More "faith-based" films

This year there are many "faith based" movie out in theaters.  War Room, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, Woodlawn, Noah, and coming out in time for Easter, The Young Messiah, just to name a few.  While I am encouraged to see Hollywood bending slightly to the idea of Christian values on the big screen, all these films are not the same and some discretion should be taken when viewing these films.

Films like  90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, while inspiring and points to a Higher Power, are not necessarily Biblically accurate.  I am not totally against these films as long as you are engaged in a Bible study that addresses life after death.  For example...Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:8 or Hebrews 9:27.

Then there is Noah and The Young Messiah.  These are pretty much Hollywood films.  Noah used very little from the Bible and is pure "Hollywood." The Young Messiah is about the life of the young Jesus.

The Director of The Young Messiah, Cyrus Nowrasteh, explained the film this way.  "It’s important to us that The Young Messiah inspires people to visit, or revisit, Jesus’ story from a fresh new angle..."

There is a problem here.  In His Word, God gave us all we needed to know about the life of the young Jesus.  Although the director might have good intentions, the images and creative licenses used in this film are totally made up.  There are only a few times in the Bible that talk about the adolescent Jesus, which are important accounts, but none of which show him healing people or bringing birds to life.  "A fresh new angle should not include adding accounts to the Bible which never happened.
I am not saying do not go and see this movie, but I am saying it is not Biblically true.  Go see the film but use discernment on what you actually take from it.

My fear would be that people will get their "theology" from movies verses the Bible itself.  This has happened with books where people are reading books "about" the Bible rather then the reading the Bible.

Films like Noah and The Young Messiah can be good, but only as a bridge to bring the Bible and Jesus into conversations.  If you do see these films and have conversations, please be rooted in the word so you can help people see and know what is True and what is fiction.

On the flip side, films like Facing the Giants, War Room and Woodlawn are rooted in what the Bible teaches and asks of us.  They are entertaining but support Biblical teaching and values.  Films such as these put the Word into practice by showing the application of Biblical teaching.

In any event, when having conversations and in your work in entertainment, I would encourage you seek Him through prayer, be grounded in His Word, and let your life's work be about glorifying Him.  This is where true success can be found.

Listen to Director Jon Erwin talks with Dennis Rainey about the making of the inspirational feature film, Woodlawn: http://familylifetoday.com/program/woodlawn-making-the-movie/?autoPlay=y

"Faith-Based" films

I'd like to say that I am optimistic about the growing number of faith based films in Hollywood, but I am not.  At lease not the ones being promoted.

The term "faith based" is correct.  These films, or at least the ones already produced and named in this article, are loosely based on Biblical accounts.  They start with the Biblical accounts but then sacrifice the foundation and Truth for high budget FX and box office numbers.  Don't get me wrong, I am happy that Hollywood is allowing faith films to penetrate their empty, rude and sex driven culture.  I just pray that after watching these films, people go deeper, in some of these films cases, much deeper and find the saving grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Some fantastic faith based films that were not mentioned are ones like Facing the Giants, Courageous, Fire Proof and also What If staring Kevin Sorbo. Please check these out.

Any thoughts?

http://www.newsmax.com/jameshirsen/hollywood-faith-religion-christianity/2015/05/04/id/642389/

Biblical Christianity vs. Commercial Christianity

Here is an interesting article. 
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/the-pulse/47904-21-contrasts-between-commercial-and-biblical-christianity

More and more we see Jesus being pushed to the side.  People like some of what the bible says so long as they don't need to change their way of life.  Even "Christians" are adopting a view point of tolerance for other faiths and watering down the Gospel, picking and choosing what they want to believe and leaving out the truly convicting passages.  We see the rise of more and more "seeker friendly" churches who are more concerned about the numbers in the door verses those saved for the Kingdom.  People are church hoping until they find the "perfect church" that makes them feel good.  As my pastor has said, if you find the perfect church don't go there because you will mess it up.  But seriously, our faith is not about having an emotional experience, our culture has gotten more concerned about feeling good and getting donuts after a service, or making sure the congregation is entertained rather then being convicted.  All love, no Truth.

Another article claims that in "2012, nearly 20% of the public now consider themselves atheist, agnostic."  

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/01/christianity_is_losing_in_america.html

It's no wonder.  When you are wish-washy on the foundational teachings of your faith there is nothing to stand on.  You can on except beliefs that go against the core of Biblical teaching.  People will walk away.

As Christians working in entertainment, this should convict us.  We are not here to sell Jesus.  We are here to bow down and serve Him and His people, for His glory, not ours.  Love and Truth.  You cannot have two foundations

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:24-27