“Titanic”: Phenomena or Failure

By Rodney Pitts

Back a few months ago, I watched for the first time much of the Academy Awards. Although this is quite uncharacteristic of me, I became a bit interested in just how many awards the movie “Titanic” would receive. And, not to disappoint, Titanic received, I believe, eleven awards for its ground breaking special effects, cinematic presentation, and close eye for detail and accuracy in many areas. This was a director’s masterpiece. No other movie has ever presented this tragic voyage with such feeling, flare, and realism. In addition to this, the ill-fated cruise liner provides a backdrop for the also tragic (but fictitious) “love story” of Jack, a “third class street urchin” and Rose, the rich, but “socially chained” soul. It seems that all the pieces were present and carefully put into place. And, entertainment hungry Americans responded appreciatively by turning out in droves, filling the theaters night after night, week after week, with audiences both young and old alike. And, de- spite being the most expensive movie ever made, I believe “Titanic” now holds the coveted position of the biggest money maker in movie history, surpassing such “giants” as “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park.” No one can deny that this movie has made itself a place in entertainment history.

Of course, it is not with the technical and cinematic qualities of this movie that this article is concerned. It is the content that I would like to address. Because I have heard Christians rave about how wonderful this movie really is, I thought it might be nice to watch it myself. Be- fore I would do that, however, I decided to take a look at “Screenit.com” on the Internet to see what parts, if any, this movie contained that were objectionable. “www.Screenit. com” is a wonderful site, by the way, for those who are concerned about the moral content of the movies they view. In other words, it is a site tailor-made for Christians. As I logged on the site and looked up “Titanic,” what I saw was less than encouraging. What is a cinematic wonder is also a moral debacle. And, its success is a sad commentary on the loss of our society’s, and a large number of Christians’, moral compass.

It seems that most of the hoopla surrounding the movie centered on the “love story” between two characters named “Jack” and “Rose.” Although most of us can and do enjoy a love story at times, I am truly concerned that Americans, and especially Christians, became so enthralled with the portrayal of a romance so full of sin and immorality. The whole force of this story is how Jack’s “Bohemian” influence “frees” Rose from her “stiff” and “confining” societal rules and leads her to the “freedom” of a life filled with drunkenness, lasciviousness, and fornication. What a wonderful message to imbibe for Christian parents and children seeking to follow God’s directive that “. . . as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15). What are we thinking?

In addition to this, Screenit.com pointed out that there are several scenes where Rose is nude and another where Jack and Rose are shown in the very act of fornication. And, al- though no total nudity was shown during this last mentioned scene, does that really matter? Also, nude paintings of Rose are clearly displayed and talk is made between Rose and the crew concerning whether any sexual activity had happened between her and Jack. Brethren, when our children are young we have them sing “Be careful little eyes what you see . . . Be careful little ears what you hear . . .” Is that no longer true for Christians today? Has not the Lord warned us to “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23) and that       “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:28)? Are we not commanded to “abstain from every form of evil” and to “have no fellow- ship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (1 Thess. 5:22; Eph. 5:11)? Surely viewing a movie like this, no matter how “wonderful” the setting might be, cannot be God’s desire for godly Christians.

And, if the above mentioned immorality were not enough (and it is), Screenit.com also points out that the Titanic contains a wealth of profanity and vulgarity. According to the statistics, Titanic contains some 49 words/phrases of profanity, seventeen of which take the name of our Almighty God, Creator, and judge in vain. And yet, the examiners admit that “with all of the panic and pandemonium toward the end, there may be more exclamations (especially of the religious variety) than noted.” Also, Rose is said to have made an obscene gesture with her finger to one of the other passengers. Brethren, is this what we should “pay” to go and see at the theater or “pay” to have piped right into our living rooms? And, more importantly, is this the kind of behavior we would like to see mimicked in our lives and the lives of our children? God forbid (Rom. 6:1-2; Matt. 5:16).

Now, if you have read this and have simply dismissed it as the ramblings of a “moral alarmist,” then ask yourself this question. Would you allow these same people to come into your living room and talk in the same fashion, remove their clothing, and commit the same acts of fornication in front of you, your family, etc., as they have done in front of you on the “silver screen”? If not, why not?

In conclusion I would like to make one last observation. Although I realize that “Titanic” will continue to be lauded by the world for it technical wizardry and dramatic presentation, the focal point of its morally degenerate plot leaves much for the godly Christian to desire. Its success, therefore, is less a phenomena than real evidence of a moral failure for all Christians and our society that willingly chose to patronize (especially repeatedly) such an ungodly portrayal of “love” set before the backdrop of such a tragic event.

“Legally Accurate”

By Valerie L. Durham

So, does the preeminent Judge let the serpent off the hook, since everything he said was strictly true? Of course not! God saw through the deception and cursed the serpent. It is also prudent to note that the serpent is the father of “legal accuracy.”

 

There is much talk today about the difference between perjury and legal accuracy as it applies to the United States’ judicial system. Let’s look at some examples of legal accuracy from the Old Testament.

The Serpent

Let us consider what the serpent (the most cunning of any beast of the field) said to Eve when he convinced her to eat the forbidden fruit. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’” (Gen 3:4, 5). If one looks closely at the words the serpent uses in this case, it can be construed that everything he said was “legally accurate.” It was true that Adam and Eve would not die — at least not for many hundreds of years. It was also true that their eyes were open and they, like God, knew the difference between good and evil (Gen. 3:7). So, does the preeminent Judge let the serpent off the hook, since everything he said was strictly true? Of course not! God saw through the deception and cursed the serpent. It is also prudent to note that the serpent is the father of “legal accuracy.” “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

Cain

What were the words Cain used when God confronted him with the murder of his brother? Consider the text: “Then the Lord said to Cain,

‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He (Cain) said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’” (Gen 4:9). Cain has a convenient memory lapse here, as he has “forgotten” that he had murdered his brother. He also evades God’s question by asking another question. Do these games work for Cain? Does God fall for these tricks? No, Cain was punished for his deeds. God knows the intents of all men (Ps. 94:11), and the intent of the heart is what constitutes a lie as opposed to the literal words.

Abram

Now Abram (or Abraham, as he is later known) is remembered as the father of the Jews and a faithful follower of God. Yet he is not immune from being guilty of the sin of “legal accuracy.” Consider the following ac- count. “And it came to pass, when he (Abram) was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, ‘Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you’”

(Gen 12:11-13). This is what is called a “cover story.” Abram and Sarai had to get their stories straight when asked about their relationship. Was there anything wrong with Abram’s assertion that Sarai was his sister? Sarai was actually Abram’s half-sister, therefore this was a legally accurate statement. However, it is a half-truth which, because of Abram’s intentions, was a whole-lie. There were consequences for Abram’s twisting of the facts. Pharaoh took Sarai into his house and suffered many plagues because of it.

Joseph’s Brothers

Joseph’s brothers were jealous of their father’s preference for Joseph, and although deterred from killing him, they sold him into slavery. They deceived their father into thinking Joseph was dead. “So they (Joseph’s brothers) took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and brought it to their father and said, ‘We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?’ And he recognized it and said, ‘It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces’” (Gen 37:31-33). Did the brothers lie when they brought the coat to Jacob? They merely asked if it was Joseph’s tunic. Notice, Jacob is the one that wrongly deduced that a beast devoured his son. Maybe Jacob would have deter- mined the truth if he asked follow-up questions to his sons. Is it Jacob’s deficiency that he concluded that Joseph was dead, or was it the brothers’ shortcoming for allowing their father to believe a lie? The answer is clear to any reasonable person.

Saul

King Saul, God’s anointed, was instructed by God to “utterly destroy” the Amalekites for their misdeeds. Saul returned victorious from battle with the king of Amalek and the best of their belongings in tow. Samuel met Saul to tell him of God’s displeasure. “Then Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, ‘Blessed are you of the Lord! I have performed the commandment of the Lord.’ But Samuel said, ‘What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?’ And Saul said, ‘They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed’” (1 Sam 15:13-15).

Saul speaks the truth here. Saul did carry out the will of the Lord — al- most. Notice how he shifted the blame to the people for bringing the cattle. Saul, was the king and, no doubt, the people would have obeyed his words on the matter. Also, they kept the cattle for a noble purpose — as sacrifice to God. Surely God would overlook this slight transgression of his command since it was for a good cause. God did not accept this explanation, and Samuel explained: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22). At this point, King Saul was quite popular with the people. They had the king that they desired. If polled, the Israelites would have likely given Saul a high approval rating at this time for his job performance. What does God think about popularity as a judge of righteousness? In Luke 16:15 our Lord said, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Saul was punished for his sin with no partiality given to legal accuracy, good intentions, or popularity.

One day, all will stand before the throne on high. The record will be there of all that was done in the flesh, whether good or evil. God knows the hearts and deeds of all men. No one will get off on a technicality. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:21-23).

God Controls It All

By Forrest Morris

The mighty grandeur of sitting sun, magnificently ends the day

Lightning streaks across the sky, displaying it’s brilliant ray.

Thunder finishes with drum-like roll, as raindrops start their fall

And clouds unfold to reveal therein, mountain peaks so tall.

Then in radiance, brightly lit, above the mountains high

Hang the many countless stars, across the darkening sky.

A rainbow connects east to west, as Winter winds doth blow

Soon the drops of rain that fall will turn to whitened snow.

All these things that I observe, are not mere happenstance

But rather have a purpose here, and not just left to chance.

I venture further on to say,

that “God Controls It All” And that is why it’s like it is,

on this terrestrial ball.

Suicide Gains Sympathy

By John Isaac Edwards

According to an Associated Press article in the Louisville Courier Journal, Hallmark Cards Inc. is adding a new dimension to its card collection. Hallmark is making a sympathy card for those who lose someone to suicide. “There was a resounding response for this kind of card,” said company spokeswoman Rachel Bolton. The card has a light blue background with a cloudy skyline across the front. At the bottom, a lone sailboat sits on calm water. The message inside describes someone fleeing from life and the impossibility of knowing that person’s suffering. It also seeks to reassure the reader that “our compassion- ate Creator” understands and “already has welcomed” the loved one home.

The attitude of our society toward suicide is changing. More and more people are accepting it, feeling more comfortable with it, and are condoning it. Even well respected physicians are assisting in the process today. It is time that we ask, “What is God’s attitude toward suicide, and what does the Bible have to say about it?”

Some Statistics

Now reaching epidemic proportions, suicide is currently the third leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. Nearly 30,000 Americans commit suicide each year. For every completed suicide, it is estimated that as many as 50 to 100 suicide attempts are made. In the past three decades, the suicide rate among teenagers 15-19 years of age has tripled. One out of four high school students has contemplated suicide in the last year. These figures, furnished by Los Angeles Unified School District Student Health and Human Services Division, underscore the magnitude of the problem and the urgent need to seek a solution to the suicide epidemic.

Suicide In The Bible

There are seven recorded cases of suicide in the Bible.

Six are found in the Old Testament and there is one in the New Testament.

1. Abimilech. “Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died” (Judg. 9:54). He was slain by his armourbearer, but he ordered it done.

2. Samson. “And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life” (Judg. 16:30).

3. Saul. “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it” (1 Sam. 31:4).

4. Saul’s armourbearer. “And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him” (1 Sam. 31:5).

5. Ahithophel. “And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and get him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father” (2 Sam. 17:23).

6. Zimri. “And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire, and died” (1 Kings 16:18).


7. Judas. “And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself”

(Matt. 27:5). Luke recorded, “Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he

burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18).

None of these was a faithful child of God!

What Causes People To Commit Suicide?

There are many common traits among persons who commit suicide. Depression, lack of social support, stress and anxieties, publicity, grief over departed loved ones and a desire to join them, lack of self-control, to escape responsibility, sickness and disease, and on and on it goes.

What’s Wrong With Suicide?

1. Suicide is self-murder. Paul told the Romans, “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill,

Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Rom. 13:9). Among the works of

The flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 is “murders” and the Holy Spirit revealed, “that they which do such things shall not

Inherit the kingdom of God.” It is just as wrong and sinful to kill self as it is to kill another! John recorded, “But the

Fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and

All liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21: 8). Does that sound to you like the Creator already has welcomed them home? 2. Suicide is destruction of another’s property. Some may reason, “It is my life and my body and I’ll do with it what I please.” Well, that’s really not the case. Paul asked the Corinthian Christians, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). When you take your life you are bringing an end to something that

belongs to God!

3. Suicide is a sin you can’t repent of. Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”

(Luke 13:3). Once you’re dead it’s too late to make things right with God!

The Answer To Suicide

There is only one answer to suicide — being a faithful Christian. Take the Lord’s yoke, not your life! Jesus invites, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). God is a compassionate Creator who knows your every trouble, heartache, and sorrow and he cares. Peter wrote, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). Turn to the Lord, not the bottle, pills, a knife, or a gun!