I often hear people suggest that generating larger quantities of goodwill and tolerance will "save" the world. I have come to see this idea as false. The reason being, this notion is most often accompanied by the position that in order for me to be right, anyone who differs from my viewpoint is wrong. This is not good will or tolerance, but condescension. I see time and time again this leading not to the union of hearts, but division. I evidence this statement by the observation that the heart often dictates the conclusion, and then commands the head to provide reasoning that will defend it. This seems to often be the source of disagreement between individuals and nations.

So, my question is should we not hold all conclusions, even those seemingly supported directly by scripture, provisionally to allow time for contemplation that these judgements are free of emotion, selfishness, and self -seeking motives?

I would like Biblical direction on secular forms of entertainment like music, movies and books. It is very difficult to find anything perfectly written that is not considered "Christian" media, but how many of us refuse to watch a Packer game, when at times, you can clearly read the lips of a frustrated player, using the "F-bomb" You can pick apart just about any best-seller book, box- office smash, sporting event, or CD that has something in it that's not Biblical. It maybe a character, who lives with a boyfriend/girlfriend out of wedlock, but shows no sexuality. The Indiana Jones series isn't perfect in this regard, but have we watched it anyway, or let the kids watch it, or buy the video game version of the movie. What about billionaire, ladies man, Bruce Wayne of the "Batman" series. Does that mean no "Batman"? Is the question really "Does this draw me away from Christ?"

I'm actually most curious about listening to secular Rock 'n Roll, as a form of entertainment.

There are "no-brainers", like AC/DC's "Highway To Hell", or bands like Black Sabbath, or Judas Priest, whose very names tell the whole story, without having to listen to a note, but what about bands that write material that doesn't glorify the common "sex, drugs, and Rock 'n Roll" theme, like so many of the bands have/do. There are bands that fit the category of Rock, but write songs that are very creative and have a talent for writing songs that are imaginative, or may use current world affairs as their lyric's topical matter. I know a Youth Pastor, who I am not passing judgement on, but his opinion of songs about love or relationiships are sinful, simply because it's from a rock band, but he turns around and watches "The Bourne Supremecy", despite the fact that Bourne moves in with his girlfriend. He condemns me for listening to music that doesn't come out of old hymnal.

There are also bands that write songs that would be comparable to a storyline of an action/adventure movie, or that of a suspense thriller that other than being another entertainment media, fit the aforementioned description of movies.

Books and movies don't have the stigma asscociated with them that rock music does. Why?

There are also plenty of Contemporary- Christian Rock bands that are very good, but you also run into bands that have entered that genre as a leveraged marketing tool to appeal to large audience. It's evident in their lyrics, at times. They, in some cases, write songs that are secular in nature, but not offensive.

I guess my main question is really about Rock 'n Roll music, but in an effort to frame the question, I wanted to draw analogies of other forms of media/entertainment that by nature are just aren't scrutinized in the same manner of the common perception of rock music.

Where do we draw the line on music? Is it a sin to listen to something simply because it's in the genre of rock? Is it fair to condemn rock music when you don't walk out of a movie the first time you hear a word like "damn"?, or don't set down a book the minute you find out a central figure just committed a violent act like a getting into a fist fight? What about Indiana Jones shooting the guy with the sword...Star Wars killing their enemies....the list could be a mile long.

Help please.

How do we invite people to Church, the Body of Christ?

No one is drawn to Jesus without the Father first drawing them.

(John 6:44)
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

This is the power of God. So, in that sense, nothing we do actually draws people to the Father.
But, when we do the work of Christ

(Luke 4: 18-19)
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

and even greater things

(John 14:12),
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

I think that only with His Power people are drawn to the Father.
It is amazing when we follow His Will; the power of Christ like actions with Christ filled hearts. Not long ago, my heart was broken and I felt abandoned by church. But somehow, someway I continued my journey. I think the Father has irresistibly called or dragged me to a joyful heart and loving church. Yes, He used people, but I think it was His Power that lead me to a place of worship filled with His love and His acceptance. I hope your friends and family with His Power are drawn to a safe, loving, accepting place to worship HIM!

Quoting David Bazett-Jones:

Wow, so many great questions. Thank you Jason for this sermon series. It has been great to listen to and I find myself wanting to dig deeper into the Bible and other books as well!

@Roo & Michelle
I think this is a very interesting topic. Is Paul talking about a physical death or a spiritual death in Romans 5? If we cannot live without God, then a spiritual death would result in a physical death. In many ways, I don't think it matters which it is but the separation from God seems to be a more important and relevant aspect of this passage. As far as the lion eating straw . . . is this passage in Isaiah talking about the coming Messiah and kingdom of God? I have always heard it preached that way and I have never really heard it as an explanation for pre-creation environments, etc. Also, technically, if lions ate straw/grass before the fall, wouldn't that be killing the grass and therefore, there was death present? Eating anything (fruit) would result in death. Dirt is also made from decaying things so did the processes God created during creation change at the time of the fall? The lesser questions seem to be the material ones, which seems to be what Roo is getting at.

@Linda
I thought you might like this. I am reading "Longing for God" by Foster & Beehe and on page 97, this is what it says: "Prayer is not telling God what we think, or simply thanking him for his provision of food and drink. Rather it is our active, intentional effort to understand what God is doing and how we can join him." It is amazing to think that our God knows all but also allows us to participate. Makes me feel secure but challenged to be involved in God's plan!

@Danny
I think that the best thing we can say is, as Theresa put it, to say nothing at all. I think actions scream to what you believe. Live radically for God and God will use it. Francis Chan's Crazy Love is a great book about living radically for Christ.

@Jessica J
What a great post! I think this is difficult and I wonder the same thing. I am sure there are many different views on this. I also have to wonder how the example that the church has given historically and even today has affected society's view and treatment of women. I hope Pastor Jason speaks on this.

@Ian
Good question! My thought would be that Satan is still under God's power since all things are created by God. Just because Satan thinks he is more powerful doesn't mean he is! But then it begs the question as to why God doesn't just get rid of Satan?

Why does there have to be a big spiritual war over the outcome of things in people's lives? God has won, God is stronger - why is this war, even over the small things, still going on?

I think the question of how do we know when God answers prayers and the question regarding tests are really two sides to the same coin. We know from Job that God, if God so chooses can test us and God knows how we will respond to the test. We also know from the Psalms that God is a shepherd that leads us through dark valleys and answers prayers in those dark valleys because we then lie down in green pastures. In my view, we as Christians are tested every day and perhaps many times in a day. Maybe by the internal conflict between the flesh and the spiritual and maybe by some demon or even by God. In reality, what is the difference. We are called to live life in a way that is pleasing to God, to love and to live, to understand humanity and to forgive not only others but ourselves and to truly repent. So where the test comes from is not really important in my view, what is important is how we answer the challenge and what we do when our answer is simply wrong or inadequate. The question regarding answer to prayer is complicated at one level and quite simple at another. I believe that we know that God has answered our prayer when we feel at peace and one with the Holy Spirit even if the answer to our prayer is not what we hope for or want. We pray for ourselves and for others. I know that lifts us up. I have felt it in my life. I also know that prayers are answered even when bad things happen because there is a peace that comes only from God. If we open our hearts and our minds to be filled with the Spirit that dwells within us, we can accept the fact that sometimes the answer to our prayers is "no" or "not now" when we can do that and feel the peace that flows from God's answer even if it is something we do not want to hear, then we have an amazing opportunity. We can speak from the heart and spirit about the glory of God and praise God in every season in our lives because we know the answer to prayer is not always what we want but if we allow ourselves to receive it, it is always what we need.