After years of watching TV shows and movies, I think I have finally gotten a grasp on Hollywood's theology and it's not a pretty picture (pun intended). It should come as no surprise to anyone that Hollywood's theology is vastly different from that of the average American. After all, Hollywood's morals and values are not representative of Middle America, so why should its theology be any different? Hollywood's theology is comprised of three basic tenets.
First, it is quite obvious that Hollywood has adopted some elements of new age and eastern philosophies, i.e., it believes God could be just about whomever or whatever anyone wants Him/Her/It to be. Hollywood's God could be some kind of benevolent spirit, floating around throughout the universe. If someone thinks God is just a man or woman, that's also valid according to Hollywood's theology. If someone thinks God is a bird, a tree, or a cloud, that's fine with Hollywood. If someone thinks a little bit of God is in everything living thing, that's great too.
However, I used the phrase "just about" because not every notion of God will pass Hollywood's politically correct litmus test. Not surprisingly, the Judeo-Christian notion of God - the one described in Holy Scriptures - doesn't qualify. God couldn't possibly be like that, according to Hollywood's theological standards. That concept of God is too narrow-minded for the Hollywood crowd.
Second, Hollywood holds that God couldn't care less whether or not we worship Him/Her/It. In fact, He/She/It doesn't care whether we recognize Him/Her/It or even acknowledge His/Her/Its existence, for that matter. Therefore, a person's belief system is rendered virtually irrelevant. Churches are only useful for weddings, memorial services, and funerals.
Instead, according to Hollywood, it is possible for an atheist to go to heaven. Hollywood argues that God is not jealous and has no sense of dominion or ownership over His/Her/Its creation. While Hollywood recognizes the fact that God does often intervene in the affairs human beings, it contends that He/She/It has no desire for any kind of permanent relationship with them.
Third, God does not demand that people obey Him/Her/It, nor is He/She/It concerned about certain types of moral values. Since obedience is not a requirement, repentance is never necessary. One's personal moral turpitude and how one relates to God are non-issues as well. For example, God doesn't really have a problem with any of the following: homosexual activity, sex between couples that aren't married to each other, profanity, or the use of God's name in vain.
Only the moral values governing a person's treatment of other people matter to God, according to the Hollywood gospel. For example, it's okay to be a complete hedonist as long as you give your fair share to charity and serve your community. The bottom line is that God's primary concern is that we do the best we can to be "good" people and model citizens. How we perform in that area will determine whether not we "make it" to heaven. Never mind the fact that this notion creates a theological imbroglio, i.e., how would you ever know how good is good enough?
What is this Hollywood-style theology based on? It is certainly not based on the teachings of the Holy Bible, although the Tinseltown brigade likes to selectively quote from it now and then. Obviously, this theology is based on the way Hollywood would like for things to be. Like many other entities and individuals, Hollywood molds the concept of God into something that fits in well with its own lifestyle and agenda.
True Christians know that, while Jesus (the only path to God) is always waiting for us with open arms, we must come to God on the terms that He has established, and not the other way around. I normally stay away from proselytizing, but that's just the plain old unvarnished truth.
Terry Mitchell is a software engineer, freelance writer, and trivia buff from Hopewell, VA. He also serves as a political columnist for American Daily and operates his own website - http://www.commenterry.com - on which he posts commentaries on various subjects such as politics, technology, religion, health and well-being, personal finance, and sports. His commentaries offer a unique point of view that is not often found in mainstream media.
Acts 5:1-5:10 Sex, Lies and Videotape Part 2. Lies. What... Read More
Cut off your Hand!Arguably the most bizarre command of Christ... Read More
How does a Christian really handle negative feelings and emotions... Read More
As discussed in the "The Gospel of Convenience", and "Investing... Read More
When the Lord was showing John on Patmos what the... Read More
DÉJÀ VU (Where have I heard this before?)(Note: May I... Read More
Has anyone noticed how fast 2004 is going? Hey, we... Read More
"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests... Read More
Romans 7:8-7:25. The Christian today has become a people without... Read More
Revelation 19:7 states, "Let us rejoice and give honor unto... Read More
Some people say beauty is only skin deep, others say... Read More
"With regard to the ancient Egyptians we have it on... Read More
It's Saturday night. You're sitting at home. Your phone has... Read More
Once you start to receive the knowledge and wisdom of... Read More
The new Pope is not expected to break ranks with... Read More
1. Where is the Rapture in all of this? There... Read More
Dear Readers, I received a letter this week that is... Read More
We are soon to celebrate once again the National Holiday... Read More
The human being is endowed with ability. We have the... Read More
The whole universe originated from Tao. Mankind also originated from... Read More
The modern historical era of liberal theology basically encompass four... Read More
Their reasoning must have been, "This is the precious gospel... Read More
Small BeginningsMy first experience in music ministry happened fairly soon... Read More
In the pursuit of his Christian ministry, the Apostle Paul... Read More
Who are these new Urban Christians? What's up with the... Read More
Hey, God is trying to partner with you! He wants... Read More
Here are a few pomes that may encourage you to... Read More
This next event will be a major one! The Bible... Read More
Part Three continuedIt is important to recover and relearn the... Read More
The first issue we must recognize is the way God... Read More
Revelation 8:8-8:9What will you be doing? How many people have... Read More
Isaiah 55:7-55:9Moslem America conclusion Let the wicked forsake his way,... Read More
The western church is seen by the world as anything... Read More
There are so many books out there on being a... Read More
If your view of religion is like most people, you... Read More
Some people may ask how do we serve God and... Read More
Clue Number 2: You Have Spiritual GiftsIn part 1 you... Read More
The framework for the message this morning will consist of... Read More
There is now one more set of 7 judgments God... Read More
In looking back on the year that has just ended-a... Read More
Is the Old Testament equal in every way to the... Read More
From the late 1970's through the 1980's, my wife and... Read More
With the passing of Arafat, the Middle East will take... Read More
Thomas Carlyle is just one of the interesting characters who... Read More
Clue Number 1: You Have TalentYou were born with at... Read More
To really understand how we all got here, what it... Read More
The farmer handed buckets to us, the blueberry pickers. "You're... Read More
Have you ever looked into a mirror and wondered what... Read More
"Christianity posits the realization of human freedom not here on... Read More
Why MeAs a Christian I feel the need to say... Read More
Americans waited for an explanation of the molestations of thousands... Read More
GREAT PROPHECY TIPSHOW TO UNMASK DECEPTION"To the law and to... Read More
Some people say beauty is only skin deep, others say... Read More
Today certainly is a present and we are to rejoice... Read More
William Jennings Bryan said: "Christians desire that their children shall... Read More
Helping others was something Jesus did on a daily basis.... Read More
For it is written in Proverbs 1:7 it says The... Read More
I think most people who will read this will not... Read More
Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25.In my view, the significance... Read More
In the year 2005, the American Constitution has put into... Read More
One cannot begin to appreciate the early struggles of Christianity... Read More
Now many confuse love with admiration and most commonly sexual... Read More
As I am sure you all can tell by now,... Read More
Kingdom of Heaven is Ridley Scott's way of trying to... Read More
Hold on to your hat! Here comes one of the... Read More
Why does every one believe that Jesus is the son... Read More
Religion |