This weekend was the opening of The Dark Knight, the latest theatrical installment of the Batman franchise. I must admit that I was curious to see Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker and how it would stack up to Nicholson’s 1989 Joker. All I can say is that this movie is really dark (first word of the title…hello!) and borders on psychotic. Although Batman fans will probably love it and Christians will find all kinds of wonderful symbolism and spiritual overtones, I am not sold on it. Honestly, I feel like by sitting there and watching all the violence (there was barely any sexuality or profanity) that I compromised my position to some degree. We live in a dark world, and what we need is truth and light, not a vigilante superhero (as cool as that sounds to our imaginations). We can have all the guns, knives, armor, and sweet vehicles, but all it takes is one word from Jesus to flood in with truth and heal a tortured mind.
Maybe it is because I am analytical about … everything … I don’t enjoy this type of thing as much as I used to. Maybe I am looking for a story about something that lifts me up and gives me hope. Sure, Batman is the archetypical redemptive character, but Gotham continues to wallow in greed and avarice, and there never seems to be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. The real world, the world I live in, is not like that. Sure there are bad people who do horrible things. War, murder, rape, abortion, incest, and the like are prevalent in our increasingly narcissistic and hedonistic culture. Everyone is after his own pleasure and desires. But, at the same time, all over the world, people are doing amazingly selfless acts – building wells, hospitals, and schools, giving food and supplies, volunteering to rebuild cities after disasters, and the list goes on. And people are making a difference every day by just doing little things – buying someone a cup of coffee, listening to someone who needs a shoulder to cry on, being pleasant to the cashier. Little things that make a difference. There is darkness all around, but hope prevails. As Rob Bell so simply put it, Love Wins. Maybe that’s what I don’t see in the Dark Knight that bugs me.
Recently, I read a book where a kid was able to see into the spiritual realm. (It reminded me of Rick Joyner’s The Final Quest.) He saw a mountain covered with blackness (a principality) and from that mountain were twisted black strands that ran down into the city below – into theatres and offices and clubs and churches and homes. They were conduits that fed both ways: in and out. As I thought about this picture, I know that so many times I have opened the door to that oppressive spirit just because of what I have voluntarily put into my mind (DVDs, movies, etc.). I also believe that Christians are huge conduits for the enemy to traverse because of the media we consume. We come together in worship on Sunday and sing songs about breaking free of chains, and overcoming the enemy, but then we are sitting in theatres or in front of TVs with media that completely defies those songs we sung and messages we heard. And it happens to all of us – from the Senior Pastor to Joe Churchgoer. As I said to Liz Carey the other day, “Why can’t I be like the mindless ones, who think it’s all just harmless fun?” She laughed and said that sounds like a song. But it’s true for me… sometimes I wish I could turn the analysis off and just say, “Woah, that was a good movie! Did you see the part where he blows up that guy’s head?” (Even as I type that, I can’t imagine saying that or thinking it!)
So I think I have rambled a bit on this subject. My point is that The darkness has no chance against the truth, and when light comes, it reveals the schemes and tactics of the darkness. We don’t need to fill our heads and spirits with the shallow substitutes of the enemy. For the battle around us rages every day – the battle for our minds and our destinies. I think I need to be more proactive in fighting that one. The Dark Knight can not compare to the One who will come on a white horse – blazing with fire, brilliance, power and glory, sweeping away all darkness and bringing the world to its knees with a word. That’s my superhero.
Well, you know where I stand on the media issue, but there was something else that made me think.I started to type it here and it turned into a post. So, check out http://www.daveliz.com
So, they should make a movie about Jesus returning and the “final battle” will be anti-climactic when 2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.”….that would be a great movie AND there will be much violence….-Revelation 19:21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. Revelation 14:20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
Talk about violent…..and darkness….hmmmm But yes, in the end a “New Heavens and New Earth” will arise, so there is Hope….
My conclusion?lol If you want a movie that isn’t a direct reference to Scripture, which I DO think she be made (The Left Behind Series and Omega Code doesn’t count), then my vote will always be for “The Matrix” trilogy. Great battles, awesome power, and he dies at the end and there is a NEW EARTH. The best example I can think of that closely parallels Scriptures’ metaphors and illustrations.
I will say the third one is rather disappointing compared to the other 2, but nonetheless…..
casey – somehow i knew you would mention the matrix! 🙂
The danger I am seeing in movies that have biblical resemblances is that those who don’t know what the Word of God actually says, can end up with a mixture of understanding (little bit of Bible, little bit of Hollywood and a little bit of personal experience.) Then they build doctrine on it and that’s the danger.
Liz – which is precisely the enemies’ ploy. mix in some truth with some false and let everyone come up with their own truth…
I think it’s interesting that we as christians who know the word and know more than anybody that a fig tree can only reproduce fig trees and an apple tree is going to give you apples are surprised when hollywood produces worldly, dark or sinfully laced material. It’s hollywood and they are lost. Period. I expect absolutely nothing Godly from a Godless organization. Do they acknowledge Jesus as their LOrd and Savior? No.
We are engulfed in worldly enticements and sinful pleasures. If you wonder why you can’t just be as others are, be numb to it, it’s the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord! And may He manifest in you and all those around you in a greater way so as you would have strength of spirit to not be enticed to have your eye gate poisoned anymore. Go deeper and let Him facinate you, not the media.
Love you buddy! 🙂
I am hearing an undertone of legalism when I read some posts. Mert, I think you are totally right about the the movies being produced are from the world, so what you are going to get is the world’s “darkness”/perspective. Right on.
As an individual and THROUGH community you can encourage each other whether one is “able” to view certain “media” (all encompassing, not just movies). Liz and Josh, I think if we are concerned about lies being spread with truth in movies then we are left with Pharisaical legalism. EVERYTHING in the world is wish washed with Truth and Lies, nothing pure, even “church” (probably where it is more sided with evil in our present age, honestly). So, we are left to make “rules of men” to try and purge the evil. The implication that is being drawn above is that then the only movies we can watch are movies with only Truth…impossible….Hannah Montana movies aren’t dark, but they are just as spread with truth and lies as every other movie and in the end “DARK.”
Paul quotes SECULAR poets, who I know had darkness all throughout their writings, but he took the “truth” of what they said in one sentence and applied it to all followers of Christ. (See-Titus 1:12; 1 Cor 15:33..etc).
Back to the first point….if one is able to “distinguish between good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14) all things are noble and all things are pure, as they are discernible. Now, as stated clearly above, I don’t believe people can make these decisions APART from a community that knows them and is with them DAILY (Hebrews 3:12-13)…..
Reading the Satanic Bible was one of the most revealing truths about God for me. I am thankful i read it and i think that was very GOOD in the end, but obviously laced with darkness. It was not taken lightly when i read it and there were those around me who “watched.”
In the end, I think we also give darkness TOO MUCH power by also trying to avoid things that need to be thought about, not just avoided (Col 2:21)…..like movies. It would be a good discussion to have amongst your community.
The Pharisees were scolded and hated by Jesus more than any sinner without grace….that is clear.
The thing I have always loved about you Josh is your desire for holiness…Like Mert said, you have the Holy Spirit and that is AMAZING.
hey guys, I mean no offense to any ofyou. I realize we are all on a different journey. I’m talking more general than directly to you.
I myself have dabbled in many movies and media ideas for the sake of analysis and more understanding and I have found that for me, it is deception. I think it all comes down to the spirit in which we entertain ourselves. If I had Jesus over for an evening and were in my living room would I put on a movie or crack open a scary story in which there is crazy depictions of darkness of any sort? I don’t think so. The word says we are what we behold. Its up for our own truth before the Lord on what we actually do behold and many times we aren’t so willing to face those things. The word also says to the pure, all things are pure. To those who are defiled, all things are defiled. Thats why so many wounded people carrying hurts and bitterness think that so many are going to hurt them and see very skeptically. And the opposite is true of course, those who carry the heart of the Lord see with His eyes.
The beauty of the Lord is found in our understanding of our own poverty before Him and in the place of hope and faith with Him. I don’t know about you but I feel an incredible difference in my spirit when I allow worldly influences in. I would rather be strong in my faith and hope and revelation of Jesus then to have a broader understanding of the darkness around me. Beholding Him will give you better understanding of Him than any other source. Bless you guys.