AYJW011: Dollhouse, Part 2

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Welcome back to part 2 of our discussion on Dollhouse. This time, Daniel Lewis and Chris Jones get into some deeper, perhaps more-controversial discussion. This episode was recorded shortly after Episode 10; at that time, we didn’t know that Dollhouse would be canceled.

Can a Christian be an active?

What does God command us to do?

‘”And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” (Mark 12:30, cross-reference Luke 10:27)

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)

We are called to be holy.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:13–16)

We are told to put on the likeness of God, not the likeness of another person.

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:17–24)

Can an Active become a Christian?

Who can become a Christian?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis added)

God’s Word is powerful enough to change any heart.

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

What is involved in salvation? In is primarily an act of the heart and then a confession of the mouth.

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9–10)

Salvation is not the result of any work or good deeds of our own.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

We can’t rely on others, or on a personality imprint, to give us salvation or righteousness. We have to do that ourselves as God works through us to mature us.

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)

Closing

Special thanks to Chris Jones for joining us in these episodes on Dollhouse. We hope to discuss more TV shows in the future (such as Lost, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, FlashForward, V, and more).

What do you think of Dollhouse? Comment on this post, email us@areyoujustwatching.com (audio feedback welcome!), or call (859) 353-4332. You can also follow Are You Just Watching?, Daniel, and Eve on Twitter. And please join our Facebook Page.

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