Comments on: Oscar World http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/ Looking to Stand on the Shoulders of Giants Tue, 07 Sep 2010 03:19:00 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: @kylelreed http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3217 @kylelreed Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:10:16 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3217 Great point...we do get focused on the consumers that we start to hand feed them and give milk instead of meat. Great point…we do get focused on the consumers that we start to hand feed them and give milk instead of meat.

]]> By: N.A. Winter http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3203 N.A. Winter Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:20:21 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3203 One might question whether Hollywood blockbusters can really be considered "cultured" :) I think the other side of the coin (for both church and Hollywood) is that sometimes we get so focused on giving people what they want, that we forget the real reason we're doing what we're doing. One might question whether Hollywood blockbusters can really be considered “cultured” :) I think the other side of the coin (for both church and Hollywood) is that sometimes we get so focused on giving people what they want, that we forget the real reason we're doing what we're doing.

]]> By: @kylelreed http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3202 @kylelreed Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:57:03 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3202 Good questions to ask at church Good questions to ask at church

]]> By: Brett Barner http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3201 Brett Barner Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:38:23 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3201 Great question. I completely see the disconnect of Hollywood vs real life. I think a lot has to do with them being completely "into" Hollywood. There is no idea what the typical American thinks because they seem stuff that we don't. They are involved in politics, who's who, and all that fun stuff. <br><br>We do the same thing in the church. We critique, judge, become involved in politics, the who's who, etc.<br><br> I find it interesting how important we hold our own Christian community's ideas over what people outside the church is telling us. To me, isn't that an important demographic of the people we are supposed to reach? Great question. I completely see the disconnect of Hollywood vs real life. I think a lot has to do with them being completely “into” Hollywood. There is no idea what the typical American thinks because they seem stuff that we don't. They are involved in politics, who's who, and all that fun stuff.

We do the same thing in the church. We critique, judge, become involved in politics, the who's who, etc.

I find it interesting how important we hold our own Christian community's ideas over what people outside the church is telling us. To me, isn't that an important demographic of the people we are supposed to reach?

]]> By: Rand http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3200 Rand Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:24:03 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3200 Well, entertainment is one of the things I focus in, I mean, that's what I like the most and read more about. That may be why I watched 6 of the 10 movies nominated for Oscars. The Academy Awards is basically that, awards given by the Academy not People's Choice awards but things other than plain likability are taken into consideration. I believe a movie like The Hangover could've been nominated, plainly because it was comedic excellence, and most critics agree, but the Academy voters focus on other things that this movie may have not been able to achieve.<br><br>Sadly, this is my question regarding church. Is wellness being marketed more than redemption. Is health promoted more than forgiveness and grace; and prosperity is cherished and given more attention than the blood of Jesus. If so, we need to go back to the basics, even if they don't get awards. Well, entertainment is one of the things I focus in, I mean, that's what I like the most and read more about. That may be why I watched 6 of the 10 movies nominated for Oscars. The Academy Awards is basically that, awards given by the Academy not People's Choice awards but things other than plain likability are taken into consideration. I believe a movie like The Hangover could've been nominated, plainly because it was comedic excellence, and most critics agree, but the Academy voters focus on other things that this movie may have not been able to achieve.

Sadly, this is my question regarding church. Is wellness being marketed more than redemption. Is health promoted more than forgiveness and grace; and prosperity is cherished and given more attention than the blood of Jesus. If so, we need to go back to the basics, even if they don't get awards.

]]> By: Josh http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3199 Josh Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:47:45 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3199 The question makes sense. I'm afraid we'll be asking this question a lot as time goes on. It's unfortunate. But, the time is now to be a part of something different.<br><br>The Gospel is the greatest story ever told. We've not just watered it down....we've omitted entire chapters. Why do I say this? Because I don't see a response. My life is included in this statement as well. The Gospel requires a response. Whether it's direct opposition or life-changing direction, it demands something. That's what you see in the early church in Acts. When the Gospel was spread, things didn't stay the same. Things got heated. Lives were changed. People were persecuted, beaten, beheaded even. <br><br>I think we see a lot of the same over and over. This should be very telling to all of us. I know that, for myself, it's extremely convicting. The question makes sense. I'm afraid we'll be asking this question a lot as time goes on. It's unfortunate. But, the time is now to be a part of something different.

The Gospel is the greatest story ever told. We've not just watered it down….we've omitted entire chapters. Why do I say this? Because I don't see a response. My life is included in this statement as well. The Gospel requires a response. Whether it's direct opposition or life-changing direction, it demands something. That's what you see in the early church in Acts. When the Gospel was spread, things didn't stay the same. Things got heated. Lives were changed. People were persecuted, beaten, beheaded even.

I think we see a lot of the same over and over. This should be very telling to all of us. I know that, for myself, it's extremely convicting.

]]> By: Denise Fath http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3198 Denise Fath Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:08:08 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3198 It's definitely a fair question. And if the state of things in America is any indication, the church is definitely losing the battle. But I don't think it's because the church is out of touch - but more because she's drowned out by a million other distractions.<br><br>So many Americans are unhappy (just look at the number of anti-depressants and sedatives prescribed each year) and they're desperate for the church, they just haven't heard "the greatest story ever told" (or they've heard perverted versions of it). All the more reason we've got to get out there, not be ashamed of our faith, and share it with others! It's definitely a fair question. And if the state of things in America is any indication, the church is definitely losing the battle. But I don't think it's because the church is out of touch – but more because she's drowned out by a million other distractions.

So many Americans are unhappy (just look at the number of anti-depressants and sedatives prescribed each year) and they're desperate for the church, they just haven't heard “the greatest story ever told” (or they've heard perverted versions of it). All the more reason we've got to get out there, not be ashamed of our faith, and share it with others!

]]> By: @kylelreed http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3196 @kylelreed Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:51:42 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3196 I like that last question you asked there in paragraph two: Politics definitely gets more views. <br>and<br>the last part is a great question as well. I have my thoughts and will come back to respond but I am interested to see what the community here is saying about these questions. I like that last question you asked there in paragraph two: Politics definitely gets more views.
and
the last part is a great question as well. I have my thoughts and will come back to respond but I am interested to see what the community here is saying about these questions.

]]> By: Zac Cross http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/oscar-world/comment-page-1/#comment-3195 Zac Cross Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:45:39 +0000 http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/?p=3675#comment-3195 No your question makes perfect sense. First let me give you my thoughts about the movies that are marketed. Granted I haven't seen every movie that came out in 2009, but I did like <i>Avatar</i> and <i>Inglorious Basterds</i>. My favorite movie of the year was <i>(500) Days of Summer</i>. It wasn't mass marketed the way the other 2 were. I think the reason movies like <i>The Hangover</i> are more marketed are along the same reasons that ice dancing was chosen over the first USA-Canada Hockey game to be on NBC. Ratings, or in movies case, people who will go to the movies to watch it.<br><br>The church in America has been losing "viewers" for years while other parts of the world are seeing massive growth. Some churches probably take the same strategy that Hollywood takes and tries to appeal to the masses. Does this mean they are leaving out parts of the story? Well Joel Osteen certainly is not in touch with the real story. <br><br>I wouldn't say the church as a whole has lost touch with the story, but I feel the focus is not where it should be. If it was, poverty wouldn't be an issue, but sadly people are more worried about political issues than they are the poor. Is it because talking about political issues gets more "viewers" than ones about the least of these? <br><br>If there was an award show for Best Christian, etc., but instead of the academy choosing the awards, God did, who would win? Would it be the pastor with the largest attendance at his church? Would it be the church that saw the biggest growth? The Christian Politician? The leader of the political activist group (aka FotF)? Or would it be the church with the highest percentage of people actually going out in the real world and helping those in need? No your question makes perfect sense. First let me give you my thoughts about the movies that are marketed. Granted I haven't seen every movie that came out in 2009, but I did like Avatar and Inglorious Basterds. My favorite movie of the year was (500) Days of Summer. It wasn't mass marketed the way the other 2 were. I think the reason movies like The Hangover are more marketed are along the same reasons that ice dancing was chosen over the first USA-Canada Hockey game to be on NBC. Ratings, or in movies case, people who will go to the movies to watch it.

The church in America has been losing “viewers” for years while other parts of the world are seeing massive growth. Some churches probably take the same strategy that Hollywood takes and tries to appeal to the masses. Does this mean they are leaving out parts of the story? Well Joel Osteen certainly is not in touch with the real story.

I wouldn't say the church as a whole has lost touch with the story, but I feel the focus is not where it should be. If it was, poverty wouldn't be an issue, but sadly people are more worried about political issues than they are the poor. Is it because talking about political issues gets more “viewers” than ones about the least of these?

If there was an award show for Best Christian, etc., but instead of the academy choosing the awards, God did, who would win? Would it be the pastor with the largest attendance at his church? Would it be the church that saw the biggest growth? The Christian Politician? The leader of the political activist group (aka FotF)? Or would it be the church with the highest percentage of people actually going out in the real world and helping those in need?

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