The scripture tells us that, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, were the leading citizens among the Jews. They knew what God’s law said, and they could tell people how to apply it. But they were hypocrites. They added 615 of their laws on top of God’s laws, thinking that would “protect” the law of God from being disobeyed. But in doing so, they violated the spirit of the law, which is love.
Today’s Christians can do the same as the Pharisees if they add their social and religious standards to God’s law. “Surely a Christian would never listen to that, or wear those clothes, or dance, or eat that meat…”. We might think we are being especially zealous for the law of God by adding such restrictions when the bible doesn’t – but God desires love, not legalism.
Today, following human standards while ignoring God’s call to love, can lead to terrible results – “hypocrisy”. It has led to racism like apartheid. It has led to sexism with statements like “she should have known better than to wear that”. It has led to nationalism where we look down on immigrants and refugees. Such hypocrisy will condemn us on the day of judgment. Laws that do not aim at love for all people are not God’s laws. The Ruler of Heaven and Earth is not fooled by distorted rule-following and fake self-centred Christianity.
“Do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3).
Let’s Pray
Yahweh, forgive us when we set up false standards. Father, forgive us if we have judged others unlovingly. Help us to follow your laws and not add our own trying to protect yours. Please show us how to love everyone as you do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
In the complex tapestry of human interactions, language has become a lens through which we perceive, label, and categorize ourselves and others. This thought-provoking exploration delves into the intricacies of language and its role in shaping perceptions, particularly in the context of Africans and their global counterparts. From the terminology surrounding migrations to the biases ingrained in linguistic norms, let’s unravel the layers of a discourse that questions our shared humanity.
Blog:
Voyages of Discovery vs. Illegal Immigrants:
The journey from Europe to Africa is romanticized as a “voyage of discovery,” invoking images of exploration and curiosity. However, when the direction reverses, Africans moving to Europe are often labeled as “illegal immigrants,” laden with connotations of criminality and transgression. Here lies the first thread in the fabric of linguistic bias.
Refugees vs. Tourists:
A group of Africans seeking refuge in Europe is termed “refugees,” underscoring their dire circumstances and the humanitarian need for assistance. Contrastingly, a group of Europeans in Africa engaging in leisurely pursuits is benignly dubbed “tourists,” emphasizing their privilege and choice of exploration. Language subtly influences our perception of their circumstances.
Poachers vs. Hunters:
Venture into the bush, and the terminology takes a stark turn. Africans in the same environment are branded as “poachers,” echoing criminality and environmental harm. On the other hand, Europeans engaged in similar activities are adorned with the more benign term “hunters,” implying a connection to nature and tradition.
Foreigners vs. Expats:
Black individuals working abroad are often relegated to the label of “foreigners,” emphasizing their perceived distance from the norm. In contrast, white individuals in similar positions are graciously titled “expats,” conveying a sense of expertise and cultural exchange. The contrast raises questions about the power dynamics embedded in language.
The Language of Intelligence:
One of the most poignant observations centers on language proficiency. When individuals from various countries struggle with English, Africans often face stigmatization, being labeled as unintelligent, illiterate, or even dumb. This reveals a deep-seated bias, where English proficiency becomes a misguided measure of intelligence, perpetuating a harmful narrative.
Breaking the Chains of Mental Slavery:
The blog concludes with a powerful call to action. It challenges the normalized prejudices woven into our language, urging Africans to reclaim their narrative. Embracing native languages and rejecting the imposition of foreign linguistic norms is posited as a path to breaking free from mental oppression.
Conclusion:
In this nuanced examination of language, perception, and identity, we confront the biases embedded in our linguistic choices. The blog invites readers to reflect on the impact of language on our understanding of the world, urging a collective effort to dismantle stereotypes and foster a more inclusive, enlightened discourse.
Hidden themes that ring true with Christianity can be found everywhere in life. Since the bible is the greatest story ever, it’s no surprise that the world imitates certain themes that began with God.
Although they certainly don’t portray the gospel in its entirety, these films may offer opportunities for conversation with family or friends about the way that we live our lives. As these films portray so many things that have gone wrong with the world, we can find redemptive analogies to help us learn and change the story for the future.
Note: May contain spoilers! Read on at your own risk.
Les Miserable (2012)
Set in the midst of the French Revolution, Jean Valjean is a former prisoner who has broken parole and turned his life around. He vows to a dying woman (who was forced into prostitution) that he’ll take care of her daughter, committing to raise her as his own. Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, this musical film follows Valjean as his past haunts him. While he receives grace and forgiveness to transform him from being a hardened criminal into a loving father, he is ultimately faced with the opportunity to sacrifice himself for the love of another.
Themes: Grace, forgiveness, social responsibility, personal sacrifice, redemption, freedom
Warnings: Some profane language, violence, sexual themes related to prostitution, war, alcohol abuse, suicide
Wall-E (2008)
In the animated film, Wall-E, future humans have made such a mess on earth that they just leave it behind for a robot to clean up. The robot, Wall-E, has developed a personality over hundreds of years and seems to be a bit lonely. As he becomes engaged in an adventure, Wall-E ends up on the spaceship where humans have become the epitome of laziness. As evil has begun to take over the spaceship filled with humans, Wall-E is faced with a choice of whether to help out.
Themes: Laziness, sloth, loneliness, stewardship of the earth, running away from problems, self-sacrifice
Warnings: None
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqgHYLvHIE
This WWII film tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a pacifist soldier who refused to carry a gun. While he believed that the war was justified, he also believed that killing was wrong. The story tells of Doss’s plight on the front lines of the Battle of Okinawa as he aided in saving 75 men, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Themes: Faith, sacrifice, standing up for personal beliefs
Warnings: Intense violence, moderate use of profane language, alcohol use and smoking, nudity
The Book of Eli (2010)
Based on the theme of post-apocalyptic life, this film follows the journey of Eli, who travels west through America’s destroyed landscape. The story of this futuristic thriller begins to reveal that a critical part of human civilization is being carried by Eli in the form of a book. As books are being burned at a rapid rate by evil-doers, the preservation of this particular sacred book is critical.
Themes: Sacrifice, protection of scripture, good vs. evil, journey with a purpose
Warnings: Violence, profane language
Wonder Woman (2017)
One in a line of DC Comics films, Wonder Woman offers a new sense of accomplishment for the Justice League. Tackling difficult themes about human nature, the message of this film is highly compatible with the gospel message. Diana, who was raised by Amazons, learns at an early age about people who are created good but are then corrupted by evil. In the throes of war, Diana heads out to conquer the source of evil. She decides that, even though humans are corrupt and deserve to die, they are still worth saving—and she is ultimately inspired to believe in love.
Themes: Fall of humans, pursuing peace, value of human life, self-sacrifice
Warnings: Violence, sexual references and implication, mild profane language, alcohol and drug use
The Good Lie (2014)
Following the destruction of their village in Sudan, orphan siblings make the harrowing journey to a refugee camp and eventually settle in Kansas City in the U.S. As they make peace with their past and come to terms with re-settling in a new land, Carrie, an employment counselor, helps them to find jobs and search for their sister from whom they were separated. In the process, Carrie learns a lot about her own journey. One of the refugees has a strong faith and deeply desires to become a pastor. Many of the actors in this film are former Sudanese refugees—two were even child soldiers—allowing this film to accurately portray the true heart of the pain of war and difficult elements of starting over.
Themes: Helping others, sacrifice, redemption, starting over
Warnings: Sex implied but not shown, war violence, minimal profane language, alcohol and marijuana use
Schindler’s List (1993)
This film set during World War II tells the true story of a German, Oskar Schindler, who is seeking to take advantage of the war by becoming rich. Schindler’s character is hardened as shown in relationship to a concentration camp, but he becomes more sympathetic as he arranges to protect the Jewish employees who work in his factory. His motivation is originally greed, but eventually, he conjures up a way to save the lives of thousands of Krakow prisoners.
Themes: Discrimination, greed, power, helping the helpless, the value of human life, sacrifice
Warnings: Profane language, nudity, sexual themes, violence, war, drunkenness
It is important to note that most of these films contain very adult themes and problems, whether “fictional” or not. This is not meant to advocate for a glorification of violence, gratuitous sex, or other cultural troubles. But these are honest themes that the bible addresses on a regular basis—because they are part of this broken world. As these films portray the depravity of this world, I believe that we can find ways to share our hope in the One who came to set all things right.
Look out your window. Isn’t it a beautiful day? But just in case you were feeling really good about yourself today, allow us to hit you with a dose of reality.
These are 25 facts about the world we live in:
*We live in times when we see many humans, but not enough humanity;*
*We live in times when the rich have more rooms than children and the poor have more children than rooms.*
*We live in times when smartphones bring you closer to those who live aboard, but distance you from those who live in your own home;*
*We live in times when we open Facebook, more than Holy Book;*
*We live in times when a single mother can look after five children, but five children can’t look after a single mother;*
*We live in times when the rich walk miles to digest food, while the poor walk miles to obtain food;*
*We live in times when women are paid to be naked, while others are fined to be dressed;*
*We live in times when our contact lists are massive, but our relationships are diabolical*
We live in times when at least 10 times as many girls are now trafficked into brothels annually as African slaves were transported to the New World in the peak years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade;*
*We live in times when our possessions are more, but our appreciation of life is less;*
*We live in times when we can earn a good living, but somehow forget how to live;*
*We live in times of commercialization of the gospel and if the broadcaster is not selling a book, it will be a CD, anointed water, or some seed sewing advert;*
*We live in times when a typical cow in the European Union receives a government subsidy of about $2.20 a day, that about 1.2 billion more than the world’s poorest people;*
*We live in times when we value possessions and where there is no value for a human life.*
*We live in times when many know the price of everything, but the value of nothing;*
*We live in times with nearly 210 million orphans, but nearly 15% of them will commit suicide before turning 18;*
*We live in times when the United States now spends about $200 billion on the correctional system each year, a sum that exceeds the gross domestic product of twenty-five US states and 140 foreign countries;*
*We live in times when 22,000 kids die every day because of poverty, but in rich countries, a staggering 30-50% of all food produced rots away uneaten;*
*We live in times when over 650 million adults were obese in 2016, but yet in 2016, 315,000 women died in childbirth because they were malnourished and lacked basic nutrients;*
*We live in times with the largest population of refugees and asylum seekers in human history.
*We live in a times of genocide and the destruction of the Amazon rainforest;*
*We live in times where we are taught as kids to read and write big numbers, but we’re not taught to think about the reality beneath the surface of those numbers;*
*We live in times of false doctrine, where some pastors encourage the first wives to die to self and be able to allow their husbands to take in more wives if they wish to;*
*We live in times of false prophets: where people would prefer to follow a Siberian traffic cop who proclaim to be Jesus Christa the Messiah, rather than believe in Real McCoy;*
*We live in times when according to the United Nations, there are around 65.3 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, yet in the UK alone the “housing surplus” nearly doubled from 800,000 spare homes in 1996 to 1.4 million homes at any one time in 2014;*
Think about that for a moment? Can you even imagine it? Like, really imagine it. We’re not reacting, it’s just that there are so many different problems of large scale that we need to be working harder to combat.
