In a recent sermon, Ohio pastor and successful author Alistair Begg used multiple examples of how the current culture conflicts with and rejects Scripture. In addition to quoting Bob Dylan and the U.S. Supreme Court, Begg referred to the Disney character, Elsa, from the movie “Frozen.” Before she sang the iconic and catchy song, “Let It Go,” Elsa decided to denounce all boundaries imposed on her.
“Freedom of choice without constraints has become almost sacred in our culture,” said Begg.
Alistair Begg: ‘Let It Go’ From ‘Frozen’ Shows an ‘Illusion’ of Freedom
After graduating from the London School of Theology, Alistair Begg pastored for eight years in Scotland. Then, in 1983, he took the senior pastor position at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where people “strive to bring God glory through singing, hearing His Word preached, loving Him and loving one another.”
The 2013 Disney movie “Frozen” was a hit—complete with catchy songs, adorable characters, and a theme of independence. But, as Begg argued, the theme of individualism contradicts God’s plan.
“What our contemporary world regards as freedom is an illusion,” said Begg.
As part of his sermon focusing on obligation, Begg quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-7, which says:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
“That is in contrast to the Oscar-winning song of 2013,” Begg said. “Elsa, in ‘Frozen’…”
Begg was interrupted by laughter in the congregation. “It is not funny,” said Begg. “You see how skillful the evil one is—let’s see how the children sing about it.”
The movie’s main character, Elsa, becomes defiant, no longer submitting to the authority and expectations of her parents or society. “She decides to ‘let it go’ to express her true identity,” summarized Begg. “No right. No wrong. No rules for her.”
“She’s a poster child for expressive individualism. She is a classic representation in miniature form of the egotistical framework of a society that has chosen to live without God,” argued Begg.
