Faith in Film, part 1

Did you go to the movies last weekend?  If so, what’d you see?  Guardians of the Galaxy?  When the Game Stands Tall?  The Giver?

 

Not too many years ago, Christians complained that their faith and moral standards weren’t fairly represented on the silver screen. The ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s were nothing like the golden era of The 10 Commandments (1956), Ben-Hur (1959) and The Robe (1953).

I wasn't alive in the 1950s, although I did eventually see The 10 Commandments and Ben-Hur with my parents.  I do remember a few big-screen Christian hits, though. My childhood was marked by The Cross and the Switchblade, Joni, The Hiding Place, A Thief in the Night (how terrifying was that one, by the way?), and Jesus.  The 1980s brought the beautiful film Chariots of Fire and the Robert DeNiro picture, The Mission.  Prince of Egypt was delivered to us by Dreamworks in the 1990s, and got rave reviews.  But you have to admit, the pickings of Christian films were slim for many years, weren’t they?

Then, something changed.  Between 2000 and 2010, there was an explosion of “Christian” media.  In approximately ten years time, we had Left Behind, the Christy television show, Christmas Child, Love Comes Softly, the Passion of the Christ, Luther, The Climb, Amazing Grace, Faith Like Potatoes, End of the Spear, three Chronicles of Narnia movies, and two big-screen VeggieTales movies.  Fox Faith came out with 11 films,(One Night with the King, The Ultimate Gift, Saving Sarah Cain. . .. ) The Kendrick brothers came onto the scene with three movies as well--Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

In fact, Wikipedia lists 18 "Christian" films in the 1960s, 21 in the '70s, 18 in the '80s and 23 in the 1990s.  However, the following decade shows a full 100! More than the previous four decades combined!

Now, before someone else says it, I know that those lists are probably inaccurate, missing or adding a couple of movies here and there.  I also know that some of the movies shouldn't even be classified as "Christian.”  (To see "Jesus Christ Superstar" in that list, for instance, causes me to cringe).  Yet, it is easy to see the trend: Christians are no longer left out of mainstream media.

That streak hasn't seemed to slow down this decade, either.  We're at 41 "Christian" films already with six years to go.  Just in the last 18 months, we have had Home Run; Son of God; God's Not Dead; Noah; Heaven Is for Real; Mom's Night Out; Grace Unplugged; Alone, Yet Not Alone; Persecuted and When the Game Stands Tall.  I keep getting e-mails and facebook posts reminding me that others are coming up right around the corner.

So, what does that all mean?  How do you feel about that? If you are a Christian, do you feel that these movies represent your faith, standards or lifestyle?  If you aren't a Christian, do you ever watch these kinds of films?

I often hear comments like . . . .  

"Christian films aren't as well-made as secular films." 

"I am so glad that they are making Christian films now; we should support that with our ticket dollars."

"Some of those movies are not theologically sound."

"That movie was brilliant--everyone should see it."

I am right there with all of those statements.  I have been greatly moved by some religious movies and then embarrassed to admit I went to see some of the others. 

Another day, I'll try to give  some of my opinions about recent "best” and “worst.”  For now, though, I’ve talked enough.  How about you?  What movies aimed at Christian audiences have you seen?  Did you like the ones you saw?  Are there any that you refused to see?  Why?   

Please weigh in and let me know in the comments!