I'll throw this out...
first thing.
right quick.
This is what *I* think
When I first heard about the movie Joyful Noise, I honestly didn't give it much thought. I thought by the line-up of stars and the preview that it was not going to be my cup of tea.
I will say up front, I am a bit critical when it comes to movies. I want there to be some redeeming value.
If the movie is about church or Christianity. I am even more so.
The movie
Courageous??? Perfect movie, in my opinion. It had laughs, it had tears, it had VALUE! Something you could watch with your family and be proud.
Ok, now back to this movie.
One of the first scenes is a choir with a new choir director. Dolly Parton's character has animosity towards her, because she is filling the role of Dolly's late husband. Dolly's grandson, Randy is in the pews listening to choir practice and obviously would like to be somewhere else until he gets a glimpse of a pretty girl with an amazing voice.
After she sings he jumps up and says a cuss word right there in the church, and it is laughed off.
Queen Latifa is the mother of the pretty girl who's name is Olivia and the mother of a son with
Asperger Syndrome . She is also the new choir director.
Of course, Randy and Olivia are attracted to one another in this film. He is a bad boy, she is the 'church' girl. She starts out by saying things that make you think she might have some merit. She says her Mama says, "When you sing, you want to make God look good."
I liked that. If you have a voice, Sing for Jesus!
But, she is quick to let her Mother's wisdom go out the door for time with the boy who is telling her exactly opposite. She should be prideful, her voice is amazing, she is incredible. She and he could go out on the road and make tons of money, yadda, yadda, yadda....
So then, the choir wants to win this contest. Their town is falling apart because of a tough economy and the choir wants to win the contest for the town. So Randy joins the choir. Not because he is a Christian, not because he wants to sing for Jesus, only because he wants to sing with Olivia and help the choir win the contest.
The movie is filled with slurs, bad words. Even a couple of members of the choir, -who are not married- start making out on the front steps of the church and then spend the night together and although they don't show it, of course it is implied that they have sex.
Olivia goes downhill through most of the movie. Running off with Randy, lying to her mother and then finally disrespecting her mother in an AWFUL scene.
All in all you get the idea that to be a Christian is that you go to church on Sundays. That's the only difference between us and the rest of the world. The only difference.
That's not what my Bible teaches!
You get the picture that I was not at all pleased with the movie...
but here's the clincher.
Like I said in the beginning, I didn't even plan on seeing the movie. But, during the day Friday, I was out running errands. My local Christian radio station was having a live broadcast at the theater.... promoting THIS FILM!
I then started considering watching it. Not only that, the DJ said, everyone who has walked out after seeing it, has LOVED it!
So now, I am thinking... ok, ok... maybe it's not so bad, so a friend of mine and I go watch it Friday night.
Now... here is my deal.
I'm a Christian. I am saved, blood bought, redeemed by the blood. I live by faith. It's not by works.
I am supposed to be separate from the world, not of the world, right???
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Then why is this movie so offensive to me and so many others enjoyed it?!?!
I can expect Hollywood to throw things into a movie... people are rich on smut. Films are put out everyday with things that NO ONE should watch, much less people who are supposed to be set apart.
Now don't get the idea that I am Miss Goody-2-shoes and I think I am Holier-than-thou. Forget it. I very much like Paul when he stated that he was "The chief of sinners"
1 Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
That's exactly how I feel.... but honestly, it doesn't give us the right to just keep on sinning. Keep on doing the things that we know we shouldn't.
We are to turn away.
I'll close with one of my favorite verses and one that rings true for this topic,
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8
