Day 59: Numbers 21:34

"But the LORD said to Moses, 'Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.'"

Discernment v. Fear: A Christian Response to "The Golden Compass"

Twenty days till Christmas, but only two days till the opening of the much-publicized movie, "The Golden Compass," based on the first book in atheist Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The warnings and hype surrounding this new release are reminiscent of the response to "The DaVinci Code" a few years ago. Controversies like this always put me somewhat ill at ease - what do we as Christians do with these morally or theologically flawed books and movies? Do we ban them from our homes? Do we close our eyes and refuse to look? Do we wring our hands and wait for the controversy to go away? Do we feel threatened? Do we cause an uproar?


Thank you to Cindy Kusmer for pointing me toward an article from Christianity Today entitled "Fear Not the Compass." Perhaps it will be helpful to you, as it was to me, in identifying some areas where knee-jerk fear can be replaced with a more thoughtful and discerning response. It's worth a read.

See my November 8 posting on GottaWearShades for other links regarding "The Golden Compass."

Day 58: 2 Kings 6:16

"So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'"

Day 57: 1 Kings 17:13

"Then Elijah said to her, 'Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring {it} out to me, and afterward you may make {one} for yourself and for your son.'"

Day 56: 2 Samuel 13:28

"Absalom commanded his servants, saying, 'See now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, "Strike Amnon," then put him to death. Do not fear; have not I myself commanded you? Be courageous and be valiant.'"

Day 55: Isaiah 44:8

"Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Day 54: 2 Samuel 9:7

"David said to him, 'Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.'"