Heroes and Villains

I was visiting one of the blogs I read regularly this morning. They were having a discussion of the movie "Avatar," the new effects driven sci-fi "epic" that came out over the weekend. The reviews from my fellow nerds and geeks were something less than stellar. In fact, the consensus was that the movie was horrible.

I can't say that I was surprised. I have no intention of seeing this film any time in the near future. The following is an excerpt from my part of the discussion:

Hm, let’s see if I get this right. Noble native peoples in touch with nature? check. Evil, greedy corporation? check. Evil, brutal military? check. A “hero” that switches sides when he falls in love with a native and her people? check. Able to figure out the entire plot from watching the trailer? check and check.

Admittedly, there have always been cliches in movies. Some of them, I actually enjoy seeing from time to time, like the good guys always win. Remember when that was the case? How about when the people who are the good guys in real life (police, military, etc.) were the good guys on film? That time has passed for most of the tripe out of Hollywood with the exception of some of the better comic films out there.

Avatar is just another in a long list of interchangeable films that are nothing more than winy political clap trap that exchange a good story for “making a point.” I’m all for making a point, but I happen to believe that it is better made when the characters and story are better and the message is more subtle. People are not stupid and do not need the point to be made in such a blatant and shallow manner. OK, I get it, after who knows how many films in several genres, you don’t like the military, corporations, and capitalism and you like getting back to nature and the environment.

You may have guessed from my opinion that I do not enjoy films of this kind. I do enjoy thoughtful science fiction, but not this junk. I have to say that I prefer true heroes to those who are actually betrayers of their principles and people. I miss the days when honor and integrity were the makings of a hero. A time when a soldier was honored in film as the hero not as a psycho or villain.

I no longer expect much from Hollywood on this front. Long have the true heroes of our world been the villain in most popular entertainment. Today, I have finally seen the ultimate in heroic role reversal. In the new film "Legion," God Himself is the villain. Scheduled for release in January, this grand cinematic achievement tells the story of God deciding to destroy the earth when He no longer believes in mankind. Instead of a flood or other calamity, he sends armies of angels to destroy people. The look and act like demons committing acts of pure barbarism and bloodlust. They are evil in manner, appearance, and character. The hero, if you want to call him that, is a rebellious angel who takes it unto himself to save mankind. So, a rebel against God is the hero.

So here we are. God is bad, a rebellious angel (read demon) is the hero, and man owes its continued existence to this demon. I don't know what to say here except to remind you of the end of the first chapter of Romans, "calling evil good and giving hearty approval to those who do likewise." Can there be any greater example of the fulfillment of this Scripture?

This isn't the first time this type of garbage has been produced. I remember fiction from my youth that had similar themes or themes of an aloof god who doesn't care. However, they were never something that made it into the mainstream of film and literature. This film has the look of a good budget. I hope that it is a colossal flop.

I wish I could be surprised, but I cannot. In an entertainment culture in which vampires and other occult beings are portrayed as heroes, God as a villain is unfortunately to be expected. I leave it to you, gentle reader, to decide what you will do with this information. For me, God is still the ultimate hero exemplified in His Son. No demon of darkness or Hollywood nonsense will ever be able to change that.

The Curse of Competency

Several years ago, one of my former mentors taught me of a principle that I have tried to never forget. As we sat eating lunch, he put down his sandwich and got very serious. He told me that I had a lot of great skills and potential, which of course I thanked him for saying that. His next words changed the tone entirely. He said that it wasn't a compliment but a warning. One anyone, especially a pastor, has a wide set of skills to operate in, everyone will want you to use them. Using them is one thing, but they often will want you to do everything. They will put huge demands on your time. He warned that I would pulled in a million different directions at once as different people with different agendas would want my help and skills. He called this the "Curse of Competence."

Over the years since that conversation, I have never forgotten the principle. I don't consider myself anything extraordinary, but I have experienced these demands first hand as I have grown in ministry. Even now, I am wrestling with being in a position of excessive demand. I am praying for guidance on all of my involvements daily asking for wisdom. At the moment, I have violated the second half of the principle.

I have begun to move in a large circle of fellow pastors and ministers, each more deserving and competent than I could ever hope to be. As I have watched these dynamic men of God, I see this curse upon their shoulders. Over and over, I have heard the same statement from different mouths, "I'm too busy." Not only are they dealing with heavy demands from their various congregations, they also feel pressure from city wide ministries to get involved. Lots of people all over the area want them to be a part of what they're doing. All too often, these skilled and gifted men are stretched very thin.

Which brings about the second half of the principle. I learned in that conversation many years ago that the most powerful and necessary word in my vocabulary was and remains, "No." There are two reasons for this. The first is obvious, if we don't say no, then we risk getting overwhelmed by the work load and excessive schedule. We are no longer able to function well in any of them because our time and energy are not sufficient to give all of these things we do our full attention. Of course, our families suffer for our schedule and wind up without us in their lives at the level they need us.

The other reason for "no" is one of the essential reasons for ministry. Ministry is not about getting things done but about developing people. Our job is to equip the saints for service. If we are doing all the work, others never get a chance to grow. Rather than allowing ourselves to fall into the trap, it's better to act in a support role and allow others to develop and grow in their gifts and talents. The Kingdom benefits from this far more than from our efforts as individuals.

So, at the moment, if you ask me to do anything more than I already am, the answer is no.