Posted by TA, et al on 4/16/2001, 6:55 pm

Posted by TA on 3/24/2001, 7:31 pm I went to Chapel 1984-1988, the last year on staff. Just felt to indicate my favorite takes on movies and books over the past decade: MOVIES (Top 5, in order) (1) Walking Across Egypt (2) Mass Appeal (3) The Apostle (4) Leap of Faith (2) Jesus of Nazareth (6 hours) BOOKS (Top 5) (1) Wisdom Hunter (Arthur) (2) Prophet (Peretti) (3) A Way Through The Wilderness (Buckingham) (4) Jesus: An Interview Across Time (Hodges) (5) The Prophets (Heschel) My intent here is not to offend, but to help (however that applies). ---------- Posted by Keith on 3/24/2001, 10:30 pm , in reply to "Movies and Books" What did you like about "The Apostle"? To me it was somewhat good, from my perspective, but I believe it put a bad light on Pentecostal Christianity overall. What is "Walking Across Egypt" and "Mass Appeal" about? Here are a few of my favorite movies, movies that impacted me over the past probably 15 years (not necessarily in order). The Color Purple I feel like God triumphs in this movie. Dances with Wolves It projected me back to what it may have been like before us white folks came along. Life is Beautiful Such an overwhelmingly devastating situation portrayed somewhat lighthearted. Glory The Civil War and hope for freedom. The Straight Story God triumphs in this movie. There are more but these are a few that come to mind right now. One of my all time favorites is Ben Hur, for its epic story but also largely because it allows us to see glimpses of Jesus and fill in the blanks ourselves. ---------- Posted by TA on 3/25/2001, 3:07 am , in reply to "Re: Movies and Books " The Apostle taught me about non-legalistic Christianity in a way that few movies did. It also showed me how a man of God can be anointed and yet still have besetting weaknesses or sins. behind the scenes, Robert Duvall could not get this movie produced directly through Hollywood, so he went his own course, with (of course) Hollywood giving rave reviews when the audiences for the most part loved it. Walking Across Egypt is a secular made movie, but shows an older lady literally live the gospel in her relationship with an outcast detention center youth. The interaction between her and the religious "authorities" is especially revealing. Mass Appeal stars Jack Lemmon as a liberal priest who has a propensity to much wine. A new deacon comes on board who prophetically upsets his apple cart of "theology". The ending is especially poignant. Movies to me must carry some sort of spiritual import in a way which makes my Christianity real in everyday life. I suppose, however, that this could fit a number of criteria or categories. ---------- Re: Thanks, TA Posted by Keith on 3/25/2001, 11:09 am , in reply to "Re: Movies and Books " I'll probably look into checking those movies out from the library or renting them. I think some of those same things hit me with the Apostle. ---------- The Apostle Posted by Dave Kenady on 3/25/2001, 10:05 am , in reply to "Movies and Books" This is a good movie. Very simple, plain and personal. It OBVIOUSLY did not originate in Hollywood. This movie is proof that for pentecostals, it takes one to know one. Robert Duvall knew what he was doing. ---------- Posted by Moses on 3/25/2001, 1:30 pm , in reply to "Re: Movies and Books " A movie we saw recently that has ranked up there w/ favorties is "The Patriot" w/ Mel Gibson. I realize it is an 'R' movie and would hesitate to put a recommendation on a Christian message board but the 'R' is for violence and what I might consider to be fairly accurate bloody battle scenes from the War of Independence from Britain. The acting is outstanding and it has values of character, family, courage, etc. It certainly is not fit for children in my opinion or anyone less than a mature audience due to the violence. I feel I have a much better understanding of what price my forefathers paid for the freedom we now enjoy in this nation. Had Hollywood not made this movie it would have been awesome to show the great Christian foundation aspects more that were involved in our early days as a country. Both my spouse & I were so moved that we cried thru several parts. One old time favorite is "Gone w/ the Wind" and we recently enjoyed Nicolas Cage in "The Family Man". Has anyone seen "The Castaway" and what did you think? We haven't seen it yet. A favorite book by a Christian author is "Don't Let Jerks Get the Best of You" by Dr. Paul Meier. Excellent! Got a lot of insight, growth & healing from CC baggage after reading it & applying the truths. Plus it was just funny at times. Moses ---------- Posted by Dave Kenady on 3/25/2001, 9:53 am Movies that have affected me since the split of the Chapel: Dead Poet's Society - my feelings after the split were very sympathetic toward Don. This movie showed an unconventional teacher at a private men's college who inspired the young men to open their minds. The ending caught me offguard but I wanted to join in. I had gone on a lone trip to Disneyland to get away from Seattle (about 1990 or so). One day I wandered in to see this movie. I loved it because the young man at the end of the movie understood how I felt. COA folks would like this movie. I've since changed my mind about the Chapel situation and Don, but nonetheless, it was a defining movie for me at the time. Field of Dreams - Hmmm, I wonder what it feels like to tap into the spirit realm, but no one else understands. Either make sure you attended the Chapel or see this movie. I identified with this spiritual element but the movie also brought me even closer to home and found that I identified with the leading character's struggle with his relationship with his deceased dad. The ending, to this day, puts me into an emotional heap. This is a great movie. I might add that I also identified with the 60s author that the main character seeks out. This man was a visionary in the 60s, only to be disallusioned and bitter in the 90s. A lot to identify with. Born on the 4th of July - This is the only movie I ever saw that touched something so deep in me that I came home and sobbed like a baby as I tried to explain it to my wife. This is also a true story. It is the story of a young naive and patriotic man who joins the army and goes to Vietnam. He enters the political minefields of being a military man in the war of our generation and the repercussions in his personal life of being in a war far away that the general public and even his own family did not understand. When he came home, he had no one to turn to except his fellow comrades. Sound familiar?? In about the same time period (1990 or so), my mind and my heart identified with this man and I was greatly affected. Footnote: I recently saw this movie again and was not affected in the same way. Lots of healing since 1990. ---------- Posted by Keith on 3/25/2001, 11:20 am , in reply to "Re: Movies and Books " I've never seen Field of Dreams, I'll have to keep that one in mind too. Still no luck with my audio files. Bizland wants to start charging, $8.00 a month. I'm debating whether I want to pay, I think I only have about a week to decide. ---------- Posted by Andrew on 3/25/2001, 4:04 pm , in reply to "Movies and Books" Leap of Faith also is one of my favorite all time movies. Movie shows that if a group or a person earnestly seek after God that they will find Him despite the leader's motives. These simple folk from a small town in Kansas sought God despite the evangelist being a total swindler. Yet there simple faith had an effect on him. There were many who sought God at the Chapel and experience Him in His glory in awesome ways despite the weakness of the leader. Whether the leader in the final days had a desire to change or loved his sin too much, I do not know, but those who hungered after God did find Him at the Chapel. Many outside the Chapel still cannot believe God was ever at the Chapel, how could He with all the bad seeds, but God looks at the heart. There was truly a people who sought after God and found His presence in a marvelous way. ---------- Posted by TA on 3/25/2001, 4:12 pm , in reply to "Re: Movies and Books" Excellent review; I coulnd't have put it any other way. Anyone else out there with some good movies and/or books?