Matthew McConaughey won an Oscar. And, boy, are Christians happy about it. I mean, Christians are jumping up and down for this Texas boy for his big win because he actually thanked God in his acceptance speech. He did, he gave God credit and he thanked his wife like he should and he gave a rambling speech that really made me wonder why they weren’t starting up the music to cut him off. They let Matthew talk for almost four minutes, and the clip of his speech is all over the internet.
Christians are so proud.
And, I can’t blame us. I mean, how often do we hear a major celebrity, an Oscar winner, no less, identifying with us? How often do we get that kind of star power in our corner? It almost makes us seem sort of cool and legitimate.
I liked his speech, although I thought it was a little heavy on the Matthew McConaughey. He’s chasing a hero, who is himself in ten years? Really? But, no matter. He mentioned God and that’s all that counts. It obviously shows that he loves the Lord and lives his life for Him and we will all be fans of his forever because of this speech.
But, there’s one tiny issue with setting Matthew McConaughey up as our next great Christian idol. And, the problem is the movie he won the Oscar for. And pretty much every other movie he’s ever made. (Anyone remember a little film called Magic Mike?) According to pluggedin.com, Dallas Buyer’s Club opens with McConaughey’s character having sex with two girls at the same time in a rodeo stall. That’s only the beginning of the explicit sexual content in the movie. In addition to the nudity, masturbation, and pornography, the film contains over 100 f-words and God’s name is used as a curse word over 20 times.
Matthew McConaughey made this movie, which he was rewarded by Hollywood for making, which goes out into our society and poisons the hearts and minds of our men, women, and young people. And then he gets up to accept his award for making filth that turns hearts away from God, and he thanks God for the opportunity, and Christians applaud him as if he has done something incredible.
We have got to get over our obsession with celebrity and start making connections between what people say and what they actually do. It is never going to be a good thing for Christianity for us to hold these celebrities up as examples of what a Christian should be. If we want to show the world examples of Christianity that should make us cheer, it’ll be our faithful pastors, our grandmothers who have lived quiet sacrificial lives, our friends who would lay down their lives for us, the teachers who go to school every day and live out the commands to love the unlovable and to value every life.
Not Matthew McConaughey. I’m sure he’s a fun guy to hang around with, and I bet he’s a great dad and probably a really good actor. But he is not the next great champion for Christianity.
And that’s probably why I’m not a member of the Academy. Thank you, and good night.
**Please check out the follow-up to this post here!
**Due to the fact that everything that can be said HAS been said–many, many times–comments are now disabled. Thanks for stopping by!
moodime
So, a sinner thanked God…
I’ve done lots of shameful, shameful things in my life. I am a sinning Christian. All Christians are – in some form or fashion. (James 2:10 taught that no sin is greater than another, right? That there are no big or little sinners, am I correct?)
Agreed, his behavior/movies aren’t preferred and most might be blessed with more wisdom or discernment. (I could use a heaping helping of more wisdom/discernment myself!) BUT he did take a step in an admirable direction and publicly thanked God for the blessings in his life.
What if he were to read this article – he might just as quickly dub all Christians as judgmental – as quickly as he’s been shot down for doing something that was, in and of itself, good; positive. (I get it, he’s a celebrity and being idolized suddenly for his faith. Truthfully, for me, none should be idolized but Christ.) What if, -just what if, this was his 1st step towards his faith and actions meeting? (James 2:22) Finding such public contempt of his character may turn him, or others, away from their better path.
I’d like to think of his public thanks to God as a light amongst the darkness rather than an opportunity to number his sins. Hopefully, no one ever says the same of me, “Oh that Ivy, she thanks God before all, but did you know that she…”
I understand the author’s motives and do not believe there exists ill intent. There ARE better examples and my best were both flawed and faithful. However still, I applaud any chance opportunity Saints or Sinners get to publicly praise God from whom all blessings flow… to thank God for a fortunate life despite personal shortcomings and bad decisions – I do that everyday. Mr. McConaughey just had the occasion to do so at the Oscars, in front of God and er’body. Good for him!
lynn
Thank you thank you thank you.
Chris
Amen. I would add that without discussion of the movie’s story, arc, content and resolution that individual scenes may be seriously out of context. The rodeo scene doesn’t seem like it’s much different than a lot of scenes from the OT, taken out of context.
Rebeca Seitz
AMEN.
Tgirl
Well said.
Kent
Well written rebuttal. Thank you.
s. blow
Yep the world speaks up & new age takes over; so where is God really????
mb
Amen! and well said!
kim
I believe he thanked the wrong person for the award. God had NOTHING to do with him winning an award for a movie that in no way glorifies him (God) as a matter of fact the movie and like most other Hollywood movies it is desensitising people to think sin is ok
Hilary
Christians are desensitized to these things. The Bible said this was going to happen. Wrong is being called right, and right is being called wrong.
Red Unscripted
I think you missed the overall point. Mr. Mc doesn’t choose the dialogue or edit the films or write the scripts. He’s a movie star & the film (like the majority of films) has profanity in it, but the overall message is about a guy who helped put people on the path the healing. I’m not sure focusing on the negative is a great way too approach being a Christian. I mean who among us is perfect? I think his message of always trying to improve himself and look to the future is about being goal oriented and focused on gratitude… not about self-aggrandizing. Far too many people tout how perfect people need to be instead of accepting people where they are today with all their warts. The first rule is LOVE. When you don’t start there, you don’t end there. I think you need to rethink & think about the positives. There are always great examples, but most of us need to know that despite our imperfections, we can achieve greatness and be grateful and be christian.
ruffmama
AMEN, Red!
Debbie
I think you missed the point …….. lots of other actors have good and bad role, but NEVER thank God………..THAT is what us Christians are talking about
Mary
I was excited about his speech on Sunday, but then today I actually received ‘The Dallas buyers club’ from Netflix and “MY GOODNESS” — IT IS ANYTHING BUT WHOLESOME ! what a cruddy movie and
I can’t imagine any Christian playing that role—- acting out the actions he did— and using words he said.
I’ll have to say I agree with Melissa.
W
He was in a movie! His true words were spoken at the Oscars. Being in movies is his job, not how he forms his life. There is not another Oscar winner that made such an impact with his speech. By the way, why are you judging?
Dawn Baker Chrisostom
Oh my goodness, right on! I do not idolize this man. I am just thankful that he thanked God and gave him glory. I don’t know why people can’t rejoice and be happy for other people’s successes. Just be happy for others and give God glory for all He has done including giving people talents and strength to work in dark places.
Sanctified
Which god does he speak of… Do any of us even know????
donnab
I’m surprised that they didn’t bleep out him saying God..God forbid using that word might offend someone!!! I don’t watch the Oscars but I just happened to be flipping channels when he went on stage..So I stopped and watch, as I like him..I thought it was great of him to Thank God for where he is.. What he does in the movies is fake..It’s his job,,I really think people have to realize that,,it’s all acting..People have to explain to their kids that movies are not real..Don’t put him down for thanking God.. He had the courage to say “thank you God”.. because the way things are now because of the Administration not wanting to “OFFEND” anyone.. I sat screw them.. I thought he was humble with his speech …I believe the people were applauding him for having the courage to say God,,many celebrities don’t dare to mention God and I don’t think he was being idolize either..This post is intended for Melissa Edgington…not you Ivy..
James H
Amen and ditto, Ivy! Thank you!
Plush
Do you think he wants to be your hero? I guess you need something to blog about. For what it was, his speech was very good. Obviously the being his own hero 10 years flew over your head. Being a father and husband I think that each of us should examine our life each day so that in ten years we can strive to be our own hero, the hero we would like our wife and children to see, not some ideal of a hero that comes from someone else. Also, please provide reference to your statement “God’s name is used as a curse word over 20 times”. What name did they actually use? If you actually understood the name of God and the representation of the versus you loosely reference you would realize you were inaccurate in yours and mainly sheeply Christian ideology.
laura
You get it… He didn’t ask anyone to be their “Christian Hero”… He just thanked his.
Kent
Great comments Plush and laura.
Red Unscripted
excellent!
donnab
You said it right Plush
James H
“Not what I could be, not what I should be, but thank God, not what I used to be.”
T
You really have to be kidding me. He had one of the biggest stages you can be offered, and not only thanked God but thanked him first and foremost. And you dare to call him out and try to make him look like a hypocrite? Do you have any idea how many people have “God” on their minds because of him? And the few people who look at him as some kind of fake Christian because you needed to write a blog? Go do something besides cutting down the people who actually ARE doing something and standing up for their God.
Sherry
Yes our words will matter when we give an account for every act done here on Earth, which makes it vitally important that our actions match our words. Jesus will not be impressed and it will be better for a man to confess with his last breath that he has accepted Jesus and never have the chance to live put his faith than to live as a hypocrite.
Janie
I have to wonder how you knew so many details about the movie which won an Oscar. Did you see the movie? Because if you sat and watched the movie, why do you sit in judgement?
Angela Atwell Seymour
Wow! I think your observation is spot on! I’m sorry but the above comments show the lack of sound doctrine. Feel gooders who actually think that a celebrity that makes filthy movies and thanks God is being a good witness. SAD! That is not judgmental that is speaking truth!!!! Thank you for being the voice of reason!
Hilary
Angela, exactly.
Chaz
Did you not see her cite a website as the source of his info!?
kittie
^^^this deserves an Internet award. For serious. Janie you stole the words from my mouth!!
Kathy
She never said she saw the movie, what she said was according to http://www.pluggedin.com which is a great website to to read reviews and then decide if you want to see a movie or not. As a believer this has been a great resource not only for myself as a single person but for my friends who are parents and care about what their children view. According to the reviews they said: “More than 100 f-words, including a dozen or so that are paired with “mother.” Almost 40 s-words. God’s name is tangled up with “d‑‑n” 20 times, while Jesus’ name is misused half a dozen. We hear multiple crude or obscene references to the male and female sexual anatomy, including three uses of a harsh phrase for performing oral sex. “F-ggot” is used as a slur a dozen times. Also: “a‑‑,” “b‑‑ch,” “h‑‑‑” and “p‑‑‑ed.” We see an obscene hand gesture. “
James H
PluggedIn is a “great website” – in spite of the fact that they recommend by their praise, Lone Survivor; in spite of “…macho, sexualized references to male and female genitalia…[a beheading]… blood- and brain-gushing head and upper torso shots…heroes literally ripped to shreds…stumps of blown-off fingers, a severed ear and bones protruding through flesh…one team member fight to his last gasping breath…his corpse is mutilated with a bullet to the forehead…[a SEAL] performs surgery on his own grievous wounds, cutting out large chunks of life-threatening shrapnel…Well over 150 f-words…a couple handfuls of s-words and a steady trickle of “b‑‑ch,” “b‑‑tard,” “d‑‑n” and “h‑‑‑.” God’s name is linked two or three times with “d‑‑n.” Crude references are made to sexual body parts…a quip about watching their “c‑‑k and balls”…an incredibly visceral, immersive and realistic depiction…so life-like, gruesome and disturbingly brutal, in truth, that at times it’s almost unbearable.”
Yeah, GREAT website!
Amanda
I have to wonder the same thing. I saw the speech, but have not and will not see the movie. And I too am curious how the author knows so many details about the movie. Those details prove to me how much more I do not want to see the movie.
I’m impressed with the speech and only the speech. To look into things any further than what was said is a stretch. I don’t think his speech encourages people to go out and watch his films. It just showed how he praises God and loves his family. That’s it!
Angi
Very kind and sincere post Dee Dee! We are bettered when we get a chance to see the world through other’s eyes. Even if it’s through a character in a movie. The world is not black or white; sometimes it’s full of gray. 🙂
Cindy
I haven’t read all the prior comments here, but I did read many if them. I’m not even going to address the big issue that seems to be being debated here. My question is – since MM only mentioned “God” and not “Jesus,” why is everyone talking about Christianity? I hope and pray MM is covered by Christ’s redemptive blood, but like I always say – you can talk about God all day long and everyone is warm and fuzzy, but mention Jesus and you clear a room! I don’t recall him saying a word about Jesus. Assumptions are dangerous.
Joey
Amen, Cindy. Anybody can see there is a God. The real question is, who is Lord of your life?
You will know them by their fruit…
Waldron
My question to you is: why would you assume MM doesn’t acknowledge Jesus when he says he is a Christian? I imagine he even knows there is a Trinity! Would you have the nerve to stand up in front of your peers on national tv & make the speech he did? Your right, assumptions are dangerous so don’t make them about someone else.
Cindy
Hey Waldron, my apologies – from your response I can only believe my post wasn’t as articulate as I had hoped! I think we’re actually on the same page here. I’ve been a fan of Matthew for many years – he grew up and graduated high school here, and we are all proud of his success in a difficult field. I actually do not know, and still do not know, if Matthew claims to be a Christian. All I recall from his speech was a reference to “god” which, as we know, doesn’t necessarily mean the God that a Christian – a Christ follower – believes in. I hope and pray that he is. I was not assuming that he isn’t a Christian – my point was that so many people heard him say “god” and then jumped off to ASSUME the God of the Christian faith. If he has stated to be a Christian somewhere, I have missed that quote (although I did like seeing the picture of him reading “The Case for Christ” by Lee Stroebel). I only hope and pray that for each poster here, as much time and energy goes into sharing and living out our faith today as it has in publishing our opinions. I pray each day to be full of His spirit and His grace, and extend that to others in such a way that one who does NOT know my Jesus would want do so so. And yes, I believe that I would make a speech like he did. Although my sphere of influence is small, I am always quick to point to Jesus Christ. Don’t look at me – look at Him! This whole discussion also reminds me to be faithful to pray for Matthew.
Becky
I agree with everything you have said. We are not judging. The Bible says that “by their fruits ye shall know them”. In the particular verses they are talking about false prophets, but I believe that it applies to everyone.
He may be saved but he is not showing the fruit. I do not believe that a Christian could act in these types of movies (at least not without guilt).
Yes the Bible does say that to minister to the lost. We have to live in this world, but we do not have to be of the world. We, as Christians, are supposed to set ourselves apart. We can minister to the lost without cursing, being drunks, having sex outside of marriage, and other sins. Yes, we do make mistakes as Christians. Perhaps the movie mentioned was made before he got saved, not sure since I’ve never seen it. Yes, his job is acting, however he could choose roles that are not sinful.
Ash
The truth is offensive. It’s sharper then any 2 edged sword. Ps the Holy Spirit doesn’t use guilt….it’s conviction – very different. Guilt is not from God..
Cynthia Cummings
Let those who have no sin cast the first stone!
Lori
I agree!
Anonymous
Hey everyone guess what??? An average 43 MILLION people watched the Oscars this year, that’s more viewers than the past 10 YEARS!
So, why don’t we cut the chit chat “judgmental” stuff and call it a win for our Kingdom. Probably a little over half, of those 43 million people just got real fired up about this God MM just spoke of. And I’m pretty sure they aren’t deciding how they can live a life like him, but rather how they can get to know this God. How about we call that a win?
Anonymous
And I for one, do realize your post was directed at Christians, not non-believers, and as Christians we should know better than to look at him as a “role model” My comment was more directed to those judging your post. Just realized that wasn’t quite clear. As a Christian criticism as to how I am living (or we as a body) is and should always be welcomed, so that we can become better! And you are dead on with this in your post!
Anonymous
Oh and for a second let’s all take the time and accept the fact that we are using “MM” because none of us know how to spell McConaughey…. and that’s awkward…. guilty!
Julie
I happen to agree with you and proud of you for writing this. I do like MM, and I am glad that he thanked God, and that people are talking about it, but he is not a hero and does not live a life that we should admire. Not being judgmental, but being real.
Gigi
Julie
Melissa, I applaud your stand for righteousness!! I get so tired of people accusing Christians of being judgmental. It’s not judgmental to call something what it is. Be encouraged!! God is pleased with your stand, and that’s what matters!
Hilary
Julie, yes, amen.
Carolynn
Wow. People are seriously attacking your comment. I for one totally agree with you. I do not watch these awards because they are for movies that are not edifying God. I do not have to watch most of the movies to know what they are about. I have always tried to be in the “know” about movies and music so I can make wise choices and help protect my kids. I do not know why Matthew McConaughey thanked God. Nor do I spend my time worrying about. (No disrespect to your blog) There are to many people around me that I can reach for Christ. I can never reach him because I do not know him. I do wish people would stop spending sooooo much time on “celebrities”.
Lori
Every single Christian is working out their salvation every moment of their lives. Maybe he has a long way to go to where God wants him to be but at least he gave glory to God….the One who deserves it. I know your intent wasn’t to sit in judgment but unfortunately that’s the way it comes across. I am 58 years old and I can understand where you are coming from because that’s exactly what I would have felt 20 years or so ago…..I didn’t mean to but I looked down my nose at people who in my opinion didn’t match up. Dear sister in the Lord please think twice about how you are looking at people and what you are saying. Trust me I’ve been spanked several times for my tongue. Remember that God delights in every small step we take towards Him. Love, Lori
Kat
Oh, get over yourself. When you are perfect, then I’ll listen to this crap. And guess why the man won an Oscar – because people loved this movie and his performance. Go work in a soup kitchen or something. Do something useful instead of being a high and mighty moron.
distybug
Totally agree with your thoughts. I’ve not liked him or his movies since he got Camila Alves pregnant before they were married and went on all the media talking about how excited and blessed he was. Not exactly the ideals of a Christian.
J
I agree with you that the Christian chorus of people happy with him for his God-referencing acceptance speech is sort of ridiculous, and I commend you for trying to ask them about it. But not for the reasons you state here. If I weren’t a believer but was trying to figure out what the essence of Christianity is by your post, I would walk away thinking that Christianity is decidedly about behavior–not dropping the f-bomb, or sleeping around, or being conceited. It is a dangerous moralistic deism that you are preaching here, which ironically is the very same thing the Christian choir is going on and on about, with just a few less standards. They are simply happy that he mentioned God and that is enough ‘morality’ to get them excited.
My question for their religion is the same as for yours… where is Jesus in this moralistic deism? Is he just the one who teaches us how to behave? Who came to bring us closer to the rules, to what it means to be good people? Or is he the God-Man who rescues us from idols of morality and self and self-righteousness? Is he or is he not the Christ who comes to fulfill our humanity, to unite us with himself in such a way as to restore our humanity and make us fully human?
McConaughey and his Christian choir did not and are not mentioning this Jesus. But neither did you.
Rebeca Seitz
As a Christian and a professional in the entertainment industries, your post makes me extremely sad. What a poor, poor choice of blog topic – to state opinions about a man you have never met and whose heart you do not know. Why is there even an inclination to do this? What possible good does it do for the kingdom for you to make such gross assumptions and share them with the world, about an individual you have zero relationship with?
Your logic in questioning Mr. McConaughey’s faith, or the genuineness thereof, based on his roles is flawed, at best. Have you watched the movies in which he plays a role (and please note that playing a role does not equate to having created, written, or produced that role)? Would you, by this logic, also question the faith of the person who played satan in Passion of the Christ? The evil role must be played (which is also the role Mr. McConaughey played in Magic Mike). How in the world do you make the leap from “he played a bad man in a movie” to “he is a bad Christian”? Or are you saying the movies in which he’s acted are bad? Have you watched them? I see stories whose characters find redemption, wrestle with sin, fight to find real value and genuine worth, rage against the fallen and broken world around them, decide to love fellow man in the face of loss and pain. What do you see?
I own a book whose pages include extramarital sex, homosexual sex, drunkenness, lawlessness, failure, pain, murder, rape, incest, betrayal, lies, and more. But there is no way I’d question the hero status of that book’s author, for it is God Himself and the book is the Bible. If He chose to include evil in the true stories He’s shared for our edification, why do you question humans who do the same?
I’d strongly encourage a read of this blog post from a fellow professional and Christian in the entertainment industry. http://philcooke.com/what-you-might-not-know/
Let’s focus on encouraging each other, and all the more as we see the day approaching, and cease this need to condemn and judge in the public square. Surely that will give a better witness to the grace poured into our lives by Jesus Himself.
Jenn C.
Amen, Rebecca S. I’m so very tired of “Christians” looking for the evil in everything. We as humans can know the bible inside out, but we can never truly know the mind of God. To presume to do so is arrogant and ridiculous.
oxkristeeauhox
Reblogged this on Kristia S..
Susan
I agree with you. Matthew inky mentioned God in his Oscar speech and not I the three others he gave. Humility would be something he should work on and also consistency.
renealynch
I haven’t even read all the comments you received. After the first couple I just skipped the rest. I totally agree with your post and applaud you for writing it. By our works we shall be known. The fruit we produce in our lives tells of the true spirit of our hearts. I would not want others to receive a false impression that Christians support and even encourage the acts and such as are depicted in his movies. Don’t get me wrong….. the first time I saw one of his movies (my favorite still being ‘A Time to Kill’) I was a fan. But that boyish charm went out the window when Magic Mike made it’s debut. Yes, we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. Every. Single. Day. But let’s remember actions speak louder than words, no matter who they are spoken by or what podium they are shouted from.
jo
I agree somewhat with the writer.
I do recall (iin the movie) the character reflecting on his behavior (sexually) and my interpretation of it was that he was realizing the consequences of his actions.
There were a number of things I felt were lessons if we as the audience were paying attention and realize that the movie was painting a very real picture of the way some people live. As Christians we can learn from things that are not easy to look at.
Laura
I agree with you on this. When Kurt Cameron did the movie about divorce (Fireproof) neither he or his movie wife where behaving as what would be considered “good Christians” but their actions in the movie needed to be shown so that it could evolve into the story of how God intended marriage to be. It wasn’t as dark and graphic as what MM did in his movie but isn’t all sin equal in the eyes of God?
Smith
Remember Dallas buyers club was based on a true story. Matthew was only playing a role for a character that actually existed and the story was real. In order to tell a true story you have to be just like the person it is based on. And Matthew did an excellent job of that. As Christians we need to learn that being Godly doesn’t mean fitting into a “role”. God uses all kinds of people to send a message, especially a sinner (which btw we are all sinners). I find your blog judgmental.
Hilary
So should we get into all the seedy and sordid details of all the sin in people’s lives for the sake of film-making? Remember that Ham was shamed for exposing Noah. Does God approve of these things? Really?
D.A.
No, we should get in the seedy and sordid details of sin in people’s lives for education and remembrance. AIDS still kills. We can bury our heads in the sand or we can support a film that captures a scary time in our history and potentially saves someone’s life.
Hilary
D.A., the Word saves. Christ saves. The Cross saves. Vulgar movies and good intentions do not save.
D.A.
Hilary, how do you know the movie was vulgar? Is this based off of your own assessment from watching it or someone else’s very incomplete review that’s only a tally of swear words, body parts, and obscene gestures? MM’s character mentions that God is the creator of Rayon (Jared Leto’s character), Rayon affirms God’s existence in an emotional scene with his estranged father, When Rayon was close to death, he talks about meeting God and being one of his beautiful angels, etc etc. I encourage you to watch a film before assessing that every bit of it is complete trash.
slowhand
Think you don’t give Christians enough credit to figure this out. Perhaps you assume we all think it is cool when they thank God, but most us don’t hinge our faith on what a movie star says. He answers to God not us…maybe we should remember that same thing about our own lives.
Kimberly Shea
Exactly. Thank you.
(I was beginning to think I was the only skeptic…)
Joe Terrell
I agree with you comment. And I am blown away that it seems many think it was self-righteous.
There is a difference between being a sinner who thanks God that, despite his sin, God continues to bless Him and making an essentially pornographic movie and thanking God you got an Oscar for it. David thanked God for His grace, but I see no record that he thanked God for his night with Bathsheba or God prospering his plans to cover his sin by the death of Uriah. Had Matthew said, “I am so humbled by the grace of God that, despite my wickedness portrayed publicly in many films, He has been good to me, most of all in the forgiveness of my many sins, and seeing that in the movie for which I am given this award I glorified virtually every sin known to man, I cannot possibly accept an award for doing it. In fact, I am ashamed that I did it and were it in my power, I would buy the movie as my own and bury it out of sight!” Then I might think there was something to his gratitude.
It is not a step in the right direction, but simply another form of Satanic disrespect of the living God. He essentially stood before the world and said God was so pleased with the movie that He arranged an Oscar for him. Maybe we could give an artistic award to the man/men who made the golden calf for Aaron so the Israelites could make a feast to the Lord before it. I’m sure it was very nicely done, and it was for the Lord. And they could stand and thank God for enabling them to build an idol.
Hilary
Joe, very well-articulated.
Susan
I enjoyed reading your perspective. I really thought he was genuine in what he said…who knows though. I do have to say that while most of us Christians are content to just hide back in our Christian circles, at least he is out there living not just in the world, but in one of the most corrupt/non-Christian industries there is. It’s easy to let our light shine amongst other light shiners, but how many of us take our lights into darkness? I really hope he is a light to the people in Hollywood.
Shelby
He never once claimed to be a Christian so I’m not sure where you are getting that from. His speech was in my opinion very well constructed and kept the attention of everyone in the room. Aside from you thinking he was rambling and should have been cut off, why are you being so selfish with your God? He wants to thank God. Why are you so defensive and upset about this? You don’t have a clue about him as a person so you are going to base your thoughts of him off a character he played? His job is to act. It’s how he supports himself and his family. If you don’t like some of his work that’s fine but it doesn’t mean he can’t thank a God you both believe in.
dez
You write this article as if you have never done anything wrong in your life. Everyone makes mistakes. Nobody is perfect. It is a movie based on a man’s life. Get over it! I’m a Christian but I also know the difference between appreciating a movie/real life story versus making everything an issue. Not everything revolves around God and religion.
Lynn
You are right, we are so quick to jump on the band wagon of anything or anyone who mentions thanking Christ. Our actions should match our words, thoughts and deeds. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Joe
The author seems to think only “worthy” Christians free from sin should be publicly thanking God for their accomplishments, which would result in basically no one thanking God. The secularists and atheists would love it if no one ever publicly used the “G-word” so he was a hero frankly for having the courage to do something so many secularists and atheists disapprove of: crediting God before crediting their agent.
Amanda
Dallas buyers club was moving. Based on a true story of Ron Woodroofs battle with AIDS. Granted some parts may have been fiction. I don’t think anyone in society viewed this movie and were poisoned with thoughts of repeating anything displayed. In my opinion there are things to be learned from Ron W. unfortunate situation. MMs performance was amazing. He earned his award and his speech. He is an actor an artist not a Christian leader or idol… Or whatever you spat out. Do you really need one of those to have faith? Turn our examples to pastors teachers grandparents… Even they sin. Mary k laterno the pope… The list goes on. Be your own example set your own limits. Worry about YOU…. Not casting judgement and negativity towards others. Magic mike wasn’t bad either. 😉
Kat
Most christians don’t act very christian. Look in a mirror, folks.
Shannon Kelley Connolly
Matthew won a award for being an actor. That’s what he does, he acts. He was bringing a true story to the screen. That is not his life. Let you without sin cast the first stone. I am glad that he thanked God and you can see how important his family is to him. I think Matthew is one of the good guys. Stop being so righteous and judgmental!
Tgirl
After posting earlier & reading some of these comments, its intriguing to me the references and arguments against being judgmental. There is righteous judgement that God clearly speaks of. This may come as a shock to some but our laws are based on judgements and a lot of them from the bible; stealing, killing, etc. Because of scripture, I can conclude there are righteous judgements; lying, drunkeness, adultery, homosexuality, just to name a few. GOD has made the judgements in His word. How can we claim to know God but ignore His judgements? Let’s be honest here…would you hire a criminal to do your taxes, babysit your children, clean your home, etc? Of course not. You have made a judgement. God will judge our hearts but people WILL ALWAYS judge our actions including but not limited to Matthew M. Judgement might be a good blog to write about Melissa. 🙂 Obviously, there is ALOT of confusion.
Melinda
Thank you for being willing to stand up for the Truth. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Lol
Here is idea for you, oh holy Christian… Instead of condemning people, spread love. Isn’t that what Jesus did? I’m pretty sure he was more concerned with forgiving than make a public platform to dissect their issues. I have known imperfect people have the deepest bonds with their Creator (more than with those who are more concerned with keeping their image clean than spreading love )
Hilary
Let me ask all of you condemners of this blog a question: Did this movie glorify God or did it not? Did MM glorify God by making it or not? Did he, if he is really a Christian, glorify God or not? I am not asking about perfection, I am asking about the very minimal of changes that happen to a person when they are truly born again. I have relatives that talk of God who are devout New Agers. They hate Christ. Hate. But they talk about God all the time. The Pharisees talked about God all the time too. How did Jesus respond to them? Merely mentioning that word does not indicate a changed heart. It does not mean righteous fruit. Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. This is Christianity 101. Further, if, and only if MM is a Christian, then Paul commands us to judge. We are actually commanded in the Bible to judge each other in the Body of Christ. But if he is not a true Believer, then why are you all defending his actions? How about thinking about what God Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, thinks of this movie? How about thinking about what HE is offended with? Does He say that putting sex, profanity, and the like on the screen and then using His name to thank Him for it is something that He tells us to do? Or does He command us to put these things far away from us?
D.A.
Have you seen the movie?
Alle
Have you seen the image Lee Strobel posted yesterday of MM reading The Case for Christ — perhaps we should extend some grace and start praying for his heart. Think of the impact he could have in Hollywood if he truly is/or becomes a follower of Jesus.
http://ow.ly/i/4M0nf
Hilary
We should be praying for all. Absolutely. Grace should be extended that way.
Chris Taylor
I don’t understand the hoopla. Thanking God in no way tells us anything about the God he thanked, the relationship he has with that God, or his faith. That’s not judgmental. In fact, it’s a statement that says I’m not judging. I can’t make a judgment about him based on what he said.
To your point, however, I can make a judgment based on the movie(s) he has made. And that judgment is appropriate because I am using the same fair standard to judge everyone else, myself first. And I do so without condemning him because but for grace there go I.
Lloyd West
The Bible says All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.. If we just look we can find sin in EVERY life, in every person. It’s a shame that people have to judge others. God is the only judge that we have to face. We each need to worry about ourselves and not others.
D.A.
Matthew McConauhey, the biggest name in Hollywood at that moment, captured an audience of nearly 50 million people. He used nearly 1/3 of his speech to affirm his belief in God’s existence and credit Him for his talents and opportunities. And there’s criticism? Seriously?
Do you all understand how the industry works? I have family who live and work in Los Angeles with the film industry so I’ve learned quite a bit. Writers, producers, directors, and casting agents all come together to put a story out there on the silver screen for entertainment. Major motion picture company gives famous actor a script to learn and many immerse themselves in the character to ensure the best performance possible. Did you catch those key words? Actor, story, entertainment, script, etc? That means, the film’s content isn’t necessarily a reflection of the actual person but the character they play. Matthew McConaughey wasn’t engaged in lewd and crass behavior, his character was, who happened to be a real man named Ron Woodroof. Do you think McConaughey would be able to make a living at acting if he only reserved himself for wholesome, G rated films that follow every single rule in the Bible? Of course not. Do you think Matthew would last 5 minutes in the studio if he argued with the director over every curse word that was written in the script? Of course not. Plus, the real man MM was portraying was a hard living, promiscuous and drug addicted cowboy, to be true to the story, an actor had to portray him as he was. Acting is an art. Acting is a profession. Acting is a talent. Actors aren’t themselves on stage. They are transformed. And great actors, like MM, wasn’t MM during those two hours on our screens, he was Ron Woodroof, in a commitment to a role that Hollywood hasn’t seen in years.
So here we have a brilliant film, Dallas Buyers Club, that brings attention to a very real and scary part of our history: the early years of AIDS as told through a real pioneer and fighter. Does the film not deserve to be made because it’s an uncomfortable subject(s)? Should we all just ignore the devastation of the AIDS crisis and continue to hold the same attitudes that left our young people scared, lonely, isolated, ashamed and dying in the 80’s/90’s? As Christians should we continue to shame and shun already vulnerable groups in our society, homosexuals and HIV+ people? No, it’s not pleasant to think about as many people, aside from blood transfusion recipients and medical professionals who were stuck with used needles while trying to put the caps back on in the early days, contracted HIV from sexual activity and IV drug use. However, how can we grow as a society or even as a church unless we confront these societal and medical issues with openness and compassion? We simply can’t. These are all realities we live in that we can’t deny. This film didn’t poison any minds and MM didn’t receive an award for producing filth. Like it or not, this is part of our history and part of our society. As mentioned earlier, this film was based on a true story. A heroic story of survival, tenacity, innovation and love, yes, love, in the face of such uncertainty and terror. I encourage you to see it if you haven’t.
I’ve read similar posts like this on my Facebook newsfeed from Christians who are somehow intimately familiar with all of smut contained in the film. I want to ask them, why did you watch it? If it goes completely against your beliefs, why did you pay money to see it? Your money put MM in an expensive tuxedo and on the awards’ stage and before that, your money contributed to his salary. What about the synopsis of: promiscuous hard living and drug addicted cowboy dying of AIDS, lies and cheats his way in and out of Mexico to smuggle life saving medicine to other foul-mouthed drug addicted AIDS patients with the help of a transgendered sidekick made you think this R rated movie was wholesome and upholding the teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ? Like me, I think these particular critics wanted to see a spellbinding, well written and heart wrenching piece of cinema, and that’s what they got. It’s just too bad people are too ashamed of the subject matters to appreciate it.
Matthew McConaughey doesn’t have to be nor should he be your hero or a “role model” for Christians. But for Heaven’s sake, let the man speak about God until the curtains come down and after the next film he makes, too, if we haven’t beat him over the head too much. After all, we are all sinful in the eyes of God, but none of us have the sphere of influence MM had that night when he told the world that God exists.
For: Marc and Jerry who died way too young of complications due to AIDS.
D.A.
P
well said! thank you D.A.!
Sara
Melissa, do you think Jesus would approve of your post?
Hilary
Sara, perhaps He actually does because she is brave enough to call out idolatry for what it is.
hqdavis
All of this makes our Lord very sick…everyone dripping with self-smug…self-righteousness…having no heart for prostitutes and tax collectors…when they seem to be coming to Jesus…who came not for the righteous…but for sinners…and throws grand parties for lost sons, lost sheep, lost coins….but some of you will miss out on this party…because you have never been needy of a real Savior for really screwed up sinners.
Trent Crispy
Here’s what you all should do. Go find a cave somewhere in the middle of the wilderness. Only take your Bible, but make sure you rip out any pages that mention any of those yucky bad things people did thousands of years ago. Then, just stay there. Inside this cave you won’t have to worry about anything anyone does or says that violates what you believe is wrong. Also, don’t invite anyone to come with you, because you never know if a person might get impatient, lie, or even worse: cuss. Bonus: There will be no R movies in your cave. Double Bonus: There will be no one who can thank God but mean the wrong thing. You’ll be so happy.
Billy
I did not watch, nor do I care about, the Oscars, but this was an interesting article. However, I disagree with the conclusion. Dallas Buyers Club was…well, I would describe it first as “authentically grimy and uncouth,” and, as such, I would describe it as Christian. Not “Christian” in the 21st-century suburban America sense, but Christian in the 33 A.D. sense.
I found it to be one of the most honest movies I’ve seen come out of Hollywood in a long time. It showed, without flinching away, what life as a drug user, a homosexual man, a terminally ill person is really like for many people. While I do agree that faithful pastors, dedicated grandmothers, loyal friends, and devoted teachers do not get the recognition they deserve, I also know that Jesus is quoted in several of the Gospels as saying “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” Can a Physician properly treat a patient if He cannot even be allowed to diagnosis them?
Also, this is one of the very few films (maybe the only film) I have seen where Hollywood didn’t whitewash the corruption of our corporate-medical-government industrial complex. We cannot purge the temple if we don’t know where the moneychangers have set up their tables.
So, in conclusion, I disagree. If you define “Christian” as something consistent with Jesus’ agenda as spelled out in the Gospels, Dallas Buyers Club is a Christian film. This is a PROFOUNDLY Christian film, in a way that makes “Fireproof” look like it must have been directed by Pontius Pilate himself.
Trent Crispy
Also, I wonder if MM would read this blog and/or these comments and still want to be a Christian. Maybe so, but I seriously doubt he’d want to come to your church.
Gayle Arebalo
Wow…..what a can of worms. You have apparently hit quite a nerve. I hope as you read these comments you will let them roll off your back. What you said was brave and spot on. As believers we are called to be discerning in our judgments. I never read anywhere in your post that you were judging the condition of his soul. Rather you made discerning comments about his choices as well as the response to his speech by the Christian community. That is not judging his soul. Big difference! And while it is a nice gesture that he acknowledge God, I would agree with you that the real concern is the worship like response to his comment. “We have got to get over our obsession with celebrity….” was your point. I got it and I agree with it. Stay strong.
CMValley
Chose not to see it due to reading the reviews! Cannot and will not judge!
Pastor Bryan
Great read! One thing you failed to mention which I was waiting on but never came. He thanked god not God! What god was he referring to? We live in a society in which many people thank god. Unbelievers thank god, people of all faiths thank a god. Had he said I want to thank Jesus Christ my Lord and savior then, ok that might have some merit. The greater merit would have been, wow, if you don’t believe satan doesn’t reward you in the flesh for your sin to keep you on the wrong track then check out this Oscar baby, alright, alright, alright.
markobeckyo
Very well said! I actually wrote a post awhile back about Instagram’s “#MCM” (Man Crush Monday) http://operationwife.com/purity-and-our-social-media-conduct/ and how our Christian young ladies are using this to lust after ungodly men whose lives are filthy and impure, just as you described! I’m glad there are others making the connection between Christian “talk” and “walk!”
Danielle
Judgemental much?!? Who gives a crap about what kind of movies he’s made… Thought good Christians weren’t in the business of judging others, thought that was the Lord’s job…