The FaithWalkers Daily -- Nov. 28: 2.5 Men Star Speaks Truth, Naked Natives Make History, Savior Obama

The FaithWalker’s Daily is a quick review of key news stories of the day from the perspective of a conservative Christ-follower living in, but not of, the world.

Two-and-a-Half Men Star Tries to Speak the Truth in Love

The Basics —

Angus T. Jones, te- year child star of the CBS hit show Two-and-a-Half-Men and professing Christ-follower, called the show “filth”and urged viewers not to watch. He then released a statement clarifiying his gratitude for the opportunity he has been afforded to star in the show.

Dig Deeper:

Via Deadline Hollywood his original video statement about the show. Key graphs: “I’m on Two And A Half Men, and I don’t want to be on it. Please stop watching it, and filling your head with filth…. You cannot be a true God-fearing person and be on a television show like that. I know I can’t. I’m not OK with what I’m learning, what the Bible says and being on that television show.”
Via Deadline Hollywood: Angus thanks for the opportunity in his statement. Key summary: “Without qualification, I am grateful to and have the highest regard and respect for all of the wonderful people on Two and Half Men with whom I have worked over the past ten years and who have become an extension of my family.”
Jones earns more than $300K per episode.

A Few Thoughts…

It’s not exactly news to Christ-followers that Two and a Half Men is filth — or at least it shouldn’t be. Yes, it’s often funny. Very funny, in fact. But it’s also filthy. Very filthy, in fact. What Angus T. Jones is wrestling with on a very public platform is what we all wrestle with being in, but not of, a fallen world. Television, story, humor — they all rightly belong to God but have been corrupted by the Fall. Where to draw the line of our own participation is a struggle for us all. I think the young man is trying to speak the truth without unduly offending those who have been so gracious and supportive to him in acquiring his position of influence. Having said that, as a Christ-follower myself, I hope I would have the courage to walk away from such a show even if that meant losing $300K a pop.

Whatever is pure — think on these things. Whatever isn’t — change the channel.

BBC Accused of Compromise for “Clothing” Naked Natives

The Basics —

The British Broadcasting Company, a publicly-funded news service, is being accused of censorship for producing a historical film about native cultures that puts “made-up” clothes on actors portraying people who were, in reality, often naked.

Dig Deeper:

Via the UK Telegraph: The full story here: Key complaint: “We do not pay the BBC licence fee for the systematic falsification of history in the pursuit of profit. We do not pay the licence fee to be fed falsehoods intended to appease a misguided minority. The BBC is encouraging attitudes known to result in widespread and often serious harm, mainly to children and young people.”

A Few Thoughts…

I suppose the sticking point here is the use of taxpayer dollars — yet another reason why government shouldn’t be involved in education of any kind. What we have here is a clash of worldviews. The claims by protesters actually make sense in a secular humanist worldview. If people are simply the product of random chance evolution and there is no such thing as sin or any God to whom they must answer, then by all means, celebrate public nudity in the name of history. And show the demonic activity, the brutal slavery, and sexual violence those cultures also practiced, as well. Don’t get me wrong. There is a case to be made for being historically accurate. But couldn’t the same thing be accomplished with a simple disclaimer at the outset saying something like, “The natives portrayed in this film originally didn’t wear much in the way of clothing. If you want to see a production like that go make your own without taxpayer dollars.” A Biblical worldview understands that the instruction to clothe the naked came first from God as a result of sin — which is still with us, in case anyone hadn’t noticed.

Pretending sin doesn’t exist exposes more than naked natives.

Christians Act un-Christlike in Response to Obama as Savior

The Basics —

Several recent claims of Obama as a savior or messiah figure seem to have brought out the worst in some professing Christ-followers.

Dig Deeper:

No doubt you heard about Jamie Foxx calling the President, “our Lord and Savior Barack Obama.”
Pew Research: 98% of Black women between 18-29 did vote for him apparently. Don’t know if that’s related or not.
Via Fox News Radio: An artist portrayed a crucified Obama with a crown of thorns.” In the aftermath of his aborted first attempt [to display the work]– the artist said he received more than 4,000 emails containing messages that were ‘anything but Christian-like.’ “
The Artist’s site is here.

A Few Thoughts…

Though I don’t agree with the messages portrayed by the artist’s work, at least he understands that nothing is neutral. He quotes Picasso: “[Art] is an offensive weapon in defense against the enemy.” I’m guessing “the enemy” would include me. Of course, we should not elevate Obama or any person to some sort of messiah status. It’s not fair to them (even if they do promote that image) or to us. Our hope is in the Maker of men and not in men themselves. But we must speak the truth in love as best we are able. Even if righteous anger is justified, we must always guard against overstepping into selfish tirades in our defense of God’s glory.