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Pro-Life Movies, an Iranian's Passion, Dancing Monkeys and More ...

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1. An Iranian's Filmmaker's Passion
An Iranian filmmaker is gaining headlines for a movie that depicts the story of Jesus through the Islamic perspective. In the film, director Nader Talebzadeh says he uses the Koran as the basis for his story. And the plotline is dramatically different than the one Christians are familiar with. Though Jesus still performs miracles and counters the ideas of over-religious Pharisees, in Jesus, the Spirit of God (the name of the Islamic movie), Jesus isn’t crucified and resurrected.

The movie’s historical perspective (which is based on the book of Barnabas—a writing most scholars believe is a false doctrine written hundreds of years after the cannon of Scripture) isn’t the only thing that is conflict with Western ideas. The filmmaker also supports the government of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and is a 9/11 conspiracy theorist. But despite the ties to anti-Christian and controversial ideas, the film has been screened to some American and European audiences.

And though the film's message stands in obvious conflict with the Christian message, the director did give an interesting quote that transcends any one religion when it comes to faith and films: “In the 21st century, the arts and the media have to create an area for more cordial discussions between faiths at a time when information is moving in the blink of an eye … If you enhance it with artistry, you can create a discussion."

I’m no way supporting the film or endorsing the filmmaker, but in a time when the world is conflict over religious ideas, Talebzadeh is using the same medium being adopted by many Christians to get his message across. And though he had ties to the Iranian army and nuclear program in the past, the movie isn’t citing violence; it’s citing dialogue.

Maybe it’s an unintentional move by Talebzadeh, but the movie is creating discussion between Christians who see what Muslims think about Jesus. And even if it wasn't intended for it, the movie may just be providing an entry point for Christians to talk to Muslims about faith.

2. Hollywood's Pro-Life Message
The movie Baby Mama topped the weekend box office, taking in more than $17 million. The movie only received mixed reviews from critics, and the SNL stars outing will most-likely be a somewhat forgettable movie. But what makes the movie notable for Pro-Life audiences, is that it is just the latest in a long line of films that promote raising children.

Though most of the pregnancy comedies (Knocked Up, Juno, The Brothers Solomon, Baby Mama) also feature elements of promiscuity and raunchy humor, the underlining message of all of them is that even when unexpected, pregnancy can be a good a thing.

The recent Oscar-nominated comedy Juno even features a scene where the film’s protagonist walks away from an abortion clinic when a fellow student (serving as a Pro-Life activist outside the clinic) reminds Juno that her unborn baby “has fingernails”. Juno ultimately decides to give the baby up for adoption.

Even the Dr. Seuss remake Horton Hears a Who! was embraced by Pro-Life advocates for its subtle message of "a person's a person, no matter how small".

Christians may not agree with everything in the films, but it is interesting to see the Pro-Life undertones sweeping through Hollywood and weekend box office.

3. A Festivus for the Rest of Us
Here’s a cool story about the Share Jesus Pentecostal Festival planned for May 9-11 in London. The event organizers explained the idea behind the festival, which contains film showings, art exhibits, music performances, sports competition sand even political debates." Acting as a platform for expression, relevance and prayer the Pentecost Festival will display the exciting diversity that is contained within the church body."

4. Big Questions
Here’s a thought-provoking post from Beliefnet’s “Blogalogue”. The format is basically a transcribed discussion between two religious thinkers. This time scholar Bart Ehrman and theologian N.T. Wright discuss God’s response to human suffering. I recently wrote a story about the same topic (you can read it here), but it’s interesting to see the perspective of such established thinkers. Wright in-particular is a great writer and communicator, along with being a such an established voice in modern theology. The post is a little heady, but it’s a good read. You can go here to read “Is Our Pain God’s Problem?”

5. Dancing Chimps
And finally, a more light-hearted post: Riverdancing chimps. While updating CBN’s GodTube profile, I stumbled on this little gem. I’m really not sure why, but for some reason, starting a day by watching chimps dancing just feels right.

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