04.02.2006 ISSUE 16 Catch the Resurgence, page 4 Movies Galore, pages 5 & 11 A Welcome To First-time Readers 1401 NW Leary Way Seattle, WA 98107 Vox Pop is the “Voice of the People” known as Mars Hill Church. Mars Hill is a church based in the greater Seattle 206.706.6641 area. Weekly Sundays gatherings are in Shoreline and Ballard, and events, activities and small groups meet throughout www.marshillchurch.org the week. If you visit us on a Sunday, stop by any Information Desk for a casual introduction to our church community. For more information, teaching, music, and more visit our website at www.marshillchurch.org. If you have additional questions, email [email protected]. April 02, 2006 Administration Pastor James Harleman Production Andrew Myers Letters to Vox Pop Layout & Design Nicholas Francisco Lead Writers Ryan Brett Maybe video games and “cussing” aren’t so great after all... Amity Egge Photography Editor Erin Silva Game Over saying everyone has to play videogames—for some, they are Copy Editor Matthew Winslow an addiction or deterrent to God.” The point Kennedy makes Mr. Kennedy, is that Paul did not dismiss their idols outright; he entered Cover: Photo by Rick James In your recent article, “Games and Theology” (February the conversation strategically and first demonstrated that 2006), you stated many things that I strongly felt were wrong. he had paid attention to their idols and poetry, even though Although I agree that we should not ignore the culture, I disagree these things ultimately depict a life without hope. This TABLE OF CONTENTS with many if not all of your other statements. We as Christians working knowledge allowed Paul to bring the gospel to the should act and speak in such a way that people question us, see Athenians in a context they could understand. Mars Hill News something different in us, see our hope and become followers of The Motion Pixel Industry 3 Christ. What the bleep do we know? How do you love the city? 3 In your article you say that Paul did not denounce their The Resurgence 4 idols and did not command the people to repent of their evil Vox Pop, ways. That misquoting of scripture is an alarming statement. I am a little perplexed as to why you chose that title for Culture Paul did command everyone to repent, saying, “In the past God a forum speaking about Jesus, the Church and any other The Golden Age of Documentary 5 overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people Theological issue (“What the $#@?” March 2006). Maybe you Vox Pop Doc Awards 5 everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). were unaware of what that entendre means? I don’t believe that Album Review: Thrice 6 Paul was distressed by the idols and talked about our Lord, to be the case. I believe you were probably trying to be edgy/flip- which intrigued the Athenians so much that they talked with Paul pant and thought it would be funny to write that down. Where in People about God. Your article says that Paul “found the truth about the Bible would you find Jesus using words like that? Nowhere!! Pastor Phil Smidt 7 Jesus and the gospel within their poetry and philosophy.” That Do you not know the verse, Ephesians 4:29? Confessions of an Ex-Tract Star 8 is not true. He used their poetry to support his presentation of I’m heavily involved with youth at my church and am con- My First Year at Mars Hill 10 truth. The Athenians didn’t think that their poetry and what Paul stantly telling them to clean up their mouths and grow up. I urge was talking about were the same things. The Athenians said you to do the same. Awareness “he seems to be advocating foreign gods,” emphasis on foreign The Other Journal: Film Festival 11 (Acts 17:18). This was a new way of thinking to the Athenians, In Christ, not an improved way of thinking. – Kevin Theology I am a thirteen year old boy who loves playing X-box; I own What’s so “Good” About Good Friday? 12 one. If I used your article as my guideline, I could play all I wanted Please forgive the offense, though we may interpret both What The Ology? - Baptism 13 and buy any game that was out in the market. That does not “$#@?” and Scripture a bit differently (Eph. 4:29: “Let no Vintage Saints - Luther 14 show discernment. Many of these games are not beneficial or corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is 95 Problems But the Pope Ain’t One 15 constructive. In your article you talk about a game that paints good for building up, as fits the occassion, that it may give a beautiful yet tragic picture of a life without hope. You say we grace to those who hear” ESV). For the record, Pastor James Bodylife should pay attention to the culture and play games to the glory of thought it meant “crap,” Pastor Mark would say “pick,” and Capstone Classes 15 God. But, in reality, we should live supernaturally so that people Mars Hill member Ted Dietz thought it stood for “pants.” Since we never really liked the pedestrian shock-value Community Groups 16 engage us, we should pay attention to God, always be hopeful, and base what we do on whether God wants us to or not. route anyway (being creative is hard sometimes), you’ll be Financial Update 18 glad to know that the column’s title is now changed. Unless – Jackson anyone out there has a better idea, look for the new “What The Ology?” feature on page X. And be sure to check out Write to Vox Pop Thanks for the input, Jackson. It’s always good to take the sermon archive at www.marshillchurch.org for Mars hill Email [email protected] with your a sober look at our pastimes and reflect on how (and if) they pastors’ interpretation “Taming the Tongue.” ideas, rants, and reactions. fit within a life that is Jesus’. As Mr. Kennedy writes, “I’m not 2 April 02 2006 INTRO How do you The Motion april at Pixel love the city? mars hill For regular news about what’s happening at Mars Hill, subscribe to our weekly email update Industry at www.marshillchurch.org. Video sermons now available on 04.07 fri, 6:45pm – ballard your computer film & theology: cinderella man 04.09 sun, 11:15 to 12:15 – ballard By Andrew Myers Email your thoughts to children’s ministry training session [email protected]. Please. While most people are still trying to figure out what 04.14 fri, 6pm and 8pm – ballard “podcasts” are, the latest trend in the world of techno- good friday service (childcare during Last month saw the premier Seattle Metropolitan. tainment is already upon us: the vodcast. If that sounds like the 6pm service only) Presumably, our city’s latest monthly magazine will compete a stupid word, you’re right. Apple Computers is cranking out 04.16 sun – easter sunday for a piece of the monopoly currently held by Seattle Magazine technology faster than the speed of the English language. Shoreline 9:45am and 11:45am and its dozens of subscribers. Though it’s impossible to say “vodcast” without sounding like Ballard 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 5pm, The debut headline for the Metropolitan read, “65 Best an uber-dork, that’s what the kids are calling the video version and 6:30pm Ways to Love Our City.” Page 51 reveals, however, that a more of podcasts, which are audio only. appropriate title would have been “65 Reasons Why Seattle is 04.21 fri – 7pm – ballard If you don’t like saying “vodcast,” you’re normal. But get Awesome” or “65 Delusions That Keep Us Believing Our City teaching event: “Pastor Lief’s Top Ten used to it. In March, Mars Hill became one of the first church’s is Just As Important Than New York-what’s-it-called.” Characteristics of the Perfect Spouse” to take advantage of this cutting edge technology. In any case, the article turnead out to be more of a Translation: On the Mars Hill website (www. celebration than a call to action. The headline caught our at- marshillchurch.org) in addition to downloading audio sermons weekly this season tention, however; at Mars Hill, there’s a lot of talk about loving (as always), now you can download video sermons as well. sunday services Seattle. But what does that mean? The vodcast thingamajig means that you can “subscribe” to ballard – 1401 NW Leary Way Vox Pop wants to hear from you: How does one “love our Mars Hill programming (using iTunes or a similar program) 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 5pm, 7pm city”? What are some practical ways to care for Seattle, our so that every week the video sermon will be automatically (no children’s ministry during the 7pm) neighbors? Remember, this isn’t about why you love Seattle, downloaded to your computer (or video iPod or whatever). shoreline – schirmer auditorium (crista ministries rather how you love Seattle. If you subscribe to a vodcast or a podcast, you don’t have to campus), Greenwood Ave N and N 195th St Send your ideas and experiences to voxpop@ visit the website all the time to get new content, the content 9:45am and 11:45am marshillchurch.org and we’ll print the “Best Ways to Love comes straight to you as soon as it becomes available.