4 of 4

After the Forum ran, the e-mail piled up. One reader was grateful for a forum that was "balanced, fair, and incredibly thought-provoking." And our first (and only) response from a female Film Forum reader echoed the views of the critics. Rebecca Abie writes, "I agree that nudity in context should not be a big deal, and that each person should examine him/herself to determine what the appropriate boundaries are. By this I mean that one should truly examine oneself, and not simply poll one's church members to determine what is socially appropriate." Phil de Haan wrote to recommend a book by a professor at Calvin, Bill Romanowski, called Eyes Wide Open, which further addresses this issue. De Haan writes, "A lot of what he said resonates with what the critics you surveyed said. If you haven't had a chance to read his book I would highly recommend it."

But, as anticipated, there were objections. Tim Frankovich thinks that the God-ordained privacy of sex disqualifies it from portrayal in movies: "Sex, as God intended it, is a totally private action. Yes, it is to be celebrated. Yes, it is wonderful. But it is private. It should not be displayed on a huge screen for thousands of people to see." Another particularly offended reader argues, "The Christian movie reviewers you quoted sounded more like the Greek philosophers on Mars Hill than they sounded like the Apostle Paul. They pontificate about their insular world of film and go to lengths to defend the 'art' and 'entertainment' of the pagans who use it to shamelessly promote a godless world that can never be fully redeemed once it is 'in the can' (double-entendre intended)."

Next week: Fussing about cussing. Film Forum readers and critics react to bad language in the movies. Plus, the summer's last blockbuster adventure, Planet of the Apes, finally arrives.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  4 of 4

share this page

July (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45