A Higher Standard

Before I begin my original post idea, I just wanted to say that one of my favorite hobbies is watching films. Part of this activity involves tallying how many films I have see on any "Top N Film List" (n = any number the editors decided to establish as the essentials). Four days ago Yahoo published its Top 100 Movies to See Before You Die. Here's what I have seen so far, along with a few comments (in the likeness of Panella). In total, I have seen 73 of 100. A passing grade, nice.

12 Angry Men (1957)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - I am not a big fan of Kubrick, but undoubtedly, this film is amazing.

8 1/2 (1963) - Some people love it, some hate it; personally, I loved it.

Alien (1979)

Annie Hall (1977) - Woody Allen is my second favorite director.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

The Bicycle Thief (1948)

Blade Runner (1982)

Blazing Saddles (1974) - I don't understand the appeal of his immaturity (that is Mel Brooks).

Blue Velvet (1986)

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) - Not as good as I expected.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) - Paul Newman is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors.

Casablanca (1942)

Chinatown (1974)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - Really? Really? Ang Lee is terrible.

Die Hard (1988)

Dr. Strangelove (1964) - Not a fan, didn't find it that funny.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Enter the Dragon (1973) - Hell, yeah!

The Exorcist (1973)

The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather, Part II (1974)

Goldfinger (1964) - Another choice I really don't understand.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1968) - Sergio Leone was a master. Personally, I liked "Once Upon a Time in the West" better.

Goodfellas (1990)

The Graduate (1967)

Groundhog Day (1993)

In the Mood For Love (2001) - One of the most beautiful films I have seen.

It Happened One Night (1934) - Clark Gable is great.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Jaws (1975)

King Kong (1933) - I can understand the cinematic significance of the film, but I didn't care for it.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - It's long, but totally worth the viewing.

The Lord of the Rings (2001)

M (1931)

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The Matrix (1999) - Nothing more than a flash in the pan.

Modern Times (1936)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Network (1976)

Nosferatu (1922)

On the Waterfront (1954)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

Pulp Fiction (1994) - I honestly didn't think I was going to enjoy this film, but I was surprised.

Raging Bull (1980) - Martin Scorsese, enough said.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Raise the Red Lantern (1992) - Well worth the watch. Extremely creepy, too.

Rashomon (1951)

Rear Window (1954)

Rocky (1976)

Roman Holiday (1953) - Gregory Peck is awesome. Audrey Hepburn is fantastic. The setting is perfect. Loved it. And it's a great date movie.

Saving Private Ryan (1998) - Spielberg makes a serious film, so what?

Schindler’s List (1993) - Another serious film by Spielberg, so what?

The Searchers (1956) - Don't get it.

Seven Samurai (1954) - Why, dear God, did they have to make "The Magnificent Seven?"

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - If you enjoyed this film, which I did, you should see Manhunter.

Singin’ in the Rain (1952) - One of the few musicals I like, but why isn't "Fiddler on the Roof" on this list.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

The Sound of Music (1965) - The hills are alive, but they wish they were dead.

Star Wars (1977)

Sunset Blvd. (1950) -

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

The Third Man (1949)

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Titanic (1997)

Toy Story (1995)

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Vertigo (1958)

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

Wild Strawberries (1957) - I loved this movie, but why isn't there anymore Bergman films on this list.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

For those who have not been told, I have been accepted to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. In the fall, I will be starting their Masters of Divinity program followed by their Masters of Theology, Lord willing. Throughout high school and early college I rejected the idea of becoming a minister. My desire was to follow the path of fame and glory. However, over the last two years, the Lord has opened my eyes and, more importantly, my heart to his Kingdom. The key to changing the direction of my life was the understanding of my role as his child. Prior to grappling with grace, I saw my salvation as only an escape from damnation; however, through the reading of scripture, it has been made evident that I am a servant to King Jesus. I no longer view my salvation as an escape from something, but rather, a call to something - a call to servanthood. Christ saved me so I could become his servant. In fact, those that he has called, he has called to servanthood. That, I believe, is the reason for many of the conversations and parables surrounding the master and his servants. A servant cannot serve two masters, thus he must remain loyal to the one he serves. This shift in paradigm will undoubtedly change the way in which we act and think. Ultimately, it will allow teachers and congregants to understand God more wholeheartedly and his commandments. I truly believe serving a perfect king entitles his servants to follow a perfect law. It is foolish to think that the law has been abolished. Christ himself states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-20). Christ, as king, fulfilled the law to usher in the perfect law. I am not suggesting that we can follow this law perfectly; rather, we can now, through the grace of Christ, attempt to follow this perfect law. Even Christ seems to suggest damnation for those who preach otherwise (note verse 19). Truth be told, following a perfect law is not easy, and I have not studied the issue extensively enough to know how to follow this law faithfully. These ideas stem from my own thoughts and do not represent any one other. This is truth, as it has been revealed to me through the reading of the gospels.

As I consider and ponder my new direction in life with this invaluable truth, I have asked myself numerous times, "As a potential leader of the Church, am I called to a higher standard?" The answer is a resounding yes. Scripture is filled with passages regarding the rebuking of leaders because of their lack of obedience and their lack of setting an example. Moses wasn't allowed to enter the Promised Land because he disobeyed God and allowed his anger to rule over him. David lost the privilege of building the temple because of his inability to control his lustful desires. These men, chosen by God, neglected to live by higher standards. Paul's writing include specific instructions and qualifications for leadership positions. Even Christ tells his disciples, before ascending into heaven, to go and make disciples, teaching everything he commanded of them. In light of this, I wanted to evaluate my own life before the standards found throughout the Bible. Essentially, how do my actions reflect God's commandments. And for the next several blog entries, I would like to examine and expound on several New Testament passages regarding leadership and commandments. I haven't figured out if I am going to begin with the gospels and work my way through, or start with any epistle and bounce around. To begin, I will start with a self-reflection.

Pastor Bob has been preaching from the book of James for the last several weeks. Although he hasn't preached on this particular verse, I could not help but see the relevancy of James 3:1 in regards to being a pastor. James wrote, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." Chapter 3 focuses primarily on the usage of the tongue, I believe the first verse is applicable to all areas of teaching and preaching. If my spirit, philosophy, actions, and words are not made "captive to Christ," what business do I have leading his sheep? Am I currently living a life worthy of leadership? To be more specific, am I willing to let go of pleasures such as smoking, drinking, fine dining, swearing, and films for the sake of the Kingdom of God and for the sake of my weak brothers and sisters? I am not condemning these pleasures; rather, I am assessing their value. I enjoy watching movies, I like swearing, and I like drinking responsibly; but if they hinder my relationship to God or my fellow man, then I should cease doing them. I am often reminded of the example I am to set. At work I often hear, after I swear or say something crude, "and you want to be a pastor?" This response clearly demonstrates the higher standards pastors are called to. My call is one to a higher standard. As a servant of Christ, I am called to serve the perfect king and to follow his perfect law, so that others can serve Him. I pray that God will give me the wisdom and discernment to follow his creed.

One closing thought. Heather and I became engaged on March 19th. We are still figuring out a date. May God Bless Us.

With much love,
Christian Eriksson