"Fireproof", pro-marriage, pro-faith movie exceeds expectations on first weekend at theaters.

The movie, "Fireproof" a Christian, pro-marriage movie opened as the 4th best grossing movie over the weekend, bringing in $6.5 million. It's the 2nd best grossing movie of the year which was shown in less than 1,000 theaters.

What's unique about "Fireproof" is it was produced by a church and cost less than $1 million to produce. It's about a firefighter who's great at his job but terrible at his marriage. The story line ia about how he restores his marriage by acting on the principles found in the Bible.

They say the acting is uneven, I suppose because it's so low budget, yet the message comes across. I thought the response from LA Times and NY Times was interesting.

"I was hoping and praying for at least a Top 10 opening," said Bob Waliszewski, director of Focus on the Family's Plugged In magazine and Web site. "I'm very excited to see it's No. 4.

"It does send a message that there's still pent-up demand for good, wholesome family entertainment."

Even the mainstream media have been forced to add their accolades. The New York Times called Fireproof "a decent attempt to combine faith and storytelling that will certainly register with its target audience."

The Los Angeles Times went so far as to call it "a mainstream relationship flick."

Steven Isaac, who reviewed the movie for Plugged In, said anyone "in the middle of ugly emotions driven by marital neglect, apathy and want, will surely be compelled by Fireproof to … break out the survival gear right away, putting into practice some of the principles they've just seen brought to life."

I think what's interesting is with the advent of new technology, the movie industry's cost of entry has dropped dramatically. I think the only way to overcome to so much of the garbage in the Hollywood is to supercede it by producing good, appealing movies outside of Hollywood. This will not only attract customers but cause Hollywood to sit up and take notice.

Is America a Christian nation?

The question: Is America a Christian nation? This question usually makes the Left go apoplectic. But a recent Gallup poll, which found that 82% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, makes that a legitimate question.

Legally, America isn't a Christian nation. It's not written in our Constitution or an act of Congress. You don't have to be a Christian to be an American citizen.

Culturally, that's a different and more interesting question. We speak of nations made up predominantly of Muslims as Muslim nations. So in that sense if America is predominantly made up of Christians that would make us a Christian nation.

Yet just because people identify themselves as Christians yet never darken a church door, don't believe the basic tenets of the Christian faith or live in accordance Christian teaching that doesn't make them Christians. I think that is increasingly the case in America. Barna Group has done research suggesting that around eight percent of the American people subscribe to the historical, orthodox beliefs of the faith.

And of course then there's the question of what is the influence of Christianity in shaping the cultural beliefs and mores of the nation. I think Christian ideas and ideals are still dominant though they've been significantly eroded by secularism and postmodernism. I'd say culturally we are still a Christian nation but that notion has been eroding in the past few generations.

Religous triangulation

Many have commented on Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s "brilliance" as a pure politician. His morning interview with MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough highlighted his lightening wit and ability to triangulate the secular and sacred as well.

The interview started with a shot from above the White House looking down. The bumper music was Jimmy Hendrix' "All along the watchtower."

Joe Scarborough, MSNBC Host:

“Governor, let me start by asking you, now that you are ahead, are you going to lose your sense of humor? Can you still talk to us about Hendrix and cougar hunting and Willie Geist?”

Mike Huckabee, (R) Presidential Candidate:

“Well, I certainly would hope so, Joe. In fact, when I heard the bumper music coming in, "All Along the Watchtower," it occurred to me there is a shot of White House, Hendrix music playing, that's the Huckabee White House. Hendrix music blasting throughout the White House as the president stands all along the watchtower.”

My mouth dropped. In one sentence Huckabee captured the secular and the sacred – all on the fly.

Populist indeed.

Saying that Jimmy Hendrix would be played in a Huckabee White House shattered any myth of a religious fundamentalist preaching against the secular evils of rock-and-roll.

“Hey Doris, 'ja hear that? This Huckabee is just like us. Rock on!”

Yet with the same sentence he captured religious imagery that connected not just with Christians but Jews, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses as well.

Brilliant.

(I wonder if our biblically ignorant press realized they had been triangulated and the victims of a secret religious code language known only to white, suburban evnagelicals?)

Here are some examples.

Morman
From “The Doctrine and Covenants of the Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Section 101”
Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, December 16, 1833.

54 "And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer."

For the Jew and Christian:
Ezekiel 33:7-15

"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me... if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but His blood will I require at thine hand…if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul..."

And who calls themselves the Watchtower Society? Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Visit to Washington DC energizes pastors to pray, promote civic activism, voter registration and get-out-the-vote

Last week MFI hosted 32 pastors from across Minnesota at David Barton’s Congressional Pastors Briefing and Capitol Heritage Tour in Washington DC.

Before the tour pastors met with staff of Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Norm Coleman. Klobachar was a last minute no-show. (Pictured on the left is Pastor Bob Battle, Berean Church of God in Christ speaking to Klobuchar staffers. “If you are going to call it a hate crime for me to preach the word of God regarding sin, then you might as well slap the cuffs on me right now. I will not stop!”)

Later, our nations Christian foundation was unavoidable as the pastors toured the paintings in the Capitol Rotunda. According to Barton, the life-size paintings depicted "2 prayer meetings, a bible study and a baptism."* Another painting showed the signers of the Declaration of Independence; 29 of which had seminary degrees.

The second day the pastors met with Christian members of Congress and Senate. Many pastors felt a call to pray for these legislators as they consistenly vote biblically. White House Office of Public Liaison Tim Goeglein, Sen. Sam Brownback, Rep. Randy Forbes and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave especially moved pastors.

The trip was more than just moving; it was a call to action. Many pastors made commitments to participate in get-out-the-vote and voter registration drives, preach sermons on civic involvement and encourage their congregations to be salt and light in their communities.

In the words of the pastors, the trip was “life changing” and “a must for all pastors.”

* Embarkation of the Pilgrims, Baptism of Pocahontas, Discovery of the Mississippi, Landing of Columbus

McCain is right, America was founded on Christian principles

By Hannah Huffman

Presidential candidate John McCain drew severe criticism for describing the United States as a "Christian nation" and a "nation founded on Christian principles."

While some misguided souls may be offended by McCain’s comments, MFC agrees; the United States is a "nation founded on Christian principles." The historical evidence is insurmountable.

The Founding Fathers always intended for the free expression of religion in the public square even in the arena of government. Their writings, public statements and actions consistently affirmed their belief that America would only survive on a solidly biblical and Christian foundation.

John Adams blatantly stated that, “the general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were … the general principles of Christianity.”

Thomas Jefferson, writer of the constitution and third U.S. president said, “ [The] liberty to worship our Creator in the way we think most agreeable to His will [is] a liberty deemed in other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support.”

“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure if we have lost the only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?”

George Washington, in his Farewell Speech, beseeched his fellow countrymen to ensure that religious teachings and values never be removed from politics and public policy, saying: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Even President Harry Truman openly acknowledged our Christian heritage: “In this great country of ours has been demonstrated the fundamental unity of Christianity and democracy.”

McCain is drawing attention to the historical evidence of our Founding Fathers and presidents. While respecting other religions, he is right to assert that America was founded on Christian principles. McCain’s commitment to our Christian heritage should be applauded.