A movie has been made comparing just war theory and Christian non-violence. You’d think I’d love it. I didn’t.
Oh, my brain ate up all the information, history, scripture. Something deeper in me was even inspired several times to be more like Christ. But most of the time I just sat there wishing: I wish this movie wasn’t head after head talking about theology and history. I wish just one of these bright guys talking right now would let this camera man follow him home. I wish one of these guys would show me what it looks like in their neighborhood/office/church/Palestine to live justly or non-violently. I wish this movie wasn’t all telling and no showing. Yep, I wished that again.
Some folks got mad at me for wishing this about Kirk Cameron’s latest film Fireproof not long ago. Hate me if you want, but dadgumit if I’m not consistent. Maybe it’s just my brain, but I always prefer to see thoughts lived out rather than only hearing them spelled out. Showing, as opposed to telling, is far more convincing, educational and inspiring to me than talking alone.
Now, I think Prince of Peace, God of War is a great history lesson and theological lecture. I think anyone wanting an overview of the biblical and historical basis for pacifism and just war theory should watch it. In fact, you should go download it right now. It’s free. It’s one of the best lectures I’ve heard on the subject. But it’s not one of the better movies I’ve seen. And that’s unfortunate because, like Fireproof, I’m afraid that will mean its important truths will primarily be heard by a small number of people, most of whom already espouse them.
I’m heading to Texas this morning to visit friends and family for a day. While I’m away, please check out the bloggers coming with Brian and me to the Dominican Republic November 2-7. And please begin praying for them and the trip if you haven’t started already. Thanks.
Mary at Owlhaven.net
Tim Challies at Challies.com, also writing some about the trip over at WorldMagazine.com
Marlboro Man, husband of Ree, who blogs at ThePioneerWoman.com
Melanie at TheBigMamaBlog.com
Jennifer Donovan blogging for 5MinutesForMom.com
We’ll have only one camera up today and the audio will be off and on so we can fight with each other in private. Kidding, of course.
"What are you about to do here, Jeff?” I asked.
“I’m about to put some guys out of work,” he laughed, possibly to ease his conscience. Jeff loves his studio musician friends, he’s a thoroughly nice guy, so he wasn’t being calloused when he said this I’m certain. It was more like a confession.
I thought it odd that Monroe (producer) only arranged for one musician - Jeff Roach - to meet us in the studio yesterday. When I’ve recorded in the past, the first day in the studio was for tracking the entire band at once. An electric guitar player, drummer, bass, keyboard guy - we’d all hang out for an hour or so and then go off into our corners of the studio, put on headphones and do our thing. That first day was like a party, a reunion of old friends who’ve worked on hundreds of albums together.
Those friends are out of a job now, replaced by Jeff and his box of wonderment. And my upright piano is gone too. Jeff has his friends and that piano sound I love in his red keyboard now.
The music industry has been downsized. As profits have plummeted, budgets have done likewise and circuitry has replaced musicians.
I’m a little uncomfortable with this, but I’m not exactly protesting the innovation. So far, I can’t tell the difference sonically. And I can’t afford old friends.
I’m in the studio today starting at around 10:30AM, give or take an hour. Watch here or at mogulus.com/sgtv and mogulus.com/sgtv3.
