Miracles From Heaven - a Review

A couple of months ago, I received an invitation to view an advanced screening of Miracles From Heaven in Little Rock.  Having not been familiar with the movie or its source (supposedly a true story), I was interested to at least investigate. What I discovered was that this movie was produced by the same folks that produced the film version of Heave Is For Real. This immediately kick-started the critic in me.  But, despite there being other suspect personalities, particularly of the Word Of Faith and hyper-spiritualist camp (most notably, T.D. Jakes), I was willing to at least "suffer through" the film for the sake of honesty.

So along comes yesterday eveing.  I took my elder daughter, Anna along as back-up.  We arrived a bit early, and found that Columbia/Sony really is pulling out the stops to promote this "Christian Faith-based film" (the reps' own words).  Not only were baggies with poster, pen, and other material (including the ubiquitous comment card and church sponsorship/promotion request), but they handed out pretty t-shirts!

On to the film:

Based on what is billed as a true story, the film retells the story of Annabelle Beam and her journey through a terminal diagnosis and what is considered a miraculous healing.  Annabelle (or Anna), middle daughter three Beam children is a vibrant youngster full of energy and life (and faith) when she get sick.  After weeks of ongoing vomiting, a swelling abdomen, many visits to the ER, and various specialists, receiving diagnosis varying from bacteria and viruses to lactose intolerance, mom gets desperate and finally pushes an ER doctor into digging deeper.  What they finally find is that she has a motility disorder. Basically her digestive tract is not receiving the signals from the brain and thus are essentailly shut down.  Young Anna is referred to the only pediatric Doctor specializing in this disorder (as yet incurable).  But this doctor in Boston (the Beams live in Texas) has a 9 month waiting list and Anna doesn't appear to have that long.  In desperation, Mrs. Beam takes Anna to Boston without an appointment, makes a desperate plea to the receptionist, but apparently comes up short. At dinner, they meet Angela, a waitress (played by Queen Latifa), who befriends them.  They have an adventure touring Boston with Angela as their tour guide, beginning a friendship that serves as a great help in the ongoing struggle. Sure enough,my he Pediatrician's office gets Anna in the next day and after a series of tests, the specific diagnosis is confirmed, and is the worst- the disorder might be manageable (the experimental medication has serious possible side effects and is not covered by insurance), and it only provides some quality of life, not a cure.

Things improve a bit for little Anna until she goes into serious relapse and in her faith actually says she wants to die so she can be go to Heaven where she won't hurt any more.

Anna is stabilized enough to go home to Texas.  Her older sister talks her into climbing the massive old cottonwood tree in their yard. An accident happens, with Anna falling 30ft.  A dramatic rescue ensues, Anna is rushed the the hospital where they find not only that she is nearly unscathed, but they find over the course of the next few days, her digestive disorder is gone.

Now- on to the nitty gritty-

This film is family-friendly from the point of the lack of violence, adult content, language, etc.

There is a great deal of positive in the film, with my personal favorite being the overall family dynamic where the parents and children have a very loving and self-sacrificing relationship. The film also does portray the very real battle people of faith have with the hardships that life throws at us (in the case of the Beam family thisnwoukdninclude not only Anna's sickness, but a new start-up business and serious financial issues made worse by the care costs for Anna).

But there is plenty of reasons to not endorse this film.  The film depicts several unscriptural theological concepts, including g out-of-body experience, trips to Heaven and direct verbal visits with God "in Heaven"). Even more concerning was a briefly mentioned, but blatantly-heretical moment (reinforced by the emotion of the scene) that implied everyone gets to Heaven "in their time".

I found it rather interesting that the Beam's church pastor was depicted (I'm sure unintentionally) as rather shallow in his preaching, and it even results in some church members making some off-handed judgments against the Beams (which contributes to Christy Beam "losing faith"), and thus withdrawing from church attendance.

The producers of this film are well-acquainted with tugging at heart strings, and you will likely need most of a box of tissues by the end.  What I found particularly interesting (and encouraging) was that my 11 year-old daughter easily identified the questionable theology, and herself expressed concern over the universalist statement.  I must say I am very proud of my own Anna!

Long story short, I am not going to discount the apparent fact that the main character was a very sick young lady, who was out of options, and who, after a terrifying fall, went into "spontaneous remission". For that matter, I have no issue with the assertion that life is a miracle, or that God works out small "miracles" all around us every day.  I firmly believe that God is still in the healing business. But when you ad I what a child "saw" and her supposed conversation with God in Heaven as as factual as any other observable fact, throwing in magic butterflies and out-of-body experiences and a promotion of universalism, I just cannot recommend the film. I will say, Martin Hendedson did an admirable job portraying Kevin Beam. Jennifer Garner at times was believable as Anna's mom, Christy Beam.  The young ladies playing Anna's sisters were adorable. Queen Latifa's character, Angela, is immediately like able, even if not very plausible. The other fun character is the pediatrician Dr. Nurko (played by Engenio Derbez).

Are You a "Values Voter"?

     It really is a simple question: Are you a "values voter"?  I suppose I need to begin with defining the term.  A values voter is someone who participates in the election process by casting their votes for the candidates that most closely reflect their values.  Anyone can be a values voter - as values are individual. So with that bit of housekeeping in order, let us proceed.

     I consider myself a "values voter" because I try my best to determine what candidates on my ballot come closest to representing what I believe.  While I do not insist on a candidate holding the same specific doctrinal positions I do, or even be a member of "my church" or particular denomination, I do believe for a candidate to represent my values, they should be a born-again Christian. I further have a priority list of issues and positions that range from absolute, non-negotiable values, to those things that I can tolerate some variance in, to those things that have little weight in my values list. For example, among the issues that are non-negotiable are abortion (100% pro-life) and the biblical definition of marriage - one man and one woman (for life).

     But believe it or not, I have respect for those with very different views from me on my core issues, so long as they are genuine in their stand and with their vote.  Consistency that matches ones actual beliefs is admirable, and indeed brings me to the point I wish to make:

     If you consider yourself a "values voter (which I believe anyone taking the responsibility of voting seriously should be), then you will take the time and effort, no matter how "busy" you may think you are, to actually look at what the candidates say and believe. One glaring example of this is Jerry Falwell Jr. of Liberty University. Jerry has decided to throw his name and the name of Liberty University behind a candidate.  Of course, for such a public figure, particularly ministry-related, this can be a rather precarious step, regardless of who one supports. But I question if Mr. Falwell actually has even taken a moment to pray over his endorsement. With professing Christians in the race who have no qualms admitting their need for salvation, Mr. Falwell has decided to throw his weight behind a candidate who has a rather lengthy history of supporting "abortion rights", "gay marriage", and has praised socialist medical systems across the border. Certainly I am a firm believer that anyone can be changed in the very heart by the Divine hand of God through His Holy Spirit. Yet This particular candidate Mr. Falwell has chosen to endorse has never actually repented of his support of those very positions that Falwell himself claims to abhor.  This candidate has even specifically stated recently that he has never asked God for forgiveness, even going so far at one point to say "thats not my thing".

     This is the same candidate who has made a fortune through both shady and sometimes quite dishonest business practices, casino operations, and even strip clubs. This is a many who has made such a mockery of marriage as to render any opinion he now might express rather weak at best.

     And this endorsement by Falwell Jr., the son of famed evangelist and preacher Jerry Falwell Sr., who made a great deal of his name by leading the "moral majority" and their campaign against morality in this nation (love him or hate him). So the Falwell name goes from staunch opposition to smut and rampant sin, to endorsing a candidate who had made his fortune off of smut and sin. This is the same candidate that even Planned Parenthood has said they could live with (could it be the friendly statements he has made on their behalf defending the abortion mill? Or maybe the donations he has made to them over the years?).

     But let us take another glance at this situation - maybe one doesn't hold the same moral and biblical positions as the traditional Falwell family positions or mine.  But what does this candidate stand for that, just maybe, could be in some way redemptive?  He has a campaign slogan he rests his entire political fortune on - "lets make America Great again".  Hey - I like that! So, please tell me how that is going to come about (and what might that actually look like)? Oh, wait - so this candidate doesn't really have much of a plan to actually bring this to pass. But hey - he has some great hats and t-shirts available that say "Lets make America Great"!

     Well, maybe this candidate is going to fix the economy, right?  After all, we have record numbers on public assistance, record numbers unemployed or otherwise not in the workforce. So this candidate brings up coming down on China with tariffs because of unfair Chinese trade practices. Ok - thats fine. Except that this candidate has profited hugely by that same-said China trade situation that he now condemns.

     So again, I ask - are you a "values voter"? Do you actually care enough to measure available candidates by your own values (assuming you actually really know where you stand on the issues)? Regardless of your moral and political positions, I import you to do do-diligence and actually vote according to your beliefs and values, even if they are contrary to mine. But don't just base your vote on what the media tells you (about ANY candidate). Don't just rely on sound bites. What does the candidate really stand for and on? What is their record, whether in the political realm, or the private sector?

     But if you have made it this far and are still reading, and hold to what you believe are biblical/Christian values, please - for the very name of the Christ you profess - be careful who you support.

     And finally, I found the following to be rather convicting.  We are NOT stuck trying vote for the "lesser evil".  As I have said many times over the years, the "lesser evil" is still evil!

http://www.stepstopoliticalepiphany.com

     Please take voting seriously. Take any endorsement you chose to make just as seriously, and PRAY!

God's Not Dead 2, An Early Review

We just got home from an advanced screening of God's Not Dead 2 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I will say right off the bat that this one is a better overall film than the original, an odd and somewhat surprising departure from the usual pattern of sequels often coming up short of the original.  That being said, there are some serious concerns I have which will be touched on in this entry.

From the web site:

From the college classroom of GOD’S NOT DEADto the public square in GOD’S NOT DEAD 2, the name of Jesus is welcomed less and less with each passing day. If Christians don’t take a stand today, will we even have a choice tomorrow?

Welcome back to Hope Springs … home not only of Hadleigh University, but also Martin Luther King Jr. High School, where beloved teacher Grace Wesley helps students understand and enjoy history. Her love of teaching, her love for her students, and her love of life all come from the same place: her love of Christ.

So when Brooke, a hurting student grieving the loss of her brother, reaches out to Grace, their coffee-shop conversation naturally leads to Grace sharing the hope she finds in Christ.

When Brooke later asks an honest question about Jesus in the classroom, Grace’s reasoned response lands her in big trouble—almost before she even finishes giving her answer.

With the principal and superintendent joining forces with a zealous civil liberties group, Grace faces an epic court case that could cost her the career she loves and expel God from the classroom—and the public square—once and for all!

GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved Pure Flix movie from 2014 and features an all-star cast. Coming to theaters beginning April 1, 2016, GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 will have audiences standing proudly for what they believe … while they still can. Where will you stand?

The short:

MPAA Rating : PG (for the life of me, I cannot figure out where that rating came from, see below)

Featured Actors (Character): Jesse Metcalfe (Tom Endler), David A.R. White (Pastor Dave), Ray Wise (ACLU lawyer Pete Kane), Robin Givens (Principal Kinney), Hayley Orrantia (Brooke Thawley, Melissa Joan Hart (Grace Wesley), Ernie Hudson (Judge Stennis), and several more, including The Newsboys with other rolls from the original film reprised by the same actors.

Ratings Content: None- no nudity, no violence, no profanity, no adult situations, no sexually provocative or innuendo. Indeed, I could not find anything worthy of a "PG" rating, other than the name of Jesus.

The GOOD: As mentioned above,Mathis is an extremely "clean" film, with no morally concerning content. Also, there was what I perceived as a more focused attempt to make the presentation of the Gospel more "natural"/less contrived.  Some of the characters are actually believable, and most of the acting is at least average or better.  This movie presents an almost believable illustration of someone struggling with their faith when the circumstance that led them to faith no longer applies. As is typical for PureFlix and David A.R. White films, there is a sometimes awkward juxtaposition of comic relief with very serious material, though even that was less of a forced nature in this movie than its predecessor.  Finally, this film is entertaining and encouraging, even if somewhat predictable. And praise God there isn't the formulaic "dying breath conversion" so common in Christian films (especially from this company). And believe it or not, there will be some "Amen" moments as the plot deals with some current event controversies (maybe too many forgone film?).

The BAD:  this film is not without its flaws. Some production gaffs- one of the most glaring is that "Martin Luther King Jr. High School" (filmed at Benton High School, in Benton, AR)  had Benton School District busses. Yet the setting of the film doesn't match.  There are a few day/night mismatches in the storyline (mostly not too noticeable).

Things to be cautious or even disturbed about (if you are concerned with spoilers, you might want to skip the following):

Most of the factors to be cautious about, or that present an issue fall under the theological/doctrinal umbrella. The most concerning was a consistent lean on experience and "feelings" as evidence of God and faith. One of the main characters bemoans how God doesn't "feel close", but instead like "He is a million miles away" and that she "cannot hear Him speaking to me any more".  A single reference to God audibly speaking to her might have been almost excusable. Unfortunately, it is a repeated concept in the film (Charismatic viewers will probably classify this as a GOOD thing, but I digress).  

Another concern that will likely no phase many evangelical viewers- the unscriptural "ask Jesus into your heart" Soteriology, along with a lack of any mention of repentance. 

 A fresh believer (from the original movie), just months (in the two movie timeline) into his new faith and full of questions for Pastor Dave (David A.R. White), the verbalizes his "call to ministry", to be a pastor to his country (China). Add to this that there is no indication that any of the characters have a regular church family (especially confusing with this young man's "call to ministry".  I also wonder why there was no demonstration of the main character, Grace (Melissa Joan Hart) having a regular church home/family (and none come stand beside her in her "trial".

And of course, as has become a predictable part of most of these kinds of films, especially from PureFlix- some fairly contrived circumstances, some of which may very well feel so forced because of editing. Quite possibly the editing was a bit heavy-handed in spots, leaving some plot gaps. 

Summary Thoughts:  While God's Not Dead 2 has some theological issues, particularly with Soteriology and experience-based, pragmatic faith,mismatch least partially redeems itself by not shyingnawaynfrom challenges to our faith and the reality that JesusnHimself warned us of: that there is a cost to following Him. The over-arching message is "will you stand on your faith, or are you "ashamed of the gospel?" Not everyone will even blink at the "issues" this film has (some of which were detailed above), but the vast majority of Christians who see this movie will leave encouraged, and Impray, more willing witnesses of the hope that is in them in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). 

Look for some interesting characters (played by themselves), including Lee Strobel, author of "Tje Case For Christ", and real-life cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace who serve as witnesses in court.

Some of my more "militant" (some call it "cage stage") Reformed friends will have a difficult time just enjoying God's Not Dead 2 specifically because of the above issues. But for those able to either filter through or overlook these concerns, you will likely enjoy this film, possibly more so than the original.

What IS The Gospel?

We hear a lot in this nation the term "Gospel". Those of us in ministry focus a great deal on the term - yet so many have such a limited understanding of what the Gospel REALLY is.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 "it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

In a nutshell, the Gospel is the power of God for salvation - It is the outpouring of God's Grace and mercy towards sinners. It is the testimony of the miracle wrought by God in Jesus Christ - who, as John 1:1 clearly indicates has existed alongside God the Father from the foundation of the World (without beginning or end). This Jesus who "emptied Himself" to take on flesh, to dwell among mankind (Philippians 2), who lived without sin (though tempted in all means Hebrews 4:15), and who willingly gave His life for all who would believe.

But WHY would Jesus give His life for us? Because of His great love - and because we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We all deserve, even if we might seem to be relatively "moral", nothing but eternal damnation - because the wages, the just payment for sin is - Death (Romans 6:23).

I spent decades of my life with the belief that I could somehow balance out good for bad in my life. If I just did enough stuff that appeared to be the kind of stuff one just "ought" to do - then I would get entry into the "Pearly Gates".

But God...

You see, God doesn't leave folks in ignorance - He grants, through His Holy Spirit knowledge and conviction of sin. He then fulfills His promise to give us a new heart (His), and even a new mind (Ezekiel 36:26). He then regenerates us, granting us (through His Grace), faith unto salvation. The gift of Eternal Life, that is all, totally, and 100% a GIFT of God - that not a one of us could possibly brag or boast of what "we" did... Ephesians 2:8-9

And He did it all for HIS glory.

The Gospel... it isn't just words.  It isn't just a "prayer". It is a very real, tangible, and powerful change in us, brought, empowered, and sustained by the Lord of lords, the King of kings - bought by His own precious blood.

Who Do You Associate With?

In my decade and a half in education, I attended many conferences and conventions, with the vast majority being music and band focused (logical, as I was serving as a band director at the time).  I am fairly certain that most of my friends still in that field would agree that there is value in conferences, but also you have to filter through and make decisions about what to attend and what not to attend. Indeed, if offered a conference that pushed an educational or music agenda known to be seriously flawed or even harmful to our students, a discerning educator would avoid that conference.

In the realm of church work, conferences have become a multi-million dollar business.  One can find "Christian" conferences on every angle and aspect of church work, methods, growth, and theology. These conferences are put on by denominational entities, publishers, ministry-related businesses, and many other groups. And just like in every other field, there are solid, biblical conferences, as well as those that push and stretch the definition of "Christian" to extremes. I have attended a few, and have a few ministry friends who love attending conferences. Yet a troubling trend is developing that begs for a whole lot more discernment from Christian leaders, especially those who take groups of youth (or adults) to many of these conferences. Discernment that begins, not with snazzy titles or catch phrases. Discernment that goes beyond glossy, high-energy promotional materials. We need a healthy dose of discernment regarding the reality of what is being taught or even promoted by said conferences.

Might I suggest beginning with a sincere look at who the promoters and organizers of said event are. Do they follow a biblically sound statement of faith and purpose? Is the event a profit-driven production? What is the core message (not the advertising catch phrase)?

As a pastor, I am constantly bombarded with advertising through every medium for conferences that cover every corner of ministry, and from many doctrinal and theological perspective. Sadly, many have underlying them, some troubling foundations.  First, who are the speakers? An extremely popular conference going on this weekend that several friends are attending called the Passion Conference.0, proudly features a Charismatic self-described woman preacher who espouses Word of Faith, name-it-claim-it theology (Christine Caine). Other popular conferences of late have featured similar slates of speakers from experiential, charismatic speakers with similar questionable doctrines mixed in with other, more reliable speakers. Many of our Christian leaders gladly take group ® young believers to these conferences, where they sometimes are taught that experience trumps genuine faith and obedience. Where consumerist church is demonstrated, and pragmatic/experience-based revelation is often more valuable than the Word of God, rightly proclaimed.

Don't get me wrong, we could learn a few things from some ministries that may be somewhat different than our own.  Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer published a book a few years ago titled Transformational Church.  In that book, the authors did research-based investigation of somnolence fastest growing congregations in the nation, examining the useful parts of what those groups were doing to impact their communities. They did not deal with denominational or doctrinal issues, but instead sought the functional things these congregations and leaders were doing that really made a difference. This book has a great deal of useful information, without a heavy promotion of the various theologies espoused by those studied.

But when one attends a conference, the speakers are under no constraints. How many churches our own association would invite a Charismatic, oneness Pentecostal, Word-Of-Faith preacher to be a guest preacher or to lead revival services? Yet would we will load up a bus and take impressionable young believers to be influenced by the same teaching?

At best, we present a form of stumbling block of confusion to our brethren. Much worse, we may actually be endorsing theologies and doctrines that fly in the face of Biblical Christianity.

Discernment...not just another big word in the a bible, but a command to believers, and particularly to Christisn leaders in the church, for the sake of the faith and our brethren.