Have you ever wondered how much persecution and pain you would tolerate for your faith if put into the situation? Are you prepared to face death? I’ve often wondered these things about myself. Here's an insightful article from Answers In Genesis:
“He was a martyr for a good cause.” A person is put to death (often quite brutally) because he refuses to recant his beliefs and teachings when he is demanded to do so by angry opponents. So, we have Muslim martyrs, Jewish martyrs, communist martyrs, Christian martyrs, Buddhist martyrs, Hindu martyrs, etc. They are all the same, right? Not really.
The English word “martyr” is an almost direct transliteration from the New Testament Greek word, martus, which originally meant a “witness.” It was especially used in the early church to signify those who were witnesses of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (e.g., Acts 1:22), and consequently many of those apostles died giving testimony of their Lord. In current usage it usually means one who is killed for refusing to renounce their religious faith, practices, and beliefs. The unspoken assumption is that if the person would renounce his beliefs, then he would not be put to death—and thereby avoid martyrdom. History is replete with tales of martyrs: from Old Testament believers, to the Apostles, to the early Church fathers, down to our time, especially in areas like the Sudan, the Middle East, the Philippines, Indonesia, and parts of South America. For the most part, these have been either Jewish or Christian martyrs, and the logical question to ask would be why. Why not Buddhists or Taoists or Hindu martyrs to the same extent? We will consider that question in due course...Read More
Showing posts with label Answers In Genesis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Answers In Genesis. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The (Im)moral of the Story
Answers In Genesis reviews Will Smith's new movie.
The popular culture is infused with beliefs contrary to the Book of Genesis (and the Bible in general), and it’s not just the high-profile debate over origins that regularly plays out in society. Take Seven Pounds, the latest movie by box-office megastar Will Smith, which was number two at the box office when released just before Christmas. Television commercials continue to proclaim that the movie is “the perfect holiday gift.” Smith, as co-producer, is also banking on his considerable charm plus the promise of a movie about redemption and selfless giving to lure moviegoers during the holidays.
Yet what audiences end up watching is a film that makes suicide look noble—though the gruesome way the protagonist kills himself could not be described as glorifying suicide. For whatever inspirational and altruistic moments there might be in the movie (which may have prompted the producers to time its release for Christmas), it has some very dark moments, especially at the end. While unwary theatergoers might hear about the film’s apparent heartwarming story of the unselfish acts of Smith’s character, this is by no means light holiday fare.
Seven Pounds tells the story of a man who decides that life is not worth living anymore. His deep emotional distress comes from both guilt and grief, and as he descends more and more into self-absorption, he kills himself to alleviate his suffering. At the film’s beginning, you sympathize with this tormented soul and are moved by his altruistic acts toward many strangers. Even before he kills himself, Will Smith’s character donates body parts so that others can live; his suicide provides additional body parts so that others (including one who turns out to be his love interest) can live.
Read the article HERE
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You (Psalm 33:20–22).
The popular culture is infused with beliefs contrary to the Book of Genesis (and the Bible in general), and it’s not just the high-profile debate over origins that regularly plays out in society. Take Seven Pounds, the latest movie by box-office megastar Will Smith, which was number two at the box office when released just before Christmas. Television commercials continue to proclaim that the movie is “the perfect holiday gift.” Smith, as co-producer, is also banking on his considerable charm plus the promise of a movie about redemption and selfless giving to lure moviegoers during the holidays.
Yet what audiences end up watching is a film that makes suicide look noble—though the gruesome way the protagonist kills himself could not be described as glorifying suicide. For whatever inspirational and altruistic moments there might be in the movie (which may have prompted the producers to time its release for Christmas), it has some very dark moments, especially at the end. While unwary theatergoers might hear about the film’s apparent heartwarming story of the unselfish acts of Smith’s character, this is by no means light holiday fare.
Seven Pounds tells the story of a man who decides that life is not worth living anymore. His deep emotional distress comes from both guilt and grief, and as he descends more and more into self-absorption, he kills himself to alleviate his suffering. At the film’s beginning, you sympathize with this tormented soul and are moved by his altruistic acts toward many strangers. Even before he kills himself, Will Smith’s character donates body parts so that others can live; his suicide provides additional body parts so that others (including one who turns out to be his love interest) can live.
Read the article HERE
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You (Psalm 33:20–22).
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