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.

The other side...

Failing as Christians. I also note that some Christians have gone so far into the dark that their light is no longer seen. I was not created or given the authority to judge them. God calls each of us to do our assigned task. And sometimes that may seem to be disagreeable to others.

What are we called to do as believers? A famous Christian writer, Flannery O’Connor said, “The Christian writer does not decide what would be good for the world and proceed to deliver it. Like a very doubtful Jacob, he confronts what stands in his path and wonders if he will come out of the struggle at all.”

Christianity and film: History of a rub.

  There is been a long history with Christian and movies. Many films show and some even seem to glorify sin. What Christians did however, was to boycott movies instead of engaging in them. This did nothing, but make Christians look intolerant and took them out of one of the most influential mediums of our time.

  For many Christians there is a rub with film. Many are afraid to show certain things in films, thinking that by showing them it somehow glorifies the sin. But, it does not have to, light exposes it for what it all ready is. The challenge with some Christian film is that by not showing depravity it comes off as untrue or trite. The unbeliever watches a movie like that and it comes off as cheesy, unrealistic and untrue to the everyday world in which he lives. As Christians we should be the first ones, at times, to talk about difficult subjects not just gloss over them and pretend they don’t exist.

  We don’t have to glorify them. We can choose how we show something tastefully though still truthfull. We can also show the struggle and the consequences to actions. This is what some of Hollywood usually does not do; they show just to show, all for the shock factor in order to get the mighty dollar. A life without consequences, while something many may want is a denial of the real world and also untrue.

  I know there are many strong Christians in Hollywood that are working on this very thing, but I point this out as an overall trend, not those fighting the good fight.

What does it mean to call something Christian?

Putting the label of “Christian” on to something, what does this mean? One of my favorite Christian films is “Chariots of Fire”, written by Colin Welland.  It’s a Christian story made by non-Christians, however it is our story.  I loved it when one of the main characters, Eric Liddell, was in a scene with his sister. She is pestering him about how she feels it’s wrong of him to run in the Olympics knowing that God has called him to be a missionary. His response was something like, “I run, because I believe when I do – God smiles on me…” God created him to be fast. And God created him to run as well as to become a missionary, both were in fact true. And his purpose as a runner was not to evangelize, but to be the best runner he could be. God created him with the ability to be able to run fast. By running fast he in fact pleased God. He did what he was created for. And by doing that he testified to the good, all encompassing purpose of the Creator.

As a Christian employee of a hamburger restaurant, when I make a hamburger does it become a “Christian hamburger”? Well obviously not, but when it’s made well and someone else enjoys the burger, because that is what the hamburger was intended for, to be enjoyed. I worked hard, created a delicious hamburger, and that, I believe, glorifies God. As the Bible says, “we are to do all things to the glory of God.” A friend told me of how his grandmother made sweaters, and though she prayed over each one, she knew she was successful when on a cold day, they commented how her sweater kept them warm. It pleased her that it was a great sweater.

This is SPARTA!

A touch of innocence.

I substitute teach from time to time, and got called in to teach HS Chemistry – fun. As the students finished their work, I began talking to a small cluster of students about movies. It turned to funny things we’ve all done, and one of them actually fell asleep during the movie “300”.

“300” I gasped!

Off to my right, was a boy who is autistic but is highly functioning. On hearing this he arose and took on a new persona. There off to the right with no other students’ eyes upon him, and quietly at first, he began to quote verbatim the King Leonidas speech at the start of the film. “You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I've chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same!” He still was not fully looking in my direction.

I couldn’t resist…he was doing so well, and as if calling me forth to engage him – here he was quoting one of my top movies. I played my part well. “This is blasphemy – this is madness!” I replied with vigor.

Suddenly is eyes transfixed onto mine – with a crazed look in his eyes – he was no boy – I gazed upon King Leonidas himself, “Madness…” he said. And then yelling to the top of his lungs! “THIS IS SPARTA!!” – immediately he performed a supurb air-kick.

I was a little bit taken aback by the mere volume and the class was now completely still – eyes upon him. I knew I should say something…I was the teacher!

But…he…he was King Leonidas….all I could do was rub my hands together looking down at my desk while shaking my head and saying, “Nice…”

And King Leonidas…well he casually returned to his seat.

The right question...

I believe for film there is one question: Will the film find an adequate audience? The measure that answers that question is positively whether the film turns a profit. This may come off as a “love for money”, but that’s not my point. It’s when films have an agenda that they come off as preachy and unrealistic, a definite turn-off for an audience. It takes a lot of money to make a film as we all know. If you produce a film, you have made promises to investors to return a profit, not to just make a film that some may or may not see, with an agenda that may or may not be heard or embraced. By saying we make a film to turn a profit, I am really saying that we fulfill our promise to investors and make a film that meets the needs of its audience, not our own.

Christian Film?

In reference to the question, ‘Should there be such a thing as Christian Film’ I think the majority can fall into two camps. And it seems that most decide their camp, based upon the definition of ‘Christian Film’. Some would say that this means where Christian values or themes are shown. Where the story does not revolve around the issue, but it simply fits within the storyline. Many Hollywood films can fit into this category, such as “Chariots of Fire”, “The Ten Commandments”, “The Book of Eli”, etc. Others would say it’s more overt, it’s Rated G (PG at worst), and often has an evangelical message in it.

Some have tried to argue or questioning if there is even such a thing as a Christian film? I believe there is.  Now, whether we want it to be or not, may be another question. But, we and or society have created a genre for niche films that are “Christian.” The very fact we are discussing this shows it’s there.  It’s not whether or not we like it or acknowledge it. There is certainly Christian Music. Whatever the case, Hollywood definitely believes there are “Christian films”. How we define this is a tough one, and is this even the right question?

Should there be Christian film?

For many years, I’ve thought long and hard over this exact issue.  I still don’t know that I have settled one just one answer.  However, I do search with an honest heart. My goal is to start a healthy, but honest, discussion - a place for Believers to have an honest debate over something in a healthy way. I always get nervous in my human attempt at the Divine, but I do try with an honest heart.