I spent part of my vacation week wearing 3D glasses in an overcrowded movie theater. I went with my kids (plus one) to see the movie Avatar. The place was packed when we arrived, so we had to sit in the very front row. For anyone with the slightest tendency toward motion sickness, I would not recommend the front row of a 3D movie! I survived but I was queasy until the next evening.
For those who haven’t seen the film, it is the story of an former Marine (who was disabled) who had the chance to interact with a tribe of tall, blue people on an alien world by having his consciousness put into an avatar (a tall, blue body of his own). During his mission he begins to identify with the people. Their ways become his ways. He not only adopts their language and culture, he also adopts their belief system. He becomes one of them.
I’m not a movie reviewer, but for sheer entertainment value the movie was worth the price of admission. The 3D was far beyond anything produced thus far. The CGI characters interacted seamlessly with the real-life people. There was action and adventure. And … there was a plot. I’m not sure if James Cameron was trying to make a politically correct statement with the film, but it is hard to think that some statement other than “I want your money” wasn’t being made!
I guess most people have agendas, but not everyone has the big bucks and the big screen format to present their agendas so powerfully. Does this mean that Christians have no chance to effectively communicate the Gospel? Hardly.
The Bible says, “I am not ashamed es …” (Romans 1:16). The gospel message has a power of its own! Sure, we should present it is the most appealing way poof the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believssible, but it will never be our cleverness that leads people to Christ. It is only the Gospel message empowered by the Holy Spirit that leads people repentance and faith.
Be Transformed 