The trailer park side of the family...

Okay, so in everyone's family there is that portion of the family that you don't like to really talk about. The crazy cousins. (In my case, the crazy cousin is me. Makes life much easier.) And God's family works that way too unfortunately. And recently my friend Turff sent me an email with a link to an upcoming film: Jesus Camp. Here is what I emailed him back:

Propaganda takes many forms.
Pastor Becky and her focus is on trying to get kids to buy into the scary idea that the left wing has an agenda to destroy anything in "Christian." This movie may be propaganda of the other sort, despite its promise of being "even handed" in that is tries to take that experience and show it as a "normal" Christian one.

Lots of people have had lots of thoughts that fundamentalism looks the same regardless of the tradition you come out of. When she says that she wants to essentially create a generation of suicide bombers for her side, then it isn't far off to think that such an assessment is correct. I mean, I have been places and sat in places where they kind of thing is pushed. You use kids to start because kids want to please adults and they lack the ability to think critically. Teenagers start to push back so you brainwash them before they get there. Ghetto them up, cut them off from the real world, hang with only Christian people and only the "really" Christian people. I mean, listen, the ghetto exists. Sad as that is but it is real. Much like we hear non-fundamentalist Muslims say, "They don't speak for us all." and saying that radical jihadists aren't the whole of the Muslim experience.

And the end result is that it isn't good theology in the Christian context. One of the clear central messages of Jesus is that His life is an example for us. Colossians talks about He is the visible image of the invisible God. And as I understand it, Jesus wouldn't be a part of such a thing. Because ultimately Jesus understood and taught the war isn't what and who is in front of you. It is why He picks up the ear and replaces it when Peter goes hack-a-guard. It is why He gave up being the king of Israel and choose to be the prince of peace. It is in how He affirms the one who picks up the towel to serve over the one who wants the power seat at the table. Pastor Becky is forgetting that politics has never and will never lead to salvation. Because you can win a political battle and lose the war. Repeatedly. Christians have unfortunately proven that time after time.

I love the way Eugene Peterson puts a passage in the Message:
"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. "

The battle isn't against people, be they godless homosexuals or crazy women preachers or fat youth directors. It is against something bigger and once you know your enemy, it changes how you fight.
Peace,
Jason

Now, I can't watch this and be serious the whole time. So, here is the humor portion of the show, which you can ignore if you want.
What is the deal with the kid with the extended mullet? Has his mom's Flow-Bee just not come in yet? Is he some kind of random radicalized Messianic Jew? Is his name Samson?
What kind of people would send their kid there? I mean, it is like weird. The kid in camo doing the wild VBS dance. Uh, I was half waiting for Major Payne. "Killing demons is my business and business is goooood."
And truthfully, aren't you a little nervous that you are going to watch the movie and recognize some kid from your school? Be honest...
Did you watch the ridiculous attempt to justify "sacred dance"?