Reviews

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy Keller

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book is short (48 pages) and profoundly challenging. The simplicity of the message will rattle around in the tombs of our soiled memories.
Tim Keller looks at our condition in this inflated/deflated world. The world is flat and black and white; while we perform in our shadowed reality. There is only one way to the truth and the light. We find ourselves off the beaten track and lost. Until, we are picked up for vagrancy.
We are then brought to a trial room with only the smiling mob and the Court Jester. Every day we wake to a trial, much like the trial of the main character in Franz Kafka's The Trial.
We find that all the jurors are pointing at us and laughing at our hopeless condition, because we still think we can save ourselves. We think that there is a way for us to justify our own actions. We cower at our reflected image and our ballooned ego lets out a gasp and we find ourselves thinner than Jack Sprat.
Where is your heart (insert your name here)? is the first question the Supreme Court Jester asks.
We say in response, "I played the game! I played by the rules! How can you accuse me of being a loser on my own?"
The Jester replies, "Who do you want to be son, than be that person."
We wake up and the trial resumes.
Keller shows us how to break out of this fun house and self delusion through the reliance of Christ. For Christ has already won the trial that we continually want to defend our sins by.  Court Jesters have no problem in enabling us to feel that we must wage a defense.  The battle wears us out.   Keller shows us a way out of this soul defeating routine.

Freedom of Self Forgetfulness must be read by anyone who struggles with depression or anxiety in the modern world.

Movie Review: Black Death

In an age of darkness one man will face the ultimate battle against evil.

But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of existence, the least touch of truth rubs, it off and when we what a hallow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of.- Lord Byron

Viewed	2.28.2012
Genre	Horror
Language	English
Rated	R:Strong brutal violence, and some language
Parent Advisary	Parents should be careful as this movie is brutal and questions a number of Christian Ideas. It is important that you have a discussion with your child after viewing this movie.

I found this movie listed on Netflix, in their new release section, and felt it was a tremendous movie.   Black Death illustrates the terrible effects of the bubonic plague.  Superstition filled the time.  The church ran everything.  And anyone outside of the norm could be branded and burned a heretic.

   This movie could easily be missed, as it was produced by Europe, Germany and England, and was released in Ireland, so the "American Media" did not advertise it.  But if you were to miss it, that would be a shame. 
Why spend the time on a movie set in a far past?  This movie embraces a time of uncertainty.  This movie illustrates a historical period where the elite grasped control over its citizens. The movie looks at woman who dare survive a time that they are made the enemy.    The movie then looks at death.   Death is a very difficult thing to look at truthfully.   We often avoid the topic because death is painful. The movie explores necromancy, and answers why one may desire to raise the dead from an untimely end.
Stephen King said in an interview with the Paris Review that horror explains the cult of fear and confusion in an uncertain time.

"In every life you get a point where you have to deal with something that's inexplicable to you,"

  The message is a warning against a nation or a people allowing fear to rule them.  

Director	Christopher Smith
Prodcued By	Egoli Tossell Film (presents) HanWay Films (presents) Zephyr Films (in association with) Ecosse Films Post Republic, The (in association with)
Released	UK 26 May 2010
Special Awards or Noted Where	aired in the BBC FILM 4 Fright Fest
Locations	Blankenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany (Castle Blankenburg)		Burg Querfurt, Querfurt, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany		Torgelow, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany (Ukranenland)