Dark Knight

Ray Ortlund, upon viewing the movie The Dark Knight:

Visually stimulating. Technologically impressive. Hollywood has fast-forwarded a gazillion years since my favorite films by Steve McQueen and John Wayne. But peel off the layers of glittering presentation, and what's actually there? A ripping good yarn. I grant that. But not much else. In fact, it comes down to a lie of human idealization being passed off on the public because they're supposed to be better off thinking the lie. That violates everything I believe. I learned nothing. I was not enriched in any way.

Immanuel Church cannot compete with Hollywood in terms of raw momentary impact. No church can. But that's one of the great things about church. It can be real. It can be entry-level discovery, for anyone, of the Lovely One who will amaze us forever.

I'm weary with the world's disappointing stimulants. I want more of Christ.

Though I reacted negatively at first to this "review," I can't help but think he's at least partially right. I often wonder if my sensibilities are not as offended at entertainment as they should be. Yes, we should engage the culture in order that we bring people to Christ. But where is the line? Unholy means never justify the glorious end when it comes to the gospel. Our actions must be a direct reflection of the gospel, not only a way to it. I suspect that we (read: I) do things in the name of cultural engagement and gospel witness when we are really only getting a pleasure fix. Though Ray's piece might be an overstatement, we should not avoid the basic teaching.

HT: JT