The Long for Structure

Bifrost Arts Introduction from josh franer on Vimeo.

Big Bird is still alive and well. For some longing for redemption in entertainment, they're grateful Mitt Romney's threat to defund PBS hasn't occurred. The tax-payer funded Public Broadcast Service (PBS) has quadrupled viewership with one fell-swoop of a hit TV drama called Downton Abbey. The video above echos the cry of Downton, to unite the social structure of the past with contemporary thinking today. 

A British import, Downton Abbey follows the Crawley family as their estate transitions from a land of tradition and structure into the unknown following the first world war. Through butlers, maids, countesses and lords viewers are introduced to a world still riding the wake of William Wilberforce's life calling to abolish the slave trade and reform morals. Structure and class dominate the scene as real world issues are dealt with care watching characters struggle with infidelity, pre-marital sex, prostitution and homosexual temptations. 

The intriguing draw of Downton, calling nearly 8 million viewers to the season premiere January 6th, is the strict structure of the household which highlights humanity and respect despite brokenness. Some commentators have identified this British series as a light of redemption in television programming, noting it's increase in PBS's viewership as a mark other entertainment outlets might redirect their programming to reflect. 

This encouragement of a structured life was an evidence that renowned anthropologist Joseph Unwin could not deny in a 1935 address to the British Psychological Society. Commissioned to prove that marriage was irrelevant and a harmful cultural institution, Unwin found the evidence supporting what he called absolute monogamy. He notes: 

"The evidence was such as to demand a complete revision of my personal philosophy...If, during or just after a period of [cultural] expansion, a society modifies its sexual regulations, and a new generation is born into a less rigorous [monogamous] tradition, its energy decreases... If it comes into contact with a more vigorous society, it is deprived of its sovereignty, and possibly conquered in its turn. It seems to follow that we can make a society behave in any manner we like if we are permitted to give it such sexual regulations as will produce the behavior we desire. The results should begin to emerge in the third generation."

Unwin's Phsychological study in the 1930's and Downton Abbey's quasi-historic introduction to a time long past show a culture of discipline. Their identified structure of humanity, highlighting respect and dignity, was established through the first social institution every human being is introduced to, the family. 

Hillcrest has existed for the support of the family. Joining parents in reinforcing Biblically-based principles and a Christ-centered approach to the world, Hillcrest remains strong today despite trends evident in culture. Hillcrest seeks to identify Biblical principles in the world, with social evidence joining the movement, in educating the next generation, preparing students to live a life of significance.

Lighting a Candle for Newtown

The Human Brain from Geoff Schultz on Vimeo.

Light a candle outside a movie theatre. That was author and speaker Eric Metaxas' suggestion to call America to what movie goers of Django Unchained and Texas Chainsaw 3-D are supporting. Many attending Django and Texas Chainsaw probably don' t think they're supporting violence, like that found at the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre, but attending the film sure isn't a stand for the lives of those lost.

Django Unchained director Quentin Tarantino, in a recent NPR interview was questioned by host Terry Gross on the impact his movie may have on the recent culture of killing present in shootings across the United States. Tarantino responds:

I've been asked this question for 20 years -- about the effects of violence in movies related to violence in real life. My answer is the same 20 years ago. It hasn't changed one iota. Obviously, I don't think one has to do with the other.

Tarantino may not cast a deciding vote in the debate of whether his movies are responsible for recent violence in the United States. We're not saying that removing violent films from culture will solve the issue of violence either, however we do believe that watching violent acts creates a natural path in the brain that desensitizes and dehumanizes God's creation.

Popular opinion raises a voice to Tarentino in response to his comments on impressions of violence in real life. A recent Huffington Post article noted that The Hollywood Reporter found 70 percent of consumers think Hollywood products like Django Unchained are too violent. However, though this is confessed with the public's lips, their heart actions stand in opposition. Django Unchained has grossed $114 million through January 10th, beating films like The Hobbit and Les Miserables in box office attendance. 

The Hobbit and Les Miserables were a holiday tale of hope and redemption that was usurped in the New Year by violent visuals in Texas Chainsaw and Django Unchained. Despite the public's report of Tarentino's imaginative films being "too violent" their attendance to the 5600 theatres showing Django and Texas Chainsaw 3-D show 200 million "certificates of appreciation" which were more appreciative of violence rather than redemption. 

This hard-to-swallow pill, showing the state of our current culture, is a worldview issue. When God is removed from storytelling, restoration is left to the mightiest warrior who is fearless to explore the depths of a depraved mind. In contrast, a God-filled story identifies the fracturing result of sin in humanity and communicates redemption and healing for brokenness. 

The Gospel of Christ is redemption sought before the precipice of humanity's dark imaginative storytelling. Metaxas' call to "light a candle for Newtown", protesting violent films by holding vigils outside of theatres, may not be everyone's way of shining the light of Christ in this dark area. However, we all know someone who appreciates the abyss of darkness that violent films highlight. Our call is to bring the hope of Christ to them, calling a new neurological pathway to form. A pathway that highlights life over death, and redemption over revenge. Stories that communicate hope find their significance in the story of Jesus Christ. The story of Christ is the foundation of healing in building a new understanding of the world, calling God's children in meaningful hope to live a life of significance. 

Chickenpox Vaccination Clinic

This past week, the Hillcrest administration emailed you regarding a student that had come down with a case of chickenpox.  As background, the student in question came down with the symptoms upon their return from Christmas vacation this past Sunday.  The student is in quarantine and has been since the appearance of chickenpox on Monday morning. Because chickenpox is highly contagious, we want to take every reasonable precaution to prevent its spread. Many Hillcrest students have received the vaccine (varicella) or have had the chickenpox thus reducing the risk.

The Minnesota Deparment of Health is providing a special varicella vaccination clinic for Hillcrest Academy.   If you are interested in having your student vaccinated, please email your permission to Alison Grover, Hillcrest school nurse at agrover@ffhillcrest.org.

Respectfully,

Jeff Isaac