Difference between revisions of "Sermon for January 25th, 2026"
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
Celebrity culture—in America as well as in Korea—is a culture of idol worship. We even call it that with shows like “American idol” or the expression to “idolize” someone. And of course, in the Bible, worshiping anything other than God is called idolatry—and it’s a pretty bad thing. It’s at the very top of the list in the ten commandments: You shall have no other God’s before me, and you shall not make for yourself any false idols. | Celebrity culture—in America as well as in Korea—is a culture of idol worship. We even call it that with shows like “American idol” or the expression to “idolize” someone. And of course, in the Bible, worshiping anything other than God is called idolatry—and it’s a pretty bad thing. It’s at the very top of the list in the ten commandments: You shall have no other God’s before me, and you shall not make for yourself any false idols. | ||
| − | But this film doesn’t actually celebrate idol culture. If you pay close attention, it challenges it. | + | But this film doesn’t actually celebrate idol culture. If you pay close attention, it challenges it. This comes out most powerfully in a song by (of course) the demon Saja boys, called "Your Idol." In the clip of the song, pay attention to all the religiously charged language--sanctuary, believer, preaching to the choir, down on your knees--this is a reminder that idols fool us by pretending to be something they cannot be. |
| − | Film Clip | + | *Film Clip #2 - Idol |
By contrast, the heroes of the film, the band Huntr/x, are portrayed as relatable, flawed, down to earth and very human—not gods seeking to be worshiped. They don’t use their talents to manipulate and deceive, but rather to help and protect, pointing people (including themselves) toward truth, beauty, and love for each other. This is our role as Christians, too—not to use our God-given talents to serve our own egos, but to serve others in the same way that Jesus did. | By contrast, the heroes of the film, the band Huntr/x, are portrayed as relatable, flawed, down to earth and very human—not gods seeking to be worshiped. They don’t use their talents to manipulate and deceive, but rather to help and protect, pointing people (including themselves) toward truth, beauty, and love for each other. This is our role as Christians, too—not to use our God-given talents to serve our own egos, but to serve others in the same way that Jesus did. | ||
====Breaking the Pattern of Sin==== | ====Breaking the Pattern of Sin==== | ||
| − | The markings on Rumi’s skin that reveal her half-demon side are described throughout the film as a “pattern.” That’s actually a pretty good understanding of what sin is. It’s a pattern of behavior that, no matter how we try to cover it, hide it, or conceal it, becomes more and more visible when we give in to anger or hatred or deceit. The Bible teaches that sin is deeply embedded in every one of us, part of our human nature (Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). Sin has the potential to enslave us, but not, ultimately, to define us. The Bible also teaches (1 John 1:9) that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, he will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Rumi and Jinu exemplify this: They both face and confess their past, their natures, their “patterns” in order to find redemption. | + | The markings on Rumi’s skin that reveal her half-demon side are described throughout the film as a “pattern.” That’s actually a pretty good understanding of what sin is. It’s a pattern of behavior that, no matter how we try to cover it, hide it, or conceal it, becomes more and more visible when we give in to anger or hatred or deceit. The Bible teaches that sin is deeply embedded in every one of us, part of our human nature (Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). Here's a clip of Jinu explaining the origin of his "patterns." |
| + | |||
| + | *Film Clip #3 - Patterns | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sin has the potential to enslave us, but not, ultimately, to define us. The Bible also teaches (1 John 1:9) that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, he will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Rumi and Jinu exemplify this: They both ultimately face and confess their past, their natures, their “patterns” in order to find redemption. | ||
There’s an interesting—but I think incorrect—interpretation of this theme in the film that I often hear: That in the end, Rumi learns to accept her demon side, to embrace her patterns (ie her “sinfulness”) and just be who she is, good, bad and all. That’s close, but I think a bit off. In the final song, she sings “why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head? I should have let the jagged edges meet the light instead.” | There’s an interesting—but I think incorrect—interpretation of this theme in the film that I often hear: That in the end, Rumi learns to accept her demon side, to embrace her patterns (ie her “sinfulness”) and just be who she is, good, bad and all. That’s close, but I think a bit off. In the final song, she sings “why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head? I should have let the jagged edges meet the light instead.” | ||
Revision as of 21:41, 24 January 2026
Contents
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NT p.195)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Faith & Film XIV: K-Pop Demon Hunters
- Film Clip #1: Trailer
Three Minute Film Summary
Huntr/x is a chart-topping K-pop girl band made up of three members (very trinitarian): Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. Onstage, they are pop idols adored by millions, but offstage they have a secret: they are demon hunters who use their music to fight supernatural forces bent on stealing people’s souls and feeding them to the demon king, Gwi-Ma (This is a play on words: If you reverse the syllables, Ma-Gwi is a Korean word for devil or evil spirit).
But just when Huntr/x are on the verge of banishing the demon king for good, he sends five demons in the form of a K-pop boy band, called the Saja boys. Saja is also a play on words—it can mean lion (which is the band’s logo) but it can also mean messenger, and in Korean mythology, the jeoseung-saja is the death-messenger, who guides the souls of the dead to the afterlife.
Huntr/x and the Saja boys fight each other—both vocally and physically—for the allegiance of the fans. But in the midst of this, the leader of the evil Saja boys, Jinu (which, ironically and prophetically, in Korean means "true blessing") strikes up a relationship with the leader of Huntr/x, Rumi. Rumi is not a traditional Korean name, but it is the name of a famous Persian poet, who is known for writing beautiful poems about love and unity (remember that for later).
But Rumi, in the film, has a secret. Her mother was a hunter, like her, but her father was a demon. So she is half-demon, and her demon nature is starting to slip out, through the markings on her skin that she tries to hide and cover up, and through dark powers that surface when she is angry.
Jinu also has a secret—he long ago betrayed his family when Gwi-Ma tempted him with fame and power, but he is now filled with remorse for his actions, and doesn’t want to be a demon anymore. In an act of kindness, he helps Rumi to conceal her demon pattern from her friends.
As their relationship deepens, it puts a strain on Rumi’s relationship with her bandmates, which culminates in their discovery of her secret, and their rejection of her. Fueled by the break-up of the band, the Demon King enters the human world to feast on souls (conveniently gathered at a giant arena concert put on by the Saja boys. Rumi comes to terms with her demon-side, and chooses to take on the Demon King by herself. Jinu comes to her aid, and sacrifices himself to protect her from the Demon king. Rumi’s bandmates also come to her aid, defeating the remaining Saja boys and the Demon king, restoring peace, harmony, and really catchy musical tunes.
Pop Idols and False Idols
Celebrity culture—in America as well as in Korea—is a culture of idol worship. We even call it that with shows like “American idol” or the expression to “idolize” someone. And of course, in the Bible, worshiping anything other than God is called idolatry—and it’s a pretty bad thing. It’s at the very top of the list in the ten commandments: You shall have no other God’s before me, and you shall not make for yourself any false idols.
But this film doesn’t actually celebrate idol culture. If you pay close attention, it challenges it. This comes out most powerfully in a song by (of course) the demon Saja boys, called "Your Idol." In the clip of the song, pay attention to all the religiously charged language--sanctuary, believer, preaching to the choir, down on your knees--this is a reminder that idols fool us by pretending to be something they cannot be.
- Film Clip #2 - Idol
By contrast, the heroes of the film, the band Huntr/x, are portrayed as relatable, flawed, down to earth and very human—not gods seeking to be worshiped. They don’t use their talents to manipulate and deceive, but rather to help and protect, pointing people (including themselves) toward truth, beauty, and love for each other. This is our role as Christians, too—not to use our God-given talents to serve our own egos, but to serve others in the same way that Jesus did.
Breaking the Pattern of Sin
The markings on Rumi’s skin that reveal her half-demon side are described throughout the film as a “pattern.” That’s actually a pretty good understanding of what sin is. It’s a pattern of behavior that, no matter how we try to cover it, hide it, or conceal it, becomes more and more visible when we give in to anger or hatred or deceit. The Bible teaches that sin is deeply embedded in every one of us, part of our human nature (Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”). Here's a clip of Jinu explaining the origin of his "patterns."
- Film Clip #3 - Patterns
Sin has the potential to enslave us, but not, ultimately, to define us. The Bible also teaches (1 John 1:9) that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, he will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Rumi and Jinu exemplify this: They both ultimately face and confess their past, their natures, their “patterns” in order to find redemption.
There’s an interesting—but I think incorrect—interpretation of this theme in the film that I often hear: That in the end, Rumi learns to accept her demon side, to embrace her patterns (ie her “sinfulness”) and just be who she is, good, bad and all. That’s close, but I think a bit off. In the final song, she sings “why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head? I should have let the jagged edges meet the light instead.”
I think what she’s actually acknowledging is that the consequences, the evidence, the “markings” of our sin, never fully go away. Like scars, they become part of who we are...but it doesn’t mean that we embrace or celebrate what caused the scars. When our jagged edges (our pattern of sin) meets the light of God’s love, we are changed. Our scars are bittersweet reminders not that we are wounded, but that we have been healed, that we are forgiven. And we are called (in the words of Jesus) to “go and sin no more.”
Spiritual Battles
Jesus famously told his disciples to “turn the other cheek,” and he even told his disciple Peter to “put away your sword, for those who live by the sword die by the sword.” Okay so there is a lot of sword fighting in this movie—but unlike a lot of other Hollywood sword clashing epics, I think this movie gets it right. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians that for followers of Christ, “our fight is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. In other words, fight demons, fight darkness, fight the ideas and beliefs and the underlying forces that harm people—not the people who fall victim to those temptations. Those battles happen on an entirely different plane, a different reality, and require entirely different kinds of weapons—which Paul helpfully and metaphorically describes: Put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the butt-kicking boots of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. These are the only things that can win spiritual battles.
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey fight demons in the spiritual realm with swords—which is cool—but their real power (and the one that saves the day in the end) is in their combined voices, their unity and their harmony. In the same way, we are called to use our God-given talents (musical or otherwise) to inspire people—with our words, with our ideas, and most importantly with our love.
I think that’s a song worth singing and a story worth sharing—in every culture, every language, and every time and place.
