People who know me well know that, even though I am a Christian, I can't stand Christian movies. Ok, I can't say all Christian movies, but most of them. Despite what you may think, it's not the poor acting seen in most of them (although that does have a small part to do with it). In all honesty, it is the message of them that I can't stand. I know what you are all thinking...what? The message is the most important part. I politely have to disagree. Now, before I go much farther, I do want to say that this is my own opinion...there are people who think that Christian movies are great, and they are touched by them...if that is the case for you then that's great, I'm just writing about how I feel about things, because this is my blog and I can say what I want.
There is a reason I don't like the message of most Christian movies...it's a fake representation of what Christianity is. 95% of the Christian movies I have seen...perhaps even more, are all about someone hurting, or dealing with something, finding God and then everything is GREAT! But is that really how life is? Does your life become great when you find God? Does everything work out if you pray? No, it doesn't...not always. I don't want to say that these things never happen, because they do...but they don't always happen. That's what I don't like about Christian movies, if a non-Christian were to watch Christian movies, they would get the impression that if they turn to God, pray and ask God for something, they will get it and their life will be amazing.
I think of the movie Facing the Giants (I realize this is a popular, widely loved Christian movie, but once again I am saying that this is MY opinion, you don't have to share it). This movie is the epitomy of "God answeres Prayer". It's about an underdog football team, who makes it to a championship game. In the final 5 minutes of the movie, all of this occurs after someone prays: 1) The wind miraculously changes direction, and a field goal is succesfully kicked
2) A crippled father stands out of his wheel chair to cheer on his son
3) A barren woman finds out she is pregnant
Wow...after one prayer? If I were a non-Christian watching that, I would get the impression that life always works out as long as you pray. I may even come to God, with the expectation that when I pray for something, it will happen. And then I would be hugely disappointed when it doesn't happen.
Just once, i would love to see a Christian movie where nothing works out. Someone comes to God, but life is still hard. Prayers go unanswered. He suffers, cries, and yet still sticks with God. No resolution in the end of the movie...no happy ending, just a story of a man suffering, like Job. Where is that movie? It won't be made, because people want to sell Christianity, and that often makes if seem "easier" and "happier" than it really is. Too bad really.
I have also found, that lately, I have grown to hate Church signs. Not the simple "this is when out service is held...come join us" signs, but the "Catch-Phrase" church signs. Kristi and I often drive through Abbotsford, and read some of the church signs, and they are ridiculous. We shake our heads in disbelief. Things like, "God accepts Knee-Mail" or the most recent, ridiculous and confusing one, "Download your Worries. Upload your Time with God". What does that even mean?
To be frank, if your church needs a catchy tag-line to get people through your doors on a Sunday morning, you are doing something wrong. You wonder why people have a poor idea of what Christianity is. All they see on TV is a mockery (holier than thou people, religious zealots, Fox News right wingers, Religious terrorists)...and then what they see from the Church through silly signs, and Christian Movies isn't much better. People have no idea what Christianity really is anymore...it's really too bad.
So that is why I don't like Christian movies, and why i don't like church signs...or bumper stickers, or t-shirts for that matter. I think if Jesus was walking the earth today, and seeing all of the "marketing" that is happening for Christianity...he may just walk into our Christian book stores and begin turning the tables. Instead of spreading catchy slogans, start living out Christinity. Let's show people what it's about through our actions...not through our signs, movies and slogans. Let's get real people...Christianity is a relationship, not a beer commercial.
3 comments:
Let me remind you though of Job. Thee ONLY reason Job suffered that much was because the devil wanted to see if all that suffering that God allowed him to bring to Job would be to break him, and turn him away from God. God allowed it because He knew that it WOULDN'T! Job only built a stronger relation in the end and God blessed him and RESTORED his fortunes. Job 42: 10 *in fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before.
My opinion is that the reason christian movies are that way are because who would want to become a christian if someone was telling them life would be no better off than it was before, plus having to quit some of their previous lifestyles. I believe they're trying to be uplifting and encouraging, I don't see a problem with that. Really I don't see why God can't still do these things for people if their hearts truly stand for His. We live in such a benefited lifestyle and can depend on ourselves so much more than God, what would happen if we put God first, like Job, and ourselves second.
Just my opinion.
Great post, and I have to agree with the movies. A great example in real life are the people in Haiti. These are people who have suffered such devastation, but many of them have such a trust in God...
Funny you should mention bumper stickers. I refuse to put a christian bumper sticker on my vehicle. The reason? What kind of example would I be when non-Christians see my bumper sticker as I speed, accidentally cut someone off, etc. And let's admit it, we all do it.
I agree completely. I think the false portrayal of Christian life based on those films is appalling. I refuse to watch those movies for that reason... that and the acting is usually mediocre at best... usually horrible. Haha... great post man... life needs to be seen as real. That is why films from the last year that I have enjoyed so thoroughly are like "500 Days of Summer." Where the ending is not happy. The narrator makes it known in the first 2 minutes of the film by saying "This will not be a happy ending." You know me, I am a LOVER of Film, and Theatre arts. The expressions of people and lives and life itself are an artform that I will always love. And to me the best ones are the ones that match closely to reality. Because I can relate to reality. Like Boy and His Piano... the end was better... but not perfect, a work in progress as Gregory puts it. And we can relate to life being a work in progress....
I think our most effective witnessing is when we are real people. Not some plastic person in a mask that the work will only resent because of how "perfect" we have it and how "terrible" it is for them.
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