we watched a multiplex (workshop session) yesterday on Christians and the media and then we had a bunch of small group discussion on the topic – as i was mc’ing the meeting and made some statements about bad christian movies there were too many heads nodding in agreement for me to think this is just my particular cynicised view
the bottom line for me is that the church has some great stories – from the bible which really has some x-rated hollywood blockbuster stuff in it [tent pegs through the head, incest, adultery followed by murder of a high-ranking general to try and cover the fact, bears being called from the forest to maul a bunch of youth for daring to call the prophet a baldhead, the fire from heaven altar challenge between elijah and the prophets of baal, stonings, crucifixion] to true life dramas [bible smuggling into china, the mother teresa story, the missionaries who were killed by the aucas in south america – which became a movie ‘the end of the spear’ which i haven’t had the chance to see but the book is amazing] to fiction [writings of ted dekker, robert liparulo, frank peretti who i would all describe as stephen king if he was a christian – some great science fiction/fantasy/horror/supernatural writing] – and so the stories are definitely there, but i think we have quite a long way to go before we can tell them well on film
i, as a Christ follower, cringe when i hear that something is a “christian movie” so i can’t imagine what an unbeliever must think and feel (maybe they’re less critical than me, who knows?) but the majority of christian films down the ages have been cringeworthy, cheese-filled and generally with bad camerawork and production, useless acting and trite storylines
the one question i posed was this – is it good enough for us as Christ followers in the media to be making bad movies, so that perhaps one day we can make good movies, or would it sometimes be better to be making no movies at all?
another question posed by the group was on the sacred/secular split – the tendency we as christians have to divide life into what we call spiritual and what we call secular when, as one guy pointed out in my group, Jesus would probably be confused if i told Him about “my spiritual life” because to Him everything was spiritual – and so can’t we as Christ followers just start making good movies – when i look at a movie like ‘the blind Side’ with Sandra Bullock in, it was a really strong movie and received critical acclaim in many quarters but was not produced as a ‘christian movie’ – we have the stories, we just need to do better at getting them across
i think personally that we do a lot better in the area of music whereas in the 80’s there were maybe the big 5 of mainstream christian musicians in amy grant, steve curtis chapman, michael w smith, carman and then if you were really hardcore maybe dc talk and they were all ‘good for a christian band’ music types [let the hating begin, ha!] but i think today Christ-following musicians and bands have gained a lot more street cred and in many cases are as good if not sometimes even better than their non-Christ-following counterparts… so there is hope
personally i don’t think it’s good enough that we create bad christian movies (or music or books) and i really wish the people making them would have better filters or just go hang out in the world a little bit to get a clue as to the kind of quality we should be producing. i imagine some people might see this post as a little harsh and unloving, but i think the reality is that when we are representing Christ, there is a strong case for us doing it well and effectively and in a way that impacts society rather than causing it to withdraw
i long for the day we can say ‘that was a great movie’ and not feel the need to simply compare it to other worse ‘christian movies’ as a means of greatifying it
very true… I agree wholly with the statements about the cheesiness of christian movies – although Veggietales has gone a pretty good job – and I wish that people would understand that for it to be morally good it doesn’t have to be cheesily bad.
If only they could follow the likes of P.O.D., sixpence none the richer or switchfoot who managed to maintain a christian message yet be accepted into the mainstream.
Blue Like Jazz – one of those changed my life books for me – is being turned into a film (still not sure how I feel about that). However, Blue Like Jazz isn’t really a ‘teen having issue/man loses job/marriage on the rocks + finds Jesus = all is well in the end’ story…i.e. not a typical Christian film plot, therefore they can’t get backing for it – no one willing to invest in the film.
what they did was start a fund-raising campaign (actually a couple of the books fans did – http://tinyurl.com/22orqmq) and the money for the film is coming mostly from fans donating like $20 each or something.
And this is why GREAT “Christian” films are so rare – there’s no funding for them, therefore you gotta make do with what you have even if it means just the very basics, because, as you said, the stories are there to be told, we just don’t have the means to tell them.
And as Don Miller said, he could have sold the script and the story to hollywood and the movie would have been had a big budget and would have looked better, but then he wouldn’t have control over the story and how it gets told. So do you let hollywood tell the stories with their own spin on it, or do you sacrifice the big budget for an honest story?
One of the interesting things that came out of the multiplex at the congress was how we can tap into good films (made by Hollywood or whoever) to discuss the deeper themes and stories that are being told and see how they connect with the gospel, using contemporary stories and themes, much like Paul did in Athens (Acts 17) to connect with the culture. What struck me is that this approach is what missionaries have always done – listening to the stories of the culture they go into and see how they relate the gospel message to that. So if we have this kind of missional outlook living in our own culture, we need to watch the films and listen to the music, thoughtfully discerning how the gospel connects.
Completely agree. There will always be two (or three!) sides to an issue though. Whilst some might see good camerawork, lighting, editing ect as “overglorifying Christianity” or “putting on a show”, I believe that we should give our absolute best to God. Many Christian films would never be accepted in the well known film communities because they are not well produced or shot or lit or or or. Likewise I know many cameramen or editors that would cringe giving work like I’ve seen to their managers. So why do we think doing a substandard job is alright when its a Christian thing? Anything done for God should be done to the absolute highest standards possible because HE DESERVES THE BEST! No doubt about it in my mind.
let us never forget, that a movie/book/band/restuarant etc etc… cannot, by definition, even be “christian”!
The sooner we stop confusing what a christian is, the better… for everyone!
To be Christian requires that it be baptised in Christ… made dead in the flesh, but alive in Him… united in His Body
rob, i think you’re missing the point – read the note, understand what we are talking about, comment on that by all means, but please leave the christian jargon at the door because you are completely missing what is being discussed here.
I think there are too many Chrstians making money out of being Christians. Writing books, making cheesy crap movies. Also bands making cash out of it. CUM books and others – its becoming a money making racket. Some ministers have made millions. Rob is right.
yeah i’m not sure i agree with you in terms of that being what rob was saying jason whereas i do agree with you that many so-called christians are making money out of being christians – when you start getting left behind pencil cases and mild at heart wall calendars and prayer of jabez for puppies (okay maybe this one is not out yet) then i think that we have gone too far and i have no doubt in my mind that it is the christian book shops where Jesus would head to today to turn over tables and throw people out (like He did in the temple) because they are ripping people off completely and supposedly in the name of God – very sad. but they will be hold accountable.
Christian bands – they are as cheesy as 18 month old butter. It like listening to old David Hasselhof music videos while there is a U2 concert on next door.
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I completely agree with the original author of this article, and the point behind it. Rob and Jason are way off the point here, but I understand the completely seperate point they make.
Christians (followers of Christ) should give their BEST to God, but sadly there isn’t usually the budget to pay professional actors, or hire professional film crews. But that is no reason for the kind of poor cinematography I witness every time I see a “Christian” movie. We as Christ followers don’t check our brains at the door when we accept Christ as our Saviour!
Are we incapable of blocking shots, shooting extra b-roll, or editing properly JUST because we believe in Christ?? Or do we just ask for “Volunteers” the way we do for our video ministries as well?? Unacceptable!! No offense to the Church volunteers, God Bless them for being willing to help out, but I will say the same here as I say to my video crew: “If people are flipping channels, and they can tell it’s a “Christian” production solely by the production values, you have done a dis-service to your target audience, and to God who has entrusted you with this honor and responsibility! ” And if that is the best we can expect – don’t bother!
The people who we are trying to reach with the message if Christ, have a choice of what to watch, read, or listen to. They will ALWAYS CHOOSE THE HIGHER PRODUCTION QUALITY!!
We CAN, and MUST DO BETTER, if we are to Honor God, and reach the lost for Him. It’s why He gave us these talents in the first place – INVEST THEM WISELY!!