My 25 Favorite Films

Below is a list of my 25 favorite movies. It was difficult to narrow it down to just a few. As in my blog post about my favorite John Wayne movies, this is not a film critic’s list of the best movies ever made. It is simply a list of my favorite films that I most enjoy watching.

You may notice that several directors and actors appear multiple times on the list such as Alfred Hitchcock, David Lean, Harrison Ford, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Alec Guinness, and Audrey Hepburn. Films from the 1960’s are also represented well on this list. You’ll notice several Christmas movies on the list, too. I’m always up for a good Christmas movie, in season of course. And you’ll find several classics on my list that also made AFI’s 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time list.

In junior high, I took a class entitled, The History of Great Movie Classics. I can probably trace my love of classic movies to two things–that class and Turner Classic Movies. There were several more classics that I wanted to squeeze on here, but there are only so many spots available.

25. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

I first saw this film in my high-school Psychology class, and in the last few years I try to watch it every Christmas season (the cable channel AMC has shown it often). I also like the 1994 remake, but I think the original is better. The movie was filmed in black and white, but there is also a 1985 colorized version. I know a lot of people hate the colorized version, but on this movie I actually prefer it to the black and white.

This is a heartwarming classic about a department store Santa Claus who tries to help a single mother and her daughter believe in Santa, only to find himself on trial defending his sanity, with his lawyer friend trying to convince the judge that Kris Kringle is who he says he is.

The film stars Maureen O’Hara as the skeptical mother, John Payne as the attorney, Edmund Gwenn as Santa Claus, Gene Lockhart as the judge and Natalie Wood as the daughter who helps her mom believe in Santa again. George Seaton directed and wrote the screenplay. The film won three Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture. It was also selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. If you want a feel-good movie to get you in the mood for Christmas, this is a great place to start.

24. The Birds (1963)

I saw this Hitchcock classic in junior high, I’ve loved it ever since. Starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, and Suzanne Pleshette, this thriller/horror film is about a seaside town in California which is plagued by mysterious bird attacks. Hitchcock does a good job of slowly building the tension as the viewer gets introduced to the various characters. You’ll never look at a flock of birds the same way after seeing this movie. This film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

23. Vertigo (1958)

Another Hitchcock classic, this psychological thriller has been underrated for years, until recently. My first time to see it was on TCM. This is a movie that I enjoyed more on the second and third viewings. The film is a little long at 128 minutes, but it builds to a climactic conclusion. Set in beautiful San Francisco, the film stars Jimmy Stewart, Kim Novak, and Barbara Bel Geddes. It is considered by critics to be among the best films ever made, and it is listed at 9th on AFI’s 100 Greatest American Films of All Time. The memorable score by Bernard Herrmann sets the mood for the film.

22. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

What can I say? Audrey Hepburn is exquisite in this film. Simply no one else could have played the role of Holly Golightly like her. Her charm and beauty are unmatched. From the opening credits when the song “Moon River” plays and Hepburn gets out of the taxi in that iconic dress, you know you’re in for a treat. The film also stars George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Mickey Rooney (in a controversial performance), and Buddy Ebsen. This romantic comedy has a unique appeal. It’s really unlike any other movie I’ve seen and is in a class of its own. The story is adapted from a Truman Capote novella. That may explain the eccentric nature of the film.

21. White Christmas (1954)

It just doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve watched this annual favorite. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen star in this Christmas classic with Michael Curtiz directing. It was filmed in beautiful Technicolor and the first to be released using the Vista Vision widescreen process. The famous song, “White Christmas” was originally introduced in the film, Holiday Inn. This movie is a light, feel good movie that promises to be a fun ride and get you in the mood for the holiday season. The music and dance numbers are exceptionally well-done. I was a latecomer to this one as I saw it for the first time in my thirties. I don’t know how I missed it.

20. Charade (1963)

Hepburn shows up again on the list, this time with the suave Cary Grant in a Stanley Donen directed romantic comedy/suspense thriller from the sixties. The cast also includes Walter Matthau, James Coburn, and George Kennedy. It was filmed on location in Paris and has been called “the best Hitchcock movie that Hitchcock never made.” It has a complicated plot that includes the CIA, missing gold, and valuable stamps. I think I first discovered this one on TCM.

19. North by Northwest (1959)

You knew Cary Grant would have more than one movie on here. No one else on the big screen makes it look easier or more natural. This spy thriller is another Hitchcock classic; besides Grant, it also stars Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Martin Landau. It involves a case of mistaken identity, kidnapping, international intrigue, a chase scene including a crop duster (as seen in the above picture), and a climax scene at Mount Rushmore. This is a fun ride that you can enjoy again and again.

18. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

I grew up watching the Indiana Jones trilogy (the fourth movie came later). Obviously, the first one is a classic. The second installment was disturbing and disappointing. The third one is my favorite. The addition of Sean Connery as Indiana’s father was a genius move. The chemistry between Harrison Ford and Connery really came alive on the big screen. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas had a hand in the story. River Phoenix even appears as a young Indiana Jones. The plot involves a race between the Jones’ and the Nazis to find the Holy Grail. The culmination of the film at Al-Khazneh in Petra is some of the most mesmerizing moments in cinematic history.

17. Inception (2010)

If you like movies that make you think, this film is for you. Christopher Nolan directed this brilliant sci-fi/action thriller. It has a great lineup: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe, and Cillian Murphy. Inception displays some awesome, otherworldly visuals. The special effects are superb, but the strength of the movie is the exploration of the concept of implanting ideas into someone’s subconscious using dreams. The film concludes with an unforgettable on-the-edge-of-your-seat final 45 minute ending. I don’t think I have ever been so engrossed in a movie like I have with the final third of this movie. This is a film that will be rolling around in your head long after you watch it.

16. Braveheart (1995)

This is one of those landmark movies that became a cultural phenomenon. Whenever someone shouts, “Freedom!”, this film comes to mind. At 178 minutes, it is the epic story of the famous Scottish warrior and national hero, William Wallace. Mel Gibson directed and starred in the movie alongside Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, and Brendan Gleeson. The viewer will be treated to beautiful scenery and intense battle sequences in this historical drama and action film. While Braveheart contains plenty of historical inaccuracies, it still remains an inspirational film that captures the pathos of the struggle for Scottish independence against the English.

15. Crocodile Dundee (1986)

This very entertaining movie has it all–adventure, comedy, and romance. It has a great premise, likable characters and beautiful locations (the Australian Outback and New York City). In short, it’s a lot of fun. It stars Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski, who eventually married in real life and later divorced. The movie was based upon the experiences of Rod Ansell. This is one of the signature movies of the Eighties. The sequel is also worth seeing. It reverses the order of locations in the first movie by starting out in New York City and ending up in Australia.

14. Chariots of Fire (1981)

My dad showed us this movie when we were younger. As a child, I found it a little slow, but as an adult I really grew to appreciate it. It’s the true story of two British Olympians, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, who both ran in the 1924 Olympics. It’s a story of faith, principle, and purpose. The iconic opening and closing scenes with the athletes running on the beach are set to the beautiful and memorable score by Vangelis. This British film was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture. The film stars Ian Charleson as Liddell, Ben Cross as Abrahams, as well as Nigel Havers, Nicholas Farrell, Ian Holm, and Alice Krige. There is a wonderful line in the film, spoken as Liddell competes in the Olympics, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

13. Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope (1977)

Obviously, this one is a classic. The franchise became so much more than just a movie. It changed cinematic history and became part of the culture. There are not many people who haven’t heard of Star Wars. I grew up watching the original trilogy (Episodes 4, 5, and 6). In my mind, these original movies are far superior to the later ones. The making of Star Wars is a story in itself. George Lucas wrote and directed the film, and he faced all kinds of obstacles during filming. Others couldn’t see his vision, and many didn’t take the film seriously before it was released. But that would soon change.

Star Wars is a space opera, which stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing and Alec Guinness. Containing adventure, comedy, romance, action, and drama, this film is extremely entertaining. The lovable characters make the movie as much as the plot and action do. The special effects were groundbreaking at the time. And the score by John Williams is one of the most recognized pieces of music ever. It is number one on AFI’s List of Best Film Scores. And, yes, I had many of the action figures and toys from the movie. In fact, my kids now play with them.

12. The Fugitive (1993)

I really love this movie. I saw it in the theater when it came out, and I’ve enjoyed it almost as much on subsequent viewings. I’m a Harrison Ford fan, so that probably has a lot to do with it. I also enjoy the Chicago setting, especially the Saint Patrick’s parade scene. This action thriller starts out fast and rarely slows down until the ending. Tommy Lee Jones, as Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard, is a great counterpart to Ford’s character of Dr. Richard Kimble. I think what makes this movie great, besides the suspense of the chase, is that even though you find yourself rooting for Dr. Kimble, you also sympathize with Gerard at the same time. This film was based upon a television series of the same name.

11. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

This is a movie that grew on me each time I watched it. When I saw it in the theater, it was my first exposure to J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy adventure. I had not read the novel, so I came to it completely fresh. Upon my first viewing, I found it long and slow, but I didn’t really appreciate what it was all about. As I watched it on repeated viewings, I really grew to love the film. A thought-provoking morality tale is created around a central theme–the dangers of absolute power.

Directed by Peter Jackson and filmed in New Zealand, The Fellowship’s ensemble cast includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, and Andy Serkis. Fellowship is the first installment in this film trilogy.

The scenery is awe-inspiring. One of the highlights of the film is the scene where the Fellowship travels through the Mines of Moria. It is one of the most unique and exciting sequences that I’ve ever seen in a movie. The score adds a lot of poignancy to the film. The movie is well cast; it is difficult to imagine anyone other than Elijah Wood as Frodo.

10. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (TV version)

This popular movie is loved by many. It is based upon a Stephen King novella. It is the story of the friendship between two prisoners, Andy Dufresne and Red, and Dufresne’s journey to freedom after being falsely accused of the murder of his wife and her lover. Red serves as the narrator in the film. The story is uplifting and speaks to the common humanity of us all. The main theme of the movie is hope. One of the most memorable lines of the film is spoken by Andy Dufresne, “Get busy living, or get busy dying.”

Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and Bob Gunton star in the film. The chemistry of the friendship between Red and Dufresne make the film. The warmth of their friendship contrasts with the bleak atmosphere of the gray prison walls.

This movie gets shown a lot on cable television, and that is where I mostly remember seeing it. I watched the DVD version one time, and I was shocked by the amount of foul language in the film, so much so that I feel it detracted from the beauty of the story. That is why I recommended the “TV version” of the film above.

9. El Dorado (1966)

John Wayne afficionados are familiar with the fact that El Dorado is basically a remake of Rio Bravo with the same plot but with different actors around Wayne. You can also include Rio Lobo in this Howard Hawks trilogy, but the last installment was an inferior film to the other two.

El Dorado is my favorite of the three because it’s the most fun, but Rio Bravo is the one loved by the critics. Basically, El Dorado has everything you would want from a John Wayne movie–the Western setting, adventure, comedy, romance, zany antics, lots of gunfights, crazy characters, and memorable lines. Look for the scene where the Duke and Mississippi, played by a young James Caan, mix up a concoction to sober up the sheriff, played by Robert Mitchum. The cast also includes the sultry Charlene Holt as Wayne’s love interest, a young Ed Asner as the villain Bart Jason, Paul Fix as Dr. Miller, a hilarious Arthur Hunnicutt as Bull with a bugle, a spry Michele Carey, and Christopher George as the professional gunfighter, Nelse McLeod.

All three movies revolve around a sheriff and his deputies defending a town against outlaws. The good guys are holed up in the jail as they hold one of the bad guys as a prisoner. You know where the plot is headed, but it sure is entertaining getting there. I’ve watched this movie countless times, and I still enjoy it almost as much as the first time I saw it. I saw it in my last year of college during a difficult semester. It was a refreshing escape.

There are a lot of great lines in the film like when Wayne’s character, Cole Thornton, finds the sheriff, J.P. Harrah, drunk in bed. J.P. asks Thornton what he’s doing there, and Wayne delivers a line as only he can, “I’m looking at a tin star with a….drunk pinned on it.” In my opinion, this movie is John Wayne at his best.

(The above passage about El Dorado was taken from one of my previous blog posts entitled, “My Top 10 John Wayne Movies.”: https://wesleyprovine.com/2021/07/19/my-top-10-john-wayne-movies/)

8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

David Lean, known for his epic historical dramas, directed this classic. It is based upon the life of T.E. Lawrence, an officer in the British Army in World War I. The plot centers around Lawrence’s efforts in the Arab Revolt to unite the various tribes and recruit them to fight against the Ottoman Turks.

Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, and Claude Rains star in this winner of 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The cinematography and musical score are excellent. There are many widescreen shots of the desert that really immerse the viewer in the Middle Eastern world.

It will help if you enjoy history when watching this film. A knowledge of Britain’s role in the Middle East during and after WWI will be helpful as well. But even if you aren’t a history buff, you can still enjoy the beautiful panoramas. This film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

7. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

This is the quintessential Christmas movie. I watch it every Christmas Eve. I remember the first time I watched it on Christmas Eve on a local PBS station. I knew I had stumbled upon a treasure. This Frank Capra film is classic Americana, and it makes one nostalgic for more innocent times. Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchel, Henry Travers, and Ward Bond star in this film, which is based upon a short story, The Greatest Gift, which is loosely based upon Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

At 131 minutes, the film is long, but the length is necessary to develop the characters and backstory. Everyone should see this film at least once. It has become part of the fabric of our culture. Interestingly, it was not always so popular. Due to a lapse in the copyright, the film was shown often on television in the 70’s and 80’s, which spurred its rise to classic status. The film has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

6. Doctor Zhivago (1965)

Another David Lean film, Doctor Zhivago is an epic historical romantic drama which begins before the Russian Revolution and ends during the Stalinist era. The film is based upon the Boris Pasternak novel of the same name. The revolution and civil war serve as the backdrop to a tragic romance. Omar Sharif, Geraldine Chaplin, Julie Christie, Tom Courtenay, Alec Guinness, and Rod Steiger, and Ralph Richardson star in this classic.

I think I first saw the film on TCM after I took a class on the Russian Revolution. I always thought the film did a good job of showing the miseries of communism and Bolshevism. But the film is not all politics. Besides the obvious love story, it is really about how the various characters deal with the crises inflicted upon them by the revolution. It is a story about humanity and suffering.

The film won five Oscars, including Best Original Score and Best Cinematography, and was nominated for five more. The music is very memorable in the film, especially “Lara’s Theme.” The ice palace scene is not to be missed.

5. The Patriot (2000)

A great movie to watch on Independence Day, The Patriot may not be historically accurate in every detail, but it will remind you of why you love America. I get a tear in my eye whenever I watch the scene where Benjamin rides off to the last battle of the film while holding the flag. Also, if it doesn’t get you pumped when Benjamin screams, “No retreat. Hold the line!”, in the midst of the battle, I don’t know what will.

The film stars Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, and Joely Richardson. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Sound. Set in the Revolutionary War, the film’s protagonist is Benjamin Martin, a colonist in South Carolina, who reluctantly fights in the war. The Martin character is based upon four historical figures.

4. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Another Frank Capra classic, this political drama made quite a splash when it was released. It’s a story about a political novice who goes to Washington as a newly appointed Senator and finds out the hard way that D.C. is more corrupt than he could have imagined. He is further disillusioned when his bill for a boys’ camp in his home state comes into conflict with the plans of his political hero, who is not what he appears to be.

Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, and Claude Rains star in this whistleblower film. Being a Jimmy Stewart fan and a student of history and politics, I always loved this film. It’s a classic David versus Goliath underdog story. It reminds us all of the principles that made our country great–honesty, hard work, and concern for our fellow man.

3. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

This movie is really underrated. You don’t hear much about it, but it is very solid. It’s based, of course, upon the classic Alexandre Dumas novel. This film was directed by Kevin Reynolds and stars Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris, James Frain, Dagmara Dominczyk, and Luis Guzmán. The story is a classic tale of love, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness. And it’s a really fun ride. I recently watched the 1975 TV movie version, and I found this 2002 version far superior. Jim Caviezel is wonderful as Edmond Dantès.

I wrote a previous blog post about this movie. You can find it here: https://wesleyprovine.com/2018/03/18/justice-or-mercy/

2. Casablanca (1942)

I love classic movies, and Casablanca is the best of the best. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the film stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Although the film had a solid release, few if any expected it to turn into the classic it has become.

Casablanca is the WWII-era story of a cynical but romantic nightclub owner who is confronted with his former love and a choice about whether to serve himself or the Allied cause. The movie is full of famous lines like, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” “We’ll always have Paris,” and “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Interestingly, “Play it again, Sam” is often misquoted. The actual line is, “Play it, Sam.” The song that Rick is referring to is the beautiful, “As Time Goes By.”

The film won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was also one of the first films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Even those who have not seen the movie have likely heard of it since the film has become such a part of our culture. Casablanca may be the best picture to ever appear on the Silver Screen.

1. The Natural (1984)

This is so much more than a baseball movie. It has mythology, history, nostalgia, romance, humor, and inspiration. Based upon the novel by Bernard Malamud, the film differs in tone from the book. While Malamud’s version presents a cynical take on Roy Hobbs, the movie is much more forgiving and strikes an optimistic note.

Directed by Barry Levinson, the film has an all-star cast which includes Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger, Wilford Brimley, Barbara Hershey, Richard Farnsworth, Robert Prosky, Joe Don Baker, Darren McGavin, and Michael Madsen. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards.

The Natural borrows elements from the legend of King Arthur as well as Homer’s Odyssey. The true story of the shooting of baseball player Eddie Waitkus also influenced the film. This is a story of redemption and second chances.

I saw this movie in the theater as a kid with my mother and have loved it ever since. My brother and I even carved “Wonderboy” into a wooden bat that we used to play with in the backyard. This movie is my favorite because I never get tired of watching it, and it does more than entertain. It speaks to the heart and the human condition. The themes and lessons of the film give it a timeless quality.

I wrote an earlier blog post about the mythology in The Natural. You can find it here: https://wesleyprovine.com/2019/04/08/symbolism-and-second-chances-in-the-film-the-natural/

Not all the movies that I like made the list. So here are my Honorable Mentions:

Back to Future III

The Best Years of Our Lives

The Big Sleep

The Bourne Supremacy

City Lights

Dark Passage

Dr. Strangelove

Emma

Entrapment

First Knight

Gladiator

High Noon

I, Robot

Legends of the Fall

The Mask of Zorro

National Treasure

A Perfect Murder

Rocky IV

Shattered

Singing in the Rain

Troy

Independence Day Should Cause Us to Reflect upon our History

I want to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day. It was a good day. We enjoyed patriotic music in church this morning, a family cookout with games this afternoon, and fireworks tonight. I really enjoy celebrating America’s birthday. It probably helps that I love the summertime and the extra hours of daylight.

Our country has been through so much the past couple of years–COVID, shutdowns, racial tension, riots, a contested election, moral revolution and upheaval, and whatever that was on January 6.

Sometimes I feel like we our losing the country that I grew up in. Marxist ideologies like socialism and Critical Race Theory as well as a constant degradation of our nation’s history and heritage in our media, schools, and national consciousness threaten to tear apart the fabric of our nation. The most depressing aspect of these conditions is that these beliefs are starting to seep into areas once off limits–like churches.

The reason why our history is being rewritten is because our history has been largely forgotten. Those ignorant of their own heritage are susceptible to dangerous ideologies.

In the novel 1984 George Orwell writes:

“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street and building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And that process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped.”

That quote hits a little too close to home these days. We see statues being torn down, books being banned or censored, and America being rebranded as an oppressor instead of the land of the free. Our youth are taught to hate our country and its history. Many of these same youth know little of the murderous history of communism in places like China, Cuba, and the Soviet Union. They have largely rejected traditional American values and embraced the tyrannical ideologies of Lenin and Mao.

“Everything faded into mist. The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth.” 1984, George Orwell

One solution to this problem is to get back to our foundations and to remember from whence we came. Let us study and learn our history in such a way that promotes patriotism and love of country rather than cynicism and nihilism. As I read about our Founding Fathers and founding documents, a love of America wells up inside of me. I begin to recognize the long tradition of freedom in which we have been privileged to participate.

Our country is not without fault, but no nation is. It’s all about perspective. Are we going to focus on the positive or the negative? Marxists want to deconstruct Western Civilization to create a utopia that can never exist. We’ve seen the results of such utopias in the 20th century–millions of innocent people killed. Yet, America has done so much good in the world. Its has promoted freedom around the world, vastly elevated the standard of living of its own citizens, and corrected many of its own faults through its ingenious constitutional republican form of government.

We also must remember our Christian heritage. From the Pilgrims to the Great Awakening to Billy Graham crusades, our nation has a long history of faith. But Marxism and communism are antithetical to a Christian society. Much of what is currently taking place in America’s educational system is due to a sustained effort by those on the Left to undermine and tear down the Judeo-Christian foundation of America. They know that if they can replace our Christian roots with their “America as an oppressor” narrative, they can remake the United States into something unrecognizable.

Sadly, America has turned its back on God of late and embraced many wicked ideas, behaviors, and policies. There is definitely a need for repentance and revival. One of the best things you can do for our country is to pray for her. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 the Bible reminds us of this principle:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

So on this Independence Day, let us rediscover our history as well as our love of country. Read the Declaration of Independence. Teach our traditions to the next generation. Set off fireworks and eat some hot dogs. America should be celebrated. We have a rich history and heritage of freedom and faith. Don’t let those who hate her rob you of your patriotism. And don’t let ignorance of the past cause you to slacken your resolve in defending the freedom you now enjoy.

We’re Losing Our Country

We’re losing our country, and it saddens me. The worst part is that we are doing it to ourselves. Or we are at least allowing it to happen. I’ve often been disappointed by the lack of people who take a stand or speak up about what is going on these days in the land of the free. Yet, there are some faithful patriots who refuse to give in to the woke communists and the leftists. God bless them.

The primary problem I see is that there are too many silent Americans who value their jobs, reputation, or friendships more than they value freedom or truth. We need more to speak out against the leftist takeover of our nation.

The worst silence is the silence in the pulpits. You would think that preachers would be screaming as loud as they can about the dangers posed to our families and freedoms, but sadly that is not the case for the most part. Everyone is afraid.

We need more sons of Issachar who understand the times. We need more Davids to fight the Goliaths. We need more Pauls who will boldly speak the truth.

My Thoughts on the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville

Before the 2021 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Nashville last week, I thought that the new President would probably be Georgia pastor and outgoing Executive Committee (EC) Chairman Mike Stone or Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler. I really liked Stone’s conservative stances. As for Mohler, he represented the establishment, which opposes false teaching like Critical Race Theory (CRT) publicly, but seems to allow it to be taught in the seminaries.

Northwest Baptist Convention Executive Director/Treasurer Randy Adams was also running. I liked Adams’ platform which pushed for transparency and local control, but I wondered whether he had the name recognition to win the race. The person I least expected to win was Alabama pastor Ed Litton. I really didn’t think he had a shot. I considered him the woke candidate, and I felt like he would bring the same left-wing policies of his predecessor, J.D. Greear.

So I was surprised and very disappointed when I heard that Ed Litton had won. In the first round of voting, Albert Mohler received 26.32% of the vote, Mike Stone received 36.48%, Ed Litton received 32.38%, and Randy Adams received 4.71%. In the runoff (the winner had to get a majority), Ed Litton won with 6,834 for 52.04% of the vote, and Mike Stone had 6,278 for 47.81% of the vote.

Many people think that former Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore was to blame for Stone’s loss. In the days leading up to the annual meeting, there were two letters written by Moore which were leaked. They painted Stone and the Executive Committee in a very negative light. The first letter was written to the ERLC trustees; the second one was written to former SBC President J.D. Greear. In the first letter, Moore said that SBC leaders wanted him to live in “psychological terror.” In the second letter, Moore slandered Stone by accusing him of stonewalling investigations into abuse allegations.

Many suspect that Moore leaked the letters himself. Moore’s sleazy actions appeared political and vindictive. Moore was likely upset with Stone and the EC for assigning a task force to investigate the ERLC’s effectiveness in February 2020. Some see Moore’s actions as an act of revenge. It seemed to work in the short term. Stone lost the election, and the woke candidate won.

It wasn’t just the presidential election that was a disappointment. SBC leaders were also dismissive of messengers on the floor. A motion to rescind 2019’s infamous Resolution 9 (which approved CRT as an analytical tool) was rejected on procedural grounds. A motion on women’s responsibility in abortion was also rejected. And Kevin Ezell deferred to someone else when a messenger asked him about transparency of salaries within the North American Mission Board (NAMB).

So it was more of the same from a denomination that continues to drift leftward. Even though 15,726 messengers showed up to Nashville (the most since 1995), conservatives within the SBC continue to feel like the elites at the top refuse to listen to them and are doubling down on their woke ideologies, though at times they may throw us a bone by giving lip service to conservative causes.

Next year’s meeting is in Anaheim. It will likely be harder for conservatives to gather in large numbers there since it’s on the West Coast. In addition, many conservatives are already fleeing the denomination. At this point, we may have to also consider pulling out of a denomination which no longer listens to or respects the people sitting in the pews–people who just want to be faithful to the Word of God.

The Church Needs Courageous Leaders

Men with courage and conviction are in short supply these days. I’m often discouraged by the lack of men who are willing to take a bold, biblical stand on the issues du jour. This is true not just for society, but within the church as well.

It seems many are just too afraid to speak openly on what the Bible says on issues like human sexuality, gender, politics, freedom, etc. Many leaders seem more concerned with their prestige and position, being accepted by the Academy, pleasing people, and being popular. As a result, many leaders speak out of both sides of their mouths. It’s often difficult to tell where they stand on a certain issue. They are often silent when they should be speaking up.

President Ronald Reagan warned against being all things to all people. He spoke of raising a banner:

A banner of bold colors, no pale pastels. A banner instantly recognizable as standing for certain values which will not be compromised. 

We need this kind of bold, clear thinking in the church. In an age when moral and theological lines are blurred, and society is more confused than ever about right and wrong, we need the church to be the pillar and foundation of the truth. Leaders should quit worrying about being “nice” and start being concerned with being faithful.

I’m convinced many churchgoers in the pew don’t know the Biblical position on certain issues because their pastor never speaks about them. Thus, they probably get their ideas about what to think about those issues from the world. And we know the world is not telling them the truth.

What causes this silence among Christian leaders? Fear of persecution, fear of losing a job, and fear of losing friends are just a few of the reasons. More than ever, we need singularly focused men of God who care only about what the Word of God says; men who will speak that truth boldly and unapologetically regardless of the pushback. We need men who won’t calculate how many people will leave or quit giving money. We need men who will obey God rather than men. We need men of courage and conviction.

The National Day of Prayer

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Thursday, May 6, is the National Day of Prayer. Our nation desperately needs God, but sadly it has rebelled against the principles found in the Word of God. So let us pray for repentance and revival in our land. The Bible also commands us to pray for our leaders.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In addition to our leaders, here are some other things that you can pray for on the National Day of Prayer: national repentance and revival, national security, the military, policemen and other first responders, health care workers, families, pastors and churches, schools and teachers, and the news media.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Let us humble ourselves, confess our sins, and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. Only God can solve the multitude of problems which face our nation. He is compassionate and ready to forgive, if only we would seek Him.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Here is a link to the National Day of Prayer website:

National Day of Prayer website

A Biblical Understanding of Earth Day

“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭24:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The first Earth Day was celebrated on the 100th anniversary of the birthday of the Russian Communist leader, Vladimir Lenin. Whether this was planned or a coincidence is unclear, but many associate Earth Day with left-wing politics.

According to Wikipedia, Earth Day was first proposed in 1969 at a UNESCO conference in San Francisco by peace activist, John McConnell. He wanted it to be on the first day of Spring, March 21, 1970. A month later, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed an environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970, making him the founder of Earth Day.

Many people, who are unaware of the leftist beginnings of Earth Day, become emotional when it comes to ecological issues and treat environmentalism as a quasi-religion. Clear thinking is important on this topic, however, and it’s important that we have a Biblical worldview of the earth and mankind’s relation to it. A brief overview of some of what the Bible says on this topic might be helpful.

In Genesis 1:1, we learn that, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” It took God six days, and on the seventh day He rested. God saw that his creation was good. He put Adam in charge of dressing and keeping (tending and cultivating) the garden.

In Genesis 3, we read about the serpent and the sin of Adam and Eve. This event is called The Fall. The curse of sin came upon the human race, as well as all of creation.

In Genesis 6 and 7, we read about how God sent a universal flood upon the earth as judgment upon mankind for the widespread violence and wickedness. Noah built an ark, and he and his family were the only eight survivors of the Flood.

In Genesis 9:1, God blessed Noah and his sons, and told them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish (fill) the earth.” God established the Noahic Covenant, which dealt with man’s relationship to earth and nature, and it also set up human government.

“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In Genesis 11, mankind united to rebel against God and built the Tower of Babel. God confounded their language and scattered the people over all the earth. Then in Genesis 12, we read of the call of Abram, and the story of the nation of Israel begins.

In Psalm 8, David tells us that God made man “a little lower than the angels”, made him “to have dominion over the works of thy hands”, and “has put all things under his feet.” So it’s clear from this passage that God has put man in charge of the earth. The Lord owns it, and man is the steward of His creation.

Of course in the New Testament, we have the Good News of the Gospel, in which Jesus Christ redeems us from sin by his sacrificial death upon the cross and his resurrection from the dead three days later. This has implications for creation, too, as we’ll see in the book of Romans.

In fact, the book of Romans has much to say about the topic of creation. In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul talks about the witness of creation to mankind. He discusses how the invisible things of God, His eternal power and divine nature, are clearly seen from the creation. He speaks of how men failed to give glory and thanks to God, and became vain in their imaginations, with their foolish hearts becoming darkened. Man descended into idolatry and began to worship and serve the “creature more than the Creator.”

In Romans 8, Paul talks about how the creation was made subject to vanity but waits for the manifestation of the sons of God when it will “be delivered from the bondage of corruption into glorious liberty of the children of God.”

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then in 2 Peter 3, the Apostle Peter tells us that the earth will be destroyed a second time (the first being the Flood) with fire–“the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” This is the real global warming.

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Finally, in Revelation 21, the Apostle John also tells us, like Peter, that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. So the effects of the Fall will be reversed as God redeems and restores mankind, as well as creation.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:5‬ ‭

So what can we conclude from these passages, and how does all of this relate to Earth Day? First, God is the Creator. He made the earth as well mankind. He alone deserves our worship. Second, God has given man dominion over His creation. We are to be responsible in our stewardship of creation. We shouldn’t pollute it, waste natural resources, or do unnecessary harm to it. Third, we need to recognize that sin has marred creation, and it is not in the condition which God originally intended. Fourth, we need to remember that this earth is temporary. It will eventually be destroyed. And that is the fundamental problem with Earth Day. It encourages us to put our hope in temporary things and neglects to mention the Creator. Our hope should be in God, not in things which are passing away. A new heaven and earth await believers in Jesus Christ. So as Christians, we look forward to when Christ returns to reign over the earth. Our focus is not on Earth Day, but on the Day of the Lord.

The State of Tyranny

“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.” O’brien in 1984, George Orwell

In the opening narration of the classic Twilight Zone episode, The Obsolete Man, Rod Serling states that in this dictatorship:

“Logic is the enemy, and truth is a menace.”

If there were ever a statement that describes our society, that might be it. Don’t believe me? Try telling someone on the Left that there are only two genders and see the response that you get. Or ask why it was acceptable for protestors and rioters to gather in large crowds last year, but it was not permissible to attend church in certain places. Or why it makes sense to pass a $1.9 trillion stimulus bill when our government was already $27 trillion in debt? Or why certain Dr. Seuss books are harmful to children, but drag queen story hour is allowed? Or why we are going backward in race relations by holding separate graduation ceremonies based upon categories such as race, as they did at Columbia University?

Now, it is true that not all these violations of logic are coming from the federal government. Some of these unwritten edicts are from corporations, academia, or just society in general. It is tyranny nevertheless. And Orwellian tyranny at that because like it says in the Serling quote above, it is based upon attacks against truth and logic. We are being gaslighted. We self-censor and question our own sanity for using what was considered common sense just a few short years ago.

In Ronald Reagan’s first inaugural address, the great communicator said:

“Our government has no power except that granted it by the people.”

Sadly, we as a people are granting the government the power to suppress the truth, criminalize logic, and ultimately tell us how to think. In 1984, Winston had to worry about thoughtcrimes, newspeak, and doublethink. We aren’t far off from such horrors.

Our First Amendment promises freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, and the freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances. All of these are under attack today.

Serling concluded The Obsolete Man with the statement:

Any state, any entity, any ideology which fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of Man…that state is obsolete.

And Thomas Jefferson wrote in The Declaration of Independence:

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

So let us not tolerate tyranny, but declare it obsolete. Let us not promote it, but let us overthrow it. For we do not want the proverbial boot upon our face. We desire a society which honors truth and uses logic. If we accept the insanity in our culture, we ourselves become insane as well. Let us not become what we hate. Let us instead be lovers of freedom.