Movie Review

Luther (PG-13), starring Joseph Fiennes and Sir Peter Ustinov. This is very nice big budget ($20-$25 million) historical movie, and the sets and uniforms and slices of life are compelling and well done. Tracing Martin Luther's life from his conversion to his confrontations with Catholic officials over his writings, the movie portrays the leader of the Reformation as a called human, striving within his limitations to fulfill the work assigned to him. The Gospel message is apparent, though the movie is not preachy. It is, on the contrary, understated and well put together.

Book Report

Bill Myers' latest offering in the field of Christian fiction is The Face of God. His work is usually par for the course, about what you would expect in field. It is technically fine, and covers the basic topics in the field. I do have a concern about this book, however; in "The Face of God," a burnt-out minister's life is restored via the discovery of ancient religious artifacts. These artifacts have been sought for thousands of years, and lead to much pain, suffering, and quite a substantial body count. All of this to bring faith to one self-centered American minister? That is my problem with the novel. God certainly desires us all to have a closer walk with Him, but I don't see Him cutting such a swath of destruction on a worldwide scale in order to accomplish it.