last night, A Raisin in the Sun with Sidney Poitier. Talk about old school, this one was that and more. Nothing but dialogue. At my age and circumstance in life it is easy to forget that for millions of people, home ownership is a dream that will never be fulfilled. As the matriarch of the family talks about planting a garden, her eyes and voice “glow” with the thought of that dream.
Mr. Poitier plays the part of the husband with big dreams and little means of achieving them. He gets caught up in a con man’s scheme and loses the families nest egg, which they had only because of his father’s recent death. He wants to assume the role as leader of the family but trips and falls at each step. And in the end does the right thing.
Man, this commercialism of Christianity thing is killing me, can’t escape it! Visited a somewhat lefty blog called Greg’s Opinion, then linked to another blog he runs called Faithbasedblog. Wow. It’s a Lakewood promo. He’s a member there and obviously likes it very much But the crass commercialism of the Lakewood/Osteen empire is shocking to me. Link after link of entertainment to purchase. My goodness, what would happen if Christ walked into that place?
Matthew 12–14 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text:
My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves.
Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them.
Yes, He would make room for the least among us to enter His presence, not just those that can afford the latest book, CD or DVD. Just as He is now holding the infant son of Sgt. Robert M. McDowell in His arms.
Commercial Christianity has always bothered me. I never cringe when the collection plate comes by and give with a glad heart. However, I have no belief in the “Jesus is gonna make me rich” stuff that seems to be going around now. The other extreme that is getting popular is the Jesus as Che Guverra. The liberation theology stuff scares me too, but both disgust me. Church ain’t about being entertained. Nor is it about playing Robin Hood. Revelation speaks of the different types of churches. Jesus doesn’t need our money and could probably care less about politics……
I picture some of the mega church preachers entering like a WWF wrestler with fireworks, lasers and loud music…… “Ladies and gentlemen GET READY TO HUMBLE!!!!”
“If thine eye offend thee….. “