I'm upset with myself for writing my first review of Chuck's that is going to sound negative and critical... because it's not meant to be.
In the first portion of these 4 lectures, Chuck points out that We are ALL victims of having been influenced by differing artistic representations of Angels we've seen throughout our lives. Whether it be Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life" or Nic Cage in "City of Angels"... we all bring baggage to Chuck's more literal and scientific approach here.
Having been influenced... especially by Art in paintings, movies, TV shows... even songs, it is REALLY hard to lay that aside.
Just as favoring different styles of music... I can see this topic being nearly as controversial in what people's ideas of Angels can be.
And I think this is why that Chuck's approach here seems... not fulfilling.
Perhaps though, it's really MY fault. I couldn't put aside some things I'd seen or been taught before.
Most especially, John Eldredge's take on Angels in an audio performance of "Epic Live!" based on his book "Epic." from a few years ago. Here's a sample:
"Back before the Creation of Human Beings, back earlier in the story in Act II, ... God introduces a whole other realm of beings in the Universe... Angels."
"You can learn a great deal in what a story is about, what its plot is, where it's going, by the characters that the author introduces into the story."
"Now God creates these beings that are MIGHTY and POWERFUL and Glorious so that we cannot even look upon their face without falling to our knees... and they are armed... He decks the Universe, ... he sets the stage with the equivalent of the Navy Seals."
Now... that's an impression that is going to stick with you.
Other powerful imagery: The Death Angel from "The Ten Commandments", Loki & Bartleby from "Dogma"... Gabriel in Disney's "One Magic Christmas".
I don't know if Chuck's series can overcome all of the Artistic interpretations we've all seen and experienced. Nor am I sure it should.
Which leads me to a sizable disagreement I have with Chuck on his condemnation of things to stay away from like Dungeons & Dragons. I understand why he said this... but I'd like to point out that the culture is absolutely interested in the stories and presentations in games and movies of Angelic/Nephilim characters.
As I write this, we are about to see the release of the movie, "The Avengers". There are at least 4 characters in the movie that are of some Angelic/Demigod or Hybrid creation. It will most likely be the Blockbuster of the Summer. What an AWESOME opportunity to witness to this generation and tell them about the story of Genesis 6!!! And our Churches... are going to miss it. Missler followers... should not.
And I'm just using "The Avengers" as only one example. Online Games such as World Of Warcraft, every OTHER comic book movie, I'm going to say 90% of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre can be traced back to the verses of Genesis 6:1-4.
Vampires, Zombies... I had a 15 minute conversation with two Gen X'ers that had on Zombie T-shirts the other day... and pointed them to "The Return of the Nephilim" online to learn more.
I don't regret buying all the comics and playing all the games that I did... heck... its the best way to reach the ones around me that are lost. Thanks to Chuck... I know the real story of the Nephilim... or at least as much truth as we can derive. My problem is that the churches around me... CAN'T get the Sethite view of Genesis 6 out of their Theology... so I have no-where to point these folks I witness to go to.
Chuck... you need to do Sessions 5 & 6.
