Chasing Mavericks - Religion Of

     Just flew home from California and on the flight they showed the Movie Chasing Mavericks starring and produced by Gerrard Butler.
      This is about a too good to be true kid named Jay who smiles the whole movie despite getting picked on by bullies, betrayed by his best friend, ignored by the love of his life in public because she is embarressed by him but loved by her when they aren't seen by anyone, and deserted by his dad. His mom is irresponsible and he has to wake her up in the morning and get her off to work. He works for a pizza place in hopes to help out the family and make some extra money to buy surfing paraphenalia but his mom borrows his money so he can't get ahead. His best friend is selling drugs but Jay isn't tempted. I guess the reason it is too good to be true is it is a posthumous true story and they didn't want to show anything bad.
      After it was over, the lady next to me on the plane (who talked to me even with head phones on and my eyes closed) asked me what I thought of the movie. I must say, it was entertaining and an enjoyable watch until the last 5 minutes because I didn't know that it was a true story or that he died till that point. It was then the blatant non Christian, secular philosophy of life smacked me in the face. I can't quote it exactly but Butler says we come from the sea and return to it so we can celebrate that. What he is saying is that we evolved and therefore live life with gusto and passion and go out the same way you came in without regrets. Whether you live a long life or die an early one, it doesn't matter, just live life to the fullest without fear.
     Butler taught Jay the 4 pillars, the last of which was faith and when he lost his wife and was without faith, Jay told him that he was Gerrards faith. In other words, God, if there is one, can't be relied on or trusted as much as your friends can be.
      I recently saw a movie The Grey with Liam Nielsen which taught the same philosophy. Both died in worlds where God was "absent" and the greatest thing we can do is live life boldly and face death without fear.
      Hollywood is spinning a subtle world view that says we can "live like Jay" and be heroes. The problem is the true Hero in this world is Jesus who not only created us but then died for us so that we could by faith live forever with Him in Heaven. He didn't pursue his own passions or pleasures but gave Himself up by coming to Earth as a poor lowly peasant, though He was King of the universe and did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45, Phil 2). I think it's time we "Live like Jesus".