:14-22New International Version (NIV)

14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

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