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Christianity Today, July, 2008 |

A Messy Conversation

When a theology prof and a bitter skeptic talk.

Brandon Fibbs | posted 7/16/2008 09:05AM

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For many Christians, dialogue is a dirty word. Confident in our convictions, we often find it easier to badger those we would save with our irrefutable truth, rather than genuinely listen to the things they are saying.

Craig Detweiler and John Marks seem to believe that understanding each other is more important than convincing each other. Their documentary, Purple State of Mind (4 stars), is a mesmerizing conversation between two friends who met nearly three decades ago. Detweiler had just come to the faith; Marks had just left it behind.

The men probe each other's histories and worldviews, neither willing to yield his strongly held principles—yet both are equally committed to the friendship. One might expect the most ire to come from Marks. Not so. Detweiler, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and the film's director, is deeply troubled by a Christianity he sees as increasingly militant, judgmental, and hypocritical toward the very world it is commanded to love.

Marks isn't looking for love. For Marks, who witnessed harrowing atrocities while working as a journalist in the Balkans, the Bible cuts Christians off from the suffering of humanity. God is someone who "murdered his own Son to make a point" and authored a book that "promises mass murder." Detweiler sees his friend as a protest theologian whose anger and bitterness toward God is a critical component of any faith journey.

Purple State of Mind is an authentic, messy, unexpectedly funny, and deeply moving plea to push beyond that which divides us. The film's contention that conversation, not conversion, is the most important part of any relationship may alarm some viewers; if Marks isn't ultimately on the road to salvation, what's the point?

Detweiler wouldn't disagree. But neither is he willing to let Marks's unbelief get in the way of their friendship; he opts not to shake the dust from the soles of his feet and move on. The ongoing conversation must continue for as long as it takes.

Hear more at PurpleStateOfMind.com.

Brandon Fibbs, ChristianityTodayMovies.com

Related Elsewhere:

Marks and Detweiler blog at the Purple State of Mind website.

The book and the DVD are available from ChristianBook.com, Amazon.com, and other retailers.

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July 2008, Vol. 52, No. 7

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 9 comments.

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Raymond Takashi Swenson

Posted: July 16, 2008 2:36 PM

I cannot vouch for the specifics of the video being reviewed, but I certainly support the principle that it appears to support: that maintaining respectful and communicative friendships with those we disagree with on questions of faith, while we maintain our own religious convictions, is the way that Christians should be relating to those not of their own faith, rather than laying down an ultimatum that, unless the other person accepts the Christian's own particular understanding of the Gospel, the other will not only be damned in Hell, but will be justifiably characterized as either stupid, evil or both. Are some Christians "militant" and "badgering"? Just come down to Temple Square in Salt Lake City the first Sunday of April and October each year, when Mormons converge from around the world, and see the self-described "Christian" demonstrators who carry signs that insult Mormons as they denounce men, women and children with loudspeakers. Who wants to spend eternity with THEM?

TIMOTHY

Posted: July 16, 2008 3:43 PM

If we share the Gospel with a friend and that same friend never accepts the truth have we failed in our great comission? We as Christians are called to spread the Good News however we can not make the receiver accept the message. Some hearts convert quickly, some more slowly, and some may never convert at all however the efforts are worth the pain. My only caution is not to solely focus on saving one sheep while the others run off the edge of the cliff. Keep trying with the one while being ever mindful of the many.

andrew tucker

Posted: July 18, 2008 5:54 PM

A house can not stand divided. Judgement has to happen because of murders of christians. Our body is our temple. Christianity was conformed not to question. A lot of lost judge and think they know everything about life. Why is TBN not businesses to support themselves. A lot of ministries ask for money. Where is the christian jobs for christians. Dont worry demons you got away but investigator Jesus Christ is on the case. Will Jesus be embarrassed? When Jesus is here will curtis chapman or Jon Hagee be more popular. Will miltant protestants kill beleivers in christian ora sex, anointed men with two wives, not dating lesbian acts promotion(birth control)? TBN, Daystar,houston astros,N. orlean Hornets, SC johnson, Family christian bookstore, chick a fil.sports spectrum mag stars?!. How. Jesus would start out. Work for Walmart(no kjv), bristol myer squibb(pills),kfc(chicken beaters)Burger King(dark side),Dell(ads on abusive BET), office depot(red/black).You lost and some of us lost major