End of the Spear actor on Larry King Live along with Brokeback commentary by pastors. Read a review

I try to see as many little movies as I can, because you never know when you’ll make a discovery. Usually, I feel like I’ve wasted my time but whenever I find a unique film, it enriches my life. End of the Spear is one of those films.

Not at all. God uses imperfect people (which is what we all are!) I read Mike Staires' blog, and he addressed this topic with straight-forward eloquence this week. I couldn't possibly say it better, so I'm just going to post his words....

Fundamentals fundamentally wrong about End of the Spear?

I've recently become aware of the controversy that's brewing in Christian fundamental circles surrounding the opening of the movie End of the Spear.

The producers cast a confessed gay man in one of the leading of the roles and now certain ministry leaders are having (and expressing) their issues.

For ministry leaders to reject the movie outright based on the sexual orientation of one of the actors is short-sighted at best and pompous and pharisaical at worst. I think this is exactly the kind of narrow-minded perspective that has given the church the current reputation of being out of touch and irrelevant...and unable to really speak to the issues of our society or contribute to the arts of today's modern culture. Of course it would be much more understanding if the situation was reversed...a Christian straight guy was playing the role of a gay man in a movie based on the homosexual lifestyle. Then, at least they could say that the actor in question was lowering his standards in order to play a role. This, however, is not that situation; a gay man in a movie with a Christian message.

I wonder how far these ministry leaders would be willing to carry their logic? What about Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Julie Roberts, Meg Ryan, Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Steven Soderburg, Ron Howard? Are these people devout Christians? Should their collective body of work be dismissed because of their sinful lives? Have these ministry leaders come out encouraging their fellow believers to boycott their films as well because of their sinful lifestyles? What about books written by Hemingway, Eliot, Dickenson and other legendary non-Christian authors? When does the book-burning begin?

More on point...if God does not rank sin, in other words, if my sin is no worse or better than your sin or Chad Allen's sin, then how can my work or your work or anyone else's work be accepted by this strict standard?

I do not condone Mr. Allen's lifestyle. Personally, I have a real problem with the prevalence of the homosexual lifestyle being depicted throughout the media. However, I think Mr. Allen's performance should be judged by his abilities as an actor not by his sexual orientation. Likewise, the film (and the producer's casting decisions) should be evaluated on it's artistic merit and not dismissed out of hand just because one of the actors happens to be gay.

And, who knows what kind of long-term effect this role will have on Mr. Allen? Let's pray that the same beliefs and convictions that guided Nate Saint will ultimately bring Chad Allen around to the truth.

The movie opens this weekend (January 20). I encourage you to go see it (sooner rather than later) and make up your own mind about the movie; its story, its production quality, its on-location shoot, and the artistic ability of its actors.

Again, go THIS WEEKEND. Remember, attendance opening weekend often dictates whether the movie hangs around a while or dies a quick and uneventful death. This movie's message is too important to allow to die.

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