SAICFF: Time Captured In A Photograph #4

Arthur and Hanna Rasco, winners of Best of Festival and Best Narrative for SAICFF 2005 with their film "No Greater Love."

Arthur and Hanna Rasco with Mr. Phillips and the $10,000 Grand Prize award.

Doug Phillips shares a personal moment with Arthur and Hanna Rasco.

Russ Pond, winner of this year's Audience Choice Award with his film "Growing Up," along with the film's star, his son, Caleb.

Joshua Moore, winner of this year's Best Festival Trailer, with his trailer "Digitally Remastered."

Spencer Weaver, runner-up in the Best Young Filmmaker category, for his clay-mation film "Why Did The Duck Cross the Road?"

Ken Carpenter, winner of Best Documentary, with his eldest son.

Mr. Doug Phillips congratulates 16 year-old Alabamian, Colton Davies, winner of this year's Best Young Filmmaker Award with his film "Blue State: Tolerance For All."

Justice Tom Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court stands in for Tyler and Ed Litton, winners of this year's Best Political Film Award with their film "Intent," along with Doug Phillips and fellow Alabamian, Colton Davie.

Anna and Elizabeth Botkin perform on the harp the themes they composed with their brother Benjamin for The League of Grateful Sons.

And that's that... Or is it?

The Rebelution's authors, with Mr. Doug Phillips, president of Vision Forum.

To everyone who read our blog over the past week: Thank you, for your encouraging comments and notes of appreciation; you truly made our "work" a joy. Now, with the 2005 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival complete, our live-blogging has also come to an end.

However, The Rebelution was an active blog before the festival, and will continue to be, we pray, for a good while yet to come. And as we pack up and prepare for our drive back to Montgomery, Alabama, and as we continue to serve Justice Tom Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court for the remainder of the year, we would be honored if each of you would continue to visit The Rebelution.

Our slogan, "Do Hard Things," is the philosophy behind the blog; it is the reason why Brett and I are interning with Justice Parker; it is the reason why we live-blogged the SAICFF; it is the drive behind much of our future goals and aspirations. "Do Hard Things" is the one thing that our culture never tells young people. Rather it's message is one of idleness and sloth, encouraging young people to view the teen years as a vacation from responsibility.

This is frightening, because Brett and I both understand that these early years are preparatory, and that ill-preparation is still preparation. The results are already being documented, as we have discussed in length the rise of the "adultescence;" adolescence extended into the 20s, 30s, and beyond. Simply put, maturity and responsibility do not occur overnight, they are the direct result of godly preparation in a previous season of life.

This is the message of The Rebelution, and we would love if you would continue to come alongside us in this journey. Our sidebar is a repository of links to past articles, many of which are foundational to our message. If you have not read our introductory post, please do so.

The festival and our work with the Justice have provided us with much food for thought and material with which to further develop our vision for cultural rebelution. We will be posting that vision over the next few days, weeks, and months. We will also be adding additional "post-coverage" to the festival, including an interview and profile of Isaac Botkin, an interview with 16 year-old filmmaker John Moore, and many more pictures of during and after the award ceremony.

We pray you may continue to be blessed by our work here. Through you, God has richly blessed us.

SAICFF: Awards Ceremony — Complete!

The awards ceremony is now complete! A huge congratulations to all the Jubilee Award-winners. The future of the independent Christian film industry is very bright indeed. Pictures to be posted later tonight.

Best Film Trailer: Digitally Remastered, Joshua Moore

Young Filmmakers Runner Up: Why Did The Duck Cross The Road?, Spencer Weaver

Best Young Filmmakers Short: Blue State: Tolerance For All, Colton Davie

Creation Runner Up: Gentle Giants, Jeff Butler

Best Creation Short: Journey Thru Creation, Christian Hidalgo

Political Runner Up: For God, Family, and the Republic, Jeff Butler

Best Political Short: Intent, Tyler and Ed Litton

INTERMISSION

Documentary Runner Up: The Narrow Path, Dalanglin Dkhar

Best Documentary Short: A Journey Home, Ken Carpenter

Narrative Runner Up: Her Last Prayer, Daniel Nunez

Best Narrative Short: No Greater Love, Arthur Rasco

Audience Choice Award: Growing Up, Russ Pond

Best of Festival Runner Up: The Narrow Path, Dalanglin Dkhar

Best of Film Festival: No Greater Love, Arthur Rasco

SAICFF: 9:30 P.M. - 10/29

Mr. Doug Phillips closed the evening by thanking the many sponsors, speakers, Vision Forum staff, San Antonio community, and most importantly, God Himself. We now end the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival the way we began... To the beautiful words of age old truth, "Be Thou My Vision," performed by Amy Salter and Family.

What a beautiful event.

SAICFF: 8:45 A.M. - 10/29

During an intermission, festival attendees are being treated; first, to a performance of the song "No Greater Love," by its composer and singer, and second, to yet another wonderful oral interpretation of God's Word by George Sarris; this one of the Book of Jonah.

SAICFF: 8:00 P.M. - 10/29

Charlie Zahm is currently leading the entire theater in the old hymn "Chester" and the lively ballad "Lord of the Dance." Nearly every audience member is clapping and stomping their feet along.

SAICFF: Time Captured In A Photograph #2

Joshua Phillips and Samuel Turley greet festival attendees before the awards ceremony begins.

John Moore, director, producer, and writer of semi-finalist film "Bubble Trouble."

Russ Pond and his son Caleb. Director and star of the film "Growing Up."

The cast, crew, and fans of the excellent film "Clocks."

SAICFF: 5:20 P.M. - 10/29

Attendees are flocking to the registration table to vote for their favorite film of the festival. From The Rebelution's unofficial polling, audience favorites include John Moore's "Bubble Trouble," Russell Pond's "Growing Up," and Arthur Rasco's "No Greater Love."

SAICFF: 4:45 P.M. - 10/29

Having just watched a slate of excellent, excellent films: No Greater Love, Clocks, Virtuoso, and Focus. I am thrilled by how much the quality has risen since last year. There are some truly marvelous films at this festival.

Audience members will now head off to vote for their favorite film of the festival. Our next post will be at the Jubilee Awards and Closing Ceremonies.

SAICFF: 3:30 P.M. - 10/29

The audience is now being treated to a highly creative and entertaining LEGO stop-motion film "The Wars of Humanity." I can't believe the hours and hours that must have been put into this film. I absolutely love the concept.

SAICFF: 3:15 P.M. - 10/29

The attendees in room 003 just finished watching the film "The Cookie Jar," by Jonathan S. Crisp. I would love my little brother to watch this film. An excellent treatment of temptation, sin, and salvation, for young children. Highly enjoyable!

SAICFF: 2:30 P.M. - 10/29

"Blue State: Tolerance for All" has just wrapped up. I must say, I was very impressed. Better than many films I've seen produced and sold in Christian circles, and evident of great talent and potential, I greatly look forward to seeing Colton Davie's future films, both next year, and for years to come. Be sure to go watch the trailer for the film here.

SAICFF: 1:35 P.M. - 10/29

I am sitting in the Lila Cockrell Theatre, and just finished watching "Her Last Prayer," the dramatic story of Chinise girl who is martyred when she refuses to spit on God's Word.

Now I'm watching a beautiful documentary entitled, "The Narrow Path," which tells the life of Silon Dkhar (1908-2003) a strong Christian mother living in north east India, who single-handedly raised five children in the way of the Lord. It is a beautiful testimony to the power of godly motherhood and the faithfulness of God.

SAICFF: 1:35 P.M. - 10/29

I am now watching the opening moments of Colton Davie's film "Blue State: Tolerance For All." I have heard many wonderful things about this film. Thus far, it has exceeded my expectations. The script alone is excellent; something that is greatly lacking in most Christian films.

SAICFF: Destroying The Home Video Paradox

This festival is filled with seeming paradoxes. Most of them occur when you match apparent youth with obviously excellent, quality films. Yet I, along with nearly 2,000 other attendees of The League of Grateful Sons' World Premiere, witnessed another seeming paradox: a family film, a family project, that challenges the very standards of Hollywood and deeply touches the hearts of all who see it.
That's right. Vision Forum's "The League of Grateful Sons" is a "home video." But it's also one of the best examples of competent Christian filmmaking on the market today. The Geoffrey Botkin Family: Victoria (wife of 25 years), Isaac (24), David (22), Anna (20), Elizabeth (18), Benjamin (16), Lucas (12), and Noah (10), were nearly exclusively involved in the project; taking responsibility for everything from directing and editing to costumes and scoring.

Mrs. Botkin, who has homeschooled for nearly twenty years, clearly raised her children to enjoy a challenge, or at least, to persevere despite challenges. In today's session, "The Making of The League of Grateful Sons," Mr. Geoff Botkin testified that his wife of 25 years created the environment that prepared and equiped the entire family to take on such an enormous task.

Mr. Botkin shared that originally he told Doug Phillips that "we might not be able to be involved because of our responsibilities in New Zealand." Doug, Mr. Botkin recollected, trusted in the Lord and humbly communicated what his need was. Mr. Botkin went to his family and told them it would be a near impossible project to get done, but the family embraced the challenge and threw themselves into the work.

Isaac Botkin (24), who was taught by his father that he would be a man when he turned thirteen, used the knowledge and skills he has developed over the past decade to create all the visual effects and to assist his father in directing and shooting the film. This is a young man who has been asked by Weta Workshops (of "Lord of the Rings" fame) to work on their current project "King Kong." But Isaac Botkin has turned these offers down because he wanted to help his father and to communicate the message of this film.

David Botkin (22), managed all the IT aspects of the production. Keeping track of over 10,000 pictures, 60-80 hours of footage, and organizing them in such a way that they were easily accessible.

Anna (20) & Elizabeth (18), were faithful to serve their father in his huge project; composing, along with Benjamin, the beautiful score for the documentary and then arranging and producing it on their computer. They designed period costumes; including a beautiful apron made from a pillow sham. Anna played the part of Mrs. Butler in the scene where the airplane flies overhead and young "Johnny Boy" runs to her side to wave. They used a sewing machine to perforate the period stamps Isaac had designed using Adobe Photoshop.

Benjamin (16) played a major role in the composition of the score. Anna and Elizabeth have kindly remarked that their "little brother" has greater talent in the area of composition. Indeed, Benjamin was not only competent, but he was diligent. Every night at 2:00 A.M. he would get himself out of bed (Mr. Botkin says they never had to wake him up) and take a five-hour shift at the computer, arranging the score for the film and improving the sound quality of each note and instrument. At 7:00 A.M. he would be relieve by Anna or Elizabeth, who would take the day shifts in a long and hard cycle. Such sacrifice characterizes the Botkin's approach to this film.

Lucas (12), aided by his younger brother Noah (10), took over all the chores around the Botkin Family's ranch in New Zealand. He and Noah worked diligently to free the rest of the family up for "film work" and their contribution was just as significant. They were doing what they could do best to aid the production and to further the vision.

These brief summaries only brush the surface of the late nights, early mornings, long days, missed birthdays and anniversaries, and the hundreds and hundreds of small, but difficult, tasks that this family undertook to bring "The League of Grateful Sons" to the big screen.

In the world of paradoxes this family has shown that youth can be defied by responsibility, diligence, and faithfulness. And most clearly, they have proved that the paradox of the "family film" is really no pardox after all.

The DVD of "The League of Grateful Sons" is available on the Vision Forum website for $18.00.

SAICFF: 12:30 P.M. - 10/29

I have just returned from watching three short films in the Narrative category: Doors of the Heart, Dumb Detective, and Mr. Safeguard. All three contained excellent messages and several flashes of brilliance in filmmaking. It is exciting to see the future of the Independent Christian Filmmaking represented so well by these early pioneers in this culture-changing movement.

SAICFF: 11:15 A.M. - 10/29

Mr. Botkin shares countless, powerful, chilling quotations by Marxists of the past century, whose goal in cultural warfare was targeted towards two institutions: The cinema, and the public school system. Consider the following quotes:

John Dewey, father of progressive education: "Literacy is the greatest obstacle to socialism."

Vladimir Lenin: "Of all the arts, the motion picture is the most important."

Leon Trotsky: "This weapon [cinema], which cries out to be used, is the best instrument for political propaganda, which cuts into the memory and may be made a possible source of revenue."

Severneya Pravda: "We are obliged... to make amusement a weapon of collective education. The cinema competes with the church. This rivalry may become fatal for the church. The cinema liberates you from the need of crossing the church door. Here is an instrument we must secure."

As Mr. Botkin said, "It was the perfect instrument of indoctrination because it was so well suited to create an entire society more blatantly devoted to the gratification of sensory desires at the expense of masculine responsibility and achievement."

A few more quotes:

Otto Gross: "If Jezebel had not been defeated by Elijah, world history would have been diffretna dn better. Jezebel was Babylon. By killing her, monotheistic moralism drove pleasure from the world."

Mr. Gross, once again, stated that one of his visions was "to start a sexual revolution to destroy the bourgeois, patriarchal family."

Mr. Botkin further points out that the Soviet's intelligence operation code-named Hollywood as "Babylon."

To show the Marxist's great power and influence in Hollywood, Mr. Botkin shared several quotes, inlcuding this by screenwriter-director Philip Dunne, in his 1980 memoirs, "All over town the industrious communist tail wagged the lazy liberal dog."

This is hardly a taste of the information being shared in this lecture... Mr. Botkin, a former Marxist himself, has studied this issue for over 10 years, and his knowledge and wisdom is incredible. The implications of the revelations shown in this session are astounding.

We wonder what has happened to society and why Hollywood is leading the way downward... The answer is chilling. It was planned, strategized, and calculated for decades upon decades by those who hate Christianity and all the values represented by Scripture. It was, as one author put it, "far and away the most successful psychological warfare operation ever launched against the West."

SAICFF: 11:00 A.M. - 10/29

In 1979, Hollywood insider, Ben Stein, published his book "The View from Sunset Boulevard," subtitled "America as brought to you by the people who make television." In it he outlined the results of his studies, which found the following depictions as consistently presented in Hollywood television and feature films:

Businessmen = criminals

The military = psychotic sadists

Minorities of all descriptions = goodhearted and hard-working

Small towns = evil

Criminals = victims of racism and poverty

Clergy = uninformed, unsophisticated, and ineffectual

Government social workers = noble, idealistic

Fathers = stupid

Children = superior and more intelligent than parents

Mr. Stein's conclusion was this: "It all came together for me only by using a Marxian analysis."

Here Mr. Botkin turned to powerfully present Marxism and Neo-Marxism as the direct but subtle power behind Hollywood's molding and shaping of culture. He quotes a poem written by a young Karl Marx:

"Soon I shall embrace eternity to my breast, and soon I shall howl gigantic curses on mankind... If there is a something which devours, I'll leap within though I bring the world to ruins. The world which bulks between me and abyss I will smash to pieces iwth my enduring curses... Behold this sword - the prince of darkness sold it to me. For he beats the time and gives the signs. Ever more boldly I play the dance of Death." — Karl Marx

SAICFF: 10:45 A.M. - 10/29

Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., has blessed us with powerful insights. Here are some choice excerpts from my notes:

• If you were going to war, the one thing you'd like to trick your enemy into believing is that there is no war. And that is the one the devil seeks to convince Christians of.
• We tend to think that when we hold up the Bible the devil will run in fear. But that's a lie! He says, "Sure! Let's read the Bible and see what it really says." He's sitting next to us seeking to convince us, among others things, that there is no war.
  
• 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal . . ." This means that there is a war! We're being more pious than God when we say, "We're Christians, we should build bridges, not walls."
• Just because it says our weapon are not carnal, doesn’t mean we’re not at war. It just means our weapons are not grenades and tanks! Carnal doesn’t just mean non-physical, it means not “evil.” Our weapons are not carnal, they are virtues themselves: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
• Weapon Number One - Truth: In the battle for Truth we are fighting with unarmed men. We need to buy into this in a big way! We need to buy into this in a big way, because we have bought into the mindset that Christians are dumber than your average bear! We just stand back. Be quiet. We're just simple Christians who aren't going to hurt anyone. This is why it is so shocking to the enemy when we don't act that way. The three words, "Are you sure?" is all you need to disarm those who say there is no objective truth.
• We must understand that only a very small portion of the Bible is pure instructional, textbook style teaching. The majority is stories, poems, and songs! And these stories are not about men who have never failed, but who believe in a big gospel.
• Weapon Number Two - Goodness: Goodness is terribly overlooked. We must understand that humans are influenced more by the inspiration of virtue than they are by the presentation of arguments. Goodness inspires virtue.
• The enemy propogates the lie that heroism is standing up for what you believe in. But Hitler did that. Stalin did that. Anyone can do that. Rather, heroism is standing up for goodness. A hero is someone who does good, even when it's hard.
• Weapon Number Three - Beauty: The sad truth is that while we've fought against relativism in the area of truth (Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life) and in the area of goodness (God's Law governs morality), we've agreed with the world when it says, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
• But there are objective standards of beauty. Why is it that no one has pictures of car wrecks above their mantle? Why is it that no one buys CD of grating static to listen to while they work? There are standards, even though the world attempts to abolish them.
• Dr. Sproul, Jr., argued that these three virtues represent the Trinity, where Truth is represented in the Son, Goodness is represented in the Father, and Beauty is represented in the Spirit. And while the Trinity composes one God, perhaps Truth, Goodness, and Beauty are really one thing.
• The worst thing about Darwinism is that it has convinced us that Creation is a machine. It's a dance. It's a poem. It's a song. It's a harmonizing of complexity. It is beautiful. It is true. It is good.
• As filmmakers we must show this beauty, goodness, and truth. We must communicate, as much as we are able, the character of God Himself, through our filmmaking.

SAICFF: 10:40 A.M. - 10/29

While Brett covers R.C. Sproul, Jr., and his lecture entitled, The Weapons of Our Warfare: Truth, Beauty, Righteousness, I will be providing notes and commentary on a lecture that was very popular and impacting to festival attendees last year, entitled Hollywood's Most Despised Villian by Geoff Botkin.

Mr. Botkin begins by defining two key terms:

Holiness: As applied to media: Purity of content, Biblically moral content, sanctified content consecrated to God, separate form and vastly different from conventional worldly standards.

Aesthetics: The science of defining goodness, truth, and beauty and how culture is perceived. Through aesthetic elements we feel, perceive and see a culture’s religion. Aesthetic elements are the external elements of culture, the physical building blocks of culture. They are the imprint of faith on life and culture. All are religious. They are the theological marks of society, even secular society. They are the marks of one’s values and moral codes. Christian aesthetic elements are the ingredients of Christian culture, which is nothing more than Christian civilization. They are the tools of discipleship, the very framework of the Kingdom of God.

SAICFF: 10:15 A.M. - 10/29

Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., in his lecture, "The Weapons of Our Warfare: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty," has just argued that "In the battle for Truth we are fighting with unarmed men. We need to buy into this in a big way! We need to buy into this in a big way, because we have bought into the mindset that Christians are dumber than your average bear! We just stand back. Be quiet. We're just simple Christians who aren't going to hurt anyone."

This is why it is so shocking to the enemy when we don't act that way.

SAICFF: "League of Grateful Sons" - World Premiere

What an absolutely incredible, God-glorifying, awe-inspiring, tear-provoking, blessing of an evening. The League of Grateful Sons has premiered to a packed auditorium of nearly 2,000 people. Professional throughout, the world premiere once again demonstrated a vision for excellence in medium and message.

The League of Grateful Sons uncovers a forgotten heritage and leaves today's sons and fathers a wonderful legacy. Let us honor our fathers. Let them tell the stories of God's providence and ever-present faithfulness. And let those stories continue from generation to generation; giving wings to young eagles.

The audience's appreciation for this film was evidenced by a prolonged standing ovation that continued throughout the credits. A standing ovation that was repeated when George Sarris introduced the brave World War II veterans, who made their way from around the world to attend the world premiere of a film that tells their story, and establishes the legacy of ordinary men who believe in duty, honor, commitment, sacrifice, and most importantly, a sovereign and gracious God who does all things well.

SAICFF: "League of Grateful Sons" - World Premiere

Sentimental Journey opens the world premiere of Vision Forum's "League of Grateful Sons."

SAICFF: Interview with John Moore - 1:45 P.M.

We just finished an excellent interview with 16-year-old, John Moore, of Kaufman, Texas. Young Mr. Moore was incredibly articulate and purposeful in answering our questions. We'll try to transcribe the rest of the interview at a later date, but for now we'd like to share a wonderful bit of advice Moore had for aspiring young filmmakers:

"The thing I need to hear more and more and more, is 'you don’t need a better camera, you don’t need a better camera, you don’t need a better camera, you don’t need a better camera.'

We need to realize that . . . the latest, top-of-the-line camera, right now, a year from now will be obsolete. Technologies won’t be used anymore, the quality won’t be the best out there, and so you’ll need another one. But lighting techniques will stay with you forever. The sooner you learn lighting the sooner you’ll master your craft. The sooner you learn sound technique, the sooner you’ll master your craft. Those are things that have not changed in 60 years, and I’m sure they stay the same for a good long time to come.”

SAICFF: 1:10 P.M. - 10/28

Images and quotations from press conference announcing the world premiere of Vision Forum's Faith of our Father's film project The League of Grateful Sons:

"[H]ere you have, perhaps one of the most important things that I think can happen in a man's life. And that is this, we're all ordinary men, but the world doesn't praise the most important things that are in the lives and hearts of ordinary men. And my father is an ordinary man. We're honoring him, but we're honoring him for the things that the world would never honor him for." — Scott Brown

“We are hoping to see this [film] distributed widely through the Christian community through a variety of different independent marketing vehicles. Now, historically, films have been marketed only through the monopolistic stranglehold mechanism of Hollywood. This is being broken up today. The Internet, private avenues, open up opportunities for independent filmmakers like myself to reach a large number of people.”

“My dream is that churches will show this film and encourage people to see it in their homes and in their local churches. It is my dream that local theaters will pick it up; theaters that understand that families want to see more than the sort of stuff that’s coming out of Hollywood right now. Also, it’s our dream and our hope, should God provide the resources, or should the doors open up, that we’ll be able to see the film in its entirety or perhaps an edited version on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, and others, so that we can reach an entire group of individuals who would otherwise not be seeing this film. Our goal is that millions of people will see the film and we’ll be pressing towards that direction in the months to come.” -- Doug Phillips

SAICFF: 12:55 P.M. - 10/28

Scott Brown, whose father fought in WWII on Iwo Jima, just shared his deep appreciation for being involved in The League of Grateful Sons. One thing that particularly stood out was this quote, regarding his father: "[This film is] honoring him for something that the world would never honor him for."

SAICFF: 12:45 P.M. - 10/28

Vision Forum is currently holding a brief press conference announcing the world premiere of The League of Grateful Sons this evening. Brett and I, representing The Rebelution, have been invited to attend and participate. We are incredibly excited about this film.

Updates and quotes to come...

SAICFF: 12:30 P.M. - 10/28

Alex and I are now enjoying the film "Bubble Trouble," in which young "Gator" builds a special machine that allows him to read people's minds. Then when two con men plan a plot to rob his family Gator must put his new abilities to use. I would highly recommend this incredibly funny and fun short to everyone and anyone.

Fun music and excellent comedic timing and expression from young Jeffrey Moore. The script is delightful and the plot is very creative. We look forward to our scheduled interview with director, producer, and writer John Moore at 1:45 this afternoon.

SAICFF: 11:55 A.M. - 10/28

Brett and I are in room 007 watching two films in the Young Filmmakers category. The first, called Finally Home, directed by Phillip Leclerc, is a 33-minute film that tells the story of Jesse, a young teen whose parents were killed in a fatal car accident and who lives in a State home for boys. Driven by unanswered questions, Jesse takes a group of boys and feels the boy's home to the only person he knows can help him — "Uncle Owen." So far, I've really appreciate the high quality camera work in this film.

The second film, coming up next, is a film directed by then-15, now 16 year-old, John Moore, entitled Bubble Trouble. A brief description of this film can be found here.

SAICFF: 11:00 A.M. - 10/28

Presented by Geoff Botkins in his session Vocational Realities for Aspiring Filmmakers:

Spiritual Qualifications for Aspiring Filmmakers:

• Are you living in the real world?
• Are you a leader or a follower?
• Are you weak in faith or strong in faith?
• Are you teaching in truth or sound doctrine?
• Are you growing in grace and humility?
• Do you have vigor and spiritual authority?
• Are you pursuing a relationship with God through biblical literacy?
• Do you heed the voice of your parents?
• Do you take every opportunity to let your family sharpen your character?
• Are you building your own convictions?

Academic Qualifications for Aspiring Filmmakers:

• Do not go to film school. For many producers, and especially for independent Christian producers, college credentials mean the following: “The holder of these credential just spent four years in a dismally unproductive environment using gear that is no longer industry standard, trying to succeed in a totally artificial environment because he didn’t have the resourcefulness or creativity to go out and produce something for the real world. The graduate can tolerate futility and boredom.”
• Among your professional goals should be to become resourceful, responsible, virtuous, capable, dependable, accomplished, entrepreneurial, and honest.
• Your vocational goal should be the complete management of your own productions.
• As preparation to that goal you should make your own small production or assist mature Christian producers who are creating good material.

Note: Blogger is not allowing us to upload pictures. Hopefully this problem will be rectified soon. For now, there will be only text.

SAICFF: 10:55 A.M. - 10/28

Presented by Geoff Botkins in his session Vocational Realities for Aspiring Filmmakers:

Cold Facts About the Filmmaking Industry:

• Filmmaking can be a sin trap because the present industry is a sensuality cartel.
• Filmmaking is not as prestigious, refined, classy, or glamorous as the industry portrays itself. (“Film are made by morons for morons.” - Walter Matthau)
• Film can also be spiritually dangerous because it is a fun vocation. It integrates many challenging arts, sciences, technologies, and talented people. It entertains. It thrills. It’s so much fun, we can make an idol of it.
• Film is a religious weapon that has been used for both garish and brutish amusement and subtle indoctrination.
• You need spiritual maturity in order to know how to use this versatile weapon because it teaches. Filmmakers are teachers. (James 3:1 - "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.")
• Because every film teaches theological truth and falsehood, you must understand the You must have character as well as sound theological footing on order to rise to positions of responsibility in the industry.
• You must choose your positions and training carefully in order to avoid helping the wrong people advance the wrong ideas.
• You must develop the vision to be a wise leader and not a blind follower. You must attain to positions of influence in order to be the most effective teacher you can be.
• You must aspire to be an independent writer/producer/director.
• The most influential form of media is the two-hour theatrical feature film. In the early 21st Century, this motion picture format is still the influential pacesetter of American Culture. As it is exported to other nations it upsets cultural realities wherever it is seen. It colonizes culturally and it disciplines theologically.

SAICFF: 10:45 P.M. - 10/28

Mr. Geoffrey Botkin is now presenting an excellent talk entitled Vocational Realities for Aspiring Filmmakers. It's purpose is to communicate to aspiring filmmakers what to expect, be aware of, and prepare for.

He began by warning attendees of the dangers of Hollywood. Mr. Botkin, a Marxist prior to coming to Christ, was drawn to the world of filmmaking when he realized the power of that medium. He went to Hollywood, observed it, and observed friends and acquaintances who, despite their good intentions, became mired in its filth.

Countless Christians have been harmed, many shipwrecked in Hollywood. You cannot succeed in that industry without compromising in order to please the powers-that-be; powers that are hostile to Christianity in every way.

"This is a dangerous territory. It's dangerous. And this is probably the only film festival you'll go to where the faculty will tell you, 'You better be careful. This isn't cool. This is warfare.'" — Geoff Botkin

SAICFF: 10:15 A.M. - 10/28

In his session, "Outside Hollywood: The Core Thesis," Doug Phillips shared four reasons why this is the perfect time to be a Christian filmmaker:

Number One: We have access to technology. Right now, for $10,000, you can build a fully functional film studio and start cranking out films. Previously these tools were unavailable to anyone outside of Hollywood or who weren't independently wealthy.

Number Two: We have genuine methods of distribution. It used to be that Hollywood completely controlled the distribution mechanism. You simply could not get your film out to a large audience apart from the Hollywood machine. However, now there are more and more options for distribution. Many people are bypassing the theaters altogether. Instead, churches are gathering thousands of Christians within their doors to show films they believe will be uplifting and profitable. The Internet is arguably the biggest tool for change, as the new Movie iPod brings to the public's attention a whole new way to distribute and watch movies. Vision Forum is currently considering the development of an online Christian film store where you can download high-caliber Christian films for a minimal price.

Important Side Note: Mr. Phillips also argued that a big part of Christian films being distributed is for Christians themselves to start supporting it. He said that we tend to spend much of our money subsidizing Hollywood's raunchy films by watching them in the theaters or renting them on DVD. Here at the SAICFF, Vision Forum is putting their money where their mouth is, by saying: "You made a Christ-honoring, epistemologically self-conscious film, here is $10,000."

As Christians our part is to spend the bulk of our money on what which is excellent, beautiful, and above reproach.

Number Three: God is raising up an army. Doug Phillips compared this independent Christian film movement to the homeschool movement of the 1970's and '80's, saying that we need the same willingness to pioneer, to battle, and to cast an exciting new vision for reform.

Number Four: God is opening up new opportunities for training. Older, mature Christian filmmakers are increasingly taking young filmmakers as apprentices in a mentoring relationship. In this movement, Mr. Phillips argued, we need to be auto-didacts. We need to teach ourselves and be taught by others.

SAICFF: 9:45 A.M. - 10/28

One of the most incredible segments of the session "Outside Hollywood: The Core Thesis," was when Geoff Botkin, a brilliant filmmaker and Godly man shared why he has not joined Hollywood:

"Even if I'm gifted, I have fare more and bigger and more grand responsibilities than being true to my own gifts and talents. I have duties and responsibilities to my Lord, to my family, and to my fellow believers. And I cannot disregard those duties.

The reason I don't work in Hollywood is because it would corrupt my soul, and that corruption would work its way into my family."

Mr. Botkin is such an incredible witness as he rejects the lie our culture promotes that faithfulness to yourself is more important than faithfulness to your God, family, and those around you. There is no doubt in the minds of anyone who knows his skill that he could be involved in high-end productions if he were to act against his firm convictions. But everyone who knows his character knows that he never will.

SAICFF: 9:30 A.M. - 10/28

I have just finished listening to R.C. Sproul, Jr., deliver a provacative talk entitled Deliberate Culture. He began by presenting a brief history of the Enlightenment, and argues that this same philosophy of perfection through education continues to ensnare believers and unbelievers alike. As a younger man, Sproul explained, he was what he calls a Worldview Boy. He grew up under the teaching of his father, R.C. Sproul, senior, and Dr. Francis Schaeffer. He's written entire books on worldviews. And yet, he has a charge and a caution for worldviewish Christians.

As Christians, particularly those of us who are Reformed, we often fall into the error of measuring our level of sanctification by the sophistication of our worldview. Our godliness is decided by our ability to drop names of philosophers and theologians whose works we've studied. We attempt to solve our problems by reading books, attending conferences, listening to sermons, and watching video lectures. In many ways, we're still snared by a foundational enlightenment worldview, that man is perfectible, and that education is his salvation. We don't change our problems by changing our worldview. Man doesn't sin because of errors in his worldview. Rather he constructs erroneous worldviews to cover over his sin.

Because of this, making movies to change worldviews, simply will not work. That mindset is still enslaved to the enlightenment. It will only persuade audiences to construct different erroneous worldviews to cover up their sins. Mr. Sproul encouraged all Christians, whether watching or making films, to measure a movie, not by its ability to make us think true thoughts, but by its ability to encourage virtue. As Christians, we are not deliberate enough. He puts forth this charge as an example of this error: That the problem in America is not Darwinism, but the murder of babies.

Mr. Sproul points out the passage in Romans 1:29-32, where we read, "They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

As Christians we often will boycott movies with gross immorality, violence, or obscenity. You see, we believe we can identify the worldview behind such depictions of sin. And yet, we watch and support movies and television shows where gossips, fools, and disobedient children are continually depicted. We've missed something.

SAICFF: 8:45 A.M. - 10/28

During the session "Outside Hollywood: The Core Thesis," Mr. Phillips makes a powerful, powerful point. He tells the story of his family's visit to the beautiful ancient Mayan temples where, each day, the priest would take a twelve year old boy or girl, cut out their beating heart, eat it, and throw the body down the temple steps. The Aztecs also followed this horrendous practice. When Montezuma met Cortez, he invited him to lunch, took a twelve-year-old boy, laid him on the table, cut out his heart, and ate it. The most shocking aspect of this historical fact is that this practice was completely normal and societally accepted. There was absolutely no outcry. The culture was entirely desensitized.

He then turned the story on modern Americans, including Christians. We laugh at depictions of homosexuality, at disrepect and disobedience to parents, and at bumbling reverends and pastors in a majority of secular television and films. We secretly root for men and women in "romantic" films to leave their hateful husband or wife and commit adultery. We do little, besides voicing our opinion from time to time, to raise a cry against the murder of millions of unborn children. We've also been desensitized, and Hollywood has been the major player.

SAICFF: 8:15 A.M. - 10/28

This morning Alex and are going to attend a two different sessions. The first from Geoff Botkin and Doug Phillips entitled, "Outside Hollywood: The Core Thesis," and the second by R.C. Sproul, Jr., entitled, "Deliberate Culture." Both sound positively excellent and promise to be just as insightful as everything we've heard over the past few days. Updates and pictures to follow.

SAICFF: Time Captured In A Photograph #1

Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. is the director of Highlands Study Center. Tonight he shared that the serpent's strategy is to twist God's revealed Word when it says "the earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof." The enemy twists that to mean that "stuff is good." Tomorrow morning at 8:30 A.M. in his lecture "Deliberate Culture" he will explaining how a proper understanding of God's dominion over creation affects filmmaking and culture.

Kevin Swanson, writer, author, radio host, & worldview teacher, will be speaking tommorrow at 8:30 A.M. on "How Christians Can Evaluate Movies." Tonight he shares that there are three kinds of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what just happened. He encouraged us to belong to the first category and told us that only Christians who are "worldview-savvy" will make things happen.

George Sarris, an actor, narrator, and spokesman, presents an incredible, one-man rendition of the Book of Esther, taken word-for-word, straight out of the Bible. The audience absolutely loved it.

SAICFF: 10:00 P.M. - 10/27

For the evening’s entertainment, festival attendees have been treated to two magnificent performances. The first was a compilation Scottish ballads, sung by baritone Celtic balladeer Charlie Zahm. I wish we could allow those reading to hear Mr. Zahm’s incredible voice, but sadly, it cannot be communicated over the blog medium. The second was a performance of the entire Book of Esther, word-for-word, by veteran actor/storyteller George Sarris. Mr. Sarris truly brings Scripture to life. However, what I appreciate most about Mr. Zahm and Mr. Sarris, which can be communicated through written word, is their commitment to glorifying God through their areas of endeavor. It is a testimony to Vision Forum that they not only bring in artists who are experts in their craft, but also ensure that those artists fit perfectly in the message of the entire event: That Christ is over all.

SAICFF: Random Interview Samplings #1

Immediately after the opening ceremony concluded we started interviewing film festival attendees to get their first impressions. The following quotations do little to show how many different cities, states, and nations are represented at this event, or the incredible age ranged represented, however they all perfectly summarize the impression the opening ceremony had on nearly all who attended:

Chloe Anderson, an 18-year-old from Colorado: "We just got done with the opening ceremonies and I was blown away. I was very, very impressed with what is being done here."

J.J. Gauthier, an 18-year-old from Colorado: "Based on the opening ceremony I think this is going to be very interesting. This is something that really is kind of untapped by Christians, it's not something that is used well. So if this turns out to be as good, or hopefully even better, than what was previewed at the opening ceremony I think [filmmaking] is something [Christians] can really make an impact on."

John Moore, a 16-year-old from Texas: "I was extremely impressed with the purity that I saw here, the revelutionary insight from the speakers, and the quality of presentation. Just really the beauty of it all, I guess you could say. Anyone could see the beauty in this."

SAICFF: 8:15 P.M. - 10/27

To conclude our live-reporting of the SAICFF Opening Ceremony, we quote the words adorning one of the three excellent trailers for the festival presented this evening:

"Come to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Where Truth . . . is true. Evil . . . is evil. Men . . . are men. Women . . . are women. Modesty . . . is beautiful. Marriage . . . is for life. Children . . . are a blessing. Motherhood . . . is a divine calling. Fathers . . . always know best. And the good ‘ol days . . . are now."

We wish you were here.

SAICFF: 7:45 P.M. - 10/27

[Note: This post is being posted a little late because Alex and I have been able to find only one room in the building where we can connect to the internet without paying $4.95 per minute. For that reason we are having to run back and forth from the auditorium to our "press room" to bring these updates to you. Keep this fact in mind and be gracious if our updates are slightly later than normal.]

The Salters Family just finished the most beautiful rendition of "Be Thou My Vision," that I, or anyone I've asked about it, have ever heard. I am unable to express just how refreshing it is to be at a Christian event where the aesthetics are equal to the message.

And let me tell you: Vision Forum doesn't skimp on message.

This Opening Ceremony has been technically perfect, artistically beautiful, and uncompromisingly powerful. What a incredible change from what we've come to expect from Christian events. Too often we attend Christian events, watch Christian movies, read Christian novels, and work with Christian businesses, hoping that we won't be disappointed too badly. Our standards have sunk to such a low level that we've been thrilled to find Christian products that "succeed" in attaining a level of quality that would be considered average by industry standards.

Vision Forum and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival are playing a major role in changing things; combining incredible levels of competence and character, while investing heaveily in the ability of competent Christians around the world to network and collaborate.

SAICFF: 7:30 P.M. - 10/27

The audience was just given the tremendous treat of watching trailers for two upcoming, independent Christian films. The first, by Scottish brothers Colin and Euan Gunn, winners of last year's Best Political Film for their film Shaky Town (covering the issue of gay marriage in San Francisco), is called The Monstrous Regiment of Women, which looks to be an excellent treatment of the feminist movement. Be sure to watch the trailer here.

The second trailer, by the team (led by Richard Ramsey) who won the Audience Choice Award last year for their allegorical critique of post-modernism Washington's Cross, is called The Oath, and appears to be excellent in quality. You can watch the trailer here.

SAICFF: 7:10 P.M. - 10/27

After celtic balladeer Charlie Zahm led the nearly 1,500 attendees in the National Anthem, and Justice Tom Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court opened the event in prayer, Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum, began the evening with a thesis, a maxim, and an encouragement. The thesis for the SAICFF is that we, as Christians, should take every frame captive to obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our maxim, from Scripture, is Nehemiah 4:14, “Be not ye afraid of them: Remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” And we are to be encouraged, because this is the greatest time in history to be an independent Christian filmmaker. As a preliminary observation, the anticipation and excitement in the room is readily apparent.

Justice Tom Parker, prays to our Creator, thanking Him for the gift of creativity and inviting Him to bless this weekend's festival.

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival: 6:30 P.M. - 10/27

Brett and I are here at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Having signed in and received our press passes, Brett and I are preparing for the opening ceremonies, which will begin shortly. Unfortunately, we only have internet access in one room in the entire convention center; a room that is completely removed from any of the events that will be transpiring over the next several days. Because of this, we will not be able to give minute-by-minute updates, as we did for the Christian Film Academy. We will be screening films and interviewing filmmakers throughout the week, giving you as comprehensive coverage as possible, but will have to wait until we can return to this "special" room before posting. Thank you for your patience.

CFA: Accolades From Attendees

Dennis Zwonitzer of Spokane, Washington, came to the CFA with four of his eleven children. “The academy was spectacular. We really appreciate everything that went in to this whole event. It was better than ever imagined.”

Eddy Williams, from Ogden, Utah, “I really enjoyed the academy. They have provided an excellent ministry here to equip young warriors for Christ. I would urge that other people…get interested in it, to really back this ministry, and try and get out for 2006.”

Walsh Family, from Orlando, Florida:

• Patrick (Father): “This was like sailing on the movie Mayflower with the Pilgrims here, and its new journey to claim ground for Christ.”
• Caleb (16 year-old, Winner of the Best Young Filmmaker Award at SAICFF 2004): “The academy was absolutely terrific, very insightful, lots of instruction, and very helpful. I’m sure it will get better and better.”
  

Terry Ulrich, from Edgewood, New Mexico, brought two of his five sons to the academy because of their interest in filmmaking: “The academy has really helped to focus [my sons'] vision on making movies for the glory of God. And I think that it has broadened their vision of what they can accomplish.”

Robert Tull, 17-year-old: “They do [the academy] like a ministry, you don’t get the impression that they’re doing it for profit. It’s something that they do to advance the Kingdom of Christ and to serve people who want to advance the Kingdom of Christ. And it’s just so neat to be able to come and learn and work with people whose concern is not money, it’s advancing the kingdom in an area that’s been taken over by the devil and now we can take it back.” When asked to summarize the academy, Robert responded: “Very Christ-honoring.”

David Thompson, from Oxford, Michigan: “It’s a lot to take in. Lot’s of ideas. Lot’s of good instruction. Lot’s of great vision. Lot’s of encouragement, and motivation and passion.”

Catherine Bollen, 17, from Clifton, Virginia: "I enjoyed it a lot, especially since I have grown up thinking I would go into the Hollywood, secular system, and actually had many plans and connections already. So this week has really changed my course, and now I have to do new networking, but I think it's all for the better."

Devin Ballif, 16, Mt. Vernon, Washington: "Vision Forum takes a very uncompromising stand... [Among young people] it is lacking, and a lot more than it should be. As Christians, we need to be following what the Bible says completely, and not just in some areas of our life. We need more stuff like Vision Forum."

Andre Fredette, 18, Cornish, Maine: "The academy has been terrific. I think God is really using the people who put this on... to activat[e] the next generation. I think the networking that's taking place here is what is going to create the ability of Christian films to be of highest quality."

CFA: 5:25 P.M. - 10/25

We have officially graduated from the first annual Christian Filmmakers Academy... A big hand to all attendees.

Interview excerpts from students, and perhaps, more photographs, will be posted later this evening.

CFA: 5:00 P.M. - 10/26

Geoff Botkin just delivered a closing admonition to academy students. The emphasis throughout the week has been, not only technical excellence, but more importantly, on a heart after God and a life committed to Him. Mr. Botkin reminded students that they are ministers of the gospel through the films they make, and charged them to remain devoted to fearing God, and not man. They are currently passing out academy diplomas to the entire class, allowing each student to come up and shake the hands of the academy faculty.

CFA: 4:45 P.M. - 10/26

A great question has just been asked: "Should we or can we expect a radical paradigm shift by Hollywood?" Here are some choice responses from the CFA Faculty:

• Geoffrey Botkin: "We can supercede Hollywood. We are promised victory in Scripture. We can take God at His word when He says, "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me. As we are faithful to our Biblical responsibilities, culture will be transformed, media will be transformed."

• Doug Phillips: "Regardless of our eschatological views, we have a Biblical responsibility to be involved in the fight for our culture. But our mission is not to convert hellish Babylonian temples, but to tear them down! Because Hollywood it is governed by elites, and because of its misconceptions and wrong philosophies, it is not redeemable."
  

• Isaac Botkin: "We need to hurry. We can’t wait for [Hollywood] to die on its own. I don’t want to see it die of natural causes. I want us to be the ones that kill it."

CFA: 4:30 P.M. - 10/26

I apologize for the long delay between posts. Blogger is experiencing some technical difficulties, which forced us to rewrite this entry from scratch.

This final session has been a segment where all of the faculty, Doug Phillips, Ken Carpenter, Isaac Botkins, Geoff Botkins, Dan Rasmussen, and Anthony Biller, are fielding questions from the audience.

Many of the preliminary questions were targeted at Anthony Biller, regarding copyright laws. One question was whether permission was needed to show the Google or Microsft Word logos on a computer screen in a film. The answer was (assuming this does not play a large part of your movie), no, you do not need to ask permission.

A mother just asked a very excellent question. In paraphrase: "What do you advise for a unmarried young lady who desires to pursue the field of filmmaking?" The answer focused on the need for a unified family that will develop and cultivate the abilities of its members. Far too many Christians mistakenly believe that young ladies can be only one of two things; either she stays at home all day eating bon-bons, or else she's a warrior, conqueror, rabid feminist. This is simply not true. Mr. Phillips recommends several resources on this subject, both carried by Vision Forum. The first is the audio tape CD "What's A Girl To Do?" The second is a book by Mr. Botkin's 17 and 19 year-old daughters, entitled "So Much More."

CFA: 3:30 P.M. - 10/26

We are proud to share the following two new resources headed up by academy attendees:

www.georgiachristianfilms.com - Headed up by "Captain" Bret Smith. Allows you to post a short description of your interests and abilities in order to network with other likeminded individuals. While you're there, check out the information on the Christian Movie Show.

www.totalrewind.com - Headed up by Kurt Eilander and Eddy Wiliams of Ogden, Utah. Includes free, online discussion, classified ads for trading, selling, and borrowing equipment, and other features.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #9

Here we have a snapshot of the video footage created by Isaac Botkin for the Vision Forum film League of Grateful Sons. The footage, originally captured on video, was edited, not only to make it look more like film, but also to add the CGI plane flying overhead. Everyone here was very impressed.

The audience was eating up the incredible examples Isaac Botkin had to share.

Mr. Botkin uses dual-monitors to display graphic design techniques.

Steven Wagner, his wife Donarae, and his grandson James, hail from Whitehall, Montana.

Zach King, a fifteen-year-old from West Linn, Oregon.

CFA: 2:40 P.M. - 10/26

Isaac Botkin is showing us some amazing examples of graphic animation. He's taken a shaky, overexposed shot of a reenactment of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima, and diminished the shakiness, added moving clouds in the background, and generally cleaned up the video footage to look like film. He also showed us some footage of a CGI plane flying by in the Vision Forum film League of Grateful Sons, which I believe will be shown in entirety at the festival later this week.

Pictures to be posted soon...

CFA: 1:35 P.M. - 10/26

We have now come to a much anticipated lecture on graphic and computer design, presented by Mr. Geoff Botkin and his son, Isaac.

Isaac will be giving live demonstrations on his computer, which will be projected on the large screen to his right. This session will probably become more technical and complicated as we move forward. We'll post as much as we can.

CFA: 12:05 P.M. - 10/26

Some quick notes from Mr. Botkins session Editing and Project Selection, which has been excellent, I must say. More to come later... Lunch break is up next.

The primary emphasis of this session has been the importance of doing the bulk of your editing before filming your shots. Again, this goes back to the idea of "technological sloppiness;" we think that we can fix everything on the computer later, so we're careless and shoot a bunch of superfluous footage. We need to think through out shots before we get on the field. Just like a story should have a beginning, middle, and end, so should each individual shot. Most great films do not have a lot of bells and whistles in the form of fancy transitions or dissolves. Instead, they did a majority of their editing on the storyboard and on the field, which allows for fluid and sharp cuts, that greatly simplifies post-production work. The later you do your editing, the worse that editing will be.

Something that the Botkins advise is for filmmakers to take an excellently made film, and to take an individual scene and analyze every aspect of it. Look at the cuts and transitions, the angles and the lighting, the music and audio. Identify what makes it excellent.

CFA: 11:15 A.M. - 10/26

One of the most incredible segments during Ken Carpenter's lecture (and it was all incredible) was when he shared a comprehensive, step-by-step outline of the casting process:

Step 1: Determine schedule for auditions. Mr. Carpenter likes to do all the casting sessions in close proximity. That way he can remember everyone he's read.

Step 2: Figure out "where" to hold the audition. You'll need a place with two rooms. One for talent that’s waiting to read and the other room for the auditions.

Step 3: Crank out a casting breakdown. A casting breakdown lists the title and a one-line story synopsis of the story, the production company, and director. It will also designate whether your production is a union or a non-union production and whether the acting positions are paid or not. Normally, Mr. Carpenter advised, you only need to indicate pay when there is no salary. Finally, your casting breakdown sheet will list the roles that are being cast with a one-line description of each character.

Step 4: Send our casting breakdown to the local (or even statewide) newspapers, drama groups, and talent pools. Mr. Carpenter advises that you put out a wide net.

Step 5: Then, hopefully, the mailman will start coming with dozens and dozens of headshots and resumes from prospective actors. Go through the headshots and decide who you want to read and then go about scheduling them.

Step 6: Your audition schedule should allow 10 minutes per audition. Make sure you are strict about this schedule. You don't want people getting backlogged in the waiting room. As Christians we need to dignify talent and show them respect.

Step 7: On casting day you need someone to check the talent in and to hand out sides. Sides are excerpts from the script for each character. When the talent checks in you should know that they were coming (since you invited them), know what role they're auditioning for, and you should have sides for their character ready.

Step 8: In the audition room you will need a six foot table with a chair or two on one side for the talent and then room on the other side for the director, the producer, and casting director. Finally you will need someone to read against the talent. The reader against the talent will need to have a copy of the sides. Make sure your reader is not going to give the actors too little (meaning nothing but words, no emotion, no rapport) or too much (this isn't their Shakespearian moment, this isn't their show). The director must always observe. He should never read against the talent.

Step 9: Now it’s time for a lady to come in and audition for “Aunt Ruth." Do a little chitchat to find out if they’re a nice person. After all if you'll be working with them, you better like them!

Step 10: Now you're ready to begin. Allow the actors to sit down or stand up if they want. When they are ready, begin. However, don't tell them what you want from them. You want to see what they are going to bring. Furthermore, you don't have all the answers, they might bring something good and unanticipated. Watch carefully.

Step 11: Very important. Even if you love what they brought, have them do it again. But this time give them an adjustment. Say “this time, Aunt Ruth, let’s do like you just got a call from Aunt Mary with terrible news.” The reason you do this is because you want to see how they’ll adjust and how they’ll respond. If they do it the same way the second time you know they aren’t for you. On the set you will constantly need small adjustments and your actors need to adjust and respond to your instruction.

Step 12: Go through lots of people. Read lots of people. It’s hard, but it’s necessary. And it is one of the most important parts of filmmaking.

Step 13: After you finish the intitial casting process you’ll have call-backs. This operates much like the initial auditions except that you are only watching people you specifically wanted to see again, and this time you can feel free to share the script with the actors before they come to call-back.

So helpful. Thank you Mr. Ken Carpenter. Thank you Vision Forum.

CFA: 10:55 A.M. - 10/26

Just a brief taste of the excellent instruction of Mr. Carpenter. He is truly a repository of godly wisdom. More to come...

The Script: 1.) Your script needs to be properly formatted. There are industry standards to which any serious filmmaker must adhere. Part of the reason for this is, as your script begins to make its way into the hands of seasoned professionals, they’re going to expect professional formatting. 2.) You must pursue excellence in the area of script writing. Your movie can only be as good the script. 3.) For information and further links regarding screenplays and studio format go here. 4.) A good script will average about one minute of screen time per page.

The Story: When you're trying to come up with a story for your film, begin by making a list of all the things to which you have access. For example, if you have a friend who owns a yellow school bus, write that down. If you have a farm with horses, write that down. Work with what you have, not with what you don't.

Budget and Schedule: Be sure to ask yourself, "How many days can I afford to shoot?" As a general rule, episodic television shows shoot about 7 pages a day. Feature films shoot about 1 page a day. Bear this in mind. If you have a 30-page script and only 3 days to shoot, you have a problem.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #8

Pat Walsh, asks Ken Carpenter a question about casting relatively big name, non-Christian actors and actresses for Christian films.

Geoff Botkin gives his input on Mr. Walsh's question, advising that directors and producers take responsibility for the spiritual state of their sets. This doesn't mean you can't hire non-Christians, but that you faithfully steward your authority and influence over your cast and crew.

Andrew Elster, of Fredericksburg, Texas, asks Mr. Carpenter a question about cold casting, the practice of giving actors literally no time to prepare to read for an audition. Mr. Carpenter responded that giving actors a short time to prepare (45 minutes or less) gives you a better indication of your actor's abilities.

Geoff Botkin's Godly wisdom throughout the academy has been invaluable. Praise the Lord for his humility, wisdom, and willingness to invest in the next generation of Christian filmmakers.

CFA: 10:15 A.M. - 10/26

This has just been an incredible lecture by Mr. Carpenter. Definitely the most helpful so far the practical aspects of filmmaking and producing. We'll be posting some of the excellent advice he gave in the areas of casting, script-writing, gathering a crew, etc.

Right now I'd like to share a point that Mr. Carpenter has consistently emphasized: Communication is King. He said that there are countless jobs that he was offered simply because he could communicate his vision and enthusiasm for the project in one or two paragraphs.

Later one he said that as we gather our crew, find donors, etc. it is critical to learn to pitch your vision in a concise and persuasive way. "Practice this at home," advises Carpenter, and develop another aspect of communication, "a listening ear."

CFA: 10:00 A.M. - 10/26

Paraphrased words of wisdom from Ken Carpenter:

• "Write what you know, not what you don't."
• "Use what you have, not what you lack."
• "Pursue excellence in scriptwriting. There's an old Hollywood adage that we would do well to consider: 'If it ain't on the script, it ain't going to be in the movie.' A mediocre script will not become an excellent movie."
• "Think like entrepreneurs."
• "Understanding the craft of writing equips you to be a better filmmaker. If you really want to make a career out of filmmaking; yes, think visually, but the best career advice I can give you is to learn how to write."
• "Don't ask 'how much will it cost?' but rather, 'how much will we have to work with?'"
• "Hone your networking skills. Networking is key in all areas of endeavor."
  
• "Good producers are always a step ahead of anything that happens."
• “The quality of your actors and actresses is only as strong as the weakest one.“
• “Great movies have really talented people in small roles.”
• "If you don’t care enough about excellence to find out how to do the little things the right way, you will not be taken seriously."

That last paraphrased quotation reminds me of Proverbs 22:29, "Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men."

CFA: 9:30 A.M. - 10/26

Mr. Carpenter, before begining our hypothetical production planning meeting, is giving us a brief overview of the role of "director" and "producer."

• Producer: A producer with his team is responsible for the logistical and business side of a production. He makes sure everything and everyone is in place, one time. The best producers also combine a solid creative understanding of what makes a great script, great acting talent, great location, etc.
  

• Director: A director and his team is responsible for all the creative aspects of a production. He works to get the script where it needs to be, he crafts the look of the film, he works with the actors, etc. Also, in the same way that the best producers have a good artistic understanding, directors need a solid understanding of production realities and logistics. Directors and Producers benefit greatly from understanding and possessing the skills of their counterparts.
  

• Good Producer/Director Relationship: A great producer should accommodate requests from director for more film, a longer shoot, etc. A great director should assume that the producer will do everything within reason to accommodate his requests. On the other hand, as director, it is his responsibility to respond graciously and professionally if the answer is no. It is best case scenario to have a director and producer, not to have one person wearing both hats. It is very difficult to do a quality job in either position when you are responsible for both.

CFA: 9:15 A.M. - 10/26

Doug Phillips has just introduced Ken Carpenter, a director producer with a broad-based production background. He begins with a challenge, and after hearing this I know this is going to be a great lecture:

"Starting today, we must elevate our thinking beyond the one-man-show approach to filmmaking. I love this aspect of today's technology; that one man or woman can go out and make their own film. They can do their own lighting, audio, post-production, etc.

But if we are going to build a replacement industry, we aren't going to do it on our own. It will be done as teams of artisans, working together."

Now, Mr. Carpenter is pulling us into a hypothetical situation. He is going to invite the attendees of the Filmmakers Academy into his hypothetical producer's office, and we are going to plan a film for the Third Annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival next year.

"Please step on in and make yourselves comfortable." says Mr. Carpenter, "We're going to look at logistics through the eyes of the producer and director."

CFA: 9:00 P.M. - 10/26

One of the attendees, Pat Walsh, during some discussion time, is making the point that different people have different talents, but if they are unified and one-minded there is much greater potential for the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, since creativity comes from God, it is Christians who should be the most creative and the most ingenious. He suggested that one key to unlocking this creativity is unity and service one to another.

Doug Phillips, in followup is saying that the collaborative process presupposes unity. He agrees with Mr. Walsh that we should be the most creative people in the world, and gives the following suggestions: "You can develop that creativity with reading good books, good music, good poetry, and immersing yourselves in the Word of God."

Our Founding Fathers, and even the plough boys of early America, were expected to read great things and to understand great things. And the more you read and understand great things, the more you'll have to say.

CFA: 8:50 A.M. - 10/26

Mr. Phillips recites a Rudyard Kipling poem by memory to start the day:

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

CFA: 8:30 A.M. - 10/26

Here we are at the start of the third and final day of the First Annual Christian Filmmakers Academy. Worship and prayer should start any minute. In the meantime academy attendees spend their time on another important aspect of this event: networking.

The room is abuzz with the noise of over 150 aspiring culture changers sharing filming techniques, past projects, and future plans. It is an exciting and unique group of people.

Now, Doug Phillips has just called us to stand and sing, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." 150 voices raise to praise our Lord and King.

CFA: 11:23 P.M. - 10/25

After reviewing our notes from the day, we realized that we had succesfully posted on nearly every point that was communicable over the blog medium. This means that there will be no "recap" or "highlights" post tonight, since they have already been covered.

However, a review of my notes did uncover a quick filming tip from David Rasmussen: When framing people never cut them off at the joints (i.e. wrist, elbow, knee, ankle, waist, etc). This creates an awkward picture.

Instead, always draw your frame between two joints (i.e. between the knee and the waist, between the elbow and the shoulder, etc.) This creates a balanced picture.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #7

Here are a few of David Rasmussen's pictures. Keep in mind that these are pictures of pictures and to not do justice to Mr. Rasmussen's extraordinary abilities with a camera.

Also, these are snapshots, not video clips. The reason is that Mr. Rasmussen stressed that working with a still film camera will teach you skills that are invaluable with video and/or film cameras. You will learn to get the depth of field you want and how to work with lights, angles, etc.

A beautiful mountain resort where Mr. Rasmussen met his bride of 20 years.

The same mountain resort. Absolutely beautiful.

While on K2 in Pakistan, Mr. Rasmussen left the shutter open all night in order to capture the movement of the stars in the sky.

Shooting from a helicopter. I think he was wearing a seatbelt.

Shooting while skiing. They had to follow a snow hare down a mountain slope. He says it turned out well.

Climbing Mount Everest.

A very dangerous version of chutes and ladders.

CFA: 8:50 P.M. - 10/25

Mr. Rasmussen is now answering student's questions. This one regards a comment made by him earlier in the presentation.

The question was: "What is a stage line?"

The Answer: When an object or person is moving in a shot, the line upon which it travels is called the stage line. The filmmaking rule is to never have successive shots from two different sides of the stage line. This is because, if an object is moving from right to left, and you move to the other side of the stage line, the object will now be moving left to right, which is confusing and disjointed. If you want to switch from one side of the stage line to the other, transition with a neutral shot. For example, if you’re filming a car coming down a road, film from one side of the stage line, then get a neutral shot of the car moving straight toward you or straight away from you, and finally, move to the other side of the stage line.

CFA: 8:30 P.M. - 10/25

I have just returned to my computer after taking pictures of Mr. Rasmussen's slideshow. There are some truly amazing photos, whose brilliance, I hope, can be captured through our snapshots of his snapshots. Mr. Rasmussen's presentation has been, not so much about filmmaking specifically, but rather a story of mountains and a display of excellent photography. A truly breathtaking presentation. We will try to include commentary to some of Mr. Rasmussen's best photographs, perhaps not until we return to the hotel this evening.

CFA: 8:15 P.M. - 10/25

Wow! David Rasmussen is now showing us incredible pictures of his climb up Mt. Everest. He took pictures while he was using a ladder to cross a thousands-and-thousands of feet deep crevasse. These exploits are not for those who are afraid of heights.

Note: We don't have pictures because we are faithfully taking pictures of all the slides so we can share the most incredible with you. We'll post as many as we can; some we'll add to these posts and the rest will be in their own "Time Captured In A Photograph" post.

Update: We now have the pictures and they'll be up soon. Above you can now see the picture of Mr. Rasmussen crossing the chasm. Keep in mind that the quality of the photo has been compromised since this is a picture of a picture.

CFA: 8:00 P.M. - 10/25

We just finished the segment on David Rasmussen's time on K2, filming a 6 part series for National Geographic Television. It was incredibly beautiful, but also incredibly sad. It was astounding how many of the many climbers Mr. Rasmussen had pictures of or with have died in the past few years while climbing large mountains.

However, it is just amazing how many spectacular experiences and beautiful sights were made possible by the level of competence in shooting film Mr. Rasmussen has developed.

CFA: 7:45 P.M. - 10/25

Right now we are enjoying an incredible slideshow of Mr. Rasmussen's many exploits. Pictures include him shooting from helicopters, on glaciers, and while skiing, to name only a few.

The slideshow includes pictures of a 3,000 mile backpacking trek he made with his wife from Mexico to Canada, some incredible mountain climbing photos of Mr. Rasmussen, and pictures of the 140 porters that accompanied him on a hike to reach base camp on the K-2 Mountain, considered one of the most difficult mountains in the world to climb.

Pictures of the slideshow will be coming soon.

CFA: 7:05 P.M. - 10/25

We now prepare for what looks to be a very exciting presentation by David Rasmussen, entitled Adventure Filmmaking for the Glory of God. Mr. Rasmussen has traveled to over forty countries around the world, filming locations in eighteen of them. In his twenty years as a director of photography and cinematographer, he has worked at high altitude as a cameraman on Mount Everest. He also directed and filmed a six-part series on K2 in Pakistan for National Geographic Television.

Updates and pictures to come...

CFA: 5:20 P.M. - 10/25

So, how do you know whether you're infringing someone else's copyright? Well, Mr. Biller provides the following two layman question:

• Have you taken away the commercial value of the copyrighted good? Are people not going to purchase the original item because of what you’ve done?
• What is the nature of the copyrighted work? For example, storefronts are made to be seen, so videotaping the front of store should not be an infringement.
  

This advice sparked the following question: Was the documentary "Supersize Me!" an infringement of McDonald's copyrights? After all, it probably did affect whether many people purchased McDonald's products.

Mr. Biller responded that there were no copyright violations. Morgan Spurlock, director of the documentary, did film the insides of the McDonalds restaurant, but you can’t really copyright the general feel and environment of a restaurant. The closest thing to an infringement would be when he videotaped the menu and the list of ingredients and calories listing. However, even though a lawyer might try to litigate on that issue, a menu is not copyrightable because of the nature of the copyrighted work. Menus are made to be seen. Also, since McDonalds markets food, not menus, the menus and calories listings are not copyrightable. Finally, food is not copyrightable, so Morgan Spurlock is home free.

CFA: 4:45 P.M. - 10/25

Anthony Biller, Esquire, advises filmmakers to ask themselves the following question:

Is there such similarity in theme, in the development of the theme, the means used, the climax of the story, and the triumph of the story, to carry the impression to an ordinary observer that the two works are substantially similar or basically the same?

Mr. Biller goes on to say, "Always compare similarities, not dissimilarities." It is no defense to say, "Hey! Look at what I haven't copied!"

This is important because Biller, a trial lawyer with a great deal of experience in copyright cases, says that the number one question clients ask him is, "How much do I have to change before it’s my thing?"

That question is comparing dissimilarities without regard for existing similarities. Furthermore, if you are asking that question you are operating from a wrong and dangerous perspective. You are immediately in the realm of derivative copyrights. You aren’t being creative. Ask yourself the question Mr. Biller provides above, and try to be creative.

CFA: 4:30 P.M. - 10/25

Another interesting point on copyright law, of which many people may be unaware. Do you know why publishing houses republish translations of old books (or for that matter, the Bible) every five to ten years? The reason is because, while the original document (published prior to 1923) is public domain, the translation is copyrighted. Modern English Bible translations are not public domain.

CFA: 4:05 P.M. - 10/25

These more technical sessions are much harder to blog in detail. However, the emphasis of this session so far has been to know copyright laws and then to act accordingly. Get everything in writing and read the small print of contracts.

Another good point, which was made in passing, is that the current trend in distribution and marketing is for artists to distribute their work directly to the consumer, thus bypassing the recording and production studios. This, according to Biller, is a primary reason why production studios are so quick to take teens who download music off the internet to court. They're trying to protect their industry. I found that interesting and worth considering. This would be yet another example of where Christians must recognize and prepare for changes in society.

Another thing that makes this session hard is that I'm afraid that, if I get too specific, I'll be guilty of some sort of copyright infringement. :wink:

CFA: 3:55 P.M. - 10/25

Anthony Biller, Esquire, gives us a rundown on copyright law. A copyright protects original works of authorship. "Original," in this sense, means that the work originated in the author. "Works," in this sense, exclude concepts or ideas. It only applies to the expression of concepts or ideas.

Copyright does not extend to public domain. Public domain includes events in history, objective facts, or historical documents. Any work prior to 1923 is considered public domain.

Individual copyrights extend 70 years after the author's death. They do not give you a monoply ownership over the work, they only protect you from others copying your specific work.

CFA: 3:05 P.M. - 10/25

A 30-minute break... Next up, Anthony Biller, Esquire, on intellectual property rights.

CFA: 2:55 P.M. - 10/25

An interesting point, which Mr. Phillips just raised, is that advances in technology has made us very sloppy. We may wonder how the Founders were able to write out such an amazing document, like the Declaration of Independence, without a word processor. The truth is that, in years past, people were required to organize their thoughts and think out their words before they put them down on paper. Consequently, their thinking was much more logical than ours today. We have lost something. We no longer "need" to think out our words before we sit down to write, because we have word processors. We can switch paragraphs around and change or delete words and sentences. This breeds irresponsibility in writing.

Applied to filmmaking, many filmmakers fail to plan their shoots before they make them. They take hours and hours of digital film, because it's cheap. But then they have to log and watch all of that footage. They would have done better to carefully plan their shots beforehand, and make only the shots they have planned. Technology can make us sloppy, and we must fight that.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #6

Vision Forum project, "League of Grateful Sons," was shot using the Canon XL-2 camera; primarily for its audio capabilities. With two Canon XL-2's they were able to run eight wireless mikes.

You might not have a light like this one, says Geoff Botkins, but you can experiment with what you have. Take notes. See how it looks at different distances, angles, etc.

Director, Christian Hidalgo, comments on the issue of film distribution. Mr. Hidalgo directed a documentary entitled, "William Tyndale: His Life. His Legacy." which was semi-finalist in last years film festival.

CFA: 2:15 P.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips outlines an important principle for filmmakers (and really, anyone): "Be Redundant."

This means to back-up everything. If you don't, you'll find yourself in a tremendous pickle. It is best to assume error. Assume that there will be problems and that things will go wrong. Always have a Plan B. If you anticipate problems in advance and then work "redundancies" into your project, you'll save yourself from enormous losses.

Save The Wheel: New Short Flicks

We've been talking to many young filmmakers here in San Antonio about making short films for Save The Wheel dot Com, and they've been very enthusiastic. Meanwhile, be sure to go and watch the five flicks that have been submitted (click on the "your flicks" image). Currently these include: Using a Door, Job Interviews, Sneezing, and several others.

CFA: 1:50 P.M. - 10/25

Geoff Botkin just informed us that when he was a teenager it would cost at least $300,000 to acquire the most basic tools for shooting on film. At that time it would cost $2,000 and take at least two weeks to do one dissolve.

It is much more affordable to make films today than it was three or four decades ago. However, Mr. Botkin stressed that despite the drop in price, which is significant, it is still critical that you operate with a budget. "Avoid debt at all costs."

He is encouraging young filmmakers to get the best cameras they can, they best software they can, the best lights they can, the best mikes they can, but all without breaking your budget. "Best-within-your-budget" should be the standard.

CFA: 1:45 P.M. - 10/25

We are now beginning the first session after lunch. Geoff Botkins is presenting a session entitled Graphics, Animation, Compositing, Post, and Other Grading. I expect, from earlier precedent, that this session will cover other topics as well.

Updates to come...

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #5

Question & Answer time (see summary below) allows academy attendees to "pick the brains" of these repositories of wisdom.

Geoff & Isaac Botkin work together to answer filmmaking questions regarding technical and philosopical issues.

CFA: 12:15 P.M. - 10/25

They're doing a question and answer session before conclusion:

Question #1: Would it be advised to purchase equipment, or rent/lease that equipment for a particular project.

Answer #1: If you're doing a lot of productions, buy your gear. If you're only doing a few, rent your gear. More on this tomorrow.

Question #2: How do I learn to make films with the same quality as Hollywood, without having to learn those skills through men and women who are incredibly hostile to Christianity?

Short Answer #2: That's what the vision of the Christian Film Academy and San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is all about. Next year, a book will come out called "Outside Hollywood." There's the CD series from last year's festival, and the CD series from this year. There's the Film Academy, which will continue to develop through the year.

Also, identify upright and Christian filmmakers and apprentice underneath them. Mentorship under noble men, who are godly Christians, and who will not divorce their faith from their methodology, is better than a college degree. You exchange your time and energy for their expertise and wisdom.

A few final notes, as it is now time for the lunch break:

A lot of attendees have said that their ultimate goal is to make a feature-length film. Mr. Botkins makes this good point: "Study your Bible every day, so that you'll be ready to make the feature film." It seems simplistic or trite, but that truly is incredibly important.

Mr. Phillips alerts attendees of an exciting addition to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival next year. A 24-hour film competition among attendees.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #4

Steven Bowman of Valor Visual Media, capturing the CFA on film.

CFA: 12:00 P.M. - 10/25

Isaac tacks a disclaimer onto the recent discussion that occured: Our goal is not to get into a mad scramble to be the first Christians to get onto a Video iPod. Our goal is to produce the most God-honoring films, no matter what the method of distribution may be. We are responsible to take advantage of opportunities that God makes available, but we must use godly discretion based on His Word.

Bravo to all the faculty of the academy for stressing this point.

CFA: 11:50 A.M. - 10/25

Doug Phillips, in following the line of thought initiated by Isaac (see the last post), has brought up the idea of adopting a video distribution system similar to that of the Apple iTunes Store with the new Video iPod. This seems to be the future of film-viewing and is something that Christians must be thinking about.

Mr. Botkins also added, very appropriately I believe, that our ultimate focus must always be to glorify God and remain committed to His truth in all areas of life. This emphasis is most appreciated.

Isaac has now added that, while short films are not in high demand at this time, they may become so in the near future, because of the iPod Video.

CFA: 11:45 A.M. - 10/25

Isaac makes an excellent observation that should be considered by all Christians, in all areas of work. Technology is moving incredibly fast. As Christians we must be ahead of the times, not lagging behind. In the past 5 years, we've seen the introduction of Tivo, Netflix, iPods, the iTunes store, etc... These advances in technology have changed the way Americans watch TV, rent DVDs, and listen and buy music. That's only the beginning. We have to see where technology is going and then be the first to adapt to it.

CFA: 11:30 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Botkin and his son, Isaac, will now be presenting an overview of current filmmaking technology. We will post as much of that information as is practical.

Isaac is sharing now on current technology. One point he makes is that video quality has gone down recently, with the digitalization of film. Now HD (high definition) seems to be the future of video, and Isaac encourages Christians to look into producing in HD in order to be ahead of a majority of modern-day culture.

CFA: 11:15 A.M. - 10/25

Now we come to the more technical aspect of the film academy. Mr. Geoffrey Botkin is speaking on Lights, Camera, and Sound. Updates and observations to come.

CFA: 10:45 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips concluded by going through the Ten Commandments of the Film Festival. We would encourage you all to read through them. They can be found here.

CFA: 10:20 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips just shared the following. In 1930, the Hays Commission and its rules were the binding regulations for all filmmakers. I include direct quotes below. It is shameful how far Christian filmmakers fall from these standards. Not to mention Hollywood as a whole.

The Hays Commission of 1930: (choice outtakes)

• No picture shall be produced that will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience should never thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing evil or sin.
• The treatment of low, disgusting, unpleasant, though not necessarily evil, subjects should always be subject to the dictates of good taste and a regard for the sensibilities of the audience.
• Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood only by part of the audience) is forbidden.
• Pointed profanity (this includes the words, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ - unless used reverently - Hell, SOB, damn, Gawd), or every other profane or vulgar expression however used, is forbidden.
• No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith.
• Ministers of religion in their character as minister of religion should not be used as comic characters or as villians.
• Complete nudity is never pemitted. This includes nudity in fact or in silhouette.
• Indecent or undue exposure is forbidden.
• The technique of murder must be presented in way that will not inspire imitation.
• Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail.
  
• Revenge in modern times shall not be [presented as] justified.
  

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #3

At the beginning of his lecture, Doug Phillips encourages academy attendees that "When we are sufficiently mature to produce the right films, God will provide the resources and the opportunity."

Later on, Doug Phillips argues that "culture is religion externalized," and that our culture is full of new Greek paganism. He gives the following examples:

• Worship of Youth
• Worship of the Body
• Worship of the Individual
  
• Bloodthirsty Entertainment Based on Unbiblical Violence
• Worship of Nature
• Body Mutilation and Modification
• Sensuality- driven, Flesh Oriented Music
• Deification of Athletics
• Child-Sacrifice and Perversion
  

CFA: 9:40 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips makes a powerful, powerful point. He tells the story of his family's visit to the beautiful ancient Mayan temples where, each day, the priest would take a twelve year old boy or girl, cut out their beating heart, eat it, and throw the body down the temple steps. The Aztecs also followed this horrendous practice. When Montezuma met Cortez, he invited him to lunch, took a twelve-year-old boy, laid him on the table, cut out his heart, and ate it. The most shocking aspect of this historical fact is that this practice was completely normal and societally accepted. There was absolutely no outcry. The culture was entirely desensitized.

He then turned the story on modern Americans, including Christians. We laugh at depictions of homosexuality, at disrepect and disobedience to parents, and at bumbling reverends and pastors in a majority of secular television and films. We secretly root for men and women in "romantic" films to leave their hateful husband or wife and commit adultery. We do little, besides voicing our opinion from time to time, to raise a cry against the murder of millions of unborn children. We've also been desensitized.

CFA: 9:15 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips makes the excellent point that interpretation is everything. Even a film that is technically beautiful, includes no "gross immorality," and has a redemption theme in the end, but does not interprete that redemption biblically, is not God-honoring. Beauty of creation without a right understanding of the Creator will pervert truth. Redemption by works or changed environment is a twisted redemption.

CFA: Time Captured In A Photograph #2

We begin our day with worship.

Geoff Botkin opens our first lecture with prayer.

CFA: 9:10 A.M. - 10/25

Mr. Phillips defines the term "epistemologically self-conscious": "To be 'epistemologically self-conscious' is to be aware of your worldview and its implications on life. It is to know how you get from A to Z." In other words, it is to think and act in a way consistent with our Christian faith.

Now we turn to address the problem of the one and the many. Speaking of the ancient Greek philosophers, Mr. Phillips asks the audience to name the "point of interpretation" that gives meaning to the many "things" and "facts" we see and experience around us. The answer for us, as Christians is, as Mr. Phillips says: "Christ is that point of interpretation."

A lot of definitions coming here. Mr. Phillips defines "presupposition" as: "An elementary assumption. A basic commitment. A foundational perspective in which experiences and facts are interpreted."

Several of these presuppositions, which are vital to an epistemologically self-conscious film, include the sovereignty of God, the Lordship of Christ, the depravity of man, the Creation account in Genesis, the fallen nature of this world, etc... To insert my own thought here, which I'm sure Mr. Phillips means to imply: Nearly every single film that comes out of Hollywood blatantly denies each and every one of these Christian presuppositions.

CFA: 8:50 A.M. - 10/25

We are here for the second day of the Christian Film Academy. Mr. Phillips is presenting a talk called Toward Epistemologically Self-Conscious Films. Your first question is probably, what does "epistemology" mean? In its most basic definition, it means "the theory of knowledge." It is the philosophical question of how we know, what we know, and how we know what we know. So far, no word from Mr. Phillips regarding the actual title of the presentation.

One of the first points that was made is this, which Mr. Phillips calls "Doug's Theory":

"When we are sufficiently mature to produce the right films, God will provide the resources and opportunity."

In other words, don't expect God to open the floodgates of heaven and bless your efforts when you are spiritually and presuppositionally immature. Again, emphasis on a biblical worldview as a prerequisite for Christian filmmaking.

Drowning Melville: Second Episode

We take a very quick break from our live coverage of the First Annual Christian Filmmakers Academy (CFA), alert our readers that the second episode of the hilarious short film "Drowning Melville" has been released and is available on the Save The Wheel website.

The Rebelution would encourage its readers to remember that some things don't need to change. Sometimes it's just better to forget reinvention and "save the wheel." Will you join us?

[Note: Alex and I should be receiving a box of 20 Save The Wheel T-Shirts while we are here in San Antonio. We will be recruiting avid supporters of the "wheel" to share their passion with the good people of San Antonio.]

[Note #2: For those who are following our live-blogging coverage of the Christian Filmmakers Academy, rest assure that we are not slacking on our job (see below). We are still at our hotel with no additional, fast-breaking news.]

[Note #3: Because we arrived at the CFA "as-it-started," we haven't had an opportunity to tell everyone about our incredible drive from Montgomery, Alabama, to San Antonio, Texas. That will come tomorrow which is relatively uneventful.]

CFA: A Note Regarding Internet Access

I would like to quickly alert our readers to our current situation. Our status regarding wireless (or even, non-wireless) internet access is currently in question. We were able to gain access to a network this first evening, however, we do not know whether this network will be available for the remainder of the academy. The festival itself, later this week, is in another facility where the internet accessibility status is currently unknown. Our hotel, which has internet access, is about 5-10 miles from both facilities, so we will not be able to update from there, except in the evenings. Suffice to say, we cannot currently guarantee continued live-blogging at the facility. However, rest assured that full updates will be posted each evening, at the very least.

As the week progresses, we are planning on posting interviews, profiles, and longer articles. Pictures will be uploaded each night as well. God bless you all!

CFA: Words of Wisdom 10/24 (Recap)

Geoffrey Botkin, Veteran Producer and IT Pioneer:

• "Christians should cease making promiscuous overtures towards Hollywood and should look elsewhere."
• "So many Christians want to walk the red carpet. So many Christians want to walk the red carpet. And that is unfortunate." (Proverbs 4:14 "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil." / 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.")
• "We need a relationship with Christ more than anything else in creating a Christian film industry."

Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries:

• "What are we going to do with this speck of time that is our lives?"
• "Filmmaking is one of the most dangerous areas to be involved in as a Christian. But where there is great danger there is great opportunity for glory."
• "We must be more prolific in creating beauty than anyone else in the world can claim to be."
• "Our goal is not just to have films that are not overtly wicked, but films that are presuppositionally righteous."
  

CFA: 9:05 P.M. - 10/24

Mr. Botkins is going through a brief survey of academy students to identify needs, areas of expertise, and level of experience. I was most delighted to note that Mac users comprise nearly 50% of attendees.

The first evening of the academy has closed with the entire body of students rising and singing the first verse of the hymn "To God Be the Glory," a perfect summation of the purpose of this entire week.

More to come later tonight...

CFA: 9:00 P.M. - 10/24

Mr. Geoffrey Botkin, a former Marxist, now a solidly Christian, presuppositional film producer and IT pioneer, shares on the responsibilities of independent Christian filmmakers. One point that continues to resurface — one that is absolutely critical — is that, without a solidly biblical worldview, it is not good for Christians to venture into the world of filmmaking. Our goal is not just to equip Christians with the latest filmmaking technology, or to persuade as many professing Christians as possible to go out and make movies. Rather our ultimate goal and need is for godly Christians who follow the Lord's calling on their lives, who allow their faith to permeate all areas of their lives, and who refuse to compromise their convictions. If such Christians can be raised, then equipped, and finally, networked together... Then we will truly change our society.

CFA 2005: Time Captured In A Photograph #1

The First Annual Christian Filmmakers Academy meets in one of the Riverwalk Marriot's beautiful conferences rooms in downtown San Antonio.

Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries, addresses over 150 aspiring culture changers in his lecture, "The Vision of Independent Christian Film Making."

"Our goal is not just to have films that are not overtly wicked, but rather films that are presuppositionally righteous!"

CFA: 8:15 P.M. - 10/24

There is currently a short break. Preliminary pictures will be posted soon.

Up next, Mr. Botkins will speak on The Responsibilities of Independent Christian Filmmaking.

CFA: 8:05 P.M. - 10/24

Mr. Phillips makes two excellent points:

1.) Christian films do not need to directly mention God or contain an overt Gospel message. Shocking perhaps, but true. As an evidence of this, I would point you all to the Book of Esther, found in the Old Testament, which does not once mention the name of God. However, it is solidly, presuppositionally, and foundationally God-centered.

2.) Too many Christians are far too easily satisfied with modern films. We have come to a place where we are satisfied by a film, just because it contains no overt pornography, "too much" obscenity, or "blood everywhere." This is shameful. Christians are called to a higher standard.

CFA: 7:55 P.M. - 10/24

Mr. Phillips makes a powerful point: Culture is religion externalized. No art is neutral. All films have profound religious implications, even films written, directed, and produced by a devout atheist. This is why a solid, biblical worldview is a prerequisite for all Christian endeavors in the world of the arts.

He also raises a controversial question: Is beauty objective? Mr. Phillips, correctly, I believe, says that it is. Why? Because the Bible speaks of beauty as objective. It speaks of some things that are objectively beautiful and lovely, and others that are objectively ugly and abhorrent. This is in direct contradiction to our society's relativistic understanding of beauty (i.e. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."), which sadly, has become deeply engrained in the minds of Christians as well.

As a note of importance, do feel free to comment on our updates. We will read them, and if a question is asked, try to respond in future posts.

CFA: 7:15 P.M. - 10/24

Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries, is giving a talk entitled The Vision of Independent Christian Filmmaking (see event schedule below). He mentions that the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival has been mentioned among secular film festivals by Variety magazine. The reason? The SAICFF is the only Christian film festival to comprehensively, and with excellence, equip and network Christian filmmakers and to encourage them in their work by giving them an outlet and an incentive (i.e. the $10,000 grand prize for the festival's top film).

Mr. Phillips has also recently purchased an iPod Video, which he showed us students. His point? The way people watch movies is changing. Christians must have foresight and take advantage of changing technology. That admonition in itself sets the SAICFF apart from nearly all Christian events targeted to filmmakers.

CFA: Schedule of Events

Schedule of Events (subject to change — all times 'central standard time')

Monday:

6:30 p.m. - Session Opens
7:00 p.m. - The Vision of Independent Christian Filmmaking — Doug Phillips
8:00 p.m. - The Responsibilities of Independent Christian Filmmaking — Geoffrey Botkin
9:00 p.m. - Session Closes

Tuesday:

8:30 a.m. - Opening Worship and Prayer
8:45 a.m. - Toward Epistemologically Self-Conscious Films — Doug Phillips
10:15 a.m. - Break
10:30 a.m. - Lights, camera and Sound — Geoffrey Botkin
11:30 a.m. - Panel Q&A — Botkin and Phillips
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:30 p.m. - Graphics, Animation, Compositing, Post, and Other Grading — Geoffrey Botkin
3:00 p.m. - Break
3:30 p.m. - Intellectual Property for Filmmakers — Anthony Biller, Esquire
5:00 p.m. - Break
7:00 p.m. - Adventure Filmmaking for the Glory of God — David Rasmussen
8:30 p.m. - Optional: Faculty Breakaway: Live Critique of Student Projects
9:30 p.m. - Close

Wednesday:

8:30 a.m. - Opening Worship and Prayer
8:45 a.m. - Editing and Project Selection — Geoffrey Botkin
10:00 a.m. - Break
10:30 a.m. - Production Logistics — Ken Carpenter
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:30 p.m. - Managing Special and Unusual Projects — Geoffrey Botkin
3:00 p.m. - Break
3:30 p.m. - Panel Discussion — Faculty
4:30 p.m. - Graduation — Botkin, Phillips, Faculty
5:00 p.m. - Close Academy

Christian Filmakers Academy: 6:45 P.M. - 10/24

Well, after a long, one and a half day trip from Montgomery, Alababma... We're in San Antonio for the first annual Christian Filmmakers Academy. Prayer has been said and introductions are underway. Praise God, there is wireless internet access! Further updates to come.

Writing From Montgomery, Alabama

Hello, everyone. Alex and I are enjoying our first day off since arriving in Montgomery, Alabama, Tuesday evening. The last three days have been very exciting and very busy. We have been doing hard things, so it's a good thing that Alex and I enjoy challenges.

I'm afraid this is only going to be a pictures post. Expect lots of posting next week as we cover the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival live from San Antonio. Then, once we return to Alabama, expect to receive more information about the work Alex and I are doing here in Alabama's state capitol. [Note: If you didn't know that Alex and I were in Alabama and/or don't know why we are in Alabama, please click here.]

For now appreciate the beauty of Alabama, the grandeur of the Supreme Court, the strength of Godly leaders, and the wonder of an expert shoe shiner. Click on images to enlarge.

The Alabama Supreme Court Building. It's bigger than it looks:

At a pastor's conference: (l-r) Alex Harris, Justice Tom Parker, Former Chief Justice and gubernatorial candidate Roy Moore, and Brett Harris. Two great men and two fortunate interns:

Getting our shoes shined by Jermaine, considered one of the best shoe shiners in the world. You can see your face in a shoe polished by Jermaine:

Beautiful Alabama:

This is where I walk every morning and evening. There are tons of toads, but I haven't taken a picture of one yet:

[Note: We have thus far avoided picking up southern accents. Keep praying, ya'll!]

Jiffy N' Lou: Installment #105

It's time once again for America's favorite comic strip: The Adventures of Jiffy N' Lou! Brought to you courtesy of the late New Attitude Magazine, Joshua Harris, and The Rebelution. Click on image to enlarge.

This comic bears special significance as Brett and I prepare to leave for Alabama tomorrow morning and plan to attend the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Academy and Festival next week. We will be dealing with these issues in interviews, reviews, and articles from downtown San Antonio, August 24th-29th. Meanwhile, we ask you, our readers, to give us your thoughts in response to the following series of questions:

1.) Is Hollywood getting better or worse?
2.) What in Hollywood is worth redeeming? What is not?
3.) Are Americans currently in the process of embracing or distancing themselves from Hollywood and the values it espouses?
4.) Should Christian filmmakers try to infiltrate Hollywood or start an independent Christian film industry?
5.) Is Hollywood growing in power and influence or weakening?
6.) How many movies do you watch a month? Do you think it's too many, too little, or just right?
7.) What's your favorite movie?
8.) Would the kinds of movies you watch most frequently qualify as wise companions or foolish companions? [For background on this question, click here.]

Feel free to answer as many of the above questions as you like. Try to answer, at the very least, the last three. Brett and I most likely won't be posting for the rest of the week, so our next update will be from San Antonio. Also, be sure to check out Kristin and Hannah's new blog for young ladies: Beauty From The Heart. Excellent work, girls!

Finally, please keep Brett and me in your prayers. We are filled with excitement, as well as fear and trepidation. God bless you all!

Note: Be sure to catch up on any of our old series or posts that you've missed while we're settling in to legal intern life.

Continue to Jiffy N' Lou: Installment #106

Michael Yon: What's Happening In Iraq

Many of you may already be aware, but Michael Yon is doing yeoman's work in bringing the truth from the frontline in Iraq. Alternative media at its finest. Click here for an introduction to his work, or click on the banner to go directly to the latest dispatches.

Social Norms: Reinvented

Tom Sanders decided to reinvent Melville's "Moby Dick." Now some people are trying to reinvent social norms in the elevator and when it comes to using a door. [click "watch" on the right to view films.]

Go watch the shorts. Laugh. Show your friends. Better yet, make a movie. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just clever.

You've got it in you.

Join The Rebelution as we tell the world that some things don't need to change. Like the wheel, for instance.

Forget Reinvention. Save The Wheel dot Com.

Forget Reinvention: Save The Wheel dot Com

We're baffled. Why would anyone pick on the wheel? Timeless design, trustworthy perimeters, and a buttery smooth circumference - the wheel is perfect. And yet, some think the idea of the wheel is dated and should be scrapped. They hope to invent a hip, cutting-edge, "relevant" wheel.

Save The Wheel dot Com has been created because some people love the wheel, and they think it's worth protecting. They need our help. The Rebelution invites you to join young people around the country as they anxiously await the unveiling of the wheel. In the meantime... Visit the site. Watch the movie. Laugh. Tell your friends. Alert your readers. Make your own movie, if you dare. Buy a shirt. Let the wheel know you care.

Better yet, do the above and then join Brett and me later this month in San Antonio, TX for the 2nd Annual Independent Christian Film Festival, as we do our part to save the wheel.

www.savethewheel.com

WWW (Part 3): A New Attitude Towards Happiness

I often worry about young people today who place much of their hope for happiness in items, activities, and pursuits that are inherently short-lived. Whether it’s our physical appearance, our high school sports career, or our wild and carefree lifestyle, we tend to attach excessive importance to passing pleasures and then react negatively to the fact that they are unsustainable.

We end up being unhappy and discontent when our beauty begins to fade, when our football career meets an emphatic conclusion—either through injury or graduation—when marriage and family discontinue our party lifestyle, and when necessities start taking time and money away from our luxuries. By luxuries I mean movies, extra clothes, eating out, the new PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), etc. and even expensive activities such as snowboarding or paintballing.

While none of these things are bad per se they all tend to play a disproportionate role in our continued happiness and contentment and must be addressed if for no other reason than that they are guaranteed to disappoint us.

You see, whenever we stake our happiness on a more-or-less ideal set of circumstances we are bound to get hurt because circumstances change. Friendships will change, your body will change, your popularity status will change, your income will fluctuate, and your lifestyle itself will be dramatically transformed by all these other changes.

If you are banking on a certain kind of lifestyle, a certain kind of job, a certain kind of marriage, or a certain kind of family to make your adult life a happy life, you need to reconsider your definition of happiness—because by defining happiness as circumstances, however wonderful they may be, you guarantee unhappiness and discontentment for yourself.

And here is my shocking statement: You should never have to be unhappy.

This does not mean you have an excuse to indulge yourself in the many temporary fixes mentioned above. Rather it is a call for a new attitude towards contentment—to place your hope for happiness in items, activities, and pursuits that are intrinsically stable and solid—unaffected by circumstances.

When my niece, Faith Felicity Harris, was life-flighted down to Loma Linda, California, to await a heart transplant, my older brother Joel and his wife Kimberly left behind all of the circumstances many of us depend on for happiness and contentment, in order to stay with Faith and comfort her.

Unsure of how long they would be in California they moved out of the duplex that had become their first home together, they left their rapidly growing music studio, which had taken years to build up and was their only means of income, and they left the comfort of their friends, family, and church.

By the world’s definition they should have been unhappy and discontent! But though there was discomfort, pain, and sorrow, they were not unhappy. And this was because, as Elisabeth Elliot said, “The answer is not to get rid of unhappiness, but to find a new definition for it.”

Joel and Kimberly were evidence of the fact that passing pleasures are unreliable and subject to change, but they were not unhappy because they had placed their happiness in things that are unaffected and even complemented by suffering. They had defined happiness with things like duty, honor, sacrifice, faithfulness, commitment and service. Their faith in a sovereign and wise God, even through suffering, was evident by actions that pleased Him.

My challenge to you is that as you look forward to your future, define happiness differently than the rest of the world does. If you are eager to marry understand that sacrifice, faithfulness, and commitment are the keys to a happy marriage—not two beautiful, popular, and/or rich people. If you are eager to pursue a career that satisfies and interests you all the way till retirement, develop an appetite for duty, honor, diligence, and service—not prestige, company cars, and triple-digit hourly wages.

This is not to say that you cannot have these things. It is 100% OK to marry a beautiful woman or a handsome man. It is good for us to aim high when it comes to our careers. We should not all become janitors merely to develop character. Aim for fire chief, aim for sheriff, aim for teacher, aim for professor, aim for CEO, aim for Representative, or aim for Senator. Aim for President for that matter! The wonderful thing about duty, sacrifice, faithfulness, commitment, and service is that they serve you equally well no matter who you marry or what job you get.

By adopting a new attitude towards contentment—by moving outside of circumstances—we can ensure our happiness despite circumstances.

So start revamping your values list. Pray that God would help you find joy in permanent pleasures. Steer away from books, movies, and music that tells you happiness is being young, beautiful, and successful. That’s as stupid as saying that happiness is summertime. You’ll be unhappy three of the four seasons.

Instead pursue friendships with people who share a solid value system. Read books, watch movies, and listen to music that celebrates character. The book “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is not for younger children, but would be an excellent book for most of our readers. The 1962 movie adaptation, starring Gregory Peck, is a wonderful alternative to reading the book for those who are short on time.

The movie “Chariots of Fire,” a come-from-behind winner of the 1981 Oscar for best picture, shares the beautiful story of devout Christian Eric Liddell whose running makes him feel closer to God, and is appropriate for the whole family.

I have also heard that the recent film “Cinderella Man” starring Russel Crowe and Renée Zellweger, is an amazing picture of commitment and faithfulness in marriage, though I haven’t seen it myself. I would encourage you to make use of services such as Focus On The Family’s www.pluggedinonline.com to reach a decision on the appropriateness of this film.

Now, please don’t get the impression that this attitude switch is accomplished solely by watching movies. What I’m trying to do with these recommendations is to recognize and combat the cultures strategy of using books, movies, music, etc. to push their faulty value system. It is good to watch good movies. Watching not-so-good movies has shaped many of our subtle misconceptions regarding beauty, love, and success. Those lies must be combated with the truth and preferably using the same medium of film.

However, movies alone will not cut it. Watching men like Atticus, Eric Liddel, and Jim Braddock will do nothing for you unless you can begin copying their positive traits and learning from their weaknesses. The key to value system makeover is observing, appreciating, and copying duty, honor, sacrifice, faithfulness, commitment and service, whether it’s on the silver screen, in the ICU, behind the cash register, or in your own home or school.

In our pursuit of happiness we can make no wiser choice than to be different from an unhappy world that throws itself at passing pleasures.

Consolidating Excellence For Your Benefit

Our readers may have noticed that The Rebelution frequently posts about other blogs that deserve their attention. This is because the time for individual exceptions and individual high profile has passed. Our generation doesn’t need just a few young people to rise above societal expectations and lead responsibly—it needs a movement. The rebelution will not succeed as isolated groups but as an interconnected, transnational unit. It needs networking. It needs collaboration.

For this reason we are eager to develop relationships with like-minded individuals and groups and to draw your attention to excellent resources. Today’s post is intended to do both:

Clarissa Ramos—a former homeschooler and one of our readers—authors a beautiful blog entitled, "The David Trait: Encouraging The Pursuit of Godliness Within The Believer’s Life."

This is one of the few blogs that is worth reading just for its sidebar. Ms. Ramos has compiled, organized, and linked to many of the best Christian bloggers, ministries, devotionals, biographies, audiobooks, and sermons. She has succeeded in consolidating many of the best books addressing the topics of relationships, Biblical manhood & womenhood, as well as personal godlines and holy living, by authors such as Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, Jerry Bridges, Nancy Leigh Demoss, Elisabeth Elliot, C.J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris, and George Muller.

And that's just her sidebar! I have no doubt that the time Clarissa has spent "consolidating excellence" will serve many.

Clarissa's posts contribute to the amazing service her sidebar provides: the past week's reading on this prolific blog includes a review of C.J. Mahaney's upcoming book, Humility: True Greatness, an article by Carolyn McCulley entitled, Loving Your Husband Before You Get Married, Paths of Repentence by John Loftness, and an amazing article by Alan P. Medinger called, "A Grateful Heart: An Antidote To Lust."

Her current focus on purity has led to articles such as, How To Handle Sexual Temptation, Deterring Immorality By Counting Its Cost, and The Mature Man: Biblical Perspectives On Being A Man In Our Time.

I would encourage all of you to visit The David Trait.
Be encouraged. Be inspired. Be blessed.

GodBlogCon: Christian Bloggers Convention

Attention rebelutionary bloggers! Announcing GodBlogCon 2005. California's Biola University will be the location for the first-ever conference designed to bring together Christian communicators in the blogosphere. GodBlogCon 2005 starts in two days (October 13-15). Brett and I would most definitely be attending if we were not leaving for Alabama next week. Hugh Hewitt will be one of several major moderators at the conference. Sessions include blogging for pastors and churches, for pro-life blogging, political blogging, apologetics, intelligent design blogging, and more. Yes, this is last minute... But it's also an incredible opportunity that we would strongly encourage our readers, particularly our fellow rebelutionary bloggers, to pursue. Attendance will be capped off at 300, so the likelihood of being able to visit and interact with successful Christian bloggers, Hugh Hewitt in particular, is very high. This is an opportunity to make connections and to network, something we emphasize strongly here on The Rebelution. Please take the time to look into this opportunity and make some sacrifices to attend.

WWW Part 2: Do New Things (Guest Post)

The following installment of our current series "World Wide Webelution" is brought to you courtesty of fellow teen blogger, Marshall Sherman, of "Advancing His Kingdom." The Rebelution is pleased to bring attention the work Marshall is doing and is honored to include his work in our current series.

If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always get what you’ve always had.

That quote rings true not only throughout time, but throughout generations. It applies not only to adults, but to teens. A lot of times teens do the same thing and expect different results. It doesn’t work that way! You can’t plant an apple seed, and get a pear tree! Every time you put an apple seed in the ground, you’re going to get an apple tree! Every single time. I don’t care if you pray over it, coax it, or yell at it; it will always produce an apple. Whatever you sow, that will you reap.

But another thing I think is often overlooked in applying this quote, is going with the flow. Not only is it true that you, personally, will not get different results from the same actions, but you will not get different results if you do the same things as other people. For instance, if you dress the same way as a non-Christian, talk the same way as a non-Christian, go to the same movies as a non-Christian, surf the same websites as a non-Christian, read the same books as a non-Christian, you can’t expect God to move in your life anymore than He does, or is allowed to, in a non-Christians life.

Alex and Brett’s excellent post, “A Lesson From The Vikings: Do Hard Things,” in their series, “World Wide Webelution” created an excellent point. However, in addition to making an excellent point, they also provide an example for mine. The Vikings did hard things, but what they did was also new. Alex and Brett gave the example of the Greeks and the Romans and how they had galley slaves, whereas the Vikings…well…I’m not going to give it away, check out the post. Nevertheless, the Vikings did a new thing, and in turn, it made them successful.

So here’s the challenge, and it follows right along the same lines as Alex and Brett’s: (Strange how God does that isn’t it? Tells more than one person the same thing…) Do hard things, but don’t do just hard things, do new things. If you are not getting satisfactory results, pray, and then change. God literally changed the world, and the course of history, with 12 men who were willing to do something hard, and something new. I wanna’ be a leader in the next wave…what about you?

Karen Has Posted!

Karen has posted Part 2 of her series: Advancing the Kingdom Through Networking.

Go read it.

San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

Please make use of the following links to view the 2005 SAICFF Semi-Finalists (includes short summaries of each film and production notes) and the SAICFF schedule (includes screenings, instructional session topics, etc.):

Complete List of 2005 Semi-Finalists

Festival Schedule

Jiffy N' Lou: Installment #104

It's time once again for America's favorite comic strip: The Adventures of Jiffy N' Lou! Brought to you courtesy of the late New Attitude Magazine, Joshua Harris, and The Rebelution. Click on image to enlarge.

[Note: Image may be enlarged a second time by clicking on it again, once it is in its own window.]

Just a comic strip? Absolutely not. This strip, drawn nearly eight years ago, predicts our culture's tendency to dumb down the Bible and limit its ability to impact our lives. For example, Rev. Martin Hinton, a British churchman, has decided that the Bible is just too intimidating for modern readers. "We have to face the fact," Hinton argues, "[that] we live in an overwhelmingly secular society and must do all we can to present people with the story and what Christianity is about."

According to The Guardian [London], Hinton has produced a condensed Bible intended to be read in just 100 minutes. "We have sacrificed poetry to clarity," Mr Hinton commented.

Len Budd, publisher of the slimmed-down Bible, admits that much has been lost in the reduction, but says it's worth it. "Is it a dumbing down of the Bible? Yes, but that's the world today. Although we as Christians love the Bible it is very user-unfriendly. People just don't have time to read it. If this book means more people can answer pub quiz questions on the Bible, so much the better."

Jonathan Petre of The Telegraph [London] described the project this way: "In the beginning was the Word. But the Word went on a bit, so a new version of the Bible has been produced for readers with short attention spans."

Dr. Albert Mohler does an excellent job addressing the issue when he said: "The 100-Minute Bible is the perfect symbol of our age of truncated attention spans and rampant biblical illiteracy. At the current rate of declining interest and literacy, 100 minutes will soon be unacceptably long."

Continue to Jiffy N' Lou: Installment #105

Attention Rebelutionaries!

Drop what you're doing and go read Karen Kovaka's latest post: Advancing the Kingdom Through Networking. It is an excellent analysis and articulation of some of the most foundational aspects of the rebelution.

For those of you who are not aware, Karen is an almost-16-year-old, Christian blogger from Indiana, and is the author of Rhetorical Response, one of Brett's and my favorite rebelutionary blogs.

So again... Go read Karen's post. And after you read it, add her to your blogroll and keep on reading. You won't regret your investment.

Happy Anniversary, Alex and Tim!

The Rebelution is pleased to draw our reader's attention to the one-year anniversaries of two outstanding rebelutionary blogs: SmartHomeschool by Alex King, and Agent Tim Online by Tim Sweetman.

Be sure to read both Alex's and Tim's one-year anniversary posts and check out some of the best material in the blogosphere over the past year.

Congratulations, guys! Keep up the good work.

A Rebelutionary Opportunity

The Quick Facts: We're Off To Alabama!

Brett and I are incredibly excited to announce that we have been accepted as interns in the chambers of Justice Tom Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court. In less than two weeks, we will be moving to Montgomery, Alabama, to serve Justice Parker and his staff in the areas of historical and legal research and in any other capacity in which we prove ourselves capable. It is a rare opportunity to serve one of the great men of this age in a work of strategic importance.

The Long Story: A Picture of God's Sovereignty

In November of last year — on the spur of the moment — our family decided to attend the first annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF). While attending the event, we made the acquaintance of a young lawyer from Virginia. Little did we realize — at the time — the great significance of that meeting.

Nearly a year passed; Brett and I participated in our final NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Communication Association) tournament season, and many of our plans — including submitting a film to the SAICFF, and the Phase ONE Christian Teen Conferences — were postponed due to a medical crisis within our family.

In early August, our father received an email from the lawyer we met in San Antonio, along with an attached court opinion by Justice Tom Parker of the Alabama Supreme Court. The lawyer — now living in Alabama and serving on Justice Parker's legal staff — had attended one of my father's seminars in early June and believed that the opinion would be of interest to him. Not only had the case received national attention — Justice Parker's dissenting opinion in particular — but at its foundation was the limits of the state's jurisdiction in relation to that of the family. Heartily agreeing with Justice Parker's treatment of the different spheres of government created by God, my father passed the opinion on to Brett and me.

A few days later, after reading more of Justice Parker's work, I posted an entry entitled, "Tom Parker: A Justice After God's Own Heart." In it, I wrote:

"In a day and age where leaders of principle are few and far between, there are several things you quickly recognize about Tom Parker. The first and foremost is that he fears God more than man and is consequently the personification of principled, Christian leadership. He is a skilled thinker who understands the Constitution, but more importantly recognizes the Christian presuppositions of all law. Finally, in a demonstration of great wisdom and foresight, he has surrounded himself with strong, Christian legal minds and a staff that will stand with him and not give in to the pressures of those who viciously oppose the truth. On all accounts, Alabama Justice Parker is a justice after God’s own heart... [T]he more I learn, the more I admire this man, and the more I desire to follow in his footsteps."

Shortly afterwards, the lawyer contacted me. He had happened across my blog entry, remembered my brother and me from the film festival, and desired to alert us to the internship program. Our parents agreed that it was an opportunity that should be pursued, so we called him and began the application process.

What This Means: Less Writin', More Livin'.

One of my favorite quotes, by Henry David Thoreau, reads, "Do not sit down to write until you are ready to stand up and live." Brett and I see this internship — an opportunity usually reserved for college students or those attending law school — as a chance to live the truths we have been writing about on The Rebelution for the past several months.

We will continue to post on The Rebelution while in Alabama. However, the frequency of lengthy posts will likely decrease. We shall be attending and covering the Film Academy and Festival in detail later this month, but prior to leaving for Alabama, and during our stay and work there, expect slightly longer gaps between articles.

Because of this, we would put out the following invitation: If anyone finds an excellent blog, blog entry, article, cartoon, or news story that you believe complements the message of The Rebelution, please contact us with the necessary information. If you are interested in writing a guest post for the blog, please do not hesitate to send us your idea and email your article for our review. We would love to broaden The Rebelution to include a greater variety of rebelutionary writers, while keeping, and even raising, the standard of excellence.

Thank you all for your support. We covet your prayers. God bless you all!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Alex Jordan Harris

See you soon, baby girl...

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." — Psalm 73:26

"[W]hile we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." — 2 Corinthians 5:4

Faith Felicity Harris went to be with the Lord this morning.

Please pray for my brother's family and for all of us. We grieve because of our loss, but rejoice because of Faith's gain. No more wires, tubes, drugs, and needles. She's with Jesus now.

See you soon, baby girl...

Nation Wide Wi-Fi & Where It Will Take Us

Hat-tip to Macht of Prosthesis for alerting me to the following story and supplying the Quentin Schultze quotation I've used:

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who became internationally known for his campaign a year ago to legalise gay marriage, said on Monday he considered wireless Internet access a fundamental right of all citizens.

"It is to me a fundamental right to have access universally to information," Newsom told a news conference at San Francisco's City Hall, "this is a civil rights issue as much as anything else."

Though Newsom stresses that this is nothing more than his personal opinion, (i.e. "It is to me a fundamental right...") he continues his history of imposing personal views on others and plucking previously non-existent civil rights out of the air.

Nevertheless, this post is not a critique of Mayor Newsom or his history. Neither is it an evaluation of Wi-Fi as a civil right. Rather, I intend to convey two concerns I have regarding constant access to the Internet: intellectual isolation and societal stupidification.

Social isolation is universally recognized as a symptom of technology. Yet intellectual isolation is less well known—partly because it requires nearly constant access to the Internet. Quentin Schultze in his book, Habits of the High-Tech Heart, argues that the constant "collection and dissemination of information" offered by the Internet teaches us to be "impersonal observers" of the world, rather than "intimate participants." And because of this, "[w]e become informational voyeurs of life rather than responsible participants in the knowing of our own cultures and communities."

In essence Mr. Schultze is arguing that constant Internet access allows us to know all about people or things (think celebrities, sports teams, vacation spots, iPods, etc.), but without actually knowing them. It allows us to possess the superficial "knowing" that information provides without the deeper knowledge that "experience" provides.

This isolation is augmented once we begin fully relying on the Internet for information and cease interacting with people.

However, my greatest concern is the potential for societal stupidification. Constant access to information will create people whose brains are on the Internet. In other words, the storage space in our minds will be reserved for knowledge of "where-to-find-what" on the web, with little actual content retained. Once Internet access becomes constant the logical question becomes, "Why commit anything to memory when I can just Google it?"

Why bother to teach yourself how to replace a tire if step-by-step instructions are constantly available using nation-wide Wi-Fi? If your cellphone and laptop become constant sources of all necessary information, why memorize anything but your girlfriend's name?

The truth is that we only memorize what we fear we'll forget. Constant access to the Internet eliminates the need to remember anything—accept how to find information on the Internet.

The scary question becomes: When these high-tech luxuries are taken away, perhaps as the result of a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, how will we cope? And more importantly, what will we really know?

Please Pray . . .

My little neice, Faith, is undergoing open heart surgery, with only a 50% chance of survival. Please pray for success and that the Lord will grant her parents, Joel & Kimberly, peace and strength.

Thank you all.

UPDATE: Faith is out of surgery. They think it was successful but they won't know until they take her off the pump and see if her own heart starts working again. Keep praying. Thanks.

Attention All Home School Students & Parents!!!

Our father, Gregg Harris, is a bestseller author, conference speaker, and homeschool pioneer. Here on The Rebelution you are reaping the benefits of his role as Alex and my wisest mentor, coach, and manager. Today we have the privilege of posting a comment he made in response to our announcement of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. I would challenge every home school student and home school parent to carefully read this priceless bit of advice from a wise and seasoned home school father and visionary.

This film festival is a great way to bring delight-directed study home to your home schoolers. Think about this. You are saving a lot of money by teaching your children at home instead of sending them to a private Christian school. (Yes, public school is "free," but it is also worth every penny of it.) This film festival is one way to reinvest some of what you are saving in a life-changing educational experience for your young adults.

To be brutally honest, if you do not do something like this once in a while, you are cheating your children out of the best that home schooling has to offer them. Film making is just one area of involvement to consider. Home school speech and debate is another rather expensive activity. But it is worth it. So, if its not this event, it should be something else just as exciting and expensive. Don't try to save money on home schooling! Simply invest what you would have spent in a better, more effective way.

As an experienced home-schooling father, pastor of many home schooling families and, yes, as a home school pioneer "guru," let me tell you, this kind of decision is what separates the mediocre home schoolers from the truly excellent home schoolers. Save your money up each year to do something extraordinary for your children's education. It is not just a matter of what you learn in the sessions, but of who you meet and the vision that will be birthed in each student's heart.

So, here is my challenge to my young readers. Print this out and take it to your parents and ask them, "If not this, then what?" Ask them to choose something exciting to invest their hard earned time, energy and money in so that you can get the best possible home school education. Tell them that Gregg Harris says that home schooling parents also need to "Do Hard Things."

A Lesson From The Vikings: Do Hard Things™

The Vikings were fierce pirates and warriors who terrorized Europe from the late 700’s to about A.D. 1100. Brutal and fearsome they looted and burned parts of England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia, and Spain. Other Europeans were so frightened of the Vikings that a special prayer for protection was offered in the churches: “God, deliver us from the fury of the Northmen.”

Most historians attribute the Vikings devastating effectiveness to their warships, which were swift and light and could be easily dragged ashore. This allowed them to strike suddenly and then quickly retreat to the safety of the sea. However, my wise father has identified another contributing factor—one that holds incredible significance for all of us: The Vikings rowed themselves to battle.

Unlike the Greeks and Romans, who used galley slaves to row their great warships, the Vikings took full responsibility for this strenuous activity. This tells us two things: 1) the Vikings didn’t feel that rowing was beneath them—they pursued competence in every area pertaining to their success, and 2) they were seriously ripped. No wonder the people of Europe were afraid of these guys—their muscles were moving twenty-ton boats through the water!

Here’s The Rebelution’s challenge: Do hard things. Learn a lesson from the Vikings. Do hard things and you will carry the battle every time. If you are willing to take on responsibilities that others delegate or neglect you will gain the benefits of that exertion.

Too often we delegate the responsibility for our education, our character, our future, etc. to others who hold far less of a stake in how things turn out. And more often than not a failure to perform in the areas of character and competence are due to a lack of past exertion.

Look around you. Many American young people are doing little more than “making it”—and this in a culture of unbelievably low standards. Few shoulder the burden of doing more than is required—yet that was the key to the Viking’s success!

In subsequent posts we will examine how we can “do hard things” by educating ourselves, tackling and maintaining normal responsibilities, and attempting the “impossible.” For now, I want you to ask yourselves the following questions:

• Am I choosing to Do Hard Things in my personal life? In my education? In the goals I set?

• Am I exceeding expectations or just getting by?

• Am I robbing myself of greater achievements because I’m unwilling to take on certain responsibilities?

Noah Riner On Video

Reader and fellow-blogger David S. MacMillan III, who works for Noah Riner's father, Kentucky State Representative Tom Riner, has alerted us to the following video of Noah's excellent convocation speech that was covered on The Rebelution last weekend.

Click here to download the video.

Note: We are sorry to inform our readers that the website that was hosting Noah's video has apparently removed it from their server. We have been unable to find it elsewhere. (11/19/05)

UPDATE (12/04): The video is back online, thanks to the generous assistance of Eric Rice of Wright Film Association. The above link has been updated.

The Life Of Bob Simpson: Potential, Potential

The Rebelution continues its tradition of "comics-with-a-point" with this wonderful and thought-provoking installment:


QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION: Do you have tendency to identify problems but do little to solve them? Do you think this tendency is widespread? What are some areas that are commonly complained about, but seldomed addressed with action? How can we move to act in those areas? Random Thought: Bob Simpson should have been a blogger!

The San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival

A VISION FOR CULTURAL REBELUTION
It is with great joy that Alex and I bring to your attention the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF), a project of Vision Forum Ministries. This growing festival, scheduled for October 27-29 of this year, is drawing maverick Christians from around the globe to challenge the status quo presented by Hollywood.

Says Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries: “We live on the threshold of a revolution in independent Christian filmmaking. For the first time in more than half a century, Christians have the opportunity to change the terms of debate for this crucial medium of cultural influence by challenging the Hollywood giant.”

Over the last decade a quadruple convergence of affordable technology, alternative distribution and training, and the American public’s general disenchantment with “Babylon Central,” has fashioned a unique environment for a new form of cultural guerilla warfare against the elites who, according to Mr. Phillips, would “redefine the biblical family out of existence and present a dark and nefarious vision of reality to the future.”

As America becomes more and more discontent with Hollywood’s negative, monopolistic stranglehold on film and culture, the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival provides an avenue for Christians to cease cursing the darkness, and to start lighting candles.

With a grand prize of $10,000 for Best of Festival and numerous Best of Category awards, this year’s festival promises to attract even greater numbers of independent Christian filmmakers than it’s predecessor. Located in San Antonio, Texas—a beautiful city full of life, a rich heritage, and fine cuisine—the second annual San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival is sure to encourage and inspire all who attend.

For additional information regarding the SAICFF and its vision, please visit the official website. To view a short trailer submitted by a festival applicant, click here.

THE 2005 CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS ACADEMY
This year, the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival will be holding its first-ever Christian Filmmakers Academy (CFA)—a technical boot camp for aspiring culture changers, on October 24-26.

Participants can expect to enjoy more than sixteen hours of formal classroom instruction from seasoned industry professionals, personal discussion and interaction with academy faculty and guest lecturers, and opportunity to network and build professional personal relations with like-minded individuals interested in independent Christian filmmaking.

The CFA’s target audience is aspiring filmmakers, home educators, Christian students, and industry professionals who want to broaden their grasp of diverse skills necessary for independent Christian film production. Anyone who is interested in taking back this crucial medium for Christ would benefit greatly from this opportunity.

For additional information regarding the CFA and its vision, please visit the official website.

SAICFF & CFA TO BE COVERED LIVE ON THE REBELUTION
Last November, Alex and I were privileged to attend the film festival on its maiden voyage. We were amazed at the artistry of the films presented and at the incredible balance of character and competence Vision Forum and its staff maintained. We came away thoroughly convinced of the commitment the organizers of the SAICFF have to powerful content and equally powerful aesthetics. We went to see Christian films and we saw Christian art.

For this reason Alex and I are absolutely delighted to announce that we will be returning to the beautiful city of San Antonio from October 24-29—this time with press passes to cover both the film festival and the filmmakers academy, live, on The Rebelution.

As visionaries ourselves for cultural reformation, we join the “rebels” as the battle lines are drawn. Vision Forum Ministries has targeted a strategic medium of cultural education and for this reason we applaud and support them in their vital work. We invite you, if at all possible, to join us in San Antonio later this month, to catch a vision for independent Christian filmmaking and for cultural rebelution of the silver screen.

"650,000 Hours, And That's It For You."

Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, someone in the world dies. One one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand. Death is 100% consistent, completely methodical. And the fact that death is universal has led many to speculate regarding its finality: Is death but a doorway to an afterlife, to an eternal dwelling?

Today we will be examining a statement which answers both questions adamantly, holding that:

“WHEN A MAN DIES, HE SIMPLY CEASES TO EXIST. THERE IS NO IMMORTALITY OR ETERNAL LIFE.”

It is my position that Christians should reject this statement as a blatant contradiction of Biblical teaching and that those who hold such a belief are making an incomprehensibly dangerous assumption.

In the short time we have together today we’ll be contrasting the “no-life-after-death” theory with the Biblical belief in eternal life in Heaven and eternal death in Hell and comparing both beliefs in their ability to prepare a person for death and in their consequences.

First of all, it is important to understand that we are dealing with polar opposites; two entirely different conclusions regarding the length of human existence.

In his book, “A Short History of Nearly Everything”, Bill Bryson summarizes the “no-life-after-death” theory’s view of human existence when he says, “Even a long human life adds up to only about 650,000 hours. And when that modest milestone flashes past, or at some other point thereabouts, for reasons unknown your atoms will shut you down, silently disassemble, and go off to be other things. And that’s it for you.”

The phrase, “And that’s it for you” defines the no-life-after-death position:
“650,000 hours, and that’s it for you. The End.”

In contrast, consider the Biblical position on human existence: James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” On this point both positions agree: “Life is short! Your 650,000 hours are ticking away!”

However, the black-and-white contrast between these two beliefs is shown by comparing the phrase, “and that’s it for you” with Ecclesiastes 12:5 which says, “Then man goes to his eternal home.”

Are we merely 650,000-hour-creatures or are we eternal ones? Is this it or is there more? We must choose our answers to these questions carefully because what we believe regarding the nature of life will seriously affect our ability to deal with death.

To a Christian this life is but a preview, an introduction to a life that lasts forever. And death is but the doorway to Eternity. Therefore we can say with 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, “Grave where is thy victory? Death where is thy sting?”

But death is terrifying if this is all there is. It means “Game Over” when you’re out of quarters. It means “The End” and no sequel. It means “goodbye” with no “see ya’ later”. To reject life-after-death is to reject all consolation regarding death.

However, that disadvantage pales in comparison to the terrible consequences of being wrong about death. Can we afford to gamble about such things?

The truth is that both belief in eternal life and rejection of eternal life are gambles. As Christians we have the clear teaching of Scripture, but even that must be accepted by faith. Meanwhile, those who reject life-after-death have an even shakier foundation to stand on, and arguably, no foundation at all.

We all must take a gamble. So which position should we choose?

Well, if I, as a Christian, died today, and discovered that I’m right about eternity, the rewards would be enormous: eternal life, never-ending life in Heaven. But if I’m wrong and simply ceased to exist, the only loss would be that I didn’t get more kicks out of my 650,000 hours of life because I was trying please God. In other words, Christianity holds the possibility of eternal gain while entailing only temporary loss.

But if someone who rejected life-after-death died, the benefits of being right would only be that he got more kicks out of his 650,000 hours of life. But if he was wrong the loss would be incomprehensible: eternal death, never-ending agony and suffering in Hell. This bet holds only temporary gain while entailing eternal loss.

Now I don’t mean to paint Christianity as merely “the wiser bet,” though I believe it is. But I do mean to show the foolishness of making the assumption that this life is all there is.

The harsh truth is that death is unavoidable. Now you can call it a bet or you can call it faith. But I would urge you to put your faith on the promises of Scripture and on eternal life. And, if you do believe in Heaven and Hell, ask yourself where you're headed. Are you going the wrong way?

Today we’ve examined two opposing beliefs; one that says, “This is it!” and one that says, “There’s more!” The Bible tells us that “God has put eternity in men’s hearts.” If we feel the cry in our heart that says, “There’s more,” then we mustn’t ignore it. We have seen that to reject life-after-death is to reject all consolation regarding death and we’ve examined the losses and the gains of both gambles of faith.

And so I leave you with Isaiah 28:16, which promises that Christ is “a sure foundation; the one that trust will never be dismayed.”

Noah Riner: Faith Under Fire At Dartmouth

Noah Riner, 21 — homeschooled son of a Baptist preacher, and now student body president at Dartmouth College — sparked national controversy with his September 20th convocation speech to incoming freshmen. In what is traditionally an immemorable speech, Riner maintained that character, not just intelligence and talent, must be the goal for true education.

Dartmouth, Riner told his peers, has turned out a lot of very talented, very intelligent individuals. "But if all we get from this place is knowledge, we've missed something," he reasoned — citing examples, both historic and recent, of Dartmouth alums whose credentials were impeccable, but whose character was proven to be greatly corrupt. Turning to raise the issue of New Orleans — the looting, violence, and rape in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina — Riner clarified, "My purpose... isn't to condemn just [the citizens of New Orleans], rather it's to condemn all of us."

"The real problem in this world," Riner argued, "is not lack of education [but] lack of character."

"[C]haracter," he held, "is what you do when no one is looking, but I'm afraid to say all the things I've done when no one was looking." He challenged his fellow students to be honest with themselves and with one another. "We have the same flaws as the individuals who pillaged New Orleans," he said, affirming the truth of the universal sin nature. "Ours haven't been given such free range, but they exist and are part of us all the same."

However, it is still very likely that — had Riner stopped at this point — there would have been little uproar. Vice president of the Student Assembly, Kaelin Goulet, would not have resigned in protest, calling Riner's speech "reprehensible and an abuse of power.” The story would not have swept across the blogosphere like wildfire, nor been featured in magazines and newspapers across the country.

But Riner did not stop there. Instead, he did the unthinkable. He spoke of Jesus Christ. And he didn't just use Him as his example, or a example of character — but rather as the "best example" of character. And he didn't just use Him as an example of character — but rather as the solution to man's inherent corruption.

"Jesus' message of redemption is simple," Riner said. "People are imperfect, and there are consequences for our actions. He gave His life for our sin so that we wouldn't have to bear the penalty of the law; so we could see love. The problem is me; the solution is God's love: Jesus on the cross, for us."

"You want the best undergraduate education in the world, and you've come to the right place to get that. But there's more to college than achievement. With Martin Luther King, we must dream of a nation – and a college – where people are not judged by the superficial, 'but by the content of their character.'"

[To read the full text of Noah Riner's convocation speech click here. To see a video of his speech click here.]

WORLD magazine summarizes the fallout of Riner's speech in this week's issue:

Editorials, guest columns, and letters to the editor filled the pages of the Dartmouth student newspaper. Senior Brian Martin wrote that he was "appalled and disappointed," adding that "Jesus would not have wanted to make new students feel unwelcome."

An editorial cartoon depicted Mr. Riner as an overzealous fanatic out to vanquish infidels, with Jesus as a foul-mouthed, pot-smoking hippie advising him to chill out.

Others wrote passionately in Mr. Riner's defense: "He stood up against political correctness, and it is about time," opined senior Stacey Kourlis: "No one has been hurt or denied their rights. If anything, Riner has just created the chance for everyone to argue about a controversial topic." Freshman Brian Chao suggested that "had Riner instead espoused the virtues of Muhammad, Buddha, or any other religious figure, he would be applauded."

That people disagreed with his ideas did not surprise the senior, a history and government double major, but the frequent unwillingness to engage those ideas surprised and disappointed him. "I wish people would wrestle more with the issues raised in my speech rather than with the propriety of the speech," he told WORLD, insisting he had not intended to generate a discussion of free-speech rights. "As a Christian, I can't talk about character without talking about Jesus."

As would be expected, Riner's inbox was flooded with emails in the days following his speech. In a gesture that impressed me even more than his speech itself, Riner not only read each message carefully — many of which viciously attacked him and his beliefs — but also took the time to personally meet with each detractor.

Mr. Riner, The Rebelution applauds you. Your message of character — character that cannot be divorced from Christ — is one that our culture desperately needs. May God bless and strengthen you as you stand for truth — truth towards which the world is hostile.

UPDATES: October 4th: Fellow-bloggers SpunkyHomeschool and Agent Tim have covered this story as well. October 9th: Dr. Albert Mohler has also covered the controversy in depth, as well as interviewing Noah on his radio program.

Belief In God Is Killing Us, Study Shows

In Tuesday's edition of The Times (London), Ruth Gledhill utilized her column to report the following:

Religious belief can cause damage to a society, contributing towards high murder rates, abortion, sexual promiscuity and suicide, according to research published today. According to the study, belief in and worship of God are not only unnecessary for a healthy society but may actually contribute to social problems.

Gledhill cites a research study, recently published in the Journal of Religion and Society, that compares largely secular societies such as Great Britain and Japan with the United States, which is heavily populated by active Christians. The study supposedly shows a direct link between "belief and worship of a creator" and social ills.

Apparently, neither Mrs. Gledhill nor the studies author, Gregory Paul, remember this basic rule of logical proof: correlation does not prove causation.

In other words, just because the Mississippi River water level drops in direct proportion to peanut sales in the surrounding towns and cities does not prove that the citizenry is drinking from the river to quench their salty-peanut-induced thirst. Rather, a more thorough examination of the facts shows that peanut sales increase during baseball season (it's not baseball without peanuts), baseball season runs from mid-May through August, and the Mississipi River water level always drops during the summer.

According to Dr. Albert Mohler :

"[This study] proves nothing, since an almost limitless number of unrelated factors could explain the differences claimed by the study. Here's how to stack a deck for a false argument. Collect unrelated statistics and pass them off as proving causation. A decline in steel production may be an item of interest, but it doesn't have anything to do with a rise in asparagus eating among retirees."

What are your thoughts regarding this new study? How would you respond to Mr. Paul's assertion that "the widely held fear that a Godless citizenry must experience societal disaster is therefore refuted?" More importantly, what is the real contributing factor to the claimed moral inferiority of the United States?

UPDATE: Christian blogger and statistician Scott Gilbreath posts a devestating critique of both Ms. Gledhill's article and Mr. Paul's study. Read it here.