Last night I drove with friends to Mankato, MN (about a 2 1/2 hour drive) to see Monumental.
I drove that far on my night off because I love Kirk Cameron, I love his movies that have given thousands of people a clear Gospel message. I love his work on The Way of the Master, training thousands of people how to share their faith effectively and biblicaly. I have met him three times, twice at the Ambassadors Alliance and once at a Promise Banquet here in my town. He is genial to a fault, and seems like a very genuine believer in Jesus Christ because of the way he lives and the way he speaks to and treats people. He seems like the real deal, with no difference between the guy in front of the camera and the guy you meet in person. There is no question in my mind that he is a real Christian, that he loves Jesus Christ, his family, and other people.
I had high expectations for the movie, and maybe this is why I feel a strong sense of disappointment.
Maybe I had wrong expectations. Maybe I assumed since this movie was marketed in the way that it was that there would be a strong Gospel message to get back to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the teachings in the Bible, to the centrality and need of strong God-honoring marriages and family. You could draw that out, but as evidenced in my conversations with people following the movie, you could draw that out and apply that to the God of their own understanding.
I had planned to preach to the crowd in the theatre, but was unsure of the legality of doing that. So, I took Cameron’s request and videotaped people walking out of the movies and asked them what they thought-( I will post and comment on these later) The overwhelming response was that it was a great movie, well done, people had not known that history of the puritans, and individuals were determined to lay a better groundwork for the future and their families.
The videotaping turned into a great opportunity to witness to people. Some, who did not want to be on camera, asked what I thought. I shared my admiration for the quality of the movie (it was well done, pleasing to the eye, excellent history, etc.) but I was disappointed with it. When they asked me why, I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them because of their response. A kind baptist and his bride asked why I was disappointed, and I shared with him the lack of Gospel message in the body of the movie, the lack of setting apart Jesus Christ as the God that Cameron was speaking about. One gentleman, a Catholic, heard us talking, and asked if I had expected it to be a Christian movie. He said that this movie was not about religion, it was about History, and that we did not need to worry about anything else. He was, like others, saved because he had been baptized. I explained to him that this is the very problem with the movie- that people can walk away thinking that the god of Glenn Beck and David Barton is the same God of Kirk Cameron, that they all are brothers, and they all share the same goals.
And this is the problem the critics warned us about before the movie. This seems like a revival of the religion of America, manifest destiny, that we are somehow a Christian nation and that God will bless us because we are his chosen ones.
That may have been true, and certainly we know that our forefathers who came to this land to find freedom-the Puritans- they believed in the God of the Bible. They lived their lives under persecution and were desperate to be free to worship Jesus Christ, they were willing to die to see it happen- the land which they came to, the land which we now know as the United States of America, has fallen far from their ideal. We are no longer one nation under God.
- We murder babies at the rate of 3-4000 every day.
- We sanction and make holy the profane- like calling it marriage when two men or two women want their union blessed by the state and by god.
- We have removed God and the Ten Commandments from our state houses and our school houses.
- Separation of Church and State has become something the founders never approved of or envisioned.
And while we, as individual Christians can (and should) make changes so that we, our families, and our churches are worshiping and honoring the God of the Bible, our Lord Jesus Christ, this will not necessarily bring change to the nation.Getting back to the way the nation used to be (like Glen Beck promotes) will not change our nation. Unless Jesus Christ does the work in our hearts and changes the individuals in our nation by giving them new hearts, America has no hope.
The command we have from God is that of the Puritan call. We must be born again (John 3:3, 7). This is not a national call, or a church call. This is an individual call. We will not stand before God as Americans. We will not stand before God as Baptists, Lutherans, or Catholics. We will stand before God individually, and will be judged for what we (individually) have done(Hebrews 9:27).
On that day, all will be given justice or will be given mercy.
We will be given justice for our thought life, our motives, and our actions or lack of actions (Hebrews 4:13). Since there is no one righteous (Romans 3:10-18) the judgment of a Holy God will be Hell for all eternity (Revelation 21:8). We will receive the righteous wrath of God that we have stored up (Romans 2:5) through all of our wicked deeds.
Those who have trusted Christ will receive mercy. This is because though Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, He had no sin (Hebrews 4:15). God treated this perfect lamb as though He had sinned, even though He had not, so that we could be made God’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). What is required is that we would repent and trust in Christ alone for salvation. If, by God’s grace you can receive this gift (John 1:12-13) you will receive new life in Christ.
There is no hope in History, or in a revival of the American way. The American way is corrupted beyond repair. But God can change your heart, He can and will save you if you will repent and trust in Christ alone.
My thoughts exactly, brother. I was so disappointed. I spent part of my day doing some research for a blog post I may write about October Baby and was so excited to hear the GOSPEL.
I think it was a missed opportunity. Although, I never saw the last 35 minutes which I see was posted to youtube…so maybe he presents the plan of salvation in there.
I just do not agree. I try to love all, everyone, but I just do not 1) agree with the review and 2) believe this EDIFIES! I saw the same thing, and I saw JESUS CHRIST planted all over it! Sorry! Last night, there was evidence of Ephesians 6 at every theater that showed this, evidence of INTENSE SPIRITUAL WARFARE. So lets focus on that and not add to it.
David, because I am a born-again believer, my worldview and the scripture that I know influenced what I saw. I see the one true God of the Bible and his providential help all over the formation of our country. That being said, many people I spoke with afterwards did not get the answers, just a call to go back to the puritan ideals which formed our country. Unfortunately, those ideals were not outlined sufficiently to give one a picture of the saving faith they held on to. I hope that Kirk Cameron and the producers of this project will, with the following materials, really emphasize the Gospel truth that is the only answer to our issues as individuals and as a country.
David, just give one part of the film brother that gave a complete Gospel message- if I missed it I am sorry.
[...] Plenty of reviews of monumental have been posted. I ended up writing a friend an email about the movie and wanted to simply post my thoughts for the entire internet and the 15 people who read my blog (my wife promises me she doesn’t just click 15 times). There is more than just a review. The conversation started with me telling my friend it was “disappointing” and I sent him a link to a friend’s blog which explained many of my thoughts. Read it here. [...]
I have not seen the film. I do not get to the movies to often. But Every so often it appears that, “The Film” of all films comes out that is promoted that will “stir” a nation, will lead people back to God. Or will light the fire to be better fathers or spouses. Those films are all good and with a clear presentation of the gospel, I say go for it. But I don’t follow movies to much.I think it is a bit pragmatic to think that this will stir a nation. We have all we need in the bible. If people will just pick it up and read and obey it and seek God with all their heart. If Christians would be obedient and practice sharing their faith as commanded. Remember when Godzilla came out. There were a bit promotion for the film from Taco Bell. the film was suppose to be a great hit and what did we get? The only think good about it was the Taco Bell commercials with the little dog.”Gonna need a bigger box!” Guys, maybe I have walked to far in left field, but anyhow, it just my two cents…thanks
I disagree with your statement that “The American way is corrupted beyond repair.” That is limiting God’s ability to bring about a revival in this nation so strong that it actually changes the country. If the people of Ninevah could experience revival then the people of the United States can experience revival. We serve and worship a very big God.
I didn’t care for the Preshow at all. Not only was I bothered by the presence of a Morman playing a key role, I was also bothered by the very weak music which typifies Contemporary Christian Music today.
I did enjoy the movie itself. I wasn’t expecting a Gospel message of salvation to be presented to unbelievers. I thought that the movie woud be directed as a wake up call and a history lesson for Christians. It was expecially a good movie for those in public schools to see. I expected that going in so the lack of a Gospel message didn’t surprise me nor disappoint me.
Also, I am not too familiar with David Barton. Are you saying that he is a Morman also?
Bennie, While I do agree with you that God the Almighty One can do anything, including begin a revival at any time. I would not preach the Gospel if that were not true. However, a religious and moral repentance turning back to the way of the pilgrims is not the way to accomplish this. Even a turning to the Bible without faith in the God of the Bible will not accomplish this. We must repent and obey the Gospel.
David Barton is not a Mormon, however, he has stated that Glenn Beck is a Christian, so he fails to differentiate between Mormon theology and Christian Theology. He believes that the god of Mormonism- the god who is not eternal and had sex with Mary to produce a son Jesus who is also not eternal-is the same God who we serve and love. It is another tacit nod to Glenn Beck from an evangelical Christian which muddies the waters of who God is and what He requires for salvation.
Yes, but John that is not what you said. You said, “The American way is corrupted beyond repair.” That statement and “God the Almighty One can do anything, including begin a revival at any time.” are in complete opposition to each other. If God can do anything then the country can’t be “beyond repair”. You have now changed what you said completely.
I don’t see anything wrong with being reminded that our forefathers in this nation were on the right track to serving God and using that to encourage us to follow their example of serving God. We are often reminded in the Bible of the patriarch’s faith and called upon to use it as an example. The Israelites were reminded often by God and others that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Hebrews 11 and 12 shows the significance of looking back at those who went before us in the faith and what they can teach us through their examples. Doing that and remembering that the ultimate example to folow is Jesus is summed up succintly in Hebrews 12:1-2. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
America won’t experience revival unless it begins with Christians. Many Christians today are too worldly and Laodiceanism is rampant in churches today. If more Christians had the faith and dedication to live a separated life the way the pilgrims did then their ability to preach and spread the Gospel would be much better. We are missing that today among Christians.
“Unless Jesus Christ does the work in our hearts and changes the individuals in our nation by giving them new hearts, America has no hope.”
This is what I said earlier in the piece. Both are true; Without God’s work through Christ, nothing will change. America is broken beyond repair outside of Jesus Christ.
you’ll have more than 15 this month… Great blogpost I completely agree, as a graduate of the school of biblical evangelism… big disappointment.
I truly do hope that the materials that follow are full of the truth of the Gospel. It is the only way people can be saved, and it is the only way the nation can truly be free.
“America is broken beyond repair outside of Jesus Christ.” is a much better statement than “The American way is corrupted beyond repair.” Thank you for changing that.
That is the case universally. No matter which individual you are talking about or what group of people you are talking about. That is a given. Everyone is in need of a Savior. Anyone not believing that is unsaved since you have to believe that to be saved.
So let’s go back to where you first made the statement that you have since changed. There is hope in history if it points you to the Savior that was the key for the success of those in history. That being said though, the whole history lesson in the movie was for Christians and not for unsaved folks. As I said before, Hebrews 11 and 12 shows us that it is wise for Christians to look back at the things our forefathers did right in serving God.
I appreciate your review and I’m a bit torn. Way of the Master and that little Scottish chap Begg, are the vehicle God used to present the gospel to me and save me. Kirk has always been such an outspoken Christian. Wretched Radio is currently working to get thousands of copies of the Biggest Question given away, featuring Kirk in an awesome gospel presentation. There has to be a good reason for what is going on. Should we be more concerned about a lack of gospel or Beck? I hope Kirk will shed some light on this in the days to come. Let’s be praying for him because either way he’s a brother in Christ and we all need some correction some times.
Hellenic Judaism, which is what traditional Christianity used to be, has been replaced by Zombie Judaism, hence Christianity is now devoid of logic.
Shenanigan Christianity asks that we leave out science, and believe in six-day creation, leave out logic, and support a Ponzi-scheme prosperity pimip, leave out rational logic, and believe rapture and end-times ink-blot imaginings, etc.
Misplace faith in end-times immantizing of the eschaton (see Eric Voegelin) made French people go on Crusades and kill Muslims. It was whacky logic back one thousand years ago.
Cameron, thru rapture promulgation, makes the same mistake 12th imam idiots due in the Muslim Extremist religion. They both immanatize the escaton.
Zombie religion eats out your brains, and asks for ancient obedience, instead of Greek logic, Greek open debate, Greek questioning of power lords, etc.
See http://www.inthatdayteachings.com for how to unzombify Christianity.
Robert, this comment of yours misses out on one thing. Whether you believe in God or not, you will face Him (Hebrews 9:27) Your conscience bears witness that there is a God and that He is Holy and that you will meet. Jesus Christ can and will save you from your spiritual blindness. Repent! Believe the Gospel!
Ah, John Chisham… An orthodox Christian would not believe in Cameron’s rapture scheme… and face God quite well.
And… an orthodox Christian would not believe in a prosperity pimp-preacher’s Ponzi scheme of “support-me-or-face-hell”.. and face God quite well.
And… an excellent scientist/geologist/biologist/rocket-scientist who is a Catholic orthodox Christian would not believe in six-day creation… and face God quite well.
This is the point of http://www.inthatdayteachings.com... That ZOMBIE Christianity is utterly devoid of logic… and demands ancient obedience to superstitions or rube-creating conmen… actually, to clerical and political mystic tyranny.
What is your point? That because I don’t believe crazy memes and tropes of rapture, six-day creation, nor prosperity pimp preachers… I will not face God well? I do not believe in mystic tyranny, whether clerical or political.
You seem rather confused as to what constitutes facing God well.
You see, Zombified Christianity really messes up the logic of humans.
Reblogged this on Urban Truth Network.
[...] Monumental Disappointment In Church, culture, Current affairs, Hollywood, Legal, media, News, politics, pop culture, Religion, society on April 3, 2012 at 12:55 pm Reblogged from Wittenburg Church Door: [...]
[...] Monumental Disappointment [...]
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers, would be surprised to hear you say that the Founding Fathers did not envision the separation of church and state. In his Jan. 1, 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist association, he said, “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”
There is absolutely a wall between church and state, but the wall that is built now is not how Thomas Jefferson or any of the other founders envisioned it. It was an appropriate wall; It meant the state could not establish a state religion and dictate that all peoples of the country must submit to that religion. This was the rule that the Puritans fled, recognizing that a religion governed by politics surely was corrupt. It is also a wall the other way where a specific religion could not be more favored or proclaimed more than others. The wall does not extend above allowing a church or a mosque meeting in the public square, prayer in schools, etc, however, the liberal wing has interpreted that way. It also does not allow religious speech in the public square to be silenced, which is what is happening more often than not now.
“I saw the same thing, and I saw JESUS CHRIST planted all over it!”
I agree with John aka pastor boy. Everyone sees the gospel in Purpose Driven Life too, but it’s not there. Only people who ALREADY KNOW it can see it… because they are filling in the blanks with what they already know.
Unbelievers and ignorant/immature believers will do the same, which is why we have a temporary illusion of unity, until it comes to the practical working out of what we CLAIM to believe. The reason Monumental is causing problems is the SAME reason Purpose Driven Life causes problems. Because of what it DOES NOT say.
Not all idols are little gold statues…
http://www.missiontoisrael.org/secondcom.php