Movie Review: RISEN

The resurrection of our Lord Jesus is indeed the pivotal point of history: not just HUMAN history, but COSMIC history.

The 2016 Columbia/Sony Pictures film "RISEN" is the first major motion picture within my memory that treats Christ's return from death both seriously and (essentially) Biblically. Even my favorite Jesus-related TV movie, Jesus of Nazareth, glossed over this important event, treating it as a spiritualized thing that might or might not have only happened in the minds of the Lord's devoted followers.

The crucial thing about Jesus' resurrection that absolutely must be depicted, if a movie is to have any genuinely Christian impact, is that He was raised in a real, physical body, interacted as a physical person with His disciples as well as others, and that He physically ascended to His Father in heaven.

Except for the ascension, which was handled rather mystically and "into the sunset," this movie scores high marks on all of the above requirements.

It's so effective that the story in the film uses a pagan Roman officer as its reluctant protagonist. Joe Fiennes does a superb job balancing sympathy with skepticism as he investigates the disappearance of Jesus' body. His character leaves no stone unturned (literally!) in his attempt to unearth the answers to the mystery. Both Pilate and the Jewish Sanhedrin are convinced the disciples stole the body while the guards were asleep, but Clavius, the Roman tribune insists on following the evidence wherever it leads him.

Without providing any "spoilers" to those who haven't seen it yet, let me say that this dedicated investigator finds his answers--in fact, more answers than he's ready for.

I've glanced at some reviews of "RISEN" by the conventional news reviewers. They generally think the movie too simplistic or predictable or "Sunday School"ish. But I respectfully disagree. The production values, acting, and especially the content, of this movie are very impressive, and I expect that the most jaded and skeptical Christian viewer will be encouraged in knowing that at least one person in Hollywood cares enough about the good news of Christ to get the resurrection right!

Vaster

Diamond blades cannot cut through it,
though it be as precious--as delicate as spring...
Rembrandt’s brush quails at the hand that drew it
on the yearning canvas of an ageless king.

Flames of Orion never will bend it,
though with rust and damage its surface be scored...
Shakespeare’s pen sublime has nought to end it--
Love his Lady bathes in, brimming from her Lord.

Fires from the furnace ‘neath Babylon’s throne
leave no whiff of burning, though she stand alone.
Heart full of hope like Vesuvius shall erupt,
Remembering the love feast together they’ve supped.

From a million meadows, no flower can best it,
though bedecked with wrinkles and silver it be...
Sirens sing their challenge...and Cerberus test it...
Love shall ever last, far vaster than the sea.


MNA
Feb. 18, 2016

Sweet, Sweet Dissonance

My wife and I have just returned from a sweet time of fellowship with another Christian couple, who introduced us to one of the local theaters we had never visited before. There, the four of us sat together, enjoying a free concert in which the local symphonic band performed “The Planets,” a seven-part suite by English composer Gustave Holst.

This wonderful piece, written to imaginatively portray the characteristics of the planets in our solar system: Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter, struck me as similar in many ways to the later works of screen composer John Williams (Superman: The Movie; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Star Wars; Jaws; Close Encounters; E.T., etc.). As I listened, especially to the first two movements, I almost expected C3PO and R2D2 to come skittering out onto the stage.

Another thing I found striking about the music was the way that dissonance was used. Dissonance is usually a term used to describe countermelodies or chords or other combinations of sounds that “clash.” Sounds that seem disagreeable to most ears, that do not harmonize in a pleasing or restful way. Dissonant chords are useful in almost all kinds of music, adding a feeling of unrest, of stressful disturbance, of a troubled striving between musical lines or notes that cries out for resolution. Indeed, the longer and more strident the clashing sounds become and are prolonged in a piece, the greater is the pleasure the listener experiences when a sweet major or minor chord is reached, bringing a feeling of rest...of peace...of home.

Dissonance in music, much like bitterness or sourness in some foods, adds interest and fascination to the art. Without elements of bitter and sour, we’d never fully experience the robust flavor of a good coffee, for example, or the tang of a juicy orange. Without dissonance in music, all our pieces would be no more interesting than nursery songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Go Tell Aunt Rhody.” 

In my life, I am constantly running into people and situations that I might interpret as “dissonant” --things that rub me the wrong way. People who seem to show up in order to spoil my day. And, honestly, many times it is the person staring back at me in the mirror that I find to be the worst culprit of all. Some times I look back at the end of a day and wonder at my own words, thoughts or actions that struck chords of horrible disharmony throughout that day.

My beloved pastor is teaching a current Sunday School series on the subject of “The Precious Things of God.” Things upon which our Father in Heaven places a high value, and which the world at large would never consider valuable at all. In previous weeks, Pastor Jon has covered the preciousness of Jesus Christ, and our Faith. This morning, he explained that God considers the Trials he sends our way to also be a commodity of surpassing value to Him. And to me.

Why? Why are Trials so precious to the Lord? Trials like illness, unfriendly people, unfair criticism, times of intense loneliness, loss of loved ones...why are such things valuable? 

Because they strengthen my faith. Because they purify my faith and prove it is genuine because it doesn’t give up under the stress of trials. Because trials help to cure me of stubborn self-reliance. Because they drive me to my knees in prayer. Because they send me running to Jesus. Because I get to know Him best, when I need Him the most.

My life in Christ is like a piece of symphonic music. All kinds of people and situations and inner desires are sounding out notes and melodies and chords both sweet and sour. And, like Gustave Holst, the divine Composer is steering my life into points of painful dissonance, during which I am tempted to cover my ears in horror and despair. But God assures me that “the light and momentary trials” I experience are as nothing, compared to the harmonious future that draws closer and closer every day. The final day when, by His grace, I’ll reach my eternal destination.

We were created in God’s image. We all fell into sin and that image was marred and cracked and distorted almost beyond recognition. Our harmony with heaven was ruined. But once we turn to Christ and place our trust in Him and His work alone for salvation, things begin to change. Life begins again in a brand new key.

And day by day, movement by movement, measure by measure, note by note, our lives can be rewritten to reflect the glorious and holy harmony found in the voice and face of Christ. God will bring trials into our lives that seem discordant and scream for resolution; often it seems the dissonance will never end!

But even at those moments in my life’s “score,” I can rejoice. The Composer/Conductor knows what He’s doing. And some day very soon, the perfect resolution will resound.

And I’ll be home.

Peace Now

“Peace I leave you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” -Jesus

I grew up and came of age during a freaky period in world history. The sixties and seventies saw our western culture coming to a tipping point. The Cold War between western democracy and eastern communism was in full swing. The Vietnam War was claiming more and more young lives. Peace advocates were losing all faith in traditional governments and religious institutions. Many of our most promising young people were doping up and dropping out. The struggle for civil rights was causing riots in major cities and racist crackdowns throughout the South.

War...Weapons...Fear...Injustice...Desperation...Rebellion...Competing Ideologies...Crime…

In the midst of all this conflict and encroaching chaos, I was growing up in an oasis of peace. My mom a registered nurse...my dad a New York State trooper...our family enjoyed a quiet, sheltered, “Father Knows Best” upbringing in the Finger Lakes region of rolling hills, scenic vineyards, clean-scrubbed schools and respectable churches.

And, in the middle of that idyllic boyhood, I had the awesome privilege of meeting the Prince of Peace. During a week-long first-time experience away from home at LeTourneau Christian Camp on the shores of Canandaigua Lake, I prayed a simple eight-year-old prayer to invite Jesus Christ into my heart. But what I failed to realize at that time was that this new Friend and Savior was, by entering into my life, bringing the end of the most earth-shattering war anyone could imagine.

For all of the bloody earthly battles and far-flung international conflicts, all of them put together can’t hold a candle to the War of Wars. The way-beyond-this-world war that erupted at the very dawn of time. A war that began in Heaven, with a magnificent angelic being named Lucifer.

Isaiah chapter 14 describes Lucifer’s fall into the God-defying sin of pride and arrogance that got him thrown out of Heaven along with an evil host of like-minded minions. Genesis 3 tells how this fallen angel general, in serpentine form, lured our first parents Adam and Eve into enlisting as fellow combatants against the sovereign authority of their kind Creator and King.

The Battle of the Ages had begun. And from that day on, mankind has been at war with the very God who gave him breath, with each other on an individual--as well as global--scale, and even with himself. The choice to disobey God in the Garden, gave rise to the innate impulse to go on disobeying Him in our every thought, word and action. We chose, and go on choosing, along with the devil of hell, to withhold all that rightfully belongs to God: our devotion...our obedience ...our love.

Even worse, we insist on lavishing those precious inward gifts on a pantheon of god-substitutes made by our own hands, dreamt up in our own deluded minds. We continually devise new and more ingenious ways to sin and depose God in our imaginations.

As I said, it was a rare privilege for me that Jesus invaded my mind and heart at so young an age, granting me the childlike faith to accept His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. From that point on I had the sweet and joyful relationship with my Creator and King that countless millions lack...a relationship against which I can measure all the troubles and turmoil that cross my path and come my way.

A friend of mine has been telling me for some time now that he feels worthless. That his life is meaningless. That he’s made too many bad choices and just wants his agony to be over. He wants his life to end. He just wants peace. I’ve tried and tried to point this friend to Jesus, but he won’t, or can’t, see it. He says he doesn’t want God’s help, because he knows what he is, and there’s no hope.

I know that there’s a war going on, even now, in this friend’s heart. But I also know that Christ holds this guy’s heart in His almighty hand. I pray that soon the war, for him, will be over. That Jesus will grant him the same gift he gave me when I was eight.

If you know a child who has yet to hear the good news of Jesus, don’t wait until the War of the Ages grows heated and overwhelming in his or her soul. Tell that little one of the Prince of Peace. Spare a child from a lifetime of turmoil and battle scars.

If you’re a believer, your own inner conflict may be over. But you and I are still in a war.

Keep fighting the good fight of faith!

Cheap Imitation God?

Atheism is on the rise. But, you know, that doesn’t bother me a whole lot...

According to the Bible, the inerrant word of God, true belief in the non-existence of God is itself non-existent. In short, nobody believes, in his heart of hearts, that there’s no God.

As a witty writer once quipped, “God doesn’t believe in atheists.” In the heart and mind of every man, woman and child, there is at least a haunting awareness that we are creatures: products of a transcendent Creator, made in some way like that Creator, and will be held accountable by Him.

So, no, the “new atheism” being promoted nowadays, even selling millions of best-selling books, is, to me, nothing to rob me of sleep after a grueling day on the job.

What bothers me much more, is the “god” so many so-called believers believe in.

Idolatry comes in all shapes, modes and manners. Gone, at least in our sophisticated times, are the honest, heathen, pagan idolaters who bow down to images of wood, stone and metal, like the golden calf fashioned by Aaron the priest while his brother Moses was up the hill receiving the Ten Commandments from the one true God. No, today, we are far less crass and overt with our idol-making.

And really, I’m not even much disturbed about the idolaters who worship at the shrines of pro sports stadiums, materialism gone wild, workaholism, kids and grandkids who can do no wrong, and other substitute “divine” pursuits.

What genuinely get me to the edge of madness, are the caricatures of the true God.

You know what a caricature is: the funny, cartoonish, pastel portrait an artist might draw of you while you pose for her at the mall or the fair ground. It is designed to bring a smile to those who know you and can detect the resemblance to the real thing because the artist focuses on one or two prominent features like your nose, haircut, or earlobes.

Caricatures are fun, but if an investigator is trying to find an actual person, he doesn’t ask for a caricature, but for a photo. Because, as the saying goes, “the camera doesn’t lie.” And everyone created in God’s image, being innately aware of the Creator’s existence, is called by that very awareness, to investigate...to somehow discover their Creator’s true identity and divine nature.

Thankfully, the invisible Being who created us and rules our universe--His universe, that is--hasn’t left us in the dark about who He is, what He’s like, or what He expects. As Christians, we are supremely privileged to have a whole library of sixty-six books we call the Bible. And in its pages we have God quite clearly and vividly revealed, described and explained to the human mind. We even have Him illustrated and literally “personified” in the incarnation of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! How’s that for a reliable portrait?

Investigation over--problem solved, right?

Well, the sad fact is, a whole lot of “Christians” are dissatisfied with the picture of the real God captured so photographically in the pages of scripture. To many, the portrait it paints is a little TOO vivid...a bit TOO specific...and a great deal too unsettling. They read about a God who institutes a death penalty for crimes they see as minor offenses. They cringe at accounts of holy jihadist campaigns in Canaan. They wince at Psalms that rejoice in the conquest and destruction of God’s enemies. They wink or roll their eyes at St. Paul when he writes about a wrathful God, and hem and haw when the gentle Jesus preaches about hell as if it’s a real place.

Someone posted a blurb recently on a certain social media site, quoting a purported man of God who was criticizing those who portrayed God as vengeful and angry, bemoaning the criticism he received because he portrayed Him as too loving and tolerant. I wanted to ask the probing, but reasonable, question: “But, what if He’s BOTH?” Let’s have the humility and honesty to take a good look at the WHOLE picture.

Truth is, the Bible is God’s word. Yes, inscribed by human beings, but inspired by the invisible God so as to make Himself clearly visible and understandable to honest readers of all ages.

Truth is, God reveals Himself to be loving AND wrathful. Forgiving AND vengeful. Tolerant AND demanding. Life-giving AND life-taking. A gentle Father AND a consuming Fire. “Jacob I have loved and Esau I have hated.” We may have trouble reconciling what we see as negative traits with the ones we feel are positive...but God says they are ALL true.

It is faith and trust in the true God that makes a Christian persevere in his or her investigation of this surprising, puzzling, unexpected God in order to see how perfectly He expresses every one of His many attributes. His love is quite different from ours...and so is His anger. If a human mom can be simultaneously loving and angry toward her child, what makes me think that God’s emotional makeup is any less complex?

A pastor friend of mine observed, when we were discussing this subject, “People have trouble fitting God into their own little picture of reality. But which is more reasonable, to believe in a God who easily fits our picture, or to believe in one that challenges us to fit into His?”

The answer is never to reduce or cheapen our image of who God is and what He’s like. The Bible gives us a God-designed, God-ordained, God-approved portrait. And all of us would do well to take each and every page of that portrait seriously. Every phrase is a brush stroke that makes His image larger and larger, His identity clearer and clearer, His holiness higher and higher.

Don’t settle for a cheap, carnival caricature of the triune Ruler of the cosmos. Jesus taught His followers that all scripture is important because it contains “things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Let’s follow His example and fill in the true picture.

Beware of imitations.

Precious

What has captured my heart,

carried afar my desires,

carved a cavern deep inside

where every stray thought can hide?

Have I been honest with me--

vested my hopes, tested my habits,

posted hazard signs along

my way to an imminent heaven?

How will Life reward me,

my realizations refusing to rust

and wear out ere Life recedes…

leaving tidal ripples in the sand?

Is it an isolated island I’m treading,

tip-of-an-iceberg paradise

off of which an ignorant step

might immerse me in rich immensity?

Shall I treasure a status quo

with nary a shilling to save a soul,

while sacrificial lambs succumb

on the stony cliffs of the siren?

Tell me, teach me to tally

the cost of the time-denying self

that teeters on the terrifying brink

without the Treasure that is Christ.

MNA

1.24.16

The Feeding Trough

The days come ‘round again to read
of a place where creatures come to feed
and satisfy many a basic need:
for bodies a meal...for spirits, a creed.

For the wealthy, and those less well-off,
for the unschooled and the college prof,
the souls that pray, and those who scoff
all repair to the feeding trough.

For humans, no less than bird or beast,
from hunger’s shackles must be released,
be it a bare crust or a sultan’s feast...
our flagging forces must be increased.

So, who provides for our needs each day
and fills the feeding trough with hay?
Who pities the fevered, famished stray
that wanders headstrong out and away?

And what do his creatures need the most
from the treasuries of this kindly host?
Are our hearts and bodies too engrossed
to hail our Lord with a thankful toast?

For in the night this Lord came flying
to the aid of lost ones dead and dying;
O see Him there in the manger lying,
with His fouled creatures identifying...

In the feeding trough of Bethlehem
see the Baby--Heaven’s priceless gem--
who is born to feed the least of them:
even those who’d mock him and condemn!

They borrowed a manger for His birth
when their own Creator graced this earth.
Let us feed on Christ with thankful mirth:
Bread of endless life...Wine of wondrous worth!


by Mark Aikins
December 13, 2015