Posted on 09/22/2025 4:27:43 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
I used to wince when publicists sent me faith-based films or TV to preview. Almost always, the genre’s reputation—cheaply made, cheesy, preachy—proved well deserved.
But in recent years, the genre’s quality has vastly improved. I’m increasingly delighted to praise quality offerings—not because they’re not awful but because they’re genuinely praiseworthy.
Jon Erwin (I Can Only Imagine) has been part of an emerging renaissance of faith-based film and TV. It’s a welcome trend that also includes his brother Andrew, Jon Gunn (Jesus Revolution), and Dallas Jenkins (The Chosen). Still, when I heard that Erwin’s new Wonder Project studio was kicking off with a Prime Video series about David, decades of low expectations had me fearful.
Having previewed all eight episodes of House of David season 1, I can say with relief that my fears were (mostly) allayed by a narrative that exceeded my expectations.
…It took me some time to warm up to Iskander as the warrior-poet David. At first, Iskander (an Egyptian-born stage actor in his first major screen role) felt too scrawny and artsy: believable as a bard but less so as a battle-winning, lion-slaying warrior. But then Scripture’s own words (uttered by Samuel in the show) reminded me: “The LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).
One of the key takeaways from David’s arc in Scripture—as with so many other people God chooses to use—is that he’s not a likely leader by all appearances. His ascent speaks to God’s glory, not David’s.
Along the way, we see iconic moments like David fighting a lion and being selected and anointed by the prophet Samuel (Stephen Lang).
Samuel is the thematic and spiritual heart of the show, and Lang’s performance elevates every scene he’s in.
(Excerpt) Read more at thegospelcoalition.org ...
Watched the first season of “House of David” and am looking forward to the second season which will begin airing Sunday, October 5th. Over the past few months, I began watching “The Chosen” and finished the 5th season last week. Season 6 won’t be airing until spring 2027. Season 7 is scheduled after.
I really enjoyed the first season. I didn't even realize it was a Christian production company until I was halfway through the series (because it wasn't cringe and lame like so many faith-based entertainment sadly turns out to be).
I just thought it was some good swords and sandals action.
Didn't realize Season 2 was coming out so soon. Thanks for the heads up!
It was a surprise to me too. Looking forward to it.
It's worth anyone's time to watch.
The fact that it is good is especially surprising because its on Amazon, which specializes in spending a fortune to churn out insipid, Woke crap.
On a semi-related note, Stephen Lang's Colonel Quaritch from "Avatar" is always on my list of "movie villains who were actually the good guys."
I knew of another place, but it was called the “House of Jim’s!”
It was on the “Jersey Shore,” the “cost” of living there was a case of beer, per night. Once, a friend of mine filled one of the refrigerators with food, cold cuts, salads, you know, tasty, healthy food.
Someone threw all of the food out....
The Fridges were for BEER!
Ahhh, the mid to late 1950s.
Thanks for the memories.
Bat
I thought One Night With the King was reasonably good in addition to these the article mentions. As Hollywood circles the drain it’s good to see improving quality in Christian films.
I am a Christian novelist who has a deep respect for proper plotting, believable characters and scenarios, and respect for the written word. I cringe when I see what passes for Christian writing. Most of it reads like second draft material or pulp fiction; what used to be called dime novels. I pray the Lord will inspire great writers in this genre. I am gratified to see Christian films improving, but even they have a long way to go.
By today’s standards all the great works of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, etc…should be relegated to the realm of “Christian” art.
Shakespeare, Milton, Dickens, William Blake etc…by the standards of today, are Christian writers…
All of literature was essentially Christian writing from 1400 almost to 1900.
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