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with comments by David Bruce

POKEMON SAVED MY LIFE
Subject: My opinions based on my life and what I know pokemon
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001

Comment removed at the author's request.

SPIRITUAL ASPECTS
Subject: Snatch - Spiritual Aspects?
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
From: last-wave

As a resident of England myself, and growing up around gypsies and unlicensed boxing, the plot is not as far fetched as some people make it out to be. Gypsies do speak in an almost "coded" accent so no-one else can understand what's going on, and are generally nice people as long as you don't do business or mess with them. The scene stealer for me would have to be the confrontation between a seated Bullet Tooth Tony and the masked Vinny, Sole and Tyrone where they "compare guns".

Having seen it in England in mid 2000, I can't remember it too clearly, and can't really pick out spiritual aspects about it, so it will be interesting to see what David Bruce of Hollywood Jesus has to say about this viloent British gangster movie. Turkish and Tommy are given second chances at life, no longer under the threat of mobster boss Brick Top, and mixung in with the criminal element can get you into sticky situations. Perhaps there's a moral to the film after all!
Last Wave

AN INSIDER SPEAKS
Subject: Your article in this week's Christian Herald... Newsletter_20
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
From: Brad

Hi David, I'm writing to commend you on your article that you wrote in the 20 January 2001 Christian Herald about visual arts and Christianity, and particularly the focus on comics. As someone who has worked in the comics industry for a number of years, both here and in France, and who is slightly obsessed with the comics medium, it was refreshing to see someone writing about comics with an informed perspective. There are comics created by Christians, but as you noted they really haven't entered the mainstream - at least not in the UK. In the States, the Jack Chick pamphlets are very popular and have been read by millions of people -- their content may not be very sound, but they are widespread. In France and Belgium, Christian comics account for about 6% of the total BD market, and have been produced by some of Francophone comics' most famous authors; cartoonists like Jije, Franquin, and many others have produced Biblical comics. So popular are they, that a Belgian organisation called ! CRIABD has been set up to research into the application of the comics artform to Christianity, and they produce a magazine 3 times a year called Coccinelle. They have a stand at the Annual Festival International de la Bande Dessinee in Angouleme, France (taking place next weekend in fact), and present an international prize to the best Christian comic of the year. So the stage really is set for a revival in the world of Christian comics. Thanks again for bringing it to a wider audience.
Best wishes, Yours in Him,
--- Brad Brooks
Design Consultant New Wine Conferences
brad.brooks@new-wine.org
Equipping Churches to Extend Jesus' Kingdom

SEVERLY OFFENDED
Subject: Dracula 2000
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
From: Elizabeth R.

Maybe it was just me, but i was SEVERELY offended by the movie Dracula 2000, to the point where i got up and left. In all fairness, i did not see the end of the movie. Maybe there was some big ending that reaffirmed how bad what Judas did was, and how good God is, because he forgave him, i didn't stick around to see. I simply got up, along with my friends, and left the theater, and said the quick prayer for whoever's idea that was. Again, maybe it was just me, but I don't see how connecting Dracula and the disciple that betrayed Jesus is excellent writing.
Elizabeth R.

BIAS AGAINST VISUALS
Subject: Newsletter_20
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
From: "Margaret FRANKS"

David, I read your article in the Christian Herald with great interest. I couldn't agree more that the church is missing out on a wonderful channel for the grace of God to be revealed in exciting creative visual expression.

You ask why? I think we are still reacting from the Catholic idolatry of a few centuries ago. A local, Free Evangelical Church had a long, anguished debate as to whether to put up a plain wooden cross on the back wall of the Church! Would that be distracting from the "pure" spirituality of the Gospel? That was a few years ago. I do see signs of change. In many Churches homemade banners, of varying quality it is true, are appearing. Some of these are gorgeous collages and/or embroidered texts which are a delight to look at and inspiring. I have an artist friend who has had exhibitions of her Christian art in churches and conducted workshops for the congregations. But it's slow work. Many older people have no confidence in themselves that they could produce anything worthwhile. But the youngsters are having better training in schools and are more willing to tackle creative work. Drama now seems to be welcomed in churches - but dance(!) especially here in conservative rural England is another matter!!

But there is another side to this question. Protestant England at least finds a lot of the baroque decoration in continental European churches grotesque, sentimental BAD taste! I went to Santiago de Compostella, the wonderful pilgrim Church in Northern Spain. The church was a beautiful buillding; the atmosphere among the packed expectant congregation of thousands was electric! It was a marvellous experience to be there. However the High Altar was a monument to incredible bad taste. It looked like a fairground organ! Huge ugly grotesque cherubs and nasty looking angels and St James covered in gaudy gold leaf!! Ugh! Am I just showing my middle England prejudices?

I am delighted to have discovered your web site.
Yours sincerely Margaret Franks.
P.S. How dare the American Bible Society omit those wonderful illustrations from the Good News Bible???!!! What were they thinking about? What possible reason could they have had for doing that?

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
Subject: My thoughts Jesus Mini Series
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
From: Laura

I know there was various opinions on this mini-series. I thought it was absolutely wonderful, the best I have seen. It was the first time I had ever seen Jesus shown actually playing with children, dancing at weddings and laughing. I can't believe he walked around those years with such a stern look on his face. Of course he had joyous times! I feel that this should be shown every year (or two) just as Moses is. Hats off to those who directed, produced, written, etc.

DRACULA AND GOD
Subject: Dracula and God Dracula 2000
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
From: "David Einhorn"

I enjoyed Dracula 2000 a great deal. I was surprised by the the plot twist that Dracula was Judas Iscariot who had been rendered "undead" for his betrayal of Jesus. It is reminiscent of the legend of the "wandering jew" who was believed to be roaming around Europe beyond the Middle Ages and was mentioned in the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche, among others. He was an Israelite who was condemned to live and age indefinitely because he had mocked Jesus on the cross. The Judas as Dracula theme was interesting and entertaining, but was not developed as fully as I would have liked as a viewer. It would be interesting to know what kind of footage was left on the cutting room floor. One thing in Dracula 2000 was consistent with recent Hollywood vampire movies. The monsters in the film are not fearful of, or repelled by crosses. There is mention of the fact that Dracula "hates" crosses, but none of the vampires cower or flee from them. This is not only inconsistent with classic vampire movies of the past; it is also inconsistent with Bram Stoker's novel and European legends about vampires. This trend in recent vampire films is a clear, and somewhat annoying tip of the hat to political correctness. Dracula 2000 is, however, an interesting and entertaining movie.
DAVID EINHORN

SHALOM
Subject: Shalom! Superman
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001
From: Talmid Ben
Organization: MessianicArt.com

Shalom, check out some Superman-Yeshua art God allowed me to create: http://www.MessianicArt.com/Art/digital/prophetvision1a.htm It is Yeshua wearing a Superman suit!
God bless, -- TalmidBenjamin webservant
http://www.MessianicArt.com/

A RESPONSE TO AN UNFAIR REVIEW
Subject: A response to an unfair review.
U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
From: Zachariah Durr skellington500@hotmail.com

Let me respond to H.J.'s review of U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" by first stating what many people are apparently finding disappointing: This album is NOT "The Joshua Tree". Whenever I read a review endlessly belaying the fact that U2 just "isn't what it used to be" I question what critics expect out of artists. If a musician simply retreads the same stylistic paths and ideas that once made them originals, they become stagnate and unbearable. (Just listen to the latest offerings of Areosmith or Enya and you'll get the idea). On the other end of the spectrum, musical groups brave enough to branch out to new frontiers have been critically harangued for their willingness to take risks. These "risky" albums can either sink or swim, but will ultimately designate a bands staying power and raw talent. (Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline", Radiohead's "Kid A", and even U2's "Zooropa" are all good examples of experiments that worked). That having been said, let me make my case for why U2's latest offering is one of their best, and one of my top five album picks for the year of 2000. Standing in its place in U2 history, this album marks a "return to earth" for the band. After the release of the smash "Auctung Baby", U2 began to explore electronica and minimalism with the spacy-sounding "Zooropa". "Pop" was an all-out drum machine and guitar venture that many argued was too bloated and over-marketed for the artists once simple arrangements. Whatever one's feelings were towards the bands past albums, the newest release, while a definite step back to more familiar territory, showcases the band as still remaining the masters of their genre. I feel that one of the reviewers mistakes in his review was the expectation that this album consisted of eleven tracks that would sound more or less like eleven "Beautiful Day"s. This is not the case. The music is varied, but quality and consistent. The music gracefully flows from the joyous explosion of the aforementioned "Beautiful Day" to the gospel-music flavored "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of". (A further response to the reviewers complaints on this particular song: 1) I don't believe a song under 4 minutes long constitutes as "long", 2)If you think the title is wordy, have you ever heard of the Beatle's "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me and My Monkey"? and 3) If a song wherein a catchy chorus is repeated 3 times isn't considered "hooky" enough, I don't know what is.) To examine how skillfully diverse the album is simply compare the dance floor rush of "Elevation", to the simple poignancy of the closing number "Grace". U2 manages to maintain their distinctive flavor without becoming too predictable. Beyond this, however, the most welcome change in this album is perhaps the lyrical content. U2, once known for the political statements of "Sunday Bloody Sunday", has begun to revert to banal lyrics that seemed to take a backseat to the music. "All That You Can't Leave Behind" finally gives us meaty substance, that, while it may not all be from the most Godly of perspectives, is quality poetry none the less. Bono has of late become a heavy political activist, speaking at worldwide summits on cancellation of third-world debt, as well as crusading for Amnesty International. Let's hope that these causes help lead the band back to matters of substance, and ultimately, back to God.
Sincerely, Zachariah Durr
skellington500@hotmail.com

NO ONE DIES FOR A LIE
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
From: Abraham

Dear David: In a response to an e-mail - you state that "no one dies for a lie." How about the people at Jonestown? Or the suicide bombers who blew up the USS Cole? PS - are you a "born-again" (like Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson) or a Christian like John Spong, Dr. King and Mother Theresa (4 Christians who the good people of the non-christian world respect)

Response: The people in Jones Town (etc.) believed they were dying for the truth. Again, "no one (knowingly, at least) dies for a lie." I do not identify with Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, and the like. I strongly relate to John Spong, Dr. King and Mother Theresa. Thank you for asking. -David

GOOD MOVIE, ONE PROBLEM
Subject: Good movie, one problem Ever_After
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
From: Casey

Ok, i loved the movie. it's one of my favorites (one of many) but as an artist i have to say i was quite disturbed by the fact that Leonardo da Vinci was in the movie. Yeah, it was the right time period, but him pulling out the Mona Lisa on a canvass from a water proof tube no less, was a bit much. The Mona Lisa was painted in Florence Italy on Wood, not canvass. You wouldn't carry and oil painting rolled up like that not finished...if you've ever painted w/ oil you would know it takes forever to dry. Just a little thing i noticed. Also, the painting "Leonardo" did of Danielle is actually one of his paintings. I thought that was pretty cool how they integrated that into the movie. And what greater thing to have Da Vinci in place of the Fairy God Mother no less! Artists rock!!! Danielle was a great character, w/ flaws of course...Dug herself into a hole and couldn't get out basically till it was almost too late. We can all learn a lesson from her. Sure, she lied to get the old man back, but she could have easily told the truth as easily as she had lied. She hardly stood up for herself. I find myself screaming @ her "JUST TELL HIM YOU IDIOT!!" hahahahaha The movie portrays her as a strong woman, but also as a weak confused girl. Sad really. BUT i still loved the movie.
thanx casey stephens

YOU ARE A LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN
Subject: disney boycott
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
From: Peter
In reference to: Is the Disney Boycott a Proper Response?

A COLUMN BY DICK ROLFE
President/CEO, THE DOVE FOUNDATION
this is the lamest, limp-wristed Christian position I have heard in a long time You might as well say: If you don't like abortions, then don't have one or if you think pornography is immoral, then don't buy it you said, "If you object to an activity they permit at their theme parks like Gay Pride Day, don't attend"

What a weak, yet easy thing to do, just ignore it!! Christians are supposed to REBUKE evil and fight the powers of Satan, not cower in fear or indifference (or merely support righteousness) It's so easy to wink at sin and pretend it's not there!

How about shedding some light, and revealing sin, so that people may turn from their sin, and repent? Would you say "If you see a man committing sin, merely ignore him and save your time to say "horray" when he does good."? Jesus set the example when he encouraged people by saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." When he saw sin, he tried to do something about it, did not merely forgive or ignore Jesus was NOT easy on sin. "If you oppose Disney's corporate fringe benefits policies for same sex partners, don't apply there for a job." sounds like... If you don't like the work of Satan, then don't be his follower I find you lukewarm, saddingly... like most of not-my-business Christianity

Response: You seem to be suggesting that Jesus participated in boycotts and protests against the sins of his day. Hmmm. I think not. John 8:3-11 comes to mind. Jesus did not throw stones, as you seem to be advocating, but rather built bridges. You might try doing that too. You should also know that Jesus died for the Gay community, and for you and me. God loves homosexuals just as much as the the hetrosexuals. I love Gays too. -David

LIBERTIES TAKEN
Subject: Liberties taken with Biblical truth
Prince_of_Egypt
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001
From: Sarah

As far as the plot liberties taken by the filmakers in POE, lighten up. Egyption family life is better simplified; the reality was a lot weirder than the most corrupt film in Hollywood. In the Bible, Moses was found by Pharoah's sister - and guess who the Egyption royalty married most often? If her mummy was found, I would'nt be surprised if she was Pharoah's niece or aunt as well. The probable reason for the decline of a dynasty was inbreeding; many Pharoanic mummies have revealed terrible medical problems. I liked the film a great deal. The art was dead-on correct (I have an MFA, so I can gas off legally on this topic).

Also, the film is ART - not Bible. People complained to Michelangelo, too. Best of all, this film is Watchable; an important feature when you have, say, ten children's vidiotapes you end up having to listen to over and over. It is aesthetically pleasing, and the worst songs are not that bad at all.
Sarah

BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH
Subject: review Crouching_Tigers
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001
From: Betty

Our family is split down the middle on this film. Though I found it beautiful to watch I cannot say I liked the film. There were many, many things that the film did very well. I would have to say it was the best use of wires/flying I have ever scene, especially the scene in the bamboo. However, as you look at a story and see who's character the story really is. I did not like that person. I was never interested in her story. Rather, I would have loved to have learned more about two of the other characters. It is an interesting film about finding who you are, and honor. Fat was wonderful.
--Betty

BOOKS-WONDERFUL. MOVIE-GOOD
Subject: Left Behind
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001
From: dawin

The Left Behind series of books is wonderful! The movie was good, as well. I do hope we will see the other books in the series made into movies. I agree with Pastor Rob, that people need the Lord and if one soul was saved because of this movie, it was worth it! The books and movie both helped my Christian walk. I was lacking in compassion for lost souls and now I want to plant the seed of knowing Christ in the hearts of others! I am also learning and loving the fact that the Rapture may occur very soon! We need to plant the seed with the world. If a person is lost and lives through the Rapture, there is a better chance of their choosing Christ if they have been introduced to the "salvation plan." To the neighsayers, you have to admit that the books and the movie are eye-openers. I cannot imagine a heart so hard that it would not receive a blessing from either! May God give you peace in your negative hearts! To those of you who loved the books and the movie, I hope you have let them get you more into the Word of God... the Bible! In Christ a friend

RELIGIOUS MESSAGE OVERSTATED
Subject: Roy Batty and the "Death of God" BladeRunner
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001
From: Linda

I think that maybe the religious message of Blade Runner is being overstated; It's not a tract for Christianity. But I hadn't really given much thought to the idea of the replicants as "fallen angels", and I think perhaps that analogy does hold. However, I don't think Rooy's killing of Tyrell is the "death of God": it wasn't Roy who said his sins were not something the "god of biio-mechanics wouldn't let you into heaven for". That was what Tyrell said. Roy was confessing to him what he had come to see as sins, thus developing morality, something which he presumably wouldn't have been outfitted with at his inception as a military design. Tyrrell was discounting them as trivial, which Roy knew they weren't. Thus he found that his "god", his creator, was a false god. I have always loved the scene where Roy saves Deckard on the roof, and I also still prefer the version of it with the eloquent voiceover saying that at that moment, Roy Batty "came to respect any life. His life. My life." It's like at that moment he became a "real boy", a real human. He at that time had the dove, the Holy Spirit, and when he saved Deckard and the dove goes skyward, it's like God rewards him with the "more life" he sought, gives him grace. I think all the hoo-haw over whether Deckard is a replicant or not detracts from thinking over the point of the film, which is just what does it mean to be human. I think it's much more poignant that Deckard the human finds love with an android. Being truly human isn't just a matter of having flesh and blood, but of caring for others. M. Emmet Walsh's character, with his references to "skin jobs", is less human than Rachel, who gets the shakes just like Deckard after she kills another replicant to save him. You could even argue that Gaf earns a little salvation here. Supposedly the "next gunslinger" out for Deckard's spot, at the end he had a chance to kill Rachel, the last "skin job", but didn't. He let her live, and left behind the origami unicorn (a creation of man's imagination) behind as testimony. I like his statement: "Too bad she won't live- but then, again, who does?"
Linda Oliver Bolivar, TN

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