If you are like me, you have been hearing about The Golden Compass movie. The rumor emails were flying like it was 1999. I am glad to point you to an article by Larry Shallenberger on his excellent blog Children’s Ministry and Culture. He answered all my big questions including:

• Is the Golden Compass Movie anti-God?
• Is the author of the books, Phillip Pullman, anti-God?
• Do the books have demonic themes?
• Did he write these books as a response to the The Chronicles of Narnia?
• Should our church organize itself to boycott the movie?
• Should I let my child see the movie or read the books?

If you are looking for thoughtful answers to these questions, you should go and read his post titled Golden Compass FAQ.

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1. Book Alert – Sentinel: City of Destiny

I have been one of Big Idea’s best customers. Until recently, we bought every video. (Even the weird Space Penguins.) We have about a half dozen Veggie Tales toys. We have two Veggie Tale video games and a couple of books. We even have five Veggie Tale CD’s. The videos are funny, thought provoking and very creative. We like the characters, the music and the concept. In many ways Veggie Tales is the best of its class.

However, I have some concerns. The following criticisms take into account the genre of Veggie Tales. I have read their mission statement and understand they do not claim to be evangelical. But, there is a widespread assumption that these are “Christian” videos. They market their products as, “Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun.” They use the Bible and conclude each episode with the declaration, “God made you special and he loves you very much.” Therefore, Big Idea is accountable to children, parents, churches and ultimately God for the content of their material. My purpose is to address some weaknesses in that material and urge parents not settle for only family values.

1. Teaching morals with little reference to God himself causes confusion. This is an issue pervasive in our culture. As Christians our ultimate value is God himself. All subsequent values must be derived from His character and Word. Children must be taught the infinite worth of God himself as the center of all ethical values. “Right” and “Wrong” are meaningless categories without a God-centered view of life.
2. Using the Bible only to teach moral lessons neglects the essential purpose of the Bible. Christians have always understood the Bible as God’s special revelation of his character and will. He is the central character of the Bible. Neglecting this reduces the Bible to a collection of inspirational life lessons.
3. The goals of Big Idea do not account for humanity’s essential problem of sin. Their website states, “The irresponsible use of popular media (TV, film, music, etc.) has had a profoundly negative impact on America’s moral and spiritual health . . . The best way to improve people’s lives is to promote biblical values and encourage spiritual growth.” While it is true that irresponsible media has had a negative impact, the real problem of humankind is much deeper. We are separated from God by our sin. The whole of the humanity has fought against his all-good, all-wise, all-loving headship over creation. The way to improve people’s lives is to help them to be reconciled them to God, through Jesus Christ. When God’s grace changes people, He reorders their values and He causes spiritual growth. Better media is not the answer.
4. Jesus is seldom mentioned in Veggie Tales. The only exceptions I know of are their Christmas and Easter videos. To be fair, Big Idea does not claim to be evangelical. We are told God loves us but not told how he loves us.

These faults are easily overcome by parental guidance. It is not a DVD’s job to lead your little ones to Christ. It is not my goal to attack Big Idea, it may be only another fad. I want parents to evaluate all family media, children’s ministry and parenting advice according to a Biblical, Christ-exalting worldview.

As for my family, we will continue to buy from Big Idea. I said above that Veggie Tales is the best of its class. I would put it in the category of family appropriate entertainment. But as with similar media brands, we help our children to think like Christians. So we will enjoy the Veggies as cartoons but not for the spiritual growth of my kids, family values are not enough.

What do you think? Do you Veggie?

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1. Veggie Tales: Wonderful Wizard Of Ha’s
2. Leaving the Church: How Can We Reach Church Drop Outs?
3. 7 Reasons Why Your Church Nursery Service Is Vital To Your Church
4. Church Decline: Ministry in a Shrinking Church
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On October 6th, the latest Veggie Tales DVD will be released. The title is “The Wonderful Wizard Of Ha’s” and retells the story of the Prodigal Son with a wizard of Oz theme. Here is the blurb:

The story of a prodigal son – VeggieTales style!

Meet Darby (Junior Asparagus), the son of a Kansas floss farmer who, more than anything else in the world, just wants to have fun. When he learns about the Wonderful Land Of Ha’s– an amusement park with all the fixin’s – and its mysterious Wizard who promises to make his dreams come true, Darby is determined to go. But when his father tells him he’s needed to help with the harvest, Darby decides that nothing is going to stop him and he makes a choice that will change his life forever.

With his pet dog Tutu by his side, Darby flees the farm and sets off to find the Wonderful Land Of Ha’s. Along the way he meets a bored scarecrow (Mr. Lunt), a tin man (Larry the Cucumber) who wants to ride roller coasters and a lion (Pa Grape) that craves cotton candy. Each with their own dreams, they set off to see the Wizard.

Will they find the Land Of Ha’s and the mysterious Wizard, and at what price? Will it be worth everything Darby has given up? His home back on the farm? His father’s love? Harvesting floss? Find out in an over-the-rainbow adventure that reminds kids everywhere that there’s no place like home.

You buy it here: Veggie Tales: The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s

Related posts:

1. Do You Use Veggie Tales In Church?
2. Video: Parable of the Prodigal Son
3. Interview With Phil Vischer – Creator Of “VeggieTales” and Christian Media Pioneer