Having been a member of the LCMS for many years, I was appalled to see this glowing review of the live-action "Beauty and the Beast". Pastor Giese is obviously familiar with Disney, and the way the film empire has degenerated to the point of accommodating "cultural consumers". He rightly states that Disney's "bread and butter has been family entertainment". "Has been" is the appropriate description, because the "bread and butter" that "makes money" for Disney's empire today is anything but "family" entertainment.

What concerns me most is that the analysis of the film--and the guidance about whether to see it--is almost entirely based on "cultural" standards, not biblical standards. This is shocking coming from an LCMS pastor. After the token acknowledgment that parents and guardians are charged with "making discerning judgments concerning what their family watches", he then says the film is "about as good as a live-action adaptation/remake can be". Really? Pastor Giese's statement that "society is disinclined toward discernment when it comes to films which, on the surface, come across as wholesome in spite of many obviously problematic elements." is accurate. But it seems that "society" is not alone in lacking discernment in this area.

He did include one quotation from the Apostle Paul that is very appropriate: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2)." But Paul's admonition is not applied to this situation--if fact Pastor Giese addresses "those who have seen the film, or will see the film", and then gives guidance to pick out a few fleeting images that he then tries to apply to last days eschatology. But the implication is clear: that Christians can immerse themselves in the "world", allowing Disney to work his magic to help them "conform" to a compelling tale, but certainly not leading them to "renew their mind" with God's Word. And film is a very effective medium of persuasion, using everything from engaging characters, to humor, to music, to tear-jerking emotions, so as to ensure that those leaving the presentation have nothing but warm, positive feelings about the whole thing--including the increasing conformity with the desires of our fallen world--which Pastor Giese admits is not Scriptural!

Perhaps a more appropriate instruction from the Apostle speaks more clearly to this, and to anything else that the "world" wants to embrace and promote. Philippians 4:8 (ESV) states: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." From the detailed description with which this review began, I do not see how any of those words can apply to "Beauty and the Beast".

This week we attended an LCMS church with a sign posted to be seen be anyone leaving the parking lot: "You are now entering the Mission Field"! That is absolutely true. However, missionaries do not attract people to Christ by becoming like them, but instead by presenting "Jesus Christ and him crucified". And parents do not train up their children in the way they should go by filling their minds with immoral, unscriptural ideas, but rather--as the Bible commands--by using every opportunity to teach them God's Word, explaining the Gospel, and demonstrating that God changes lives and empowers His people to "be holy as He is Holy" (another command that is rarely remembered)!

Rather that telling "Christian viewers" what to think about when they see the film, Pastor Giese should be telling Christians to NOT be viewers, but to be "imitators of Christ", and "doers of the Word". Or better yet, not even writing and publishing a review that will help Disney make even more millions, because of the recommendations of a "Lutheran Pastor"!