Deconstructing deconstructionism

The problem with looking for Christian elements in modern films (or books, etc.) is trying to look for something that isn't there. Projecting your worldview into a movie (or TV show, book, etc) is dangerous, as we humans are hard-wired to find things that we recognize in what we see. I'm sure someone could find something in porn that might resonate with their worldview. When doing this with the Bible it is called 'eisegesis' and is why some people seemingly get crazy theologies out of Scripture. If anyone ever asked you "what does the verse or chapter mean to you" then you've experienced eisegesis.



In real life it is a major element of postmodernism. Basically it assumes that the author is 'dead' (for the purpose of deciding what the work really means) and throws the responsibility of deciding its meaning onto the viewer/reader/listener. Many artists now produce thematically ambiguous material as a way of tapping into the postmodern mindset and don't care what people get out of it as long as they get something out of it. This is wrong. Things mean what they are supposed to mean (especially the Bible, as defined by Itself), do not mean anything else (even if the viewer/etc. thinks it does), and if they aren't supposed to mean anything specific then they are pretty much meaningless.



Christianity deals with very human issues, like good and evil, repentance for wrongs committed, love and hate, faith, and the merit of performing good works as an outward indication of our faith. These have all been used by thousands upon thousands of pieces of art in various ways, and since they are human issues we as Christians might tend to view them and project our Christian worldview on the piece of art. Many see God and Satan as the dualistic Light/Dark sides of the Force, for example. Spiderman forgives Sandman, so the element of redemption seems relevant to us. But unless they are trying to present actual Christian elements, these are simply the pale reflections of Christianity's better points.



The heart of the Bible is the Gospel, and there has been no movie to date (that I know of, and I've seen so many that I've even forgotten some completely) that accurately conveys the true Gospel (Sin's reality; Repentance of sins; Faith in Jesus; Jesus as the Anointed Messiah, or Christ; Jesus as the only Savior; Jesus as Lord of one's life) outside of the Christian industry (and, sadly, very few within the Christian industry as well...but I'll save that for another diatribe). Without that solid base in place, any other perceived Christian element is lost in the special effects and witty banter.