Newspapers / Montreat College Student Newspaper / Nov. 19, 2003, edition 1 / Page 3
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Opinions Editoriais Why Don’t We Study the Bible? Sacra (0 In the next issue I ■ Hi would like to lookatsome D) reasons the Bible gives o for the study of Scrip- ture. Let me know what o 0) you are thinking; write me a response (approxi mately 100 words) at £ 1- greenebt@montreat. edu. by Tyler Greene One of the great cries of the Reformers during the Protestant Reformation was Sola Scriptura - Scripture Alone. Their battle was to reclaim the Word of God and to passionately believe and live every word of it. My greatest fear is that we, the descendants of the reformers have, to a great extent, lost this. Not because we don’t believe the Bible, but rather because we don’t know the Bible. We live in an age when Chris tians who have read the entire Bible are but a small minority. The reformers fought to claim the Bihle for everyone at a time when only the hierarchy of the church was allowed to own it. It seems odd to me that since we have the privilege to own the Scriptures, we do not study them. Before the Reformation, Bihles were chained to pulpits by the church to keep them from the laity, but now the Scriptures are being kept from us, attached to our bookshelves by chains Of neglect. Why is this? I agree with theologian R.C. Sproul who says that it is due in part to two myths about the Scriptures: difficulty and dull ness. First, he believes that many people think the Bible is too hard for the average person to under stand. But, this is the very idea that Martin Luther fought the Catholic Church over. The Cath olic Church was saying that if the common man had the Scripture that no good could come from it. But this is precisely the point that Luther was trying to make: the Scriptures’ basic message was so clear that even the dullest mind could understand it. Sproul writes, “This is not to say that all parts of the Bible are equally clear or that there are no difficult passages or sections to be found in it. Laymen unskilled in the ancient languages and the fine points of exegesis (interpreting Scripture) may have difficulty with parts of Scripture, but the essential content is clear enough to be understood easily.” The second myth is that the Bible is boring. I believe this is because we have so many things fighting for our affection. Things like T.V., movies, music, Internet, and video games fill our time. They provide us with enter tainment that keeps us occupied for a while, and when compared with studying the Bible they are more entertaining. However, the Movie Review: Matrix: Revolutions By Moriah Geer-Hardwick Undeniably, the first Matrix was a work of genius. Bril liant special effects married in happy union to a well-written, innovative plot. The second one admittedly shook my confidence as a blind worshiper, and had me praying for a miracle in the third. Now, having seen the final installment of what has been called the “Star Wars of our gen eration,” all I can think is, “Why, oh why, didn’t I take the blue pill?” In my opinion (untainted by such trivialities as humbleness), a good trilogy builds and ulti mately completes a framework of theme, language, and image that exists inherently throughout all three parts. The Hollywood trend these days is to try to top the first successful film by exploiting whatever formula worked in the first place. Thus innovation is reduced to fonnu- laic, and predictable, patterns. So you liked the kung fu fights between Neo and Agent Smith? Well, how about Neo fighting a million Agent Smiths! And you think big scary robots are cool? How about a million of those! What was added into the second and third films that didn’t seem to be in the first was the extensive use of blatant movie cliches. Like, why do good guys have enough time to orate their own lengthy epitaphs as they die, while bad guys die without so much as a whimper? And how is it, after an impressive display of advanced combative technol ogy, the fate of all humanity is decided with a drawn out kung fu battle, the likes of which have not been seen since “Dragon Ball Z”? Not that the film was a com plete waste of time. The special effects at least are enough to warrant the price of a movie ticket. The battle sequences were absolutely incredible. Watching swarms of hundreds of thousands of Sentinel robots attacking a handful of resisting humans is definitely an experience of epic proportions. Spectacular martial arts and brutal gunfights within the Matrix are enough to make any John Woo fanatic swoon. My real dissatisfaction is found in the story, or rather the lack thereof. It’s not even the fact that the ending leaves the expla nation of events rather vague. It’s more that I felt annoyed that this last film didn’t seem to take the adequate time to explore artisti cally the themes and elements of the story. Everything felt rushed and glossed over for the sake of superfluous eye-candy. Finally, there is the obvious temptation to label this film as “Christian.” Neo indeed seems to represent a noble Christ- figure, and there are undeniable faith driven messages. No doubt the entire religious community will be quick to jump on this bandwagon, holding up Matrix: Revolutions as a bamier for their beliefs. I would recommend extreme caution with this, as there are also many obvious anti- Christian elements within the movie. For example, the equality Bible contains something we all need that these other things don’t: the very truth of God. The Bible was not given to us by God as a divine form of enterr tainment (though I believe it is entertaining), but rather as his Word that gives us life. It alone contains the information that we need to know about who God is and what His will for us is. With such an important message how could any Christian possibly neglect the constant study of it? In the next issue I would like to look at some reasons the Bible gives for the study of Scripture. Let me know what you are thinking; write me a response (approximately 100 words) at greenebt@montreat.edu. of Agent Smith and Neo, as well as the fact that one cannot exist without the other, is definitely a Buddhist principle. If Christian ity wishes to remain effective in this day and age it would do best to take the innovative stand of not using pop-culture as a crutch for validity. Final take: Not a bad Sci- fi flick, but uninteresting and ahnoyingly patronizing with its vague religious dogma. Watch it for the cool effects and impres sive fight scenes, but don’t go looking for a life changing, mind-altering experience. Really, because if this movie completes you as a person and settles the meaning of existence for you, then you should volunteer for experimental medicine and save the life of some poor lab rat. Rated R for sci-fi violence and brief sexual content. Man who eat many pranes get good run for money. The bigger they are the harder they fall. This week’s ^ new poll is... Do you support Lorem-lpsum? a) Yes b) No c) Indifferent Submit answers to MontreatpolKghotmail.com Or drop responses in Box 839 Results will be printed in the next issue L December 12 Tire Connection With Student ID Card: One free rotation & balance per 6 mo. wmcgee2631@aol.com 828.664.1300 117 Sutton Ave. BIk. Mtn 28711 CAR•VANS•TRUCKS•BOATS CLEAN •WASH* WAX The Detail Shop (828) 669-0199 George Thompson Owner 206 E. State Street Black Mountain, NC 28711 Nov. 19,2003, Page 3 The Whetstone
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