That's right, I just got finished preaching a three-part series of sermons on 3 different movies. I must admit that it was really hard. I called it, "Fort Des Moines @ The Movies" I examined, Bambi, Field of Dreams, and Hoosiers.

Our people thoroughly enjoyed it, but preaching using video clips is difficult and takes a great deal of work. I usually preach with Power Point but preaching using video is totally different.

The reason for my posting about it, I was merely wondering if any of you have done anything similar.

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2001

Answers

Well Michael,

I haven't actually used any movie clips, but I have preached a sermon which weighed heavily on Field of Dreams for its imagery, plus Bambi has been referenced occasionally as a hunting preference from Acts 10:13 "Arise Peter, Kill & Eat".

And of course that isn't to mention multiple Star Wars references over the years (as I always look for a reason to do my Yoda impression...:~).

And, oh yes...........don't forget about the "Church Lady" on Saturday Night Live......"who could be responsible for all the misunderstanding concerning Baptism, could it beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..............."SATAN"? :~)

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2001

Michael,

Was it worth all the effort? Were the people better edified or instructed than they would be from hearing teaching without the video clips?

Is it legal to show video clips in church like that, btw?

I know an easy film to preach from- the Jesus film? You could use clips from the 10 commandments and other Bible-related movies. But it seems like these movies always have some scenes that aren't Biblical. I think it rained during the crucifixion in Ben Hur. We know from the Bible that the sky got dark. If it got dark froma thunder storm, where's the miracle in that? I wish someone would make movies like this that stuck to the scriptures.

Did anyone every see that series where Richard Geer played David. I saw parts of it years after it came out. I didn't like them casting Geer as David. David was humble. Geer comes off as cocky to me. Plus, some of his attitudes and lifestyle habits don't really match up with the character he was playing. The film had Geer interpreting the Torah in some really loose liberal ways, saying Tamar had died 'in here' in her heart, and stuff like that.

I'd like to see some movies and TV shows made by Christians with Christian values. Maybe a TV show about a Christian who stands up for his beliefs and isn't a hypocrite. Christians are usually hypocrites in Holywood movies.

I saw some episodes of Melrose Place. It was one of the few English language TV shows here at the time, and I saw some of it. Pure trash. they change partners, commit adultery and fornication. Their lives are a mess. Kids and adults watch these shows and gradually get their sense of right and wrong from them.

A good premise for a show might be to put a serious Christian family in the midst of a universe like Melrose place or one of these other trashy shows. This family is moral and stable while in the midst of all these trashy, messed-up people. The Christian kids in school stand up for their faith, are vocal against fornication, counsel the other kids in school not to have abortions, do drugs, etc. when they have problems.

The parents in the show influence people in their lives. The father says no when women try to tempt him to commit adultery. He tells his sinful coworkers about Jesus. Some of the sinner's in the show can even repent and get their lives straightened out. The message of the show that people pick up on is that those who are Christ's live moral, responsible lives, while the ungodly are in a slippery place, to use a metaphor from the Psalms.

I dont' know who would air such a show. How hard is it to start a cable network?

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2001

Actually Link when we purchased our projector we also bought a license from the MPAA that enables us to show video clips without any copyright infringement. As long as the clips we show don't exceed 10 minutes in length our annual fee of $250 handles that. Its just like having a license from CCLI.

And yeah, our people were edified by it. And as far as your movie premise or TV show idea...just from your description, I wouldn't want to watch it.

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2001

Link,

There is already that type of show on…it's called 7th heaven. I don't watch it much - but the few times I have it seemed decent.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001