The Gospel in Film

As I look into the world of Christian film making and work on the pre-production aspects of “The Unknown Shepherd” one question that I continually ask myself is “where does the gospel fit in?”

There are a variety of different ideas on the subject. Some think you must have a 100% clear gospel in every film that you make or it is not worthy to be called a Christian film. Others think that you never should have the gospel because it comes across as beating people over the heads. I personally disagree with both positions.

Not all movies need a to have a gospel presentation. I recently watched several films that worked perfectly fine without them (i.e. The Runner from Ravenshead, and Ace Wonder).

One of my favorite films as of late is called To End All Wars. While it does not necessarily present a completely clear gospel, it does present one of the greatest pictures of substitutionary atonement I have ever seen.

Other movies I have recently seen seem to completely whiff on the message completely by not having a clear gospel presentation. One such film is To Save a Life. The message of the movie is great (teen suicide), but the thing that really got under my skin is that the main character supposedly becomes a Christian and nowhere in the entire film does he hear the gospel. You can't get saved without the gospel.

I'm guessing that the screenwriter assumed people already knew the gospel, but as a street preacher I can guarantee they don't. Most people think that the gospel is about trying to be a better person and sadly I think movies such as this reinforce that view.

Understandably, I believe some film makers are weary of showing the gospel presentation because there have been so many cheesy examples in film in the past. Most of those examples including the “sinner's prayer.” But it doesn't have to be that way. It has been done rightly. Fireproof may be one of the best examples.

Also, we don't need to see the gospel presentation followed by an immediate change in the character. Perhaps the character doesn't get saved when hearing the gospel, or perhaps the character does come to Christ, but that is shown, not in a prayer, but in a gradual change of life that comes from a repentant heart.

One way to avoid cheesiness in presenting the gospel in films is to decide up front how you will handle sharing that and to what degree. As I said before if you have a character repent and believe in Christ then I do believe sharing the gospel is important, but the flaw seems to come when we cram it into the storyline. Know beforehand where and how the gospel will be shared and don't just tack it on for good measure.

I'm no great filmmaker. I'm barely at the beginning stages of my first major project, but these are issues I think we need to work out theologically before we ever begin.

The gospel is the greatest message man can ever know and filmmakers have so many opportunities to share that message, and its effects, that it must be seriously considered.

SAICFF Movie Reviews

For those of you interested I wanted to suggest some of the movies that I was able to watch and I think you'd be blessed by them. Some were, as you might expect at a Christian Film Fest, filled with cheese, but others were Hollywood style blockbusters that honored Christ.


These movies are available on http://VisionForum.com or for download at http://BlueBehemoth.com (it may take a few days for some to go up)


1.

Live to Forgive – This is a documentary style feature about a pastor who is trying to forgive the step-father who murdered the pastor's mother years earlier. It has some slow spots, but it is very moving and a reminder that we who have been forgiven much must also forgive.
2.

Standing Firm – This happens to be my pick for the Audience choice Award. I had dinner and a couple of brief conversations with the director. This best way to describe this film is as Fireproof for fathers as it had a very similar feel.
3.

The Penny – This is the film that won the Best Feature Jubilee. The Producer is Nathan Webster, really nice down to earth guy. This movie focuses on the providence of God in all things.
4.

Agenda: Grinding Down America – This feature documentary took Best of Festival award an $101,000 grand prize. The documentary shows the moving force of communism throughout history while offering solutions to the distress. The producer is a first time film maker and former state congressman from Iowa.
5.

The Runner from Ravenshead – This film won runner up in the features, runner up in the Best of Festival, and won the Audience Choice Award by a 400% landslide! The film is an allegory of salvation using a prison and the City of Refuge. The film was made the first project by family. The reason that the film did so well is that the producers five children ages nine to two played all 30 roles! When I watched the trailer I thought, wow that is cute, but I don't think I can take it for an hour and a half. I was so wrong because it was not just cute and hilarious, but it was great quality as well. The Prague Orchestra recorded the soundtrack. If you buy nothing else buy this film!
6.

Divided – This is a documentary that explores the American church's idea of youth ministry and how it is a total failure. This is a controversial topic for many, but even if you disagree with the filmmakers I believe you can learn and respect their ideas because they present it in such a gentle way without making caricatures out of their proponents.


Those are the main films that I truly enjoyed. There were some nice shorts as well that I'm sure you can find at http://BlueBehemoth.com at some point.


I was unable to see it, but I hear No Greater Love was also very well made and Christ-exalting.


A few films I'm very excited about sharing with you, but that are not out to the public yet:


1.

Ace Wonder – This is a wonderful child detective story about family. The producer is John Moore who won the festival last year with the “The Widow's Might.” I only watched a rough cut of the film, but I sense a new Christian movie franchise. Though the star, Gator Moore (yes, that is his real name), is growing like a weed so they better get a sequel out quickly.
2.

IndoctriNation – I have not seen this entire film yet, but the concept and the producer are great. I had a great conversation with Colin Gunn, director/producer one evening. He really impressed me because he is a Scot whose son's name is Knox. I'm sure you'll figure out the reference on your own. The documentary is about how the public school system is taking our children and programming them in their own way of thinking. I think the best quote from Colin was, “Blaspheme is teaching about the creation with absolutely no mention of the creator.” At least I think it was Colin.
3.

Courageous – This is the latest movie from the Kendrick brothers and Sherwood Films. Stephen Kendrick was very passionate about this topic. It is about fathers winning the hearts of the children. Looks like their best work yet. So look for it next summer.


Well that is the movies I have to suggest. I'm partnering up with some other filmmakers to offer a family movie night locally to encourage, not only thoughtful Christian entertainment, but biblical family discussions as well. I'll probably sending out an invite to you guys to join me at my home unless there are some that the elders would like shown at Rockport.


Hollywood has such a grip on our culture, but I was truly impressed to see the work god is doing to raise up a people for Himself to take dominion over that aspect of culture as well. This week was a great reminder that every stronghold will be torn down and that Christ does sovereignly reign that we who love Him and are loved by Him have no reason to hide our heads in the sand.


In Christ, our Hope,


Jason Vaughn