Thursday, April 21, 2005

I have recently been wondering about the commercialization of Christianity and some of the commercial uses of a church building. Here are some relevant verses.

Matthew 21
12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’”

Mark 11
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

John 2
13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Monday, April 04, 2005

I saw the movie Sin City this weekend. While I enjoyed the video effects and certain parts of the story line, I can't really recommend this movie. The violence was way over the top. There was at least one scene I wish I hadn't watched ... and I've seen a lot. I did appreciate Mickey Rourke's and Bruce Willis's character portrayals a lot. I believe the movie should have been rated NC-17. Just be warned before you see this one that it is based on a graphic novel, and strongly deserves the title because it is packed with language, violence, sex, and nudity.