Jaci Velasquez Controversy

Sounds like another example of "Should Christians influence culture, or should culture influence Christians?".

 

This is a tough situation. I have not seen the movie, but don't doubt that Jaci's character is not the model of Christianity we all would like to see. However, I do feel that people should remember that it is acting. That is not who Jaci is and as an actor myself, I know that I am not recommending the lifestyle or choices of the characters I play. It is just a story to be told. (But I realize you also have to judge the overall message of the story and decide whether or not to have any involvement at all.)

What I believe is much more important is your life and the testimony that you have to those you come in contact with. I have read and seen some interviews with Jaci, and I believe she has been an excellent personal testimony to those she works with. She seems to be shining some gospel light into corners of the movie industry that wouldn't see that light if she were not there.

I'm sure she's not perfect and has made some mistakes, but who among us didn't at her age?
We should all try to not to be too quick to judge, but instead be quick to examine ourselves.

Grace and Mercy,
WW2'er

 

Kiffin,

I think we will have to agree to disagree on a few points here my friend.

Very few people in CCM "rake in the money", and if she is one of those few and has done it by blessing others with Christian pop then why should I judge? (By the way, I do not own one of her CD's)

If she is influencing others with her music and lifestyle, I say, "Great!" Her music is God honoring and her lifestyle (As far as I know) is also. It's her movie acting that we are discussing. (By the way, I won't go see the movie and I recommend that others don't either. But that is not because Jaci is in it. It is because I have read the reviews and they say it is a poor quality movie. Average at best. I want to demand excellence from Hollywood not junk.)

Accountability is not to the unseen masses. It should be to a close group of spiritual authorities or advisors. (Like her parents and pastor) I do not know if she has such an accountability group that she meets with regularly or not, but I hope so.

Who is saying that moral character of CCM artists is irrelevant as long as they sell music???! I have not heard or read such comments, but if true, I agree that it would be distressing and wrong!

WW2'er

 

How can her music be God honoring if her life style is not.

 

Homebound,

Is her Movie acting her "lifestyle"? Her personal lifestyle is not the character she plays in the movie. Many movie actors play despicable characters, but are the nicest people in real life.

Her music is seperate. The music is "hers". It's her personal outlet for creative expression. The movie is not. Someone else wrote the script.

And if you think her music can not be God honoring because of her lifestyle, well that can be(and often is) argued from both sides. I just wonder if you feel that all songs from Sandi Patti, Amy Grant, and oh yeah, King David are not God honoring because of their "lifestyle"?

WW2'er

 

If a porno person confessed a Christian life and still did what they do(acting is it) would this also be acceptable?

1 Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

(Sigh)

Kiffin, yes, I have read the reviews, and no, Homebound, pornography would never be acceptable for any Christian. We can argue endlessly about where you draw the line concerning involvement in a movie or play and if you want to do so, please continue without me. However, I have no doubt that there would be some that would argue that no true Christian should ever ever play a role in most Shakespearean plays, or even Pontius Pilot in an Easter Passion Play!

I am not even trying to say that she was right to accept the role in the movie! My point is that what she does or does not do as a character in a movie is not her lifestyle.

I guess I will have to repeat myself.

"I think we will have to agree to disagree on a few points here my friend."

Have a good day gentlemen.

WW2'er

 

Kiffin,

Your example doesn't make much sense. Sure, Darth Vader was fully clothed, but he also personally killed innocent people and ordered the destruction of a whole planet and it's inhabitants. Which is the worse sin or moral example?

Are you saying if a Christian played Darth Vader and sang "For God So Loved The World" that he would not be hypocritical?

(See how silly this can become when we try to draw these types of lines? )

Your friend,
WW2'er

 

This is merely what I've heard:

I heard that Jaci talked to her pastor before doing this film, and also refused to do some scenes because of the content,and that she had some rewritten...Again....this is just what I heard.

 

I just had to take that statement out of context

Seriously though, playing an evil character in a morality play like Star Wars is not an endorsement of said evil characters behaviour.

 

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.


Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
MAtt 4:8-10

There you have it. Waste high, across the plate. Some people have it and some dont.

 

When David was runnin' away from Saul--horror of all horrors, he ran to Gath!! Hometown of the Philistine giant!!! While he was in Gath--he acted just like the Philistines do when they're in Gath!!!!!! Hollywood is the US's version of Gath!!

Jaqi needs to get out of Gath!!!!!

Blackbird

 

!!!!!