Book to Film: The Hobbit

While I enjoy watching movie adaptations of books, I tend to be bit of a purist. I fuss and complain about changes that don't matter. I can't grasp the logic. When something has done well in print and can make the leap to the screen without losing its power, why would you want to change it? It's the height of arrogance to think you can improve on a classic. I'm not opposed to artistic license, particularly where it relates bringing print to a visual medium.

Back in December, when the first Hobbit movie was released, I thought about reading the book. Maybe I should say, "read the book again." It is one of the few books that I have read more than once. It had been several years since I last read the Hobbit, and I thought it would be a good idea to refresh my memory.

However, I stopped myself from reading it before I saw the movie. I knew that if the book was fresh on my mind, I couldn't enjoy the movie. I would spend the whole movie wondering why ignored this scene or changed that line. In order to enjoy the movie, I had to see apart from the book. The movie adaptation tends to be more enjoyable when I don't think about the book upon which it is based. I can enjoy the movie as a movie, and not as a desecration of cherished book.

I thought the first Hobbit movie was alright. It wasn't terrific (there are too many needless additions for the sake of making a trilogy, and not to progress the story. I'm afraid the dwarfish love of gold has infected Peter Jackson), but on its own it was good bit of story telling. And the special effects were astounding. It just wasn't the Hobbit.

Since viewing the movie, I have read the book twice and I'm currently reading it a third time. Why would I read it three times? It's a beautiful story. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry. It makes me believe in Middle Earth--a world and realm not completely removed from ours, but full of adventure and magic. It reminds me that just as Bilbo Baggins (the main character) learned that there was a bit more to him than he realized, so to there may be a bit more to me than I realize. It reminds me that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to endure and act in spite of it.

In spite of my disappointments with all that the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey wasn't, I intend on enjoying for what it was: eye candy. Strip away the stunning visual effects and the realistic back drops and you're left with an "Eh" kind of movie. The acting is fair. The action is exciting (even if unbelievable at times). It's a good (long) escape into another world where adventure is right outside waiting on your doorstep.

I'll give it a  D for accuracy (to the book); a B+ in entertainment value; and a A+ in visual effects.

Sunday Recap 3-24-13

Morning: The sermon, "Authentic Worship," focused on Luke 19:37-40. Luke reminds his reader that the right response to Jesus is worship.

1. Those who know Jesus, worship. The disciples were joyful. They praised God. They did so loudly. Their praises were rooted in the work of God.

2. Worship is possible because Jesus came. Jesus was favored by God and did the Father's will. His coming to die and be raised to life brought peace between God and man. His coming caused him to be exalted to the highest place.

3. Genuine worship will always face opposition. The Pharisees opposed Jesus' disciples because they did not want Jesus as their Messiah.

4. If humanity fails to see and proclaim Christ's glory--the rest of creation will not.

Evening: Movie night.

Spiritual Songs: Let Me Feel You Shine

I recently downloaded David Crowder's iTunes session EP. It has several of the songs for which the David Crowder Band was famous. I have found myself falling in love with several of the songs on this album. They move me in powerful ways. I find myself singing them throughout the day. I can listen to them over and over.

This song, "Let Me Feel You Shine," has been a tremendous blessing to me over the last few days. It has become a heart cry for me. I'm continually aware of my need for God's presence and power in my life. This song reflects that kind of longing. I hope you find it encouraging.

Sunday Recap 3-17-13

Morning: The sermon, "Are You Washed?," focused on Hebrews 9:11-15. The author of Hebrews reminds us that Christ brings eternal redemption by his blood-once for all. The author of Hebrews wants his readers to realize Jesus represents a greater sacrifice and a great promise.

1. Jesus offered a greater sacrifice. His sacrifice was great because it was offered in a greater place. The earthly temple/tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly reality. Jesus entered the heavenly reality. Jesus' sacrifice has a better affect. The offering in the temple made a person externally clean. The offering could change their hearts. Jesus' sacrifice cleans the conscience.

What does it mean that it cleanses the conscience? It corrects it, so that it can see right and wrong. It transforms it, so it will desire right. It enables the conscience to desire God. Jesus' sacrifice frees the conscience to serve God.

2. Jesus represents a greater promise. The Old Covenant states, "Do these things and you will live." The New Covenant in Christ's blood states, "I died that you may live." The promise in an eternal inheritance. Believers have been ransomed. They are freed from sin.

Evening: The message, "The God Who Pursues," focused on Romans 8:29-30. Paul reminds us that it is God who pursues us.

God set his sights on you. He foreknows us--that is, he loved us before he formed us.

He has a plan for us. He wants us to be shaped in the image of Christ.

He pursues us to the end. He promises us that God will bring his work to completion in our lives.

A Look at Typology

Typology is a method of interpreting Scripture which involves recognizing a correspondence, usually in one particular matter, between a person, event or thing in the Old Testament and a person, event or thing in the New Testament.

We can see typology used in the New Testament. In the Gospels, Jesus uses types to make himself know to his followers. He uses the Passover meal to explain his coming crucifixion (see Matt. 26:26-30). Drawing on the shepherding images of the Old Testament, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10). Paul uses typology in several places (Rom. 5:12-21, 1 Cor. 10:1-10, Gal. 4:21-31). We see other use typology, too (see Heb. 8:3-13, 9:23-28; 1 Pet. 3:20-22).

Typology is not allegory. Allegory uses figurative language and narrative to convey spiritual truths. To understand allegory, you have to look for the message under the language. Typology recognizes that certain passages foreshadow coming events and individuals, and other passages fulfill previous ones.

Typology is using Scripture to interpret Scripture. The best tool we have in understanding the Scriptures is the Scriptures. Commentaries are helpful, but the Word is the better.

Revelation is progressive. The Scriptures were given over the course of 1500 years. They reveal Christ in stages. We are given glimpses of him throughout the Old Testament. We see the New Testament reflecting on the images of the Old Testament.

When studying types, we should stick with the ones clearly identified in Scripture. We don't need to invent patterns. We just need to understand the ones in present in Scripture.

Typology is an important tool for interpretation. It isn't the only tool. Typology helps us to see the connections between the Old and New Testaments.

Spiritual Songs: I Saw the Light/I'll Fly Away

This one is a real toe-tapper. I love the energy in this song. It captures the hopeful exuberance of knowing Christ. It oozes life. I hope you enjoy it.

Sunday Recap 3-10-13

Morning: The sermon, "Abide," focused on John 15:5-8. In this passage, Jesus reminds us that true believers abide in him. He states,


1. Those who abide in him bear fruit. Those who don't abide can do nothing. The concept of abiding or remaining means that one is walking in continual faith. Faith isn't a once for all event, but a commitment to continual trust. Through faith believers become fruit bearers. They do not produce fruit, but rather Christ causes fruit to form in their lives. It may be best to understand this fruit in light of the fruit of the Spirit. With Christ we become fruitful, but without him we are unable to please God.

2. Those who don't remain in Christ are in danger. Without Christ, there is no life. The unbeliever moves from being broken to withering to being burned. Brokenness relates to our lack of spiritual life. Withering relates to our increasing sinfulness apart from Christ. The burning relates to eternal judgment in hell.

3. Those who remain our rewarded. They can have confidence in their prayers. As they seek to know and honor Jesus, the Father answers their prayers. They bring glory to the Father as they serve the Son. The fruit in their lives marks them as Christ's.

We are called to abide in Christ. He promised to abide with us. In doing so, we avoid spiritual danger and inherit wonderful promises.

Evening: The lesson, "God as Work," focused on John 5:1-17. In this passage, we are reminded that God is always at work around us.  This story reminds us to be ready, to acknowledge our need, and to obey when the Lord speaks to us.

Loving Mercy

Have you ever wanted something, but someone else got it? Have you ever get upset because a less deserving person experienced mercy? Jesus wants us to rejoice with those who receive God's mercy.

None of us deserve mercy. I know that sounds terrible, but it is true. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness. Mercy by its very nature is impossible to deserve. We need it, but we can't earn it. If we earn it, it isn't mercy.

The good news is that Jesus is full of mercy. We see it all throughout his ministry. It can be seen in the account in which he heals a man's shriveled hand from Mark 3:1-6. The man was likely an object of ridicule and scorn among a people who attributed such circumstances to sin. He was unable to worship in the temple, and he lacked wholeness.

His presences gave the Pharisees an excuse to find fault with Jesus, and they seized upon it. They considered Jesus a law breaker. He could heal the rest of the week, but they thought it was wrong to heal on the Sabbath.

Jesus didn't worry about the crowd's response. He focused on the right thing to do. He ended his suffering by healing him. The Sabbath was a day of rest, and now this man could rest from his torment.

Our response to Jesus' mercy reflects our true feeling toward him. If we, like the Pharisees, get upset when Jesus helps someone we don't like, it shows how little trust him. It demonstrates a deep misunderstanding of who Jesus is.

When we despise mercy, we displease Jesus. It would be better to say we anger and distress him. If we have truly experienced mercy, it will make us merciful.

Mercy is like a muscle. It can be developed. We learn it best when we practice it most on "the least deserving." Who is it that you think doesn't deserve mercy? Why not show them mercy today. It might be hard today, but eventually you will learn to love mercy more and more.

Sunday Recap 3-3-13

Morning: The sermon, "Unless He Goes Us," focused on Exodus 33:15-20. In this passage, we are reminded that life without God is pointless. Moses is seeking God's continual presence and he gives an example of how to live in God presence.

1. Cling to God. We must seek God. We do not seek him because he is lost, we seek him because we have lost our way to him. We must wait upon the Lord. We need to think before we leap. We must also remind ourselves (daily) that we don't deserve to live in God's presence. Living in his presence is a gift. If we are to follow him, we need him to teach us his ways. As seek to walk in faith, we must be careful not to presume on God's grace.

2. Rest in his grace. God answers the prayers of his people. Not every answer is a yes, but God hears his people when they pray and delights in answering. God is pleased with his people when they live by faith. How did Moses please God? He loved God and he loved other people. God also know your name. He knows who you are, and he wants you to know him.

3. Pursue God's Glory. Moses wanted to see God glorified. He wanted to know God in fullness of his perfection. We need to pursue God's glory.

Life is meaningless apart from God. We are called to live, but it is pointless unless he goes with us.

Evening: Business Meeting