Mr. Woodcock "Discussion Questions"!?!?

Have the folks at Christianity Today lost their minds?! They've posted a movie review of Mr. Woodcock (notice any sexual overtones in that name) and along with their review they've posted discussion questions. Are they hoping that some relevant pastors will show this movie to their congregations and mine it for its spiritual content? Are they anticipating a flood of small group leaders wanting to use this movie in their groups? Here are their discussion starter questions (this is NOT satire):

1. Mr. Woodcock says the word "sorry" is only for "criminals and screw-ups." Do you agree or disagree? Would you apply those words the same way Mr. Woodcock applies them, or differently? In what way might we all be "criminals and screw-ups"?

2. In what ways might the hard line toed by Mr. Woodcock be a sign of strength? In what ways might it be a sign of weakness? In what ways might weakness, itself, be a sign of strength? Note how the film suggests it takes "backbone" to say "sorry."

3. John says his book has been helpful to people, and Mr. Woodcock replies, "Lot of losers out there, I guess." When have you been tempted to dismiss people as "losers"? Why do you think people tend to look at others that way? Do you (or did you) ever see yourself as a "loser"? If so, in what way? And how do you/did you deal with it?

4. Beverly is in a relationship and has not told her son; and once her son finds out, she is reluctant to accept her son's criticisms of Mr. Woodcock. How do you think single parents should approach new relationships, after their children have matured to adulthood? How would you respond if you had a mother like Beverly? A son like John? Do you "buy" the relationship between Beverly and Mr. Woodcock? What do you think it is based on?

5. How difficult do you think it is for people to relate to parents and teachers as fellow adults, after they have grown up? How has your relationship to human authority figures changed over the years? Have these changes affected the way you see your relationship with the ultimate Authority, i.e. God? If so, how?

6. At the beginning of the film, John has published a book encouraging people to "get past your past." By the end of the film, he is saying that people should "embrace" their past. If you had to choose between these options, which would you choose? Do you think you have to choose between them? What are their pros and cons?

We are dumbfounded by this.

Comments

[Angel]

I wanted to come up with some pithy and enlightened comment, but all I could think of was, "uh, what?!"

Unreal...

[Ingrid Schlueter]

Christianity Today is increasingly anti-Christ in spirit. That they would attempt to take the moral squalor of a world in rebellion against God and find spiritual meaning in it, bypassing the holy and all-powerful Word of God, makes me want to vomit. You can quote me on that. Come out, come out, come out and be separate from this counterfeit version of Christianity. How dare these editors blaspheme the name of Jesus by promoting this material as having spiritual meaning?

[Frank]

It is sad that the moral fabric of our society is being ripped to shreds. Now it is seemingly being done by "Chrisitian" leaders to make Christianity relevant to seculer people. Our Lord did'nt water down His Word and neither should we. Thank you Father for Your Word so we know what is expected without compromise. Also, thankyou Ingrid for your vigilance and information. I was saddened to see "Slice" removed and will always check in to read you personal blog. God bless

[paula]

That they are expecting Christians to have seen this movie in the first place is atrocious. It's as bad as Christians going to see "Knocked up" -- the title and publicity image is enough to turn me off.

[JfTheophilus from GodsKingdomNow.com]

has anyone ever really learned anything from these type of questions? almost sounds like questions you'd lead a child

[Aaron]

It's shocking the way "Christians" today try to find "Christian overtones" in movies. An actor says one thing that sounds maybe just a little "moral" and people are ready to latch on to it. This is just another sad example.

And what purpose could those discussion questions serve? If there was any good that could have come from them, I think I could find a much better source. This is disgusting

[fourpointer]

I had a subscription to CT (my nephew was selling magazines for school). After the first couple issues, I don't think I read more than a couple of articles. They might as well put the word "Emerging" at the beginning of the title. It's nothing more than a mishmash of religions that call themselves Christian.

[Ruth]

Why not bring out some of the oldies, like The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby? Certainly those classics have some good lessons in store.

[Vincent Lyons]

For many years this so called Christian magazine has spewed out rubbish. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump"

[T.J.]

"Christianity Today" has been anything but, for a long , long time. I fled from them a few years back.

[chuck kutchera]

i followed the link to ct and then went to see what other publications said. i only went to the pluggedin and it wasn't any better at least it disected it throuhgly. it did mention that it used GOD& JESUS name in vain. that right there should have stopped the presses. remember how focus on the family got behind judge roy moore and his fight to keep the 10 commandments in the court house? why even review garbage like this?

[Adam]

Amongst all the moral decay of these 'Discussion Questions', there's also an ecumenical flavor to question 5. By saying 'the ultimate Authority', they've opened the door for any person to insert their own god, be that Buddha, Allah, or etc... The one possible thing that could have given this the faintest hint of Christianity doesn't at all. Also, with one possible exception that I can't verify since I never plan on watching this movie, every reference to God, Jesus or the bible made in this movie is made in a profane manner, be it 'stealing' from the bible, or using God's name in vain as He told us expressly not to do in Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11, etc.

[Al]

Ironically, Christianity Today really IS "Christianity"....today.

Maybe it's time for another publication: Christianity Yesterday.

[Trent Kastman]

What do you expect from a magazine that calls Christian discernment ministries attack dogs? This is just another fulfillment of the prophecy in 2 Tim. 3 about having a form of godliness but denying it's power.

[Don]

I tried to access the magazines website but all I can get is a server too busy page. Looks like maybe this site has a much bigger impact than we might have imagined? I only hope they find out where all of these hits came from.

[Rita M.]

...Whatever happened to being in the world but not OF the world? In which ways are we different than the world when we revel in it?

[Mrs. Pilgrim]

You know, I have this philosophy about movie-watching: If you figure that watching a movie is not morally wrong, then watch it. Don't try to excuse your choice with halfway rationalizations which (a) will not fool the listener, and/or (b) will not satisfy the listener. That tends to suggest that you KNOW there's something wrong.

That's part of what's going awry in modern "Christianity": people who make decisions and then hem-haw, offering vague and frankly unnecessary excuses.

Watch this film or don't (preferably, don't), but don't pretend to me that it's something that is, overall, spiritually uplifting. Dumpster-diving is not considered a good way to get yourself a snack.

[Keith]

Ruth! For crying out loud--don't give them any ideas!!

[Dannygirl]

Dear Saint,

Thank You for picking up the mantle as well, and not letting "Christianty Today" get away with promoting this disgusting movie. Which is to wicked to even utter in secret. How can it be mentioned or shown in a Christian Church?

Indeeded "Christianity Today" has become Satan's joy of what he'd like Christianity to become. A place where he can dwell freely and be glorified in.

I notice "Christianity Today's" slip into in the abyss years ago, even before Slice.

God Bless you my dear friends in the Lord

Danny

[Marnie]

Ugh. What is it with Christians? I'm a relatively recent convert to Christianity from Judaism. When I made the leap, I understood the idea was to live as far away from the world as I could get, not as close as I could get and still squeak in through the pearly gates! I'm not opposed to movies, necessarily, but why would the Church use worldly things for the sake of the Gospel? Isn't the Word enough? I don't understand it all...at all!

[TWPeck]

It is interesting that there are no questions referencing Scripture, or pointing to Christ. Guess they wouldn't want to take the chance and offend anyone...but God.

[Once4all]

The sexual overtones are not only in the title, but in the image you posted, as well. Frankly, I'm surprised you're displaying it on your site.

Thanks for the reporting you do that keeps us aware of the increasing apostasy and carnal state of the modern church.

[Lane Chaplin]

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
(2Co 6:14-18)

I mean, what more is there to say?

[Shma]

Marnie,
There is a huge difference between people who are truly Christians & those that claim to be. There is a verse in the Bible where the Lord tells them to depart from him he never knew them. Stick with the Word & find a chruch that does also. Don't be fooled by fake christians.

[Trent Kastman]

The verse in the Bible about God telling fake Christians to depart from Him is Matthew 7:21-23.