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