Hi there guys. Once again, sorry about my lack of posting this week, but as some of you know, I’m in California at the moment getting ready to show my movie, Prince of Peace – God of War at the San Diego International Film Festival. We screen it on Saturday… I can’t even begin to tell you how nervous I am. Anyway….
What you may not know is that the movie is also opening at the film festival in Orlando this weekend. It was brought to my attention that a local paper “The Orlando Weekly” just included Prince of Peace – God of War in their article entitled “Our top-10 selection of films not to be missed at the Global Peace Film Festival”
They went on to say this:
“Central to John Campea’s engaging documentary is the question of how it is that 87 percent of self-defined Christians are able to rally fists in support of war when one would assume that conflict is not what Jesus would do. The film is a heady affair, too, wherein the “Just War” crowd are intellectually pitted against the pacifists in a debate as to the directives implied in the Bible. While it may seem a distant, simple – even annoying – feast of hypothetical subject matter, the underlying question may be an open door into the religious right’s base politics. Have they skipped Jesus and leapt straight to the Crusades? And why? God knows.”
I am beyond a nervous wreck right now, but excited at the same time. If any of you are in Orlando for the festival and catch the screening, please email me your feedback… I’d love to know how it goes
Paul knew that there were acts “worthy of death” and seems to agree that the penalty would be just if he committed them.
Acts 25:11
“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
“…how it is that 87 percent of self-defined Christians are able to rally fists in support of war when one would assume that conflict is not what Jesus would do?”
Romans 13:1-7 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
1 Peter 2:13,14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.
The answer is, because God gives authority to the government to punish evil with the “sword”. As Christians we are not to seek personal vengeance but to rely on those God has placed in authority. We can still “love our enemies” and desire justice for their criminal actions. This does not mean that you have to accept whatever wicked officials do in defiance of God’s Law. Throughout the Old Testament we find references to prophets criticizing officials for taking advantage of their authority. These people are usually punished by God sending rival armies to usurp them. If you believe that a law or policy is against the Law of God (as I believe abortion is)you have the right to protest it. If you believe the current War is wrong, and use biblical grounds to prove it, that is fine. But don’t use the Bible to say that ALL war is wrong, because it doesn’t say that. You have to take the Bible as a whole (tota scriptura as the Reformers would put it)and not pick and chose which parts you want to follow.
I find it hypocritical for those who are against war in any situation to still expect police to use deadly force in life threatening situations to protect the public. (I am not speaking to anyone in particular but I have heard these sentiments before).
Re: someone’s above comment: “A positive review in the Bible belt”?
WTF? Florida isn’t the Bible belt…
Anyway, congrats on getting into that top ten.
But gee I wonder if in the Muslim world people get to make similar movies.
What’s Jay Cheel’s credit on the film? I havent seen a lot of talk about his involvement since it was finally finished….
Don’t forget though; if you haven’t ‘Prince of Peace-God of War’ in IMAX, you haven’t see it at all. That’s what i’m waiting for;)
You’re famous bitch!
congrats john! a positive review in the bible belt no less!
i almost puke everytime something i do gets screened in front of an audience.
since i missed the previews at bruxy’s, is there a chance for a screening at the meeting house anytime soon?
cheers and fun!
Sounds sweet John! Congrats bro
Nothing is sadder than people preaching to a religion about how they ought to beleive.
John,
I’m beyond glad for you, although I would probably disagree with your conclusions.
Vic
Great news. However, you have to imagine if the politics of it didn’t have a bigger impact than the content. Either way, I don’t want to be the a-hole to rain on your parade. I hope your film does well and I look forward to seeing it!
Congrats on the ink in Florida John. Good luck tomorrow night… not that the film will do well because it will, but good luck keeping it together you nervous Nancy. just kidding
Well Done John
When does the UK get to see it?
Great stuff. I’m in san diego right now. saw “Kabluie” earlier tonight, it was amazing! Already got my ticket for the screening saturday, it’s one of the reasons I came to the festival! See you there.