[No Fool]

Way to go Barbara! This film is endorsed by Ted Haggard, John Maxwell, Dennis Rainey, Jerry Falwell, Joyce Meyer, and is on the cover of Focus on the Family's Plugged-In Magazine, and Billy Graham's Decision Magazine. I also heard that the people that the movie is based on spoke at Rick Warren's church to over 30K people.

Kind of makes any "boycotters" seem like they are stepping out of the step with the rest of the band.

[dfwgator]

Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors.

How could Jesus hang out with such scum. I mean those tax collectors are disgusting.

[atomicpossum]

I'm more concerned with the message of the film than the failings of those behind it.

[2banana]

Next time bring a gun

[Katya]

I took my daughter to see it opening night....it was powerful and moving. Since none of the actors were "A" list...not a peep out of my 12 year old as to "who" the actors were anyway. This movie is focused on story, not celebrity.

[trebb]

Too many "Christians" are losing sight of what it really means. They either condemn people for homosexuality, without attempting to influence the homosexuals in a positive fashion, or they promote homosexuals within their churches. When asked why he hung out with the low-life, Jesus made a statement akin to: The well don't need the attention of doctors. Since it is our biggest duty as Christians to spread the Word and try to get others to claim Jesus as their own Saviour, we need to spend more time with those who are wandering in darkness, in the hope they may see the Light.

[foldspace]

Jesus came (and is available) precisely and ONLY for the sinner. That is the message from the OT to the NT. If you are NOT a sinner, you DO NOT need Christ. Period.

Hate the sin / Love the sinner (and go to the movie he helped make).

All Christian legalists (in whatever form) should get their heads checked and/or go argue in front of God now.

[spetznaz]

There are people who will boycott anything. To be honest, if Christ still walked the earth in human form, they would probably 'boycott' him too (or worse). After all, just think of some of the things Christ did! He healed on the Sabbath (goodness gracious!!!!), he ate with tax collectors (ANATHEMA I tell you!!!!), he embraced prostitutes (oh my gosh!!!!), he .....!

There are so many things Jesus did that would have so many people today all twisted up, and to be honest with you if crucifixion was standard and allowed, he would probably be crucified faster TODAY (and by a good segment of Christians) than he was when he gave Himself up for us. For one he'd be banned from very many churches for many of the things he said and did.

[BibChr]

Interesting, if disappointing, emotional PoMo blurt.

What if she'd actually thought through Jason Janz' (she misspells his name) very carefully documented, well thought out writing, and dealt with his thoughts and facts, rather than her feelings about his thoughts and facts?

A different perspective here and here.

Dan

[ark_girl]

Well-said.

Well, we finally get a movie that shows what Christianity is about. It shows what our goals and motives are (or at least should be).

Who cares if the messenger is flawed. Moses killed a man. Peter denied knowing Jesus. Paul held people's coats while they stoned the Christians to death. These are some of the people God went on to use to communicate the building blocks of our faith.

God has a history of using flawed people to spread his message. :-)

[NaughtiusMaximus]

In other news; "Book of Daniel" cancelled today.

[VOA]

End of the Spear - How About End the Christian Witch Hunt

It is ironic that the manner in which this well-intended film
was made actually has endgendered a witch hunt for AND by Christians.

[Antoninus]

Jesus hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors.

Slight correction that makes a huge difference. Jesus hung out with *repentant* prostitutes and tax collectors. I hate it when screed-writers make the Jesus of the Gospels sound more like Jesus Christ, metrosexual. What part of "Now go and sin no more" don't they understand?

Jesus was quite *intolerant* when it came to sin.

[Rocky]

An excellent response. There is no need for all of the actors in a Christian film to be Christians. And, in fact, there is no guarantee that the actors who call themselves Christians are in fact following Jesus. The question should be: Does the final product convey a Christian message?

[latina4dubya]

here, here, Barbara... ditto to everything you wrote...

[TennesseeGirl]

I had less of a problem with Chad Allen portraying Nate & Steve Saint and more of a problem with the lack of the missionaries being portrayed as missionaries (at least like the ones I know). I did not see a Bible or missionaries in prayer at any time. I left feeling like the missionaries could just have easily have been Peace Corp workers. Their spiritual lives (which is a DAILY walk) was non-existant in the film. Heavy emphasis on humanitarian works (food and medicine). The word "saved" was used once. The plan of salvation was never given except for one veiled attempt from one indian to another. Beautiful movie, but very weak in sharing in the gospel. Born again Christians will understand the context, but will an unsaved world?

[rwfromkansas]

They cast a gay man in this film?

I can't support it then....they clearly are not standing up for what is right. They are essentially enabling the man.

Christians do NOT compromise on truth.

These filmmakers chose to UNEQUALLY YOKE themselves and disobey God's word.

I was going to see the film. No more.

[Cindy_Cin]

The endorsement list reads like a "Whose Who" of People I admire and respect.
Conversely, I've never heard of the boycott leader?
Are we sure its not a poser lefty? GriN

[will of the people]

Phillipians Chapter 1

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

It is true, that some act in movies with a Christian message for pay (selfish ambition), and some act in them to promote Christ; But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

A few days ago I went and saw this film. It was excellent. I searched Free Republic to see what sort of press it was getting.

I cannot express my shock at the narrow minded legalistic stupidity that attempts to pass as reasoned theology. It did not take Christ one single additional drop of blood to redeem the homosexual than it did to redeem me. Christ did not have to suffer any longer or more intensely to cover the sin of homosexuality, than he did to cover other sins.

It is the religious spirit, the Pharisaical attitude, that facilitated the crucifixion of Christ; and it is that same spirit that views certain sins and certain sinners as more deserving of hell than others.

But I thank God daily that he offers to me the same grace that he offers to the homosexual; and I daresay if I ever sin by beating my breast and saying "I thank you God that I am not like that man- a vile sinner" it will more likely be a stiff-necked hard hearted legalistic 'whitewashed tomb' of the modern day holier-than-thou Pharisaical that I am pointing to than a homosexual who needs God's grace no more than I.

Will Wallace
Seaford, DE

[Guenevere]

To No Fool...

...I am not familiar with Jason Janz, but I Googled him and read his well thought out article about this movie and his objections to it.

There was nothing....nada....not a thing knee-jerk in his writing (as Barbara would have us believe!)

It was heartfelt, genuine and sincerely explaining his reasons for Christians to think before they see or endorse this movie.

I clearly know there will be some who will post here and flame me or Dan or anyone else who find the casting of this movie disingenuous.....

...actually they already have!

Barbara is way off base on this one.

[arizonarachel]

I also heard that the people that the movie is based on spoke at Rick Warren's church to over 30K people.

My husband and I actually were there at Saddleback (Rick Warren's church) the Sunday that Mr. Saint and 'Grandpa' were there. It was interesting to hear their story and the love and forgiveness that came out of such a tragedy.