Obviously, a three-minute video is not meant to be an all-encompassing presentation of the entire story of redemptive grace; it’s more of an opportunity to open a conversation with someone who perhaps has never heard that God’s grace is not offered to us because we no longer sin, but it is given to us in spite of our sin.
That said, I think it fulfills this purpose well:
10 comments
Sean Norris says:
Apr 30, 2009
Definitely a good vid, Jeff. Thanks!
Having the phrase “The wages of sin is death.” repeat again and again really hit home, and it was amazing when the silhouette of Jesus on the cross appeared because the death that should be ours became His. Powerful imagery.
Aaron M. G. Zimmerman says:
Apr 30, 2009
Overall, I like the video. At first, it seemed like starting in Eden and with Abraham would be lost on most people “out there” since there is so little biblical literacy today. But the repetition of sinful people chosen by God was helpful.
I also actually liked that there was no “pray the prayer” at the end. I feel that often comes off as cheesy when not done face to face. And sometimes feels too Arminian anyways.
Finally–I echo Sean in that the repetition of the “Wages of sin” bit was powerful.
Sean Norris says:
Apr 30, 2009
Your check is in the mail, Aaron:)
Jeff Hual says:
Apr 30, 2009
Sean and Aaron, I’m glad you liked it.
I’m always looking for tools like this to reach out to people and get them in the door (so that I can bore them with my Sunday school class).
I liked the recuring them of Romans 6:23, too, and I also liked that they started and ended with “mercy” from a Bible openned to Romans 12:1. Very “Romans-y” feel to the whole thing.
And Aaron, I agree about the whole “pray the prayer” thing: usually turns people off in my experience. I want them to watch something like this and start asking me questions, then we’ll get to the next step in due time.
Jeff Hual says:
Apr 30, 2009
Oh, and Sean, I agree about the imagery. Overall, video crafted to evoke an emotional response. Very powerful, especially the cross and the 6:23 quote with the nails.
Jacob says:
Apr 30, 2009
I was just getting ready to put this video up. I really liked the fact that it demonstrated clearly Law and Gospel in the Old Testament.
Jeff Hual says:
May 1, 2009
Jacob, that’s an excellent point!
Michael Cooper says:
May 1, 2009
Thanks for this little theology-packed gem, Jeff. To me, it is so good because it sees the “mercy” continuity from OT to NT. I also love that whole Romans 12:1 verse, because it grounds the whole “works” thing on God’s mercy.
Jeff Hual says:
May 2, 2009
Michael, glad you liked it. I really love its overall theme of “mercy” as well.
Andrea says:
May 2, 2009
I love this video. It is great that it goes through the OT showing God’s mercy. I’ve heard so many people say that grace is a NT thing and that the OT is all law. This video gives us a glimpse of how merciful God is throughout the bible and that His character is the same. Also, I love that it points out that the wages of sin is death. We have to remember that or we can’t see how amazing God’s grace is. Recently, when we were up against some spiritual warfare, that verse kept coming to mind as I got annoyed by Satan’s nuisances. I don’t “deserve” anything but death. I certainly didn’t “deserve” to have working plumbing during Holy Week. Remembering that what I actually deserve is death, makes grace stand out like a triple rainbow in the desert.