Film- Culures Mirror

Well, just finished up typing a small paper that i actually did a short documentary about my life as a filmmaker. Anyways, here is the summary paper that went with the video. Maybe one of these days ill have enough time to upload the video so you can watch it. In the meantime, enjoy the paper!

Caleb

Film: Culture’s Mirror

We live in a society where art is now a form of communication between many different cultures. Living in America, we must realize that we are surrounded by a myriad of cultural expressions that are formed within the smaller families from whence they come. Andy Crouch recognizes this and has made it clear in his book, Culture Making, that we must be cultural creators in the cultures that we live amongst. I have been working in film for almost five years now, taking on many different positions in the production process. As I grow in my filmmaking career I have begun to see the impact that film can make on a culture.
The world likes to revolve around its art, and in some way the art begins to show the expressions of the culture, whether for good or for evil. Dr. Harvie Conn once said that film is ‘culture’s mirror.’ In some way we are able to see the things that are in culture manifested in film, but in the opposite sense we can see ideologies that are developed in film be adopted by culture. Culture is inescapable, and the renewal of culture is our responsibility as believers. We have to return the ultimate expression of culture back to its original purpose, namely Christ Jesus.
I began to see the need to be a cultural changer in the world of film almost as immediately as I had started working. It’s often an interesting dialog when working with a non-Christian that is started simply by the works I have done in the past. The work I do as a filmmaker may not often be considered explicitly Christian, but what I do wish to do is to open the conversation with non-believers. I believe this would be a way that we can see cultural impact being made to the same extent that Paul began to do it in the early churches. He knew and understood the context, and he also knew and understood their philosophies and practices, and many times used those very things to point to Christ.
There are some topics in the film world that bypass any small concept that can be presented. If we as Christians are able to make quality films that meet the criteria of those very basic human concepts that have been ingrained in our system by God himself, then we can begin to see culture shifting towards its original intent. No matter what career path God takes you in you need to be and are commanded by scripture to be constantly renewing your mind so that you may know Christ. In this way you talk through the conversation with culture.
My name is Caleb Childers, and I am a filmmaker. My part in changing culture is to start the chain of conversation or inflict values on the greater conversation in culture on human morality and God. These values can be placed in any film and can exist to start the conversation or to even challenge the church. Either way that it is done, my job as a filmmaker is only completed because my duty as a Christian is completed.

EPS

Evangelical Philosophical Society....need I say more. If you have never checked out the EPS, you should do so. They have an incredible amount of information. I have spent about the last hour reading alot of the papers and essays they have as well as their blog, and I am just pushed to continue in my education so that someday I might be able to truly be an impact in the intellectual minds of America. Ive been contemplating and praying about getting my masters in apologetics at Biola, since they have a great program, but am still on the fence because of the money its going to cost. However, I still have 2 more semesters left(be graduating next december) and so Im still just praying and waiting to see where the Lord leads me. I do know now however that I need my masters, and I do know that I love making films, and that must also be a part of my life. So leaving California is almost entirely out of the question. I would also love to be at least nearby Riverside so that I could continue to work at Central Community as long as I have breath in me to serve their needs as a church body. So please, be praying for me as my time of 'transitions' is to come, but I know that God will provide the way that is right.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. -Ephesians 1:3

Caleb

The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster

Today I walked into my house after a Bible study and one of my friends says, "What the heck is Pastafarianism?" To which I responded, "you mean, rastafarianism?"

He was, however, asking a legitimate question. 'Pastafarianism' does exist. It is the religion that 'worships(if i should use such a word)' the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Yes its real. Google it, because that obviously makes them happy and makes them think they have more believers(this is implied by their 'research.')

At first glance its very comical, and continues to be when in the heat of an argument it can be brought up to lighten the mood with some atheist or agnostic thinker. From what I can gather the sole reason behind this movement is to show that science is separate from religion or better said faith-based explanations for reality.

The word 'science' has been defined in many ways however, and so I believe the entire argument comes down to semantics. For this blog however, I would like us to play on common ground and will define science as" systematic knowledge." Hopefully that can be understood by people from all worldviews. The science of the present age is predominately focused on logic, or logical systematic evidence. I totally agree with any atheist, agnostic, or pastafarian(if they should be separated from agnostics or skeptics, but i assume they might want to, in which case i will gladly permit) that good science must be practiced this way.

Now science as it understood in this way should try and respond to the ultimate expression, namely the meaning of life. If you don't agree with me, thats fine, you can exit my site and never think of me again. You can also dump massive amounts of comments about this stupid conclusion of systematically knowing the world. Thats fine with me. Eventually you need to answer this question, otherwise your opinions in such a discussion become as relevant as a cat talking about a dogs emotions(if this were true, I'm sure the cat would long for dog-ness since all cats i believe deep down hate themselves for being cats.)

In the same sense, it might be turned to say: how can one say they understand how the world works if they are within the world?

I totally agree. Its impossible.

However, if you allow me the truth that God does exist(for the purpose of the conversation) then He must completely know how the world works. My definition for God here would definitely be Anselmian: 'That which nothing greater can be thought or imagined.'

So, for the sake of conversation, if God does exists and we want to know the world, we must know God. Therefore making stories, whether comical or not, is just that: making stories. Does remind me much of the predominately postmodern world we live in.

Long story short(jaja-i kid myself with this innuendo to stories after a postmodern reference) if you want to claim that science should be the answer and faith-based explanations of life are not welcome in intellectual thinkers, then have you yourself not destroyed your Flying Spaghetti Monster story by doing the same thing you accuse others of doing?

However, I do want to make something clear. Im not telling you to stop believing in the FSM, Im just asking, do you know who FSM is and are your sources reliable enough to teach you properly who he is? Also, do you really care? If you don't care, then you should have no problem being rejected from most intellectual discussions.

I know I cannot answer every question that might come my way, but if you do have comments or questions or 'rebuttles(should i allow you to call it that in the terms i have laid out about its beliefs?)' please set them here, and we can discuss them. If you do not intend to interact or want to argue about something that is not present in this article, let me know, and we can do that through email rather than taking up space on something that isnt covered here. Much love to all,

Caleb

PS-- Im hungry for spaghetti now...

Poem

This probably belongs on my poetry blog, but i was just posting it here cause I want to build the readers of this blog as well. So here goes. This is a poem I wrote a couple of days ago:

I am as shifting as day and night,

but just as predictable it seems.

I lie awake and day dream of things that most a man shouldnt dream.

I fight and cry that my sun might stay in the sky

for at least another day,

but the darkness always falls between its rise.

And though I might fight and scream for the light,

my soul seems to love the night.

This reminds me of the Russian classic "The Brothers Karamazov." People continue to use evil to deny God, but it is only by saying that evil exits that shows our desire for light. Thus spawns this poem. Bless,

Caleb

Thanksgiving!

Well, it is here, its come upon us. Thanksgiving. A day where there is no reason why you shouldn't be eating or watching football. I have the great priveladge of working for Central Community Christian Fellowship, a church that for the last 21 years has delivered Thanksgiving meals throughout Riverside County and feeds hundreds at our church on Thanksgiving day. If you would like to help out, come on by between 8am-4pm and find the volunteer booth. We need as much help as we can get. Especially in delivering the 3000 meals that we will be delivering this year. So come on by to Central Community at 5623 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92504 and help us help and serve others.

On a day of such blessings, let us only be a larger blessing to one another,

Caleb

Power to the Powerless

Just got done comparing two articles, its just a quick paper I worked on talking about Power to the Powerless. Hopefully you can find it interesting, as I try to finish some homework up tonight. Ill post another apologetics response tonight. Have a good one,

Caleb

Power to the Powerless

There are millions of ministries around the world for different demographics of people from every race, creed, and social status. Cultural influences can make or break many ministries around the world, but I would like to argue that when ministries are done with a gospel-centered hope, they cannot fail. I will use two different ministries from two articles to make my point clear. These two ministries focus on a demographic that in American culture are definite outcasts, the mentally disabled and prisoners. The first of these two ministries is “Christ for People with Developmental Disabilities[1],” focusing on the mentally disabled. The testimony of Don Anderson, the founder of CfP, lies strictly on this gospel-centered hope that must supersede the immediate cultural surrounding.

Anderson first began to work with the disabled as a child, but in college was challenged to go to help with a ministry at a local church. His mindset going in is an echo of biblical cultures as well: “I’m going to go, I’m going to sit in the back row and I’m not going to make an commitments to this thing.[2]” The echo I see here is directly related to the early church. The ministry of the church is to be truly reaching out to the outcast, however, many churches had begun to adapt the cultural ways that surrounded them, and began to neglect the ‘least of these’ in hopes to be casted into the lot with ‘the best of these.’ Whilst the governments were supposed to care for them, the church was not doing so. This is the same cause that brought about Anderson’s care for the souls of the disabled.

Anderson sees that unity between the powerful and the powerless is direly important. This relationship is what Andy Crouch considers the necessary and natural conclusion of a gospel-centered life. Crouch says that the power must be used to ‘propose a new cultural good.[3]’ Through stewardship and service, Don Anderson began a ministry, which now has over 500 people being served, 20 volunteers, serving in seven counties, supported by 10 churches, and even helped in building a church and orphanage in Haiti. CfP is a prime example of having a gospel-centered hope for the hopeless, power to the powerless, and unity with the rejected.

This unity that is developed amongst many times complete strangers is not far off of the second ministry I would like to talk about which draws on family community in a prison setting. Forgiven Ministry is a ministry that brings family members in community with their imprisoned family. However, it’s not just any prison. Maury Correctional Institution, in Maury, NC houses some of the most violent criminals on the east coast of the United States. The ministry was put in place to help children meet their fathers who are in this correctional facility. In a place where only two hugs (one at the beginning, and one when leaving) were allowed during visitation hours, Forgiven Ministry has been allowed to unite families for an entire day to a select amount of inmates.

Scottie Barnes, the founder of Forgiven Ministry focuses on training volunteers to be leaders at these camps where the family’s can be reunited. They also have begun to lead bible studies at these prisons and teach life skills to those who are about to finish their sentence. This idea is also an undertone of the biblical practice of discipleship. You begin discipleship small, with a couple volunteers in Barnes’ case, and begin to affect all of those around the inmate, including the immediate family, where culture takes its most effective changes. This can be found in Jesus’ discipleship ‘program’ as Crouch sees the most effective means as well; the 3, the 12, and the 120. Focusing on a small group and imbedding in them this cultural good of servant hood causes us to be then good stewards of our own knowledge and abilities.

In Barnes own words, she acknowledges that this is necessarily done small in order to affect a larger amount of people, “ These are our lost sheep-and if we can save one, we are going to do it.[4]” The programs in place by Forgiven Ministry have a profound effect on prisoner’s lives. Some are confronted with the truth of their own past failures in the bible studies and seminars about fatherhood, and the change is as effective as any gospel-centered ministry should be. Forgiven Ministry continues to grow, both financially as well as with their volunteers.

Culture is in need of people who run ministries that are inflicting cultural good from a gospel-centered hope for the unreached. There are many unreached in America, many who have been outcast from our society in order to maintain the high-society looks that the Corinthian church couldn’t get away from. The warnings are clear, we must do what God has called us and prepared us for: reaching the unreached.

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[1] “Christ for the People” will be abbreviated ‘CfP.’

[2] Harris, Alisa. “Church of the Disabled.” WORLD Magazine September 26, 2009.

[3] Crouch, Andy. Culture Making. Downers Grove, IL. 2008.

[4] Dean, Jamie. “Forgiven, not Forgotten.” WORLD Magazine. September 26, 2009.

Relativism

Many times have I had discussions with people who claim a relativistic truth. I could sit here and write for the next hour on how relativism is false, but at this point Im going to call on previous materials. These are the same basic philosophical values I apply to. The following is taken from Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry- a great resource for Christians who wrestle through these thoughts and debates. So here is the following most well established and produced list that I agree with for refuting Relativism, it is presented as most philosophy is, in statements, and refutes. Take notes, copy paste, email your friends that you think need this! Its a great resource in a world that thinks it is relativistic:

1. All truth is relative.
   1. If all truth is relative, then the statement "All truth is relative" would be absolutely true. If it is absolutely true, then not all things are relative and the statement that "All truth is relative" is false.
2. There are no absolute truths.
   1. The statement "There are no absolute truths" is an absolute statement which is supposed to be true. Therefore, it is an absolute truth and "There are no absolute truths" is false.
   2. If there are no absolute truths, then you cannot believe anything absolutely at all, including that there are no absolute truths. Therefore, nothing could be really true for you - including relativism.
3. What is true for you is not true for me.
   1. If what is true for me is that relativism is false, then is it true that relativism is false?
      1. If you say no, then what is true for me is not true and relativism is false.
      2. If you say yes, then relativism is false.
   1. If you say that it is true only for me that relativism is false, then
      1. I am believing something other than relativism; namely, that relativism is false. If that is true, then how can relativism be true?
      2. am I believing a premise that is true or false or neither?
         1. If it is true for me that relativism is false, then relativism (within me) holds the position that relativism is false. This is self-contradictory.
         2. If it is false for me that relativism is false, then relativism isn't true because what is true for me is not said to be true for me.
         3. If you say it is neither true or false, then relativism isn't true since it states that all views are equally valid; and by not being at least true, relativism is shown to be wrong.
   2. If I believe that relativism is false, and if it is true only for me that it is false, then you must admit that it is absolutely true that I am believing that relativism false.
      1. If you admit that it is absolutely true that I am believing relativism is false, then relativism is defeated since you admit there is something absolutely true.
   3. If I am believing in something other than relativism that is true, then there is something other than relativism that is true - even if it is only for me.
      1. If there is something other than relativism that is true, then relativism is false.
4. No one can know anything for sure.
   1. If that is true, then we can know that we cannot know anything for sure, which is self-defeating.
5. That is your reality, not mine.
   1. Is my reality really real?
   2. If my reality is different than yours, how can my reality contradict your reality? If yours and mine are equally real, how can two opposite realities that exclude each other really exist at the same time?
6. We all perceive what we want.
   1. How do you know that statement is true?
   2. If we all perceive what we want, then what are you wanting to perceive?
      1. If you say you want to perceive truth, how do you know if you are not deceived?
      2. Simply desiring truth is no proof you have it.
7. You may not use logic to refute relativism.
   1. Why not?
   2. Can you give me a logical reason why logic cannot be used?
   3. If you use relativism to refute logic, then on what basis is relativism (that nothing is absolutely true) able to refute logic which is based upon truth.
   4. If you use relativism to refute logic, then relativism has lost its relative status since it is used to absolutely refute the truth of something else.
8. We are only perceiving different aspects of the same reality.
   1. If our perceptions are contradictory, can either perception be trusted?
   2. Is truth self-contradictory?
      1. If it were, then it wouldn't be true because it would be self-refuting. If something is self-refuting, then it isn't true.
   3. If it is true that we are perceiving different aspects of the same reality, then am I believing something that is false since I believe that your reality is not true? How then could they be the same reality?
   4. If you are saying that it is merely my perception that is not true, then relativism is refuted.
      1. If I am believing something that is false, then relativism is not true since it holds that all views are equally valid.
   5. If my reality is that your reality is false, then both cannot be true. If both are not true, then one of us (or both) is in error.
      1. If one or both of us is in error, then relativism is not true.
9. Relativism itself is excluded from the critique that it is absolute and self-refuting.
   1. On what basis do you simply exclude relativism from the critique of logic?
      1. Is this an arbitrary act? If so, does it justify your position?
      2. If it is not arbitrary, what criteria did you use to exclude it?
   2. To exclude itself from the start is an admission of the logical problems inherent in its system of thought.