J.C. WATTS: 'End of the Spear'

The Review-Journal ^ | Feb. 19, 2006 | J.C. Watts

[FloridianBushFan]

Been to the movies lately? If you're going to plunk down $8.50 and buy watered-down Coke and overpriced popcorn, is it asking too much for quality entertainment that occasionally affirms life and stirs the soul? For years, my friends in the church and in the pro-family movement and I have decried the products being delivered to our theaters. We have particularly pointed to an anti-religious bias in so many movies.

Red-state America's response to movies that are bad in this fashion has been to whine, complain and maybe even call for an ill-fated boycott.

Film critic, radio talk show host and cultural warrior Michael Medved talks about this phenomenon in his best-selling book, "Right Turns."

"The best way to make a difference," Medved writes, "involved less complaining and more creating. The presence of more people of faith within the entertainment establishment would not only facilitate more projects sympathetic to Christianity and Judaism, but would also undermine some of the lingering anti-religious stereotypes."

Can I hear an "amen"?

Enter Every Tribe Entertainment, an independent production company committed to creating quality entertainment for a broad audience that inspires hope through truth. Frustrated with what our culture was ingesting, and understanding the power of the media, they took Medved's words to heart and set out to tell one of the most compelling true stories of our time.

"End of the Spear" is the motion picture account of the very beloved story of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming and Roger Youderian -- five missionary martyrs who gave their lives reaching a very remote and violent tribe in the jungles of Ecuador in 1956. The story is not in the deaths of the five men, but in the redemption that follows. I'm not going to tell the whole story. Go see the movie if it's still in your city. You'll thank me.

The "church" was poised to embrace this film. For the first time on the big screen, missionaries were portrayed not as "bottom feeders," but as heroes. More than 50 leaders of ministries around the nation endorsed the film, and mainstream conservative critics hailed the production.

But sadly, the Every Tribe team encountered for the first time what many of us in public life have experienced for many years. They met the blogosphere.

For unwittingly casting a gay actor in a lead role, Every Tribe met the wrath of a preacher in suburban Denver with nothing better to do than to read excerpts from a gay-rights magazine and attack a brother without bothering to check with him first.

It seems Jason Janz, who runs a Web site I won't dignify with a mention here, took at face value the claims of a special-interest magazine that claimed a fine young actor named Chad Allen was cast in the role of Nate Saint because he is gay. The blogs lit up like Las Vegas.

A leader in the Southern Baptist church took at face value what was said on the Web and blogged his own commentary -- accusing Every Tribe of "reckless" casting and asked: "What were they thinking?" I wonder if this leader bothered to ask them what they were thinking before committing his thoughts to paper. If he had, he would have known that the producers were caught unaware of Allen's lifestyle choice until they had tendered a contract.

At that point, these businessmen, men of honor who not only talk about redemption but live it, agonized over their dilemma until the son of Nate Saint himself concluded that the truly redemptive act would be to keep Allen in the role, and expose him to the real love of Christ as lived out by the real Nate Saint. What a concept.

For this, Every Tribe has been relentlessly attacked and even threatened in cyberspace. Attacked by their own -- not the Hollywood elite.

Janz now knows better, as leaders in the film company have personally approached him and a mediator with the truth. As of this writing, I see that Janz has "clarified" his accusations, but not yet apologized. As a Christian brother, Janz -- and anyone who has forwarded his online charges -- owes Every Tribe restitution. But like toothpaste that has been squeezed out of its tube, his words may be impossible to put back.

Every Tribe's attackers may be surprised to know that there were likely gays, tax cheats, philanderers and even gluttons on the sets of "Chariots of Fire," "The Passion of The Christ," "The Chronicles of Narnia," and probably even "The Ten Commandments." But these accusers apparently have the luxury of picking their sins, regardless of the teaching of he who they claim to serve.

I've seen this scenario for too many years in the political arena. Uncorroborated charges reported as gospel truth, resulting in the defamation of good and honorable men.

It's wrong, but not surprising, in politics. I weep to see this played out on this stage, in the name of God.

For more information about "End of the Spear" and the Chad Allen matter, visit www.christianitytodaymovies.com.

J.C. Watts (JCWatts01@jcwatts.com) , is former chairman of the Republican Conference of the U.S. House, where he served as an Oklahoma representative from 1995 to 2002. His column appears twice monthly in the Review-Journal.

[FloridianBushFan]

"But these accusers apparently have the luxury of picking their sins, regardless of the teaching of he who they claim to serve."

"I've seen this scenario for too many years in the political arena. Uncorroborated charges reported as gospel truth, resulting in the defamation of good and honorable men."

This is so true all to often we are ready to cast the first stone when we ourselves live in glass houses. We don't bother to get the whole story and jump to conclusions when only hearing parts of the story.

[SkyPilot]

I have not seen this movie yet, but I will.

I have seen the wonderful DVD called "Through the Gates of Splendor" that is a documentary of the actual event that goes into great detail about what really happened.

You can rent it at Blockbuster or other places.

It is one of the most powerful things I have watched since Mel Gibson't "The Passion of the Christ." Please rent it.

Great post and words by Rep Watts - thanks.

[Drango]

"End of the Spear" and J.C. WATTS both have class.

[SkyPilot]

Correction, the correct title is "Beyond the Gates of Splendor."

Movie description An award-winning documentary with a message of forgiveness, BEYOND THE GATES OF SPLENDOR is a powerful example of the beauty of Christ's love. The story of the conversion of the Waodani Indians, a violent tribe living in isolation in Ecuador, is both tragic and inspiring. Over 50 years ago, in 1965, a group of five missionary families traveled to the jungles of Ecuador, intent upon the conversion of its people. All five of the men on the expedition were brutally slaughtered by the Indians, but in the aftermath, the wife and sister of one of the slain men came to live with the Waodani, eventually educating them in the ways of Christianity. Later, one of the men's sons came to join his mother there as well, in a startling, affecting gesture of love.

[yarddog]

It didn't really bother me that a couple of the actors in "Chariots of Fire" were Homosexuals. It would have, if they had been pushing that agenda tho.

It was a great movie imo. I would have preferred they be straight but so what?

[FloridianBushFan]

I have not seen it yet either. I hope to soon. Thanks for the info about the documentary I will check it out.

[ArGee]

I have not seen this movie yet, but I will.

You will enjoy it. I wonder how Chad Allen felt reciting Nate Saint's statement that "We can't kill them. They aren't ready for Heaven yet. We are." I won't spoil the movie by telling you why he said that, but it was a powerful statement of the uniqueness of Christ, and Allen delivered it as if he meant it.

My only consolation in this bruhaha is that many homosexuals might go see the movie who otherwise might not do so.

Shalom.

[Mr. Brightside]

I look forward to seeing the movie with my kids.

And I do not plan on telling them that one of the actors is a homo.

Most people, like me, would not have even known it was it not for the conservative "blogosphere."

[Bushman2]

I'm a tough guy, but there were tears at the end of this movie. IT IS A UST SEE.

Thanks, K.C. we are with you.

[Siena Dreaming]

gays, tax cheats, philanderers and even gluttons on the sets of "Chariots of Fire," "The Passion of The Christ," "The Chronicles of Narnia," and probably even "The Ten Commandments

I will see this movie if it comes to my area.

However, I can see why christians boycott the film. It's because the gay agenda has so saturated our culture, they are sick and tired of it.

Gays are far from discriminated against these days. Rather, they are given special rights and appointed to positions of political power over many of us just because they are gay. This was not true in the time of the films JC cites above.

[Knute]

Christians attacking other Christians in the full view of the pagan press.
What ever happened to Colossians 3:13 and a multitude of other verses that teach about conduct within the family of God?
The accusation has been raised that Christians are the only group of people that shoot their wounded in time of war. Sometimes it seems that is an accurate assessment.

See the movie! It contains the work of flawed human beings portaying the lives of heroes of the faith.

[ArGee]

However, I can see why christians boycott the film. It's because the gay agenda has so saturated our culture, they are sick and tired of it.

But this is the other story. Allen had not made a big deal out of his homosexuality and the movie producers didn't know of it when they offered him the job. When they found out, they all discussed whether it was appropriate to let him keep the job. They realized that this movie might have a redemptive impact on Allen. Finally they left the decision up to Steve Saint, who was a character Allen would portray. Steve decided to allow G-d to work through the situation.

Had the accusers known about this, they would (I hope) have supported it even more.

Shalom.

[Siena Dreaming]

What you say may very well be true.

However, just the fact that a gay activist is playing a lead role will turn many christians off on any movie. And, like I said, I can understand that position in the light of how homosexuality has permeated the culture in recent years.

Like I said, I'll probably see the movie, but I can understand the position of christians who don't want to.

[FloridianBushFan]

I t was the accusers who made a bid deal out of Allen's sexuality. Allen was not the one making a big deal about it.

[FloridianBushFan]

It was the accusers who made a bid deal out of Allen's sexuality. Allen was not the one making a big deal about it.

[SkyPilot]

I heard that line in the documentary. They said the men had guns, but would not use them for the reason you mentioned.

I was a bit put off at first when I heard that they allowed a homosexual actor like Chad Allen to play Nate Saint. But, you're right - that in itself is almost a replay of what the missionaries did. They brought the message of the Gospel to the lost.

God is at work once again, isn't He?

[AaronInCarolina]

It's a wonderful movie. Unfortunately, it only lasted a little over a week at our local theater, but my son and I got to see it before it left.

I was so moved by the movie that I went out and rented "Beyond the Gates of Splendor", which is a documentary that sprung from the same production as the movie "End of the Spear". They decided that they had so much footage of interviews with the widows and the Waodani tribespeople, that they would also do a documentary besides the feature film. I highly recommend both.

The title for the documentary "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" derives from the title of a book that Elisabeth Elliot wrote not long after the death of her husband and friends. Her book, "Through Gates of Splendor", told the tale in book form.

Having seen both the feature movie and the documentary, I think that the movie "End of the Spear" somewhat underplays the role that Jim Elliot and his wife, Elizabeth, played in the real story. I got the sense that "End Of The Spear" is a little too weighted toward Nate Saint, and his son Steve Saint and Nate's sister Rachel Saint. In "End Of The Spear" there is not much mention of the Elliots.

Nevertheless, it is a great movie, and I will buy the DVD when it comes out.

If you do go see it in the theater, be sure to stick around for the credits, as there are clips of the real Mincaye along with Steve Saint where Mincaye visits the United States.

[Siena Dreaming]

Allen was not the one making a big deal about it.

Yes, I understood that from your first post.

However, there are people who will see no movie with a homosexual in the lead role, no matter what.

[SkyPilot]

When we watched the documentary, I didn't know Elisabeth Elliot was a well renown author in her own right.

After I heard her speak, I was in awe of her.

She is incredibly intelligent; almost brilliant, and I don't use that word very often. You can tell she has great intellect by listening to her.

And she, like all of them, has a heart for Christ.

[Louis Foxwell]

just the fact that a gay activist is playing a lead role will turn many christians off on any movie.

________________________

This attitude is the very essence of discrimination. He is an actor, presumably a good actor. If he were a Muslim would you be offended?
Christians who can not get past their hatred of sinners are not Christians. They are in league with the great deceiver.