Old VA Ren Faire Site

A word to the wise, If you ever considered going to the Old VA Ren Faire site in Fredericksburg, VA. DO NOT go down there. It's now being leased by a hunting club and they will charge you for trespassing. Be advised: STAY AWAY. They are serious and are done giving warnings – it is not worth it. Trust me, don’t go.

Should we be making Christian film?

Stones can be thrown from both sides of this debate. When “Facing the Giants” came out, immediately there were two camps. Those who praised them film as Believers, and those who condemned it saying it has actually hurt the many Believers who are working in Hollywood on regular/professional sets. Why does this have to divide?

I saw the film, it’s for Believers and that’s OK. Some had a problem that it was somewhat cheesy and the guy just prayed and got all of the things he prayed about. And?... I still don’t understand the problem. That film showed all the things we, as Believers, say we want in a film and it still did not please everyone. I admit, it was cheesy at points, and the acting was all right, but man what an attempt, those guys did a really good job! And who can argue that God did not bless the film? I believe it was the highest grossing indie film of that year, and I still hear Christians saying it was a failure. Really? Their next film was even better, and now their next is looking to be better once again. 

How should we use films?

I was a pastor for a few years as well, and I know that most of the time the pastor is preaching to the Believer. Our goal is often to encourage, nourish, and get the Believer picked up off the ground, to dust them off and put them back in the fight. I’d say most of my messages were to the Believer. Of course I did preach a salvation message, everything has exceptions, but my point is that neither is wrong. We don’t need to apologize that the pastor is mostly speaking to be Believers. It is the Believer who goes back out to witness to his sphere of influence. The pastor is there, like a coach, ready to assist, and encourage when and where needed.

How should we use films? Some say that if Jesus was here today, He would use film; as He used parables. At first glance this sounds perfect, but in breaking this down, I feel it can be a flawed perspective. Yes, Jesus used parables. And Yes, I do believe Jesus would use movies. However, let us not forget it was the fact that He was there with them, caring for them, loving them. He only used parables to illustrate his points, not to just give His point and then walk away. In fact, the 12 that were with him the whole time still did not understand many of the parables. Films should not be used to just give a point, but to offer things as an illustration. In fact there are many great films, that I can find strong biblical truth in them. Are they Christian films? No. Atleast not on the surface. Can we use them to start spiritual conversations - absolutely.

What films do you see like this?

Why is this a bad thing?

I was a cop for a few years and was taught to investigate things out to the fullest. One way to do this is to start with a question. So I ask, “Why does the answer to this question have to be an either/or?”  It seems to me that the answer is both; or all of the above. There are films that have a Christian message, with a strong Christian theme. And that’s OK. I don’t understand why so many divide over this issue. We can make films for the believer, which I say is a “Christian” film, meaning it is geared towards a Christian audience. That’s just good business, knowing your audience. Then there are those who are Christians that are also filmmakers that make “secular” films. As Christians, however, we jump to either side of the camp, pointing and judging the other side harshly. There is room for both.

A label on a film is the expected genre or theme within the film. Again, this may come off as too cerebral for some. But, if I said I was going to take you to a Muslim, or a Jewish film, what would you expect? And would you truly want to go? Would you expect a Muslim or Jewish message, and would you be open to it? And to the opposite of that, just because I hire a football team to make a movie, does not always mean we are going to turn out football films. A Christian can work in Hollywood and not always have to turn out a Christian movie. It depends on what each of us is called to. Some are called to make overt Christian films and others are called to work on secular films and be a witness to their co-workers. But, make no mistake, a Christian movie is generally for Christians and will generally attract a Christian audience.  Again why is this so bad?

Why this BLOG?

Christian films:
I wanted to hit a few points of the heart of this question.

1.      Can we even talk or debate about these things? I actually enjoy debating. Hearing one side, and giving my side without taking offense. I believe the apostle Paul used this technique often. I know there are several people that would rather not use this style, and that’s fine, but I wanted to have it here with this topic. It’s worth the discussion/debate even, but not worth an argument. Intolerance no matter where it comes from – hurts, and sometimes harder when it’s from your own “family”.

2.      I wanted to explore a few things:

a.       Are there such things as Christian films?

b.      And if so, what do they look like?

c.       How are they defined?

d.      Should there be?

e.       How are we using them? To save others?

3.      If I painted a picture and said it was for the glory of God – that’s kind of like the ultimate Christian trump card – you can’t challenge that. God told me, and I responded. And could God use this to ‘save’ someone? We’d all have to answer “yes”.

I believe we all are acknowledging God ultimately saves through the Holy Spirit. And if no man witnessed to another, even the “rocks would cry out.” But, the instrument God uses to reach the lost – is us. How? 1^st through our love for Him, by loving them.

I’ve seen Christians use this as an excuse sometimes of either not witnessing, or how they are witnessing.

4.      Back to my painted picture analogy. What if the picture was really not good – can we as Christians acknowledge that, and how should the picture be used? It’s not a sin to say a painted picture is not good. That’s why people love Simon on American Idol – he was at least honest with people, and in fact helped them more than a false kind word would have.

5.      I think there are criteria for many vocations, giftings/callings. And for film, we have had of flood of people “feeling called”, but with no true skill/exp. – just an agenda. It ends up hurting those in the industry.

Artist have a certain skill that can be acknowledged, and it’s ok if we all don’t have “it”. Just as not everyone is called to be a “pastor”, and sometimes the best thing a pastor can do is step out of the pulpit.

6.      Thus my next point, what is the purpose of film? My point is that we have a moral responsibility to our investors for it to make money. Not 1^st to have an agenda. And when we do have an agenda, I believe our audience feels duped and it actually hurts us.

This sounds like a “love for money”, but it is simply being a good steward.

7.      However, I do feel there is room for Christian films – for a Christian audience. Like, “Facing the Giants”. Films like these motivate and encourage me – much like a sermon does. Not meant for the lost, but meant for me. So that I can get re-motivated to go back out and love them. There are at times seeker friendly sermons, sermons for the lost, and sermons for the believer.

8.      How then should we use films? I believe we should use films as a tool to start spiritual conversations. Everyone likes to say Jesus uses parables, and well yeah He did, but alone they left people confused.

My non-Christian friends do not see the same things I saw in “Chronicles of Narnia”, and that’s ok. They see 1^st a great story – awesome. But, I can use that story to dialogue with them – ONLY after I have a relationship with them in Love. If I have earned the right to love them, I can now earn the right to say the truth in love to them.

If we all take care of the few true friends God has seen to bring into our lives – we would have a much higher success rate. Missionaries in a distant land have a short term failure rate, but a long term success rate. Why? Because they 1^st must love the people.

     Let’s face it; the church is growing smaller – not gaining ground; I believe no one would debate we are closer to the end than the beginning. When “we” stand and shout God loves you or hand someone a track – it comes off as “agenda-driving” and not truly caring; not loving. Tracks are a tool, and should not be used as a substitute for witnessing.

     Just like a film – we shouldn’t expect to show someone “The Passion of the Christ” and then look at them and say, “Huh…what ya think? Do you believe now?” Witnessing is much more then sharing our story or sharing Christ with someone. It’s about loving them. A marathon vs. a sprint.

     I believe many people are not leading people to Christ and using excuses for not. And then we look to a pastor to do it, or better yet – like a magic diet pill, we look to a film to do it – it’s not being used properly. And can God use this?, well you know I have to say of course – but are we doing our part? He shouldn’t have to use the rocks to cry out – His people should be loving the world so much – they can’t help but see Him.

     Now, I’ve also seen Christians in the “Hollywood” industry bash Christians trying to do good family films. It’s the other side of the coin. I saw “To Save a Life” and loved it. Was it the best film I ever saw? Well, no (Lord of the Rings is J), but it certainly was a really good story and they did it to the best of their ability. Should I be knocking them? Absolutely not. I believe there’s room for films like this too. Case in point, “Fireproof” is another film like this and I’m sure “Courageous” will be – you can’t deny their box office success. Will I go see Courageous – absolutely, I want to support my brothers. And if I have an opportunity to share the film with my non-believing friends to start a conversation – I absolutely will.

     My point is that we are the instrument God uses to witness by 1^st loving Him and then by loving them. Films should not be agenda driven or poor in quality. And if they are well…good luck.

  

Are we able to debate?

Once someone decides they are going to make a Christian film, meaning it will be agenda driven to try and save the lost, I believe, we may be trying to force film to become what it was never meant to be. It would be more direct, and often more honest, to preach a sermon or write a non-fiction book on the subject. We should create a story and allow the story to show, not force a message.

What concerns me is the division a conversation like this seems to cause among believers. With people stating finalities, such as “THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!!”  in all caps. Such conclusiveness seems a defensive response that is intolerant and keeps us from being able to discuss things civilly. All in the “name of God!” “I’ll tell you the way it is and if that offends, oh well the Cross is offensive…” These statements can be used as an excuse to bash people like so many unbelievers fear and have had done to them by believers. This is more of my concern. The Apostle Paul loved to debate; it’s how he got things started.  A two-way dialogue is healthy, being unwilling to see another’s point, even if you still disagree with his conclusion, is intolerant.

Just a thought...

Do films save?

What we must do, we now put on film attempting to take out the human responsibility of true evangelism. Some believe Christian film can save a person. One of the best Christian films we’ve had in some time was “The Passion of the Christ.” I recall at first count that many viewers were seemingly coming to salvation as a result of watching the film. Later, when the numbers were actually in, –it was more like 2-4%. Now, I understand that’s better than 0%, but at what point can we call that a success? If I ran a business with this type of return, I’d be out of business. Authentic relationships with a time investment give us permission to speak the truth in love in someone’s life, not an impersonal film. I do believe “The Passion” began many good conversations and maybe that should be the goal of many Christian films. We should seek the best evangelistic method we can, not settle for 2-4% and call that success. When the Titanic went down, those survivors, for them it was a success, but sadly so many more could have fit into the boats and been saved. We need to get as many as we can into the boats.

As Christians we have a tendency to hold that anything that has a Christian label must therefore also have an evangelistic nature to it. Why? Do you and I as followers of Christ, not need to be encouraged and see films of hope, and redemption? To think that “The Passion” spoke to non-believers like it did to you and I would not be accurate. It impacted us as a whole, as a body of Christ because the brutality we saw on that screen, you and I know, was meant for us. We deserved that, and there He was, paying the price for my freedom. It may not have been the exact imagine of what occurred, but it gave us a common ground as followers of Christ. So, now when we talk of the crucifixion, we start on the same page as far as a imagine goes. The film was so that you and I would know what He did for us. Lord willing all will come to saving faith in Him, but that film was meant for us.

A film must be true to the reason the audience came to see it, to be entertained, much like the hamburger or sweater. People go to the movie theaters for this reason, and to do otherwise, is to dupe them into watching our agenda on the screen. The end result is that they feel duped. And feeling duped, they not only despise the film but may transfer those feelings to Christians and ultimately to Christ. It can be used as a tool however. Offering the local Christian, who has an authentic relationship with someone a tool to allow them to engage with in dialogue.