Fascinating explanation by Michael Collender of St. Anne's Pub on how Brokeback Mountain was financed by those who watched Pride & Prejudice. Listen here.
02/11/2006
Steve McCoy
Jesus-follower, husband, father, pastor, photographer, writer
Jesus-follower, husband, father, pastor, photographer, writer
Just because our opponents see culture change as a 'war' doesn't mean we should as well.
Posted by: Tim Keller | 02/11/2006 at 03:15 PM
Totally agree Tim.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/11/2006 at 04:56 PM
Wow...is that really Tim Keller, Steve? Tim, I know you are just a man but man you are a rock star in my book! Redeemer how been such a great example to me! Thanks!
***I'm such a geek***
Posted by: Michael Foster | 02/11/2006 at 05:30 PM
oh...steve, you are a rock star too (maybe like a Ringo Star sort).
Posted by: Michael Foster | 02/11/2006 at 05:33 PM
Sheesh Michael, you sure know how to shoo away all my good commenters. :) Dr. Keller stops by from time to time, usually adding a bit of wisdom where error can creep in.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/11/2006 at 05:40 PM
1)Michael--it is geeky, but your words are kindly meant and I appreciate them.
2)Steve-in case somebody might think I was being too hard on Michael Collender. I think he is right in pointing out that culture is produced strategically, and we Christians should also be strategic. But the makers of Brokeback Mountain were simply trying to outflank their opponents-not love them. We are called to really serve the needs of our opponents, not just outmanuver them. So the 'warfare' metaphor isn't really appropriate for our efforts to effect culture.
Posted by: Tim Keller | 02/11/2006 at 06:24 PM
Again, I totally agree and it's a helpful point to make. I was actually surprised that Collender used that terminology, but I thought his overall point was worth a listen. Thanks for your thoughts on this Dr. Keller.
I guess it's a good night to stay inside as the "blizzard" hits. Preach well tomorrow.
Michael, I think it's so cool that Tim Keller basically called you a geek. Awesome.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 02/11/2006 at 06:28 PM
Tim, when you said "But the makers of Brokeback Mountain were simply trying to outflank their opponents-not love them. We are called to really serve the needs of our opponents, not just outmanuver them. So the 'warfare' metaphor isn't really appropriate for our efforts to effect culture." I had two thoughts - which means I have met my quota for the weekend.
1. Very helpful way of explaining one of the problems with a culture-war mindset. Thank you.
2. I have not listened to SAP yet, but do we really think Ang Lee was trying to outmanuver? I mean, he said he wanted to tell a love story, one that was different, but powerful, and this story really struck him. Part of my trouble with the culture warriors is that they see hidden agendas behind every cultural phenomenon that doesn't square with Scripture.
I have no doubt that many (on both sides) are using the story as a weapon, but am not convinced that the makers of the film had the same goal as those who would use it for their own social/political purposes.
Posted by: Joe Thorn | 02/11/2006 at 07:35 PM
SAP isn't talking about Ang Lee but about the production company "Focus Features." When you look at the movies they produce, it's likely that SAP is right that somebody in this company likes to 'subvert the classical understanding of narrative.'
I also don't like some of the tone of the SAP piece. But there really are now a surprising number of deliberate, concerted efforts to influence culture in particular directions. There are film production companies across the political spectrum that are rather open now about their culture-change agenda. (This is new. The New York Times has written about them recently.) So now there are many ‘war rooms’, political action groups, social activist networks, foundations, think tanks, etc etc trying to stick it to the red states or the blue states. So I don’t think Christians should feel guilty about wanting to influence culture too! But I think Christians should be seeking neither power (I’m not a Constantinian,) nor separation (I’m not Hauerwasian,) but rather the influence that comes indirectly through loving service to the common good.
Posted by: Tim Keller | 02/11/2006 at 08:31 PM
Thanks for the clarification Tim. I should listen to the SAP piece before commenting. I really appreciate our thoughts on all this.
Side note, I have really enjoyed a number of Focus Feature films, though I have not seean Brokeback Mountain.
Posted by: Joe Thorn | 02/11/2006 at 09:29 PM
having seen brokeback mountain, and thought it was a movie that more Christians frankly need to see before discussing, I'll side with Tim and say that this not need be seen as a culture war.
In Augustine's Teaching Christianity, he refers to everyone from Cicero to Tychonius to Plato as models for Christians to learn from and appreciate, with the end being that they be able to read Scripture better. The point is that, if we believe that all things were made through Christ, including cultural products that we don't find initially worth our time, there may be something to them worth reclaiming. In the case of Brokeback, there's quite a few. That aside, I think it's a mistake to dismiss such a studio as Focus, who also produced Spotless Mind, on the basis of a movie which most of its opponents have not taken the time to understand or even watch.
Posted by: myles | 02/12/2006 at 07:17 AM
Yeah! St. Anne's is Podcasting!! Whoot
Posted by: Tim Etherington | 02/14/2006 at 08:26 AM