CNN posted an article about the recent surge in horror films at the box office.  In sum, the psychologists believe that people enjoy going to these films because they can experience something (murderous acts, heinous crimes, demonic encounters) while at the same time being comforted by the fact that it is, after all, just a movie.  The viewer feels a sense of control in the midst of a scary movie and this produces what one analyst says is, “a kind of soothing factor”.  

"They allow you to engage in an experience that is, more or less, under your control," said Dr. Charles Goodstein of New York University Medical Center and past president of the Psychoanalytic Association of New York.

"It follows, then, that the viewing of a horror movie can act as a kind of soothing factor," he added. "It allows you to have -- in microcosm -- a situation that is very frightening, yet you can leave the theater alive and well."

Perhaps someone out there in the blogsphere can help me understand this better.  I admit that I simply hate the horror genre.  The more realistic these films become with our modern special effects the more I want to run the other way.  Back in the old days it seemed that horror movies could almost qualify as comedy because they were so unbelievable.  Today, however, I think many of the directors and producers of the horror industry have come extremely close to capturing what I believe to be a real spiritual element looming behind many of the terrible sins of this generation.  Why does our culture desire to engross themselves in the elements of nightmares?  How does this sense of being in control help?  Is this sense of control really the impetus for enduring these torturous and mentally scarring images?

The truth is clear.  We are not in control of our lives.  None of us can walk out on the real life experiences that are in store for us.  I do not find soothing comfort in viewing horror.  For me, the only comfort, the only peace, the only hope I have is found in Christ.  Our sovereign God is in complete control and we have the comfort that is provided by the son of the living God.  Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.  I find soothing comfort in the words of Jesus as He says, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)  May we find comfort in what is true and what is sure.

Blessings to you ~ Steadman

At the risk of sounding a little quirky and perhaps a bit archaic, you need to know that we do not subscribe to cable television.  This sounds almost as bad as telling someone you don’t have a phone at your house.  I know very few of my peers that don’t have cable TV and most of them also have TiVO and an Xbox as well.  We do however have a VCR, a DVD player, and lots of movies.  I make a point to either preview all the movies my children see or read several thorough reviews like the ones provided at Plugged In Online (http://www.pluggedinonline.com).  A couple of my kids recent favorite films are The Incredibles and Shark Tale – both of which I really enjoyed as well.  Of course, after seeing Finding Nemo about 80 times, I was ready for something new - something different. 

Although I can be a rather critical person in general, I try not to take the fun out of my children’s movie watching by over-analyzing their movies.  What was interesting to me was the fact that my 5-year-old did a little movie analysis of his own.  We were getting in the car on the way out for dinner last night and as I was busy buckling the seat-belts of our three boys my oldest son asked, “Papa, why are there so many lies in Shark Tale and The Incredibles?”  I probed a little to figure out what it was that he was talking about.  It seems that Mr. Incredible lies to his wife letting her continue to think that he is going to work at a health insurance company while he is, in fact, involved – against her wishes – in the super-hero business.  Lenny the shark lies about his identity to his father and to all his fish friends and Oscar, the hero of Shark Tale, spins the biggest tale of them all telling everyone that he is a shark slayer.  These lies do eventually catch up with the characters and there are some pretty good lessons that come out at the end of the films.  With some time I could explain to my son why the writers chose to include these lies.  That isn’t the hard question to answer.  The hard question is simply, why are there so many lies?  I was really proud of my son for picking up on this problem.

This is a fallen world.  The fact that we lie is a result of the brokenness that exists between God and His creation.  Even a child can see the difference between the truth and a lie.  I praise God for giving my son the discernment to know a lie and I pray God will grant him a swift conviction by the power of the Holy Spirit when these lies find their way into his own words and thoughts.  May God gives us the eyes and ears we need to see the truth and the hearts we need to repent of our own lies.  May our yes be yes and our no be no and may the Truth be ever before us.

Jesus said… Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.  And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:17-19) 

Blessings to you ~ Steadman

Have you seen the movie "Luther"? It was released two years ago by NFP and First Look Media, starring Joseph Fiennes as Martin Luther.  I would be curious of your thoughts on the movie, if you have seen it, of course. Also, how historically accurate do you believe the movie portrays the beginning of the Reformation?  Thanks! :-D
Published By Enterprise24 (http://spaces.msn.com/members/thespirit/) - January 11 1:11 AM

I did see the 2003 rendition of Luther with Joseph Fiennes.  I thought Fiennes did an excellent job portraying a young Luther at the outset of the film plagued by his inner arguments between himself and Satan.  Do you recall the picture of Luther yelling at Satan out loud and hiding crouched in the corner of his room in the monastery?  You clearly get the sense of a man undone by his inner demons.  In his writings, Luther talks about how he really struggled with his personal longings for acceptance from a holy and perfect God.  Luther nearly 'worked' himself to death trying to confess his sins, turn from them, and earn God's love.  He speaks of hating God because of the tension that existed for him trying to serve a holy God when he was such a mess of a man. 

His pilgrimage to Rome was particularly enlightening for him.  He saw first hand the corruption and felt the hypocrisy of paying money and paying prayers in order to set a dear relative free from the pains of purgatory.  The scene where Luther is praying his way up the stairs of Pilot’s Staircase was a real turning point in Luther's life.  The movie does a great job of letting the audience hear the sound of the money clinking in the background and we see the recognition on Luther’s face of the problem of this form of indulgence. 

The early Reformation in Germany was a very ugly and terrible time with rash outbreaks of those who wanted to literally smash every icon and every head of those who would support the old ways of the church.  Luther claims to have had no idea and no intention of starting the sort of battles that took place at the time.  I think, like the movie suggests, that Luther was confused and even burdened with guilt because of the actions that took place as a result of his written challenge of the Papacy and the system of indulgences that were becoming a common means of raising funds for the Pope’s ever growing building programs.  He did not factor in the ability of the new technology, the printing press, to so rapidly share copies of what he had written for his congregation who would be gathering on All Saints Day to view the collection of relics provided by his patron, Prince Frederick the Wise.

I think the film loses momentum and its connection to the story of Luther’s life struggles about mid-way through the film.  Frederick is portrayed as a repentant old man willing to clear out his precious collection when confronted with the new truth that Luther had rediscovered in God’s Word.  I’m not sure how concerned with Scripture Frederick really was.  Historically he seems to have been more of a politician and a man seeking the lime light that his controversial professor provided him.  The love story the movie creates for Luther and the ex-nun at the end of the film is a very Hollywood cliché and, though it is based on a truth, is certainly not the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I would recommend watching the film if you are looking for a good introduction to Luther but if you have a serious interest in discovering more about the man, read his own words.  Luther is convincing and passionate about Jesus.  His commentaries on the Psalms are a tremendous gift.

Blessings to you ~ Steadman