<> Ask the Pastor The Rev'd Walter Snyder Q: My sister and I (both Christians) were talking yesterday and realized that we are confused over a particular issue---movies! I am an avid fan (both before and after becoming a Christian). I don't tolerate vulgar movies or unnecessary violence anymore, but the question of movies about angels (very popular these days) popped up. Also, a movie starring Robin Williams will be coming out soon; he'll be in heaven and find what it's "really" like. Where do Christians draw the line? Does going to a movie to "check it out" actually support it? Help! A: Some will say that going to any movie is sinful. Others will set up rules ("This, but not this...."). I'd ask, "Is this a good use of time? Will it offend me, weaken my faith, or upset me? Will my going offend others, cause them to stumble, or greatly upset them?" Other Christians may not be bothered by some films that annoy me; I attend some movies others would not want to see. A recent example might be "Saving Private Ryan"; it was violent and had a lot of raw (realistic soldier) language. Yet there was nothing gratuitous about the action and the words---they were central to the plot and were reasonably accurate for a film about World War II. I was more put off by the sexual relationship in "Titanic" and the accompanying idea that through intercourse came salvation. As for the angels, Hollywood's history is one of only being casually acquainted with the Bible, even when stealing its stories and characters. I've yet to see a movie angel that scares me enough to warrant it saying, "Fear not!" In addition, the moralism of these films is crass. They urge us to be good and do good (see also "Touched by an Angel" or the old "Highway to Heaven" on TV), ignoring forgiveness and salvation through Christ. Do what you think is right; don't worry too much about others' opinions (but don't intentionally offend them); read the reviews carefully. Your Christian freedom is your responsibility. Enjoy it, but use it wisely. Q: I am a new Christian and I like praying in tongues but the thing is I don't understand a single bit of what I am revealing to Lord. I want to grow spiritually in tongues. Is there anyway just for one person to pray in tongues and interpret it by himself as I am the only Christian in my family? A: I am an "old" Christian who does not pray in tongues. I find nothing suggesting that they are central to the life and faith of a Christian. "Spiritual growth" does not come through human actions, whether tongues or acts of charity. It comes by the Holy Spirit acting through the saving Gospel of Christ. You are saved by grace, not works. You will gain much more edification by praying that the Lord would teach you through his Word and then sitting down and reading Romans and Galatians over and over. There are many Christians who would argue convincingly that the supernatural giving of "tongues" departed earth after the time of the Apostles, and that whatever is done today is more psychological than spiritual. Remember that the Holy Spirit points to Christ, not to himself or others. He wants you to focus on "Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)." Q: A Christian friend claims to have the gift of healing and that God has revealed this to him or her through the prophecy of another believer. I don't know how to view this. On one hand the Bible shows God using people in this way. On the other hand I can't get over my skepticism. My gut reaction is to think they've worked themselves up emotionally to a point where they've simply convinced themselves that they are gifted this way and it's all in their heads. The question: Are people today gifted with the ability to heal and prophesy like the apostles? A: I don't advise you getting over your skepticism, either. (My goodness, I'm going to be hearing from certain factions within Christendom after these last two questions and answers!) The Spirit is not a showman, and his gifts are responses to the Gospel. Scriptural healings are done by God; the "healer" is only the vehicle, whether through prayer and anointing or through medical treatment. Additionally, I think that 1 Corinthians 13 (the "love chapter") speaks to healing as well as prophecy and tongues. Verses 8--13 say, "Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." I think that as with tongues, prophecy (at least a "direct pipeline" from God) and healing disappeared with the apostolic age. Finally, even faith and hope will be gone, since they are only needed until we are gathered to our eternal rest in Christ. Still, I don't doubt that God continues to work miracles, including those of healing. However, I'm not convinced that any particular people have been chosen as "faith healers." That's it for now. You can submit questions by mail to "Ask the Pastor," PO Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or just stop me on the street. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches in Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1998 by Walter P. 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