We finally use our new press passes by going to an advance showing of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. We even got to see it in 3D, which was quite impressive; in fact, it was the first time either of us have seen 3D with the new polarized lenses.

Alice in Wonderland was loosely based on Lewis Carroll’s classic stories Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.

Be forewarned: this episode does contain spoilers.

First impressions:

• Weird—but what else do you expect from Tim Burton?
• Was this really the story Alice in Wonderland?
• Fun to watch, and enjoyable in 3D.

What is proper?

• Alice is fighting the conventions of her time and she asks the question, “What is proper?” Based on a secular worldview, there is no absolute answer to this question.
• Absalom, the blue caterpillar, is presented as “absolute” but he never gives absolute answers.

Dream vs. reality

• Was Alice dreaming?
• She’s wearing the same dress that she left in, but brings her wounds from Wonderland.
• Absalom says, “See you in another life.”
• Christians look forward to another life in another world.
• Absalom transformed into a new life and into a new world.

The Vorpal Sword

• The nonsense poetry of the Jabberwocky poem.
• The Vorpal Sword fights for itself—all you have to do is hold onto it. In the Bible, God’s Word is often referred to as a sword and Scripture does not return void—so powerful that Christians just have to hold on to it and present it and let it work for itself.

Choice

• Choice seems to be a major theme in Alice in Wonderland.
• In Scripture, we are asked to choose to serve God
• The choice presented in the movie is choosing what other people want to do or what you want to do.
• Doing God’s Will fulfills us.

Feminist agenda?

• Movie supports a historical feminist agenda. There is an opposite issue today.
• Scripture teaches equality but differences in authority, roles, and responsibilities.
• The issue today is that woman are ostracized for staying at home and being a full-time wife and mother.

Impossible things

• Six impossible things before breakfast.
• Christians should think of the impossible ways that God works in their lives—”God-sightings.”

Bible references

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NASB)

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11, NASB)

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14, NASB)

“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods. (Joshua 24:15–16, NASB)

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'” (Jeremiah 19:11, NASB)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28, NASB)

Weblinks

• Our new sponsor, D.King Designer, for publication design
• Join the incredible “I Am Not Ashamed” campaign
• Plugged In Online’s review of Alice in Wonderland

What did you think?

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Are You Just Watching?™ is produced and sponsored by D.Joseph Design. The opening vocal talent is thanks to Mariah. Our theme song is used courtesy of Answers in Genesis, from their exciting vacation Bible school curriculum, Operation Space.