Please continue the conversation on this post, but I thought you might be interested in seeing what the readers of the Youth Specialties’ blog are saying about this post here.
Now that I’m getting back into youth ministry again, it’s been an interesting process to get brought up to speed with some of the many new resources that are out there. Of course there are always going to be really great resources and ones that are just lacking. And naturally, there will always be some resources that certain people have theological issues with. But it seems like every now and then, you run across parts of resources or curriculum that are just simply inappropriate and should not be used in youth ministry.
YouthBytes has provided one such video. I don’t know much about YouthBytes or Chad Daniel, who seems to be the man behind the operation. YouthBytes is meant to be a discipleship tool to help fight one of the great enemies of the Church: “teenage boredom with the things of God.” And apparently for Chad, that means producing videos like this:
I have some problems with this video and I’ll briefly describe them below.
It’s distasteful & promotes violence
Sure they might be shooting watermelons in clips on the film, but the amount and diversity of guns in a clip that is about discipleship is disconcerting. What is the need for the gun imagery? Why, in a post/9-11 world and a world in which youth commit many violent crimes with weapons, would a youth ministry organization purposely choose to discuss discipleship through the use of guns. It makes no sense to me. Is this the way YouthBytes has decided to fight “teenage boredom with the things of God?”
It appropriates militant imagery and violence to discuss “spiritual” warfare – blurring the lines for youth.
I’m not going to deny the possibility that there may be spiritual wars being waged today. I have known enough people who have shared story after story of some pretty intense stuff (exorcisms, demons, etc), and while I’m still cynical about their physical manifestations, I’m not going to say they don’t exist just because I haven’t personally experienced them.
But I don’t think that talking about “absolutely wiping out the enemy” is the best way to go about discussing some of these issues. Add the very aggressive, militant language to all of the images of guns and firearms, and you have the potential combo for some very troubling messages to be sending to our youth. What’s to keep a youth from seeing all the guns and thinking to him/herself, “Yah, we really DO need to take out the enemy – and now I know how to do it.” I have to wonder if Chad even paused to think of Columbine or the shooting at Virginia Tech. In light of these recent events, putting together a video like this to be used in a youth ministry context seems inappropriate and a poor choice.
It reinforces the idea that the Bible, the “name of Jesus” and worship can be used as weapons.
At the very beginning of the clip, Chad says, “God’s given each one of you weapons…tools you can use…He’s [sic] given you prayer, He’s given you the Name of Jesus and He’s given you Worship.” Jesus as a weapon? Prayer – communion with God – as a weapon? Seriously Chad? That’s the best you can do? That’s the way we need to be talking about discipleship with our youth?
What you can do
I believe this video is completely ill-suited for use as a discipleship tool for youth ministry. I think it sends youth the wrong message about spiritual discipleship, promotes violence and is inappropriate for use in our society today, considering the rampant youth violence with guns.
I will be writing YouthBytes and letting them know about this blog post. If, after watching this video and reading this post, you have similar feelings, I’d encourage you to send YouthBytes an email by contacting them at info@youthbytes.org and emailing Chad Daniel at chad@globalexpeditors.com. Let them all know what you think of this type of youth discipleship and what effects these types of videos might hvae on our youth today.
Related posts:
- A Theology of Play in Youth Ministry: What About Youth Group Games?
- A Program-Less Youth Ministry ‘Program’
- Tic Long Returns and Becomes New Executive Director of Youth Specialties
- Top 20 Youth Ministry Blogs of 2010
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WOW! I can’t believe the associations in this video! It’s scary to think any youth and youth leaders might actually think this would be good for youth or a good discussion starter about prayer.
As the executive producer of this show, I think that three things should be considered. One that the piece being shown is a one minute clip of a 7-9 minute teaching. It is unfair to judge the full teaching by a trailer designed to simply get teens to attend a youth meeting. Two, that the material comes with notes that explain the imagery and give context to the piece and three, what about the other 39 episodes that do not have this kind of imagery but have outstanding object lessons that relate to youth. Please don’t judge the whole project by this one minute piece. It is a new fresh and sincere attempt to reach and relate spiritual things to a generation steeped in violence, drugs etc and to draw them to Christ and His Word.
Question for you: If you think this video spreads a wrong message, why pass it on? Why not ignore it?
I completely agree btw, I dont know if the liberal in me was more angry about the gun control aspect or the pushing of religious agenda aspect.
The first thing this made me think of was that this is the kind of thing I would be showing youth if I wanted to recruit them as suicide bombers. Isn’t this what we decry about radical Islam?
Rev 19:
11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
Eph 6:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Hebrews 4:
12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
2 Chron 20:
20And they rose early in the morning and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. And when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” 21And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say,
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his steadfast love endures forever.”
22And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed. 23For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.
Seems the Bible uses the same kind of metaphors as those in the video, and even worship and His name (demons and illness cast out, the dead raised,death is the last ENEMY), as weapons of warfare. Of course if yours wasn’t sittting on the shelf collecting dust (because it says homosexuality is a sin) you might know that.
I wouldn’t let you, or the “ministers in the video, near the youth in our church.
It is the ignorant and fearful that are concerned about the weapons of man.
As a guy who hates violence, has defended his house twice with firearms and avoids fights – can’t we all agree it is the “heart” of the person that evil comes out of?
I suppose Jesus could have said that His words cut like a butter knife through Jello but it doesn’t really have the same power or authority behind it.
you know what i would like to do to this video? take my machine gun and fire (800 rounds per minute) directly at the camera that shot this footage. : )
yes. Horrible theology and a very not-so-relevant way to communicate how to use God’s weapons.
here are my concerns/questions regarding this video:
1. communicates the themes of barbaric-ness. how would this video relate to a jr high girl who is scared to death of guns?
2. the fashion.
3. why did they have to use these two white southern guys? why didn’t they ask 50 cent. that homey has been shot a lot and probably knows how to use his weapons against the enemy.
4. did their church/youth ministry budget pay for their gun permit?
5. i wonder why they didn’t include the fact about how many people die a year from gun shots?
6. what exactly did Jesus mean when He said: Those who fight by the sword die by the sword? In Ephesians, what if Paul was NOT talking about actual physical violence when we put on our armor of God?
7. Just think of the mix-messages this video sends kids.
bottom line: i think defeating the dark enemy here on earth is a little more complicated than what these two southern guys think. these two southern guys were really excited to use their guns (that they got for their birthday) as a illustration for their ministry.
can we blame them?
no. not really. two dudes who are doing what they only know what to do.
my prayer is that God will still use this video to reach the students that it will reach. who knows it may even resonate with some student who is contemplating going into the military?
ya know adam, it would be really interesting to interview Chad and try to understand his hermeneutic to why he thought this video was Christ centered?
and it would be even more cool if he asked you to start designing and editing his videos/website/print media.
@ Berin you make some great points and you are right: before we judge this video we should watch the entire series. I am sorry for that.
however as a executive producer it would probably be in your best interest to realize the limitations of metaphors, especially violent metaphors, when comparing it to God’s truth and word. before publishing this project you may need to send it across the country to get a wide range of youth workers perspective. unfortunately because of the content of this video youth workers immediately write off not only this video, but what the other video devotional series are about, which sucks and unfair–but it is the truth.
grace and peace my friend.
Yes the bible might use army imagery but the heart of the bible is still love. Had the video made a clearer distinction by including Paul’s teaching on how we don’t fight against flesh and blood it would have really helped. Jesus was very clear that we are to turn the other cheek and not fight back, just as he didn’t, when it is men who oppress us (while still leaving room for things like the civil rights movement to take place).
I think the disagreement basically comes from how can someone do justice to such a deep and commonly misunderstood subject matter in only a minute. Could they have been done better, yea.
berin, i think it is unfair to ask us not to judge your material on a trailer that you produced for promotions materials. that is what trailers do, they tell the story of what the rest of the movie/film is about. i decide, as many others, what movie i will go see based on a trailer.
if you think this one needs to be seen in full context then give it away (you may, i know you have done some freebies in the past).
chris p. thanks for the prooftexting, i think we know there is a bunch of war in the bible. but if you can honestly say war is what God wants then get away from my youth. my youth want nothing to do with war, it stresses them and contributes little, except loss and heartbreak to their lives. we have adopted what Jesus told Peter, to “put down the sword” & “get behind me devil” for picking up the sword and weapons and power tool of the empire which creates widows & orphans. may we all turn our gun & war metaphors into “plowshares” so that we cultivate things that grow, not destroy..
Hey guys, Berin here, I can hardly believe the feedback but welcome it as this program is just being launched and our hearts are simply to reach a generation that watches this kind of stuff on youtube and in video games ALL the time. First of all, my training at Fuller Theological Seminary is that we try and contextualize the message to our audience. We don’t change the message but we do sometimes change the methods. We go to great lengths in our full length video to explain that we are using the physical illustrations to describe that we need to be militant in our opposition to the devil and to evil in our lives and that we are dealing with spiritual and not physical matters. Some also make it out like this is our only promotional piece for our program. Please check out youthbytes.org and see that we have 40 one-minute trailers. This is number 8 out of 40. Number 9 deals with archery and in missing the mark which is the original meaning of the world SIN. Is that somehow advocating violence? We are NOT advocating violence except spiritually against sin and against all forms of evil. We realize that not every piece we have will appeal to every group but there is something there among our 40 episodes for everyone. We do offer a free DVD on “Run the Race” equating running with the race of life to anyone who wants to test the program with their teens. I challenge anyone to show that to their youth and to tell me that negative fruit comes from it. Paul used the imagery of his day to communicate truth and we are just attempting to do the same. I personally trusted God for the funds for this project because I was a children’s pastor and was heart broken to see so many of my elementary kids fall away from God when they became teenagers because, after I got their foundations laid, there was so little relevant material to engage their faith in their teen years. Powerpoint presentations and music videos are just not doing the job. Thanks for all the feedback, please fully check out the many other creative illustrations we have before throwing us under the bus!!!!
Blessings,
Berin – YouthBytes Executive Producer
Just for my own edification…
Can someone remind me of the Scripture where we are encouraged to go on the offensive in spiritual warfare? Apocalyptic literature doesn’t hold the theme together for me because it’s difficult to discern what it meant to the culture to which it was written (if you’re into bothering with original context) and the historical Scriptures don’t really work because they are actually talking about a physical war in which they were engaged, it wasn’t “imagery” at all.
The references to spiritual warfare I see caution us to be vigilant, to be ever on the defensive, standing firm, etc; this doesn’t seem to involve any kind of attacking or “total wiping out” on our part.
I’m sure the passage exists; I’ve just forgotten it in my dusty Bible which I refuse to read because it might tell me to love homosexuals.
They did shoot the fool out of that watermelon though.
@Berin,
Thanks for clarifying some of the issues behind the video. I’m not sure Adam is criticizing YouthBytes as a whole (though I can’t speak for him, obviously), but rather is discerning that there could have been a much better metaphor/illustration used for this trailer. This just seems like an instance where good motives didn’t equal the best actions. But like gavin’s comment above, if this is the first or only material from YouthBytes I had experienced, I honestly would have been turned off by the gun imagery. I just watched the Run the Race-Endurance promo on YouTube, and found that much more insightful (and funnier).
@Adam
Insightful post! How did you happen to find this video? I’m curious if you checked out the other promo videos from YouthBytes before writing this post, as I’m hoping you didn’t make a public negative critique on their organization before evaluating them as a whole.
How does this “promote violence,” Adam? The dude is shooting targets, not people, and he’s talking about spiritual warfare, not political warfare. That’s very clear, not blurry. It’s not like he’s justifying the practice of throwing rocks at Israelis. Now THAT sounds like rhetoric that might “promote violence” among the youth.
Your aversion to this video is entirely cultural.
Well done Adam! Bravo! Your pre-mature and judgmental post about this 60 second video has received the typical Christian response….a bunch of Christians sitting around gossiping and posting judgmental comments about a ministry (YouthBytes) and about a minister (Chad Daniel) that they know very little about.
I’m so amazed at how quick, most of you commenting, were to jump on the band wagon just from this one 60 second clip. Open your eyes people! Stop being so small minded. This kind of stuff where Christians are attacking other Christians is a prime example of why the world has very little respect for the church.
From what i can see of Chad Daniel and his YouthBytes, after doing some RESEARCH, it is something that is doing a lot of good in young peoples lives all over the USA and in other countries. Just type in “Chad Daniel YouthBytes” in Google and after clicking through 10 or 15 pages of Google links you will see a lot of good that Chad and his Bytes are doing for a generation that has to be reached, but cant be reached without some new methods.
Adam, next time your board and you want to start a witch hunt and gossip chain about another minister who is reaching people and introducing people in to a relationship Christ…..just sit back, find a mirror, and make sure there is no plank in your own eye to look at.
P.S. I only own one guns, and i rarely get time to shoot it, but now I cant wait to load that beautiful 12 gage up and destroy some watermelons.
much love,
Dan
Adam,
I guess I also lean more on the pacifist side/just peace-making. I really do believe the video you posted condoned violence and it perpetuates this understanding of a vindictive, wrathful and violent God.
@Jason, I believe the comparison you make is very unrealistic and a bit ignorant (with respect). I, too, spent time in Israel a few months ago, as well as travel around the walls and also spent a day in a Palestinian refugee camp near Bethlehem and the oppression there was severe. Now, I am not trying to impose a political agenda here but it is obvious that the Palestinian people are facing despair brought upon by Israeli power (note what is happening now in Gaza) and the voice the young children have is throwing rocks. I don’t believe it’s to necessarily hurt people but it is to stand up against the injustice they feel. It’s a protest rather than to rage war.
only my thoughts- thats all. thanks!
@Joel and @Adam
Thanks Joel, appreciate you taking time to investigate us more and thanks for your insight and comments which I humbly receive. If you go to the original site at http://www.youthbytes.org, you can see a full picture of our heart and vision. I do find the last post by Jason to be very illuminating. I clicked on the above link put there by Jason which took me to another post by Adam justifying rock throwing at Israelis by Palestinian YOUTH. That public stand makes all of this seem quite hypocritical to me.
I work for YouthBytes and along side Chad Daniel. I am only a teenager of 17 years of age and am the son of a pastor. Throughout my life I have witnessed very dull content that the Christian community has tried to deliver to youth. When YouthBytes began production, it excited me so much because kids in our society, at least in Southern California–I can’t say the same for places I do not know–live in crazy times where, yes, violence is an everyday thing. In my perspective, this episode shows clearly a depiction of Biblical reference, as stated by user “Chris P.” Jesus met people where they were at in their walk… youth need to be met at their level, not to promote violence, but show the power of God’s Word.
There are alot of negative comments posted here based on this one minute clip which is very sad. My family owns some of these videos and my church has most of the set and I must tell you they are, as a whole, EXTREMELY well done and very youth friendly. Our kids love them. Chad always gets his message across, which you don’t really get to see fully in the one minute clip. The videos are actually really good discussion starters because the kids start to look at things on a level that they can relate to. Let’s face it, “church kids” are bored and it is taking something different to even get them remotely interested. They’ve heard the same things and stories over and over again. Youthbytes is a new & fresh way to get them interested in what the Bible says. Shouldn’t that be our goal–to get them to look at what the Bible says and see how it applies to their life. That is what Chad and his team are doing, so I say keep up the good work guys!
By the way, I have met Chad Daniels and heard him preach. Only once at a conference. I was blown away by his powerful teaching and the fact that you could see that his heart overflows with love for youth and a desire to see them have a personal relationship with Jesus that is REAL. I believe that desire is what birthed youthbytes. So, don’t judge based on this clip. Go to the website, watch a full length episode, maybe even order one to show to your kids or youth group and then decide.
I think Adam is wrong and shouldn’t write things based on a one minute clip. I’m 14 years old and I love these videos and so do all of my friends. It gives us Bible lessons in a way that is exciting and fun to watch. I get that the point of the video is to use spiritual weapons in my life not to go out and be violent in the world. Check out a full length video–you just might like it! Go Chad!!!
I think my problem with the video goes deeper than just the gun imagery.
I’m not sure that the use of guns as symbolism for spiritual warfare is really all that different than Palestinian kids throwing rocks at Israelis. Yeah, the Palestinian kids are responding to something that they perceive as an injustice (Which it probably is, in their case); but that’s basically what the YouthBytes video is encouraging, too – Encouraging youth to respond to things that they perceive to be wrong with the world with violence.
Granted, the violence that is encouraged by the YouthBytes video is spiritual violence rather than real violence. They’re encouraging youth to go on the offensive against the things that they have been taught are wrong about the world, which, in most cases, are things like homosexuality or abortion. And while I’m not really interested in talking about whether or not those things are actually wrong or not right now, I do believe that homosexuals and women who have had abortions have been oppressed by the church, largely because of messages of this kind.
Teaching youth that it’s okay to use violence, whether physical or spiritual, against “Enemies,” is contributing to one of the biggest problems facing the Church in America – How to move past the stereotype which Christians seem to have earned for ourselves.
Not really a big fan of this video, which is basically to violence what softcore porn is to sex, but we can’t ignore the warfare and weaponry imagery that the Bible uses. I did a couple quick word searches found a number of verses that speak in terms of war and weaponry. I’ve listed some of the New Testament references below. And the Old Testament is full of passages about God leading people into battle, smiting enemies and all that wrathy stuff.
Certainly these passages have to be balanced against the whole of Scripture but we also can’t ignore them. It would be my guess that were Jesus talking today he wouldn’t use the word “sword” and instead might choose something like “gun” or even “missile.”
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Luke 22:36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.”
Ephesians 6:15-17 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 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. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Revelation 19:15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ” Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments
and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.”
Like so many debates on this blog it really comes down to one irreconcilable difference. Some believe the Bible is a supernatural holy book and that everything written in it states a truth about God. So if the Bible says that God told Joshua to commit genocide on an entire race of people, women, children and even livestock (read the beginning chapters of Joshua) then God must have, because the Bible is magic and somehow transcends the sinful motivations of the authors.
Others do not think the Bible is magic and, while loving the Bible as being filled with beautiful and heart wrenching tales, lots of truth, and struggles, it is also full of human sinfulness which attribute things to God that are not of God. Thankfully, the Bible records the revelation of Jesus well enough to see that anything not born out of love for friend and enemy alike, is not of God.
Now I know the former will want to use the Bible to prove their point but that falls on deaf ears for the latter. It just becomes a “Because I said so, that’s why” argument. So please spare listing those verses. We do not agree.
Of course there is a spectrum here but where you find yourself on the spectrum will have you either lining up with one opinion or the other.
So beyond the appalling gun imagery I think these devotions which uphold the magic book belief really aren’t useful for those of us who want to raise thoughtful people of faith who value their God given reason and intelligence as much as they value scripture. We’re different and we can attack and debate each other all we want but it’s not going to change.
I think that, perhaps, we are missing the point if we merely look to the Bible to justify war and weapon imagery – I could just as easily point out the passages in Isaiah and Micah that reference beating swords into ploughshares, or the Beatitudes where Jesus says “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God,” or Romans 14:19, which says ” Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” The Bible talks about both war and peace, about both violence and restoration. I’m not sure that proof-texting helps us a whole lot here.
In my opinion, this discussion isn’t a matter of whether or not the Bible has ever used war and weapon imagery, but is rather a matter of what sort of content we deem both appropriate and edifying not just to our youth, but to the benefit of the whole faith community. I remember singing a VBS song as a kid about putting on the armor of God which I still remember much of, even nearly 20 years later. Without resorting to visual depictions of violence or war, I was able to learn and internalize a great deal about the meaning of putting on the armor of God.
Moreover, I find problematic the argument that “our youth see guns and violence on TV and in video games every day, so it’s not a big deal.” Shouldn’t the church offer an alternative to these images instead of implicitly condoning them even as they try to redeem them?
I understand that I know very little about the videos or about their range of topics and images, but that does not mean I shouldn’t be concerned about equating gun warfare (even against watermelons!) with spiritual warfare. Our youth are exposed to so much violence these days – physical, emotional, and spiritual. I echo Remy’s concerns about teaching our youth to view the world in terms of enemies and violence:
wow, i’m glad i came across this conversation. if i hadn’t i never would have discovered youthbytes. what a cool promo!!! this actually prompted me to check out the content offered in this video and others. there is some really good stuff in there. i just ordered the entire series! thanks adam! oh, and great article about the rock throwing… (http://pomomusings.com/2005/07/16/on-stone-throwing/) even though it seems to contradict your fundamental opposition to the violence promoted in this video, i’m sure it’s totally ok to rant and incite other rants that conveniently line up with your philosophy, ahem, convictions on this particular topic. as for the violence in this video, i will admit, after showing this to my children, they did ask me if they could shoot a gun at some watermelons too(which we did….warning:if you stand to close, it’s gets on you when it explodes!) as for the incredibly smart people on this post. you guys used some words i can’t even understand so instead of arguing with you, i’ll take my sons in the woods behind my house and go squirrel hunting, and we can talk about how magnificent our Lord Jesus is, and how best to show and tell a lost and dying generation about Him.
Chad, keep up the good work!! Maybe one day i can be in a video with you.
Do some of those who commented have an agenda…like trying to prove something to adam, change his ‘liberal’ mind, maybe?
I’ve found that by simply cutting and pasting scripture in place of an actual argument or follow-up comment lacking in so many ways. Without further elucidation, especially contextually, how is anyone going to truly appreciate the bibles ‘position’ on the issue let alone yours? This is another great example of picking and choosing…which is never truly a great way in which to use the bible; you might as well throw it.
Here’s the problem with us liberal types – we often simply dismiss passages of scripture because “it doesn’t reflect the loving God/Jesus portrayed in the whole witness of the Bible.” Or something like that.
While the principle is sound, the execution of above reasoning is often incredibly flawed and haphazard, and what happens is some form of anti-prooftexting. Anti-prooftexting is simply picking out certain passages of the Bible which to disregard without solid, prayerful consideration and study.
I certainly believe there are parts of the Bible that are simply products of the time and culture and not truths from God for all time and place. But I don’t think it should be easy or quick to determine which parts these are. If you have a quick “God is love” rule for getting rid of the parts of the Bible that you don’t like then you are no better than someone who blindly accepts all the Bible “literally” (whatever that means).
If you’re Bible only includes things that don’t offend, upset or challenge you then I’d read it again and see what you’ve left out.
This post and discussion is a little silly. He is shooting a gun at a gun range or out in the wilderness. Moreover, he is shooting at targets, not pictures of people or demons for that matter. They are not doing anything dangerous! They are using the gun properly, using hearing protection, and shooting at appropriate targets. If the check the stats, gun deaths at gun ranges is rare. (even if they are not at a gun range they are practicing that kind of behavior)
Are they promoting violence? It is truly a matter of perspective. If this video made you spit your chai latte all over the screen of your macbook pro, then realize you have no idea where these guys come from. I have gone to the gun range with kids and have seen people introduced to Jesus there. Don’t assume your cultural convictions are equivalent to biblical morality.
On the aspect of violence and peace in the Bible. Much has already been said so I don’t want to rehash that discussion. But there is a point that most people are not considering. Who is the object of the violence in this video? Satan and his dominion are the object of this “violence.” He is not trying to recruit Christian soldiers to fight Muslims or atheists. He is calling believers to wage war on the REAL ENEMY! Personally, you may not want to think about the war going on between good vs evil and that we are supposed to be on guard (even armed with our swords, but that’s probably just for looks or intimidation, right!?!). There is a reason it is called spiritual warfare. It’s not nice, it’s not pretty, it is war waged on us by Satan.
Sure, we are to be people of restoration, but we are to restore others. We cannot restore the Evil One. Nor should we try. The video NEVER suggests anything but spiritual warfare. It doesn’t say that anyone should take up arms against any other “enemies.” Other people are not our enemy, and this does not say otherwise.
I’m sorry this doesn’t fit your ideal, but quit trying to pawn off your non-gun toting preference as biblical morality. This does not promote physical violence any more than a video of a guy driving fast. (btw, automobile deaths FAR out number gun deaths…) And I seriously doubt anyone can make a case that “spiritual” violence is a problem. I also doubt you can even define spiritual violence. So I’m not really sure Remy that spiritual violence is “one of the biggest problems facing the church in America.”
Hi Guys,
I have been working with youth ministry for almost 10 yrs at a mega church.
I have seen youth come and go. I have been aloud to minister to youth and
seen the power of God move! One thing I have learned and notice in my life while
ministering to youth is to teach at there level and relate to them and of course don’t
ever leave out the Word of God “that’s no brainier ! The bible says in Mark 15:16 “go ye into the world and preach the gospel”! to me that is a huge command! I believe if you are preaching the gospel and souls are being won then you are all doing a great job. Youthbytes & Chad continue to bring the teens in this “Jacked up world” the gospel. Continue to preach to them using what ever tools you need in order to reach our youth!
I am drawn to this video because it reminds me of growing up going to the farm with my dad, brother, cousins, uncles and grandpa where they would do target practice. Something my family did almost every summer when I was younger. Also I think the students in our area can relate to it because most of them are huge fans of hunting.
I think the message is powerful in explaining that the Word of God is powerful, and prayer is, I think the most powerful thing we have, and if we spend all this time with God then He will help us to rid ourselves of our own sinful nature which is our biggest battle in life, the struggle we have within (Galatians 5:17).
I saw this one minute clip first at youth group promoting the next Sunday School class, and never did violence of killing others cross my mind, still after watching it a couple times just now I don’t see or hear Chad saying anything like that. God is powerful and gives us the “weapons” we need to help ourselves become better Christ followers.
That’s what I got from the clip. Thank you Chad and everyone at Youth Bytes for what you do. God bless.
I can’t tell if the DonnyForbes post is for real or a masterpiece of satire.
Thank you Aaron, your post explained exactly what this is about. Ya’lls gotta ease up a little. If you don’t agree with the video, pray about it. You don’t have to express your own criticism or negative opinion about other Christians through social networking, who does that help? And that ain’t cool.
:D
Why in the world would it be a problem to show in modern day what the bible says… Not sure if youve read the bible latley but everywhere in it talks about murder, prostitution self hatered. The problem with the church today is that were stuck in a old box. Youth Bytes brings the bible to life like it should.. This generation dosnt understand pulpit preaching anymore and Youth Bytes helps this genereation understand how the armor of God works.. Im a youth pastor and Im also a Youth Bytes fan!!!!!!!!!
Hmm … blurring the lines between violence and warfare (spiritual warfare, that is)… sounds dangerous and in appropriate to me. And the idea that we have enemies …. GOSH, what next … only one way to heaven? Heavens no, even obviously ignorant, probably racist, legalistic fundamentalist rednecks such as these wouldn’t go THAT far.
As the executive producer of this YouthBytes show, I am encouraged by the dialogue and surprised that so few people are going to the actual website http://www.youthbytes.org to view a full 6-minute episode. This one minute teaser is designed to get teens to come out to a youth meeting and to discuss the subjects of prayer, the Name of Jesus and Worship as tools God has given Christians in the spiritual battle of life. The actual Combat Weapons piece is about 8 minutes in length and we provide 3 and 6 minute versions as discussion starters to accommodate the different needs a church may find for the material. These are simply meant to be tools in the hands of a mature youth leader to discuss the very issues raised in this blog. The one-minute version sure seems to have gotten people talking and the longer versions will do the same in your youth groups. The notes that come with the videos give helpful Scriptures, group discussion questions, facts and figures about the subject and complimentary stories that can be used. The real power is in the hands of a youth leader or parent who can use this tool to engage meaningful dialogue. This is just one out of of 40 episodes covering a huge spectrum of relevant topics and subjects. I am heartened to see that the ability of a 60 second clip to arouse discussion is quite considerable and my prayer is that this may happen in youth groups all over the planet through this new YouthBytes resource.
This is so typical of christians. Sit around and argue about what everyone else on your team is doing. From the comfort and security of your keyboard it is easy to judge others and the work they do. I have personally known Chad for 14 years and have traveled and shot for him and youthbytes. He is fearless. Most of you on this comment board sound like cowards. Satire and high speech are your weapons. Why not shut up, get off your computer and actual preach to someone? I hope you guys get it together and go do something to build the church rather then crap on everyone else. If your feels are hurt or you are offended. Good! maybe you will realize that we are at war. We need to fight not talk.
Congrats, Adam. You just provided the Exec Producer of this show with an excellent opportunity to promote his defensible project. Another shocker: a wacko crazy “promoter of violence” is JUST AS interested in real conversation as you claim to be.
I am a personal friend of Chad. I have seen these videos, firsthand, change lives. Chad, on more than one occasion, has spoken into my life, with the love and truth of God. Chad does these videos because he loves the church and the younger generation. Sure, he’s hyper and crazy and fun, but hey, that’s what God gave him to work with. Chad is using his gifts! More people could be reached, if we didn’t slam other people. His show is called “Youthbytes”, not “Backbites”. Remember that, the next time you read your Bible. I Peter Chapter 2 might be a good place for you to start.
Regarding this post and all included comments: If you try to thump me in the head with your PhD one more time…anyone who has a degree in any type of divinity or religious anything needs to check their brain at the door; all others please feel free to comment liberally. More Jesus, less Dr. Divinity.
I check this blog out every now and then, but have not yet commented until now. To the OP, I understand you have recently been given the responsibility of a Youth Pastor position and now have the heavy burden of the spiritual destiny of many adolescents and young adults. I hope you treasure this season of your life with the utmost of care and deliberate study of the Word. I’m assuming your youth group follows your posting on your blog. With that said, your life will be a model see and read by all men and every action you take will been seen through a very large magnifying glass. As you begin to criticize other ministry’s who obviously are making an impact for the Kingdom, I hope your spiritual convictions and actions take into account the lives of the kids you are disciplining. Tread very carefully on your blog postings Dr. Divinity, because at some point educational facade cannot make up for genuine love for the spiritual destiny of the individual to whom you are speaking too.
These videos are going to reach some kids and not others, but we shouldn’t disqualify them because of that, or because one episode offends you. I sense that quite a few commenters are put off more by the aesthetic than the actual message, but there is nothing about this video that promotes violence. They’re not shooting pictures of people, or body-shaped dummies, they’re shooting targets and watermelons. We’ve become so wimpy and P.C. even in the church that we hesitate to speak as boldly as this guy does, and we now hesitate to say “we have THE answer”, which the Bible clearly teaches us to do. This clip is loud, yes, but if I was a teen and had just been dropped off at the church after an hour playing loud violent video games and saw this, it would cut right through all the normal tiptoeing Christian koolaid soaked silliness and get my attention. The video is hard to ignore isn’t it? I think that was the intent, and it delivers. I would humbly encourage those of you who attribute wrong motives to the guys who made this to ask God to search your hearts.
I have known Chad all of my life, and have personally been impacted through his ministry. I actually got a really big laugh out of this absurd blog post. Last time I checked we are at war! Everyday is a battle and a fight, and the god of religion and theology cannot overcome it! Only through the blood of Jesus. This generation is looking for the real deal, not a bunch of fake, religious christians choking the life out of everything!
You’re judging this whole youth ministry and its work merely on this one minute video segment? You probably pull out one portion of the Word to fit your lifestyle too. Give me a break! Chad Daniel is a incredible man of God who is whole-heartily trying to reach the youth for Christ. Get off your high horses and do something yourself to reach the youth.
I hesitate to post, because the tone of the conversation appears to be rapidly deteriorating, but there are a few things that I want to say. First of all, I find it frustrating and insulting to be told that since I have an M.Div (a REQUIRED degree for ordination in my denomination), I am somehow less of a Christian, less faithful, or less interested in spreading the gospel. I find critiques such as Adam Braud’s not only offensive but ignorant:
If I, personally, find the imagery in the video problematic, then I have a very simple choice ahead of me: not to use the video. However, I also understand that the images may not be problematic for others and that these videos have been valuable tools for other people’s ministries. All I ask is that those who find the videos valuable respect the opinions of those with whom they disagree. It does not make me a coward to preach a gospel of hope, to put my faith in God’s gift of grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, to take seriously both Word and worship, sacrament and fellowship, evangelism and service, whether or not I would use this video.
Please don’t judge the “quality” of my faith as inadequate if I don’t utilize this video or similar images in my ministry. The commenters here who are warning Adam against criticizing other people’s ministries are themselves criticizing his ministry. The double standard pains me. It’s not acceptable for Adam to question YouthBytes but it’s acceptable to question the content of Adam’s faith and ministry?
It just seems to me that we could be a bit more civil and gracious in our conversation, and accept the possibility of agreeing to disagree about something as ultimately inconsequential as a youth video series.
Lets see what Jesus Himself has to say about weapons as imagery:
Matthew 10:34-35
34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
HOW COULD JESUS SAY THAT!?!
Didn’t he know men like “…that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?” (Acts 21:38) were bound to happen upon the people of his time!?!
(My sarcasm has ended.)
Instead of listening to the message, that we are in a spiritual war and need spiritual weapons, you have stumbled.
Please, get up and join the battle.
Hmmmm. I just watched the two full-length sample videos from the website. It looks to me like this video is pretty typical… The two sample videos use a similar metaphor (Competition, rather than war) to convey their point, using passages from Paul’s letters that talk about running a race.
It’s been my understanding of these passages that, like the Armor of God passage, they are intended to subvert the usual cultural attitude toward these things. Culture defines winning in a certain way (The display of power or might over another person) but Paul defines winning in a different way – That Christians, like Christ, win when we lose. We are exalted when we are humbled.
In my opinion, the type of war/competition metaphor used in these videos is actually antithetical to the message of the cross.
…as ultimately inconsequential as a youth video series.….
Agreed, Melissa. The issue itself is quite inconsequential. And that’s exactly what makes Adam’s super-opinionated, heated post about it regrettable in the first place. Most of those who make mountains of molehills ought to be ignored, of course, but when such people have mouthpieces like POMOMUSINGS, they need to be asked to pipe down.
I think that the larger question still looms when I see this video.
What does this say about Christianity and its long history of violence and repression?
From the very dawns of time, most religious teachings have “institutionally” created “evil” or an “enemy.” Christianity once again comes at the barrel of a gun – dividing humanity. From the crusades, conquistadores, the roman empire, and so on …
The pairing of religion and violence (and Christianity and violence) is not a new thing. This video just happens to be more overt about it.
The separation of heaven and earth, and the quest for “salvation” away from planet earth, where all our sins are obsolved and forgiven – is it any wonder that people would be willing to commit horrid acts of violence to humanity (or to the Earth) in the name of Jesus or God? For in this world, there lies no divine accountability – only in the “hereafter.”
I share your opinion about the video. However, there’s nothing new about pairing violence and religion. Nothing new at all…
That’s funny…everyone is so quick to judge, and of course, everyone has to give there opinion. But I wonder how many of you have actually researched anything about YouthBytes. I mean, what is it really about? As a teacher, I would never just watch a trailer before showing something to my kids. Wouldn’t you watch the entire video before showing it to your youth? I sure hope so.
I am a U.S. Federal Agent and have known Chad Daniel for 17 years. All of you are blind guides … idiots disguised as wise men! Chad is a Warrior for God’s Youth who is apparently surrounded by a multitude cowards. If you haven’t picked up your sword to fight yet, you’re already dead men!
What I found interesting is that I don’t recall God promising to wipe the enemy out of our life. He does promise to give us the power to resist temptation thru the holy spirit. Wiping the devil out of our lives sounds great but it would be a bad thing because we would no longer need to depend on God or his Holy Spirit for our day to day life.
I don’t really think that the military images are in the Bible to highlight warfare, I think that is our interpritation of those passages. I think that they are there to remind us that we have been given the great commission and the great commandment to carry out, we have to actively engage the world with love.
I think this has all been blown out of proportion. Chad’s use of guns, artillery, etc… is greatly influenced by his upbringing in Louisiana. I am from the same state and have been around guns all my life. Youth here in our state understand the use of guns, where in other parts of the country youth may not have had the same experience.
I don’t necessarily agree with everything the way Chad says it, but I do believe in the fundamental truths he is trying to preach. I am thankful a ministry like this exists. If one is offended by such images, don’t show it to your youth. Use some discernment. Hopefully the video was previewed by you first before it was show to youth. If not, shame on you.
I am glad to see this many opinions being displayed because we all have a passion for helping our youth experience the kingdom of God. I am sure Jesus was too with the parables he told. Remember the people and objects in those stories weren’t always well regarded either!
Adam,
You should call Chad Daniel and talk to him personally.
Chad Daniel has a rich history of doing what it takes to reach the youth of this day. He has traveled the world over, lived in India, been held at gunpoint in foreign lands, been smuggled across borders, imperiled by hostlie governments, walked the wrong side of countless towns and cities at night risking his very life. All for the sake of the youth of this generation. His YouthBytes series reflects this rich history of ministering at the piont of greatest need in the most relevant way possible.
In my research of you and your history of ministry, I find you unqualified to speak to this matter in this way.
Livermore, CA is not a dangerous place ( I live in Walnut Creek, CA) and I doubt you will ever see first-hand what Chad sees on a daily basis.
If this series is too strong for Livermore and the Presbymergents, that is fine.
Just blog about how one should research it for themselves and make an appropriate decision before you start this blog-trainwreck that I have just read through.
There is too much fruit from this series to argue with.
I am sorry to have read so many comments made without proper information.
Blogging can be a dangerous thing, talking is always better.
Congrats on getting back into working with the youth. I wish you success.
As Adam stated in his third paragraph “I’m still cynical”.
We all need to be watchful when people who profess to be Bible teachers and men of God declare cynicism toward what our Lord had come to expose, confront and overthrow by His life, death and resurrection at the cross at Calvary!
Adam’s diatribe provoked me to watch the video. The Video clip’s point was clear, relevant, and analogous to the Weapons that our Father has supplied us as laid out in scripture (both Old and New Testament). Chad Daniels had crossed no boundaries and demonstrates a passion for Youth to experience the fullness of what our Father has equipped us with to live lives of victory and love like our Lord did.
My question to Adam is how will you handle God’s word when you have to teach about David and the enemy of God’s people- Goliath. Will you teach the full word of God that says ” Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it” (NKJ 1Sam 17:51)? ? ?…..@T
Wow – Chad & the YouthBytes crew really rallied the troops for this one, I see…bringing out everyone including “U.S. Federal Agents” ….
@Russ Egbert – I’m not sure why Chad doing all of those really cool “dangerous” things has any bearing on this discussion. If you’re saying Chad lives in a dangerous place (unlike Livermore) – then that’s just even MORE reason why these types of images would be inappropriate, as giving youth those types of images would only continue the barrage of violent images they already deal with.
It seems that most people are upset with the fact that I’m trying to slam YouthBytes and their organization as a whole based off a 60-second trailer…
Do I think that YouthBytes are doing some good? Sure – I don’t think I ever said that everything about the organization is horrible.
But – I still stand by the fact that this video is completely inappropriate for youth ministry, regardless of where you live (rural or urban areas). Like I’ve said before – I’ve shot guns before – even a shotgun. And it was kind of fun. I don’t have a problem with people owning guns.
But. To use those images and metaphors as a way of speaking out how we are to act as Christians in the world is simply inappropriate. And it’s dangerous. And again – I don’t buy the argument that it’s about context and sure, in some places where all your kids hunt, it would fly and be just fine.
Attempting to promote the Gospel to youth through guns, violent imagery and talk of “weapons” and “absolutely wiping out the enemy” is just not appropriate.
“And it’s dangerous.”
But why is it dangerous, Adam? Do you really think that these kids are going to be coaxed to violence by these videos? REALLY?
I would honestly like to know whether you play violent video games, like Halo or Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto, with kids in your youth group. I don’t think such things would be “dangerous,” but apparently you do. What a fuddy duddy.
I guess I am a little embarrassed, then, to say that I find games like Halo, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto outrageously violent and would never in a million years play those games with a youth group. I never really considered myself a fuddy duddy because of that…
Again, I raise the question, is the church implicitly condoning the violence “of the world” even as it tries to redeem it? Does playing Halo in church “redeem” the world’s view of war and violence or does it really just send the message that the church has nothing to say against gratuitous violence?
And, really, what does it say about our understanding of evangelism that we use blood and guts to entice our youth to show up at church? How does beating up a guy with a crowbar in order to steal his car relate to the core message of the gospel: the saving grace of God in Christ?
1 Corinthians 6:12a – “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial.”
Yes Jason. It is dangerous. It’s as though people in this thread have forgotten how much gun violence occurs throughout our nation, and have forgotten about some of the horrible atrocities that youth have committed in their schools. What’s to say some very troubled youth might not see something like this, hear about “wiping” people out and hearing how God’s given us “weapons” (which are apparently prayer, the name of Jesus and worship) but is seeing guns and shooting the whole time…what’s to say some kid might not misinterpret that and commit an act of violence.
It’s not THAT hard to imagine a scenario like that. And even if there is only the very slightest chance something like that would happen – why produce something that might even lead to that in the VERY slightest possibility…?
I write this comment after just playing 15 minutes of The Godfather: Blackhand Edition on my Wii. It’s the first violent video game that I’ve played in a long, long time. It’s mindless and somewhat entertaining. But would I play that with my youth? Or would I play Grand Theft Auto or Halo or Call of Duty?
Certainly not.
And I’m certainly no fuddy duddy, like Melissa, either…
@Adam
I am sorry, I will say it again.
He is on the streets bringing the gospel to the youth where THEY are, which includes dangerous places in the US and abroad. That is his passion and career 24/7.
You may never leave the safety of your church, which is fine.
His content speaks to the hurting people you will never see or be able to reach.
You are entitled to your opinion. Yes, these are strong images, to be used appropriately, or not.
The choice is up to youth pastors to make the decision for their groups.
Your zeal is appreciated. Your opinion is valid and understood. This video will not be shown in your group, perfect. You have made a decision that is relevant to your geographical, socio-economic demographic.
Could you go after Mike Murdock now for false promises of prosperity?
Or TBN for too much pink hair and gold thrones? I will be with you all the way on those subjects.
PS If we are creating a list of impressive people like federal agents, I am a high-level media executive for fortune 50 companies with muiti-million dollar ad and marketing campaigns and the former TV/radio guru behind one of the largest ministries on the planet.
I am immursed in the culture of relevance, target markets and what generates interest, even to the point of controversy (which generates further interest as you have done nicely).
Ok. But I still dispute the connection between violence in video games and gun violence in America. Have any studies verified the causation of the latter by the former?
By the way, your position on this means you probably shouldn’t ever be drinking alcohol or smoking hookas as a youth leaders, as doing those things MIGHT lead to destructive behavior among your kiddos. Just saying.
@Jason, you are still missing the connection between the actions themselves and using these specific actions to PROMOTE the gospel. Do I think that smoking my hookah would help share the Gospel with youth?
Would I record a video of me smoking my hookah to talk about the “aroma of Christ” or how our prayers are like incense going up to God…and try to make those analogies make sense to my youth?
No, that’s ridiculous. What I do in the privacy of my own home, and what I use to try and communicate the gospel to youth in church, are two very different things.
It’s very surprising to me how much of a conversation this has turned out to be, I’m actually really enlightened. I always thought it was obvious that violence, guns, language that promotes killing would be inappropriate to any youth ministry. I am very thankful for this blog because we need to continue encouraging youth and youth workers that the way of Jesus never involved violence, hence the obedience to the death on a cross. Of course we can proof text several different passages but that’s just being irresponsible to the text and I won’t go on about that- which is a direct outcome of those who have not critically studied the biblical texts so as a reader of this blog, I am actually thankful for Adam’s education, research, and his in depth studies, so we should never knock anybody for being educated.
Also, all this talk about sitting behind a computer doing nothing??? I obviously hope and assume that Adam is doing relational work in the church and community but don’t we all agree that the internet is a fantastic way to reach people? Isn’t the internet a ministry blessing? You CAN reach people through the internet and have your voice heard, look at these comments for example so I think the accusation of hiding behind a computer or being a “coward” as one put it is a very ignorant thing to say.
I also can’t help noticing the advocates for this imagery being very hostile themselves. Maybe that’s the point and case!
I worked several years during seminary in a very inner-city church in Los Angeles. My first month there, I experienced a gang altercation in the middle of sunday school. These kids were no stranger to guns and violence, still, I would NEVER attempt to turn their experience with guns and violence into redemption VIA guns and violence. That would probably do more damage than good. Instead with the power and the hope of the Gospel.
enough said, thanks for this space!
“No, that’s ridiculous. What I do in the privacy of my own home, and what I use to try and communicate the gospel to youth in church, are two very different things.”
I’m glad I was never in your youth group. My old youth pastor used to have sex with teenage girls in the privacy of his own home and is now in prison. Good thing he kept it all seperate.
God is an awesome God, and He reigns forever and ever! He is the Deliverer, Healer, Jehovah Jirah, Comforter, He is Peace and Love and Hope! He died to set each of us free from sin and bondage and shakels and chains. He came and lived to die…and I pray that we would die to ourselves to live for Him and reach a generation in need of the Power of the Holy Ghost! By the time we spend blogging and arguing about the proper way to reach a generation for Jesus…just think of the opportunities each of us have missed to truly reach out with the Power and Love of the Cross and bring Hope to the nations????!!!!!
@Keith – while I think making a direct parallel between me smoking a hookah and your old youth pastor having sex with teenage girls isn’t fair – you are right in that living a “compartmentalized” spiritual life isn’t the way to go – and is not healthy. That’s not the type of Christian life that I’ve tried to live – so, you’re right to question me on that response I gave you.
I think we need to be transparent – and genuine and authentic both at home and with our youth at the church. Our lives need to be about Gospel-living, and they shouldn’t be kept separate.
I still have a problem with the direct parallel analogy you were trying to make.
@Adam
Where is the scriptural support for your argument?
Myself and several others have posted scripture that clearly contradict your complaint. Yet, you wield not the sword of Spirit yourself.
Hey Adam, I appreciate your candid and transparent response to Keith demonstrating a tenderness of heart to correction. I know its in that spirit that we can all grow through this. I can honestly say that when we made this video (I take responsibility as the Executive Producer), we had no intention of trying to promote violence or of violating the sensibilities of so many Christian brothers and sisters who would take offense at it. We were simply trying to find a creative way to illustrate the power of prayer, the Name of Jesus and Worship in the Christian life. I apologize to those who this offended. I know we have 40 one-minute video illustrations on our website – http://www.youthbytes.org – and each illustration has longer pieces and study notes which youth groups can use. Is it possible that we could say, “out of 40 illustrations YouthBytes chose, 39 were really good and one just did not demonstrate a sensitivity to the strong feelings in the church against guns and violence.” I feel like the whole 3-year effort we have poured our lives into to help disciple teens is being shot at like a watermelon!!!!
Berin absolutely not! There are many ways to present biblical truths and there is no way we will all agree on each and every presentation. Youthbytes needs to continue as it has.
Does a disclaimer need to be added? I don’t know. Might be something to consider on some topics to invoke the discernment of youth leaders.
Thank you for making a video that shows the power of what prayer, reading the Bible and the such can do. Sometimes I think that we as Christians forget the power of these things. The Bible uses imagery that if people understood or would care to truly interact with would offend them.
Also thank you for making a video that actually will allow a strong young man to interact with and think that Christianity is not just for wussies. So often Christianity, especially these days has been so directed towards females or feminine males. Thank you for help changing that.
“It reinforces the idea that the Bible, the “name of Jesus” and worship can be used as weapons.” – what a great way to sum it up! Our teens face spiritual warfare everyday. I think maybe Chad should have dressed up like Barney & used airsoft guns to shoot eco-friendly targets…that would have been less violent & more relevant for the blog author’s youth group!
Did you also blog against the violence in the movie “The Passion of the Christ”?
Hey, good news. You can unsubscribe from this blog thread by scrolling to the bottom and clicking “manage your subscriptions.” You’ll have to create your own links to the YouthBytes site unless you privately contact Berin.
This is ridiculous. Guns don’t equal evil or promote violence. BTW Homosexuality is a sin. Adam, you’re off on that.
People who condemn Youthbytes clearly dont see the fruit of this ministry. Thats the keyword “ministry”. They are doing extreme things for the kingdom of God. Berin’s ministries and Chad’s youthbytes are effectively reaching people if you havent realized. 141 countries are being biblically trained by their ISOM ministry alone, that God used Pastor Berin to start. Adam you said this yourself “I don’t know much about YouthBytes or Chad Daniel, who seems to be the man behind the operation.” thats an amazing statement. You should really see the fruit of their ministry and their vision statement before you start casting your stone. Before you pass this judgment take the plank out of your own eye before you start calling out the spec in youthbytes please. You are a blind man leading blind people. You arent taking them anywhere by this whole thing. With all respect you are a brother in christ but with all due respect again please reevaluate yourself and get a little more info next time you start condemning.
First of all I want to say that the Bible is FULL of violence. There is no need to sugar coat it for our teens, they are not stupid. I teach Preteens and I am very pleased with the YouthBytes programs. Maybe your kids grow up in a sheltered environment, in a private school, or just simply have no outside influence at all…but here in thr real world our kids are getting subjected to all kinds of bad stuff. You cannot compare this to Columbine or even to 9/11. My husband is a Veteran and would resent that. There is nothing wrong with guns, it’s the ignorant, mislead people who use them. In the Columbine & 9/11 incidents it involved people who were under the influence of Satan. Why take an innocent program that has more positive reactions from teens than any other program out there..by far…and turn it into your own little sick idea. You people are the exact reason our kids are falling away from the church. Just who exactly do you think will keep the doors open on all of our churches when the old folks die off? No one is exactly right if you don’t stop being so judgemental, and realize that not everyone is like you. Different things reach different people. If you don’t like it then come up with something else that can teach the Word AND keep a teenager’s attention. I come from an old fashioned church, some refer to it as a Holiness church. I have watched the young people vanish, due to stubborn old ways, and being afraid of change. I have slowly been rebuilding our youth, and I am thankful to YouthBytes, and other programs like it. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. I’m sure there’s things about you that others think are wrong too, so wouldn’t you want them to leave you alone? I could give you 1 example of people who think you are wrong…The Amish. By owning a computer at all they would think you are not following God’s Word. So just let it be, do not hinder others from finding Christ…even if it is through something you do not agree with.
I will simply borrow the line at the beginning of the song on Tedashii’s new album Identity Crisis; the name of the song is Make War. The line I will borrow was borrowed by Tedashii from John Piper, who has partnered with Reach Records. The line simply states “Make War”. This is also the point of the video curriculum. In order for us, as the body of Christ, to make war, we must be trained in our weapons which is what Chad is talking about. This is why we are failing as the Church Universal too many of us are setting back and teaching our kids macrame instead of teaching them to fight against principalities and powers. Quit pointing the finger at someone who is up and training soldiers for Christ! Look for the song “Make War” by Tedashii and take his advice and quit “murmur murmur murmuring” and MAKE WAR! Wake up we are losing the war for these kids because of liberalism, the lazy attitude of our pastors (especially the youth pastors). Leave Chad alone, if you don’t like the curriculum stick with your macrame.
The writer of the article above is, as evident by his writing, totally out of touch with the reality of the needs of our youth generation, who, by their reliance of pictorial imagery, need high power convincing imagery to, all be it, shock them into the reality of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I don’t know this writer and by this writing can’t tell what and what success his ministry is, so I take the presumption that he is making comment from his own mind, therefore “What is your fruit, sir?” ” Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force!” If the writer has thousands of converts under his belt, he has the right to this opinion, otherwise he is NOT of God! By the way I’m a 56 year old most unyouthful believer, totally set free in Christ.
First off let me just say that I’m 15 years old and my youth group went through this whole series and we loved it. That being said, when I saw this video I didn’t think ” Ok, Chad uses guns, so, I should go shoot some people.” You talk about the youth who watch this video like their ignorant little kids, we’re not. Chad just uses guns to try and get your attention so that you pay attention to the real message of the video.
I think you need to not take things beyond what they are..
I showed the episode to our youth, and they got it… not to go out and shoo guns…
But They understood the comparison between fire power and Prayer.
Hey Students Know about the guns they see them in Movies and the news, But when they were used as an illustration to show the power of prayer it impacted their lives…
I think people need to grow up and give youth a chance.
great video series, I am using it again for our youth this fall
Pastor Tom Boxall.
I see nothing wrong with this clip at all, or with anything I’ve seen at their site. The people in this clip are responsible gun owners.
Sounds to me like you are just a possible gun hater (Adam). If not, then ok, but why would you decry this video, but not the video games out there? Or all the stuff on TV?
The point is, kids see violence ALL the time, in the media, in their games, etc. etc. NOTHING in this video promotes violence, nor does it try to make a point about using violence in the name of God. It talks about training yourself so you can use the weapons God has given you effectively. Sounds pretty practical to me. Kids (boys especially) like guns. This video was effective in catching their attention. Hopefully it will also inspire them to go shooting, in a safe and responsible manner. The reason people like you, Adam, get so upset about guns is because they don’t understand them. While I’m not a farm boy from the early 1900′s, I did learn how to shoot at a young age, but my Dad taught me respect for the guns, and responsibility in using them. I plan to teach my son(s) the same thing. My 2 yr old goes out shooting with us on occasion, so he can begin to be exposed to responsible gun use. Christians that think guns are ‘bad’ and using them in a video to prove a point is the same need to get their heads back into the Word of God instead of out in the world complaining about everything they see other Christians doing that they don’t like.
Very poor form Adam.
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