Monday
Jun162003
Reflections on About Schmidt
Monday, June 16, 2003 at 11:04PM
Charlene and I watched About Schmidt last night. Some random reflections:
I was amazed at how much I related to Warren Schmidt. If you haven't seen the movie, he sees himself as trapped and surrounded by absurdity, but feels he can do little about it except politely conform. It's not a good thing that I identified with the Schmidt character. There are some movies with nudity in them that are anything but erotic. Schindler's List is one of them. This is another. When Schmidt retires, and all his boxed papers are thrown out, and some brash young kid takes over, I didn't know whether to identify more with the brash young kid or to Schmidt. I guess that makes me officially middle aged. People really don't know how to respond to grief. When Schmidt's wife dies, somebody gives him a sympathy card that made me laugh. Some of them are that bad. The platitudes get pretty wearying. The aging process can be pretty scary. From the first scene, I was drawn in by how beautifully the movie was crafted. It was not only a very moving film, but it was artfully done. I had to watch the opening few scenes twice. So much was said with so few words. If you watch the DVD, don't forget to watch some of the extras. The short films on the Woodmen Insurance building were great, especially (I think) number 4.
Reader Comments (13)
Just got to your website through Michael Corens.I take it you don't see any problem with a blood bought follower of Jesus Christ being entertained by an industry that could care less about our Saviour's name. How do you deal with the cursing in movies? What are your principles when it comes to that issue? What should they be? I'm curious.
Actually, I support a lot of industries that could care less about Jesus' name: grocery chains, gas stations, the list goes on. As for principles, I tend to use passages like Romans 14-15, which talks about how to handle disputable issues like this.
Thanks for your response. This topic draws much discussion in our house. I want to set an example for my kids. I am so grateful for God's grace. The day I was really wrestling with this issue I came to Romans 6 in my quiet time with God and it became so clear to me what my choices ought to be in this area. You mention Romans 14 and 15. I wonder if God would consider the cursing of his name a disputable matter.
I don't think so. But how to respond to those who don't follow Christ when they curse his name is a whole different matter. I can understand some trying to withdraw from everyone who does this, but I'm not sure it's the wisest route to take. I think some of our entertainment choices clearly are black and white issues. There are some choices, though, in which it's not always clear. I think it's healthy to hold personal convictions on these matters, but I always get a bit nervous when we try to paint grey areas black and white - a tendency that I think we all tend to share. By the way, www.screenit.com is quite good.
Another passage that comes to mind for me is 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. My life used to be compromised in so many ways especially with respect to my entertainment choices. I thank God for his grace. What does it mean to live a righteous, holy life for God? I beleive that is the greatest point of compromise in evangelical churches today, modern day culture and how we allow it to influence the church and our lives at the expense of our holy walk with God.
Not sure watching a movie violates that passage, but I know what you're driving at. George, I guess I've known too many Christians who are blameless when it comes to their entertainment and relationship choices but could care less about loving people and making disciples. The answer, for me, isn't a rigid set of rules about seeing movies vs. not seeing movies, but rather the exercise of good judgment and staying close to God's heart, including the types of people that Jesus cared about. I sometimes think a lot of our churches would be more comfortable with the Pharisees than with Jesus. This isn't to put you down - I don't know you and I'm not saying you're like this. It would be a lot easier to withdraw from the world, but not only would the world lose out on something, but I think we would as well.
Let me know if there is a limit on the number of posts. I feel so strongly on this issue and am raising it in my own church. I see so clearly as a police officer dealing with youth issues how movies and music and culture in general influence our kids. We need to take a stand as Christians. We need to give our kids a set of Godly principles that they can use to assist them in making choices. We are losing too many kids.
No limits on comments. Augustine said, "If you but love God you may do as you incline." Don't you think that watching inappropriate movies is a symptom of the problem rather than the problem itself?
Here's some good principles I think 1.I will do all things as unto the Lord. 2. I will live in light of the judgement seat of Christ. 3.I will consider my weaker brother in all I do. 4. I will do nothing unless I am sure that it is right to do. 5. I will do all things to the glory of God. (Isn't that why we exist to glorify God? Can I do that being entertained by a movie like About Schmidt. Is that a good example for my kids?) 6. I will avoid every kind of evil. 7. I will abstain from things that will enslave me 8. I will seek always to do what Jesus would do. (Would Jesus allow himself to be entertained by About Schmidt a movie in which they curse his name?) George PS These principles are from James MacDonald of Walk in the Word ministries and Harvest Bible Chapel in the Chicago area. He did a series on Holiness - No more games - I highly recommend it
Thanks for your time and patience. Talk to you later, gotta get ready for work
George, I'm moving on to some other stuff here after this comment. Some good principles. I think you've answered some of them differently than I would, which again is the point of Paul's teaching in Romans 14-15. Personally, I would eat meat offered to idols. You might not. The answer isn't a rigid rule. Yet both are trying to live out the eight principles you've mentioned. (I can some back then asking, "Well, do you think Jesus would offer meat offered to idols?") Obviously, watching the movie would be wrong for you, so please don't. I'm glad, though, in this case that I did.
Lets say one of the members of your church comes up to you for advice. The member has been offered a role in a major motion picture. The role calls for the actor to curse Gods name and also to have sex outside of marriage. (What major motion picture, other than maybe Disney movies, don't have at least those two ingredients or of course they won't sell.)In your opinion, as a man of God, is it ok for the member to take on that role. If not why not? You don't have a problem with viewing such a movie. It seems to me you can rationalize that and point to Romans 14 and 15 in defence of your position. I would respectfully draw your attention to the book of Ephesians. Look at 5:1 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" Don't you think it grieves God when he sees his "dearly loved children" allowing themselves to be compromised by worldliness. And I'm not suggesting withdrawing from the world. Its a real challenge isn't it to be in the world but not of the world? What does it mean to be separate. What are your boundaries when it comes to entertainment. How many GDs would be too many for you. How much sex outside of marriage would be too much for you. What about the nudity that you mentioned. Would soft core porn be ok? What are your boundaries and as a man of God what principles with respect to those "disputable matters" would you give to those who truly desire to be committed followers of Jesus Christ.
Not sure we're going to agree on this one, George. I've tried to explain my boundaries. I'm sorry you disagree. It definitely is a tough area and one it's important to think through.