Beauty and Catholics

a)

Earlier, I said I would respond to Jon (about Sex and the City), and now it has been a long time. Here is a quick response:

Jon points out:

"it certainly makes me laugh seeing as how every other week an apparently "innocuous" comedy is being released and reviewed by Christianity Today (which I follow) without any reader uproar".

Good point. It is unfair to make Sex and the City more evil than other movies because it has the word "Sex" in it. However, even the positive review in CT listed enough negative content that I don't think the movie should be viewed by Christians (except maybe by Christian movie reviewers so they can tell us to avoid the movie). Is this just crazy fundamentalism? No. Explanation to come.

Here's what Jon says about film (on behalf of many others):

"we don't try to "justify" these films to our Christian friends by saying we're only observing them at an arm's length to "gain knowledge" on culture, we experience these films intensely and viscerally and in doing so are often presented with some of the most profound and empathetic truths we've ever encountered buried beneath all the dirt and muck"

Here is my problem. This is not about moralism vs. beauty. This is about lesser beauty vs. greatest beauty. Do I need to watch the movie so that I can experience the inner desire for love that thrusts these women into (supposedly) hilarious situations? Do I need to watch the movie to taste the sweetness of their enduring friendship despite the changes that occur in their lives?

Well,
i) I don't need a movie to know about people. John Macarthur (or another faithful pastor) knows much more about people than could be drawn out of this hbo-tv series-turned-movie . Why? Because he lives with them and ministers to them and cares for them. That's how we should ultimately experience people, not through movies.

and ii) Beyond all the obvious reasons for not watching this movie (it promotes disgusting sexual sin and could cause many to lust*), the greatest Truth in the world is God. The greatest beauty in the world is the beauty of God. I am no stranger to movies, tv shows, and music that attempts to find beautiful insights about man in the midst of a sinful world. Is it worth it?

My experience is that the more you spend with your mind enveloped in the things of this world, the less you will be able to experience the greatest Beauty - the Beauty found in the Word of God. The Beauty of the Cross. I have no doubt that a full day with the season one dvd set of Sex and the City will make your soul shrink in its experience of God. There's a word for this - Sin. We weren't made to find joy pondering insights about man, we were made to be satisfied in beholding God.

*Here is a review that goes into non-graphic detail of the negative content of the film. It speaks for itself.

b)

Onto another discussion - over the last year, I've realized that I need to be better about confronting the question of Roman Catholicism. Should I be happy when I meet a devout Catholic? Should I just try to challenge some of their ideas? Should I try to share the Gospel?

There's a really good video on Youtube that I'd recommend. Here's one of the most interesting parts.

One thing that is clear - Evangelicals (those who believe in the Gospel of the Reformation) must firm up their understanding of the issues. Too many say "they believe in Jesus, I believe in Jesus, let's just agree to disagree", but they have no idea what they're disagreeing about. We must be prepared to give an answer, so that we will be able to stand firm and defend the precious Truths that bring Eternal Life.