Christian Multimedia Book Pushing Boundaries (Vanity)

Hi I thought every one might be interested in a new Christian multimedia project. The project is a multimedia online book featuring full screen video, symphony orchestra soundtrack and narration by respected English shakespearean theater actor Barry Boys. And all of this is being done on what would be considered a “no-budget” project.

Any way take a look at http://theheavenmovie.com and let me know what you think.

Having watched the first two chapters, I am excited at the potential here, and I have several resulting questions and comments.

First, and most basic, what is your goal here? What are you trying to accomplish?

Pending that answer, I'll assume for argument's sake that this is an evangelistic tool. If so, I suggest your use of the King James version ("spake, thou, thy") is unlikely to be winsome. That, coupled with the august reader, lends an air of heaviness that may be counterproductive.

My other concern is with some apparent liberties with the text, although perhaps I am just not recalling the passages off the top of my head, or maybe they're Apocryphal (I'm Protestant). First, "In heavenly council the angels pleaded with Lucifer." Was such a council recorded in Scripture? Second, "the destroyer of those whom heaven had committed to his guidance and guardianship." Again, no citation comes to mind. Are there citations, or are these merely speculative inferences?

Hi thanks for your interest in my project. I will answer your questions as best I can.

1. Goal - The goal is as you said evangalistic. I plan on telling the entire story from the fall of Satan to the second coming etc. Basically the plan of salvation. And I am doing it this way because the big picture is not normally presented.

2. Suggestion - Thanks for your suggestion on the use of the King James. So far from all of the testing I have done its not been a problem but something people have liked Christian or not. BUT the main goal to make it as good as possible so I will continue to do testing on that aspect of it.

3. Liberties - I understand your concern and the goal is to do it as biblically accurate as possible. (I am protestant also by the way.)

A. First, “”In heavenly council the angels pleaded with Lucifer.” Was such a council recorded in Scripture?” - No but we have council in the Bible how we should handle fellow Christians that are falling away. And that is what Satan was at the time. So really the entire Bible points us to that they would have pleaded with Lucifer trying to save him. Also Lucifer won over angels to his view. And this would have happened by communicating his ideas. We also know not all the angels were cast out of heaven so not all believed him. So while it is “speculative inferences” I do not think its really much of a stretch. And it gets across the point that God tried to save Lucifer. That for Lucifer like the rest of us sin was a choice.

B. “Second, “the destroyer of those whom heaven had committed to his guidance and guardianship.” Again, no citation comes to mind. “ - This is based on the idea Satan has some kind of position. And we know there are positions for example Michael the archangel. Also its a common interpretation that the passages about the king of Tyre are also about Satan. And those passages represent him as very hmm exalted. Plus of course we know he was and is the leader of the evil angels and rebellion against God. So it is also speculative but not without foundation.

Also neither of the above to things have to do with the basic ideas of salvation.

Any way hope that answers your questions:)

Ultimately, you answer to the Lord, not to me. But since you asked, I must suggest that your two speculative inferences are unnecessary and are potentially harmful. Why you would insert those while leaving out so much of value which does have solid scriptural support is baffling. Put another way, why have I never heard anyone else who felt it needful to so speculate in presenting the Gospel?

Here, I think, if I may be so bold, you run the very risk that Lucifer ran and failed. He became proud and decided he knew best. Does the authorship power you have in doing this project seem to give you the freedom to freelance the Gospel? To invent a new Gospel, perhaps? Beware....

“Ultimately, you answer to the Lord, not to me. “ Agreed :)

“But since you asked, I must suggest that your two speculative inferences are unnecessary and are potentially harmful. Why you would insert those while leaving out so much of value which does have solid scriptural support is baffling. “
Its very common to when writing something along these lines to take some liberty. Remember this is a narration of a multimedia book thats a hybrid of video and graphic novel style images. Its not an audio book or an exact word for word telling of the Bible. Its an overview of the sweep of the plan of salvation. And remember a very many things different denominations teach have very very little Biblical support. And some not really any at all.

“Put another way, why have I never heard anyone else who felt it needful to so speculate in presenting the Gospel?”Really I find it very common.

“Here, I think, if I may be so bold, you run the very risk that Lucifer ran and failed. He became proud and decided he knew best. Does the authorship power you have in doing this project seem to give you the freedom to freelance the Gospel? To invent a new Gospel, perhaps? Beware....”I think you are overstating things just a bit. This is not NEW gospel. It changes the gospel in no way at all. Its only saying really 2 things. 1 - there was an effort to save Lucifer. 2. Lucifer who we KNOW was the leader of the rebellion in heaven was also had some rank before this. As we KNOW there is at least as Michael the archangel is described as “commander of the army of the LORD”.

And don’t get me wrong I really do like the feedback. But when you do any kind of project like this you get unlimited numbers of ideas about it. With unlimited numbers of opinions. And to be honest you are the very first one to have found this a problem.

Gospel “The proclamation of the redemption preached by Jesus and the Apostles”

“I’ve warned you adequately, so I’ve fulfilled my responsibility. “ Agreed we only have a duty to present the truth as we know it. The holy spirit convicts the person after that.

“I must say, though, that I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, in that you evidence so far little apprehension of the Holy Spirit’s guidance.Admittedly, the evidence I have from the video and this thread is limited, but that is certainly my impression.”I have to say I would be careful judging people who do not agree with you. And even more so for someone you have never met and know nothing about.

“You are wise to seek counsel from mature believers.” We should always do this to make sure we are not going off in some way God is not guiding us. And even more important is to check the Bible as its are only true guide.

I have to say I would be careful judging people who do not agree with you. And even more so for someone you have never met and know nothing about.

I qualified my comment by noting my limited information. And, whereas I may have left the impression I was judging you, that was not my intent; rather, I was reacting both to the video and to your comments and observing an absence of obvious influence of the Holy Spirit. That doesn't mean there is none, just that it is obscure if present, when it is all the more needful in light of your speculative use of Scripture. If that hits too close to home, then don't invite critiques of spiritual work.

And even more important is to check the Bible as its are [sic] only true guide.

Which returns us to my original point: you take liberties with it which are unnecessary for, and may be counterproductive to, your purpose. Thus, you contradict yourself.

Once again, and finally, I draw your attention to your purpose, which is to evangelize. Recall the Bible's warnings for those who teach, and be very sure as you go forward that you are fully in-line with Scripture and Spirit. I wish you the very best, and I am praying for you and your endeavor. I admire your zeal. Make sure your head keeps up with your heart.

“I qualified my comment by noting my limited information. And, whereas I may have left the impression I was judging you, that was not my intent; rather, I was reacting both to the video and to your comments and observing an absence of obvious influence of the Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean there is none, just that it is obscure if present, when it is all the more needful in light of your speculative use of Scripture. If that hits too close to home, then don’t invite critiques of spiritual work.”

Well this this reply is what I ment about judging. You say you are not judging me then state “observing an absence of obvious influence of the Holy Spirit”. Really what you mean is you don’t agree with me so you CANT really have a strong influence of the holy spirit but I have to be right. And the reason I say that is dangerous is because we know good holy spirit driven people like Martin Luther did not have all the truth thats why the protestant movement continued to grow and evolve after his death. Its why we are not all Lutherans:) But I have no doubt he was a very Godly man. And very open to the holy spirit. And I believe the same of John Calvin, John Wycliffe, Jan Hus, Ulrich Zwingli etc etc. But these people did not agree on a lot of things.

So even tho I think you are wrong I would never dare suggest you are not sincere and giving 100% to God and being guided by the holy spirit.

“Which returns us to my original point: you take liberties with it which are unnecessary for, and may be counterproductive to, your purpose. Thus, you contradict yourself.” To be more exact I take liberties YOU believe to be counterproductive and unessary. I would not have taken theme if I believed them to be counter productive and unesary .

“Once again, and finally, I draw your attention to your purpose, which is to evangelize. Recall the Bible’s warnings for those who teach, and be very sure as you go forward that you are fully in-line with Scripture and Spirit.” Very good advice and what I have always believed in and believe in.

“I wish you the very best, and I am praying for you and your endeavor.” Thank you very much I know your criticisms and suggestions etc are out of a sincere wish to see the gospel presented correctly and well.

“I admire your zeal. Make sure your head keeps up with your heart.”I will do my best I pray and study before making ANY choice in the project.

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