Posted on 01/20/2006 8:01:00 PM PST by Timmy
My wife just returned from seeing End of the Spear (opening night) with other ladies. She said it was amazingly powerful, and a must-see for all believers. For those who are not familiar with this movie, it is the followup to Gates of Spendor, about the five young missionaries martyed in Ecuador in the 1950's. After they are killed trying to reach this primitive and dangerous tribe, their wives approach the tribe and actually live with them for an extended time, bringing the Good News to them. They are now a Christian people, saved because of the incredible courage of these faithful people.
good point
My wife and I just got back from seeing it. Great film. We loved it. There was a total of 4 reviews online today (see Metacritic.com) and most hated it for the same reason they hate all films with a Christian theme. They were wrong or outright liars. The film is excellent.
In 1979 I went to a mission conference and heard Jim's wife, Elizabeth Elliot speak. It was such an awe inspiring speech I still remember it to this day. She talked about what it means to be a "witness". She told us the story of Jim Elliot, and the missionaries and what it meant to her to go back to Ecuador to finish the work her husband started. Just a tremendous woman and a woman of God.
"All men are divine."
Off the subject, maybe, but this isn't Christian doctrine. Mormon maybe, New Age, Wicca perhaps, but not Scriptural.
As soon as it is out on DVD, we will buy it.
The controversy seems to center more in the Christian talk scene at least to this point. That is where I heard it. And the host was trying to play a very dangerous game of great movie, great topic.....but. Instead of discussing it, he was trying to stir it.
Christians need to approach this movie with caution and prayer. Likely the actor has been paid, so tickets sales likely don't go directly to his pocket. But they do to a point further recognition of gays in our society. Sometimes people of faith fight anything gay for the sake of it being gay. Clearly, that's not what Christians should be doing. They should be delineating the correct path to salvation and service in His name.
That is a very profound statement and is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I think we should all take this to heart, whatever your political leanings. Thanks for posting.
Well, you just can't completely escape Hollywood. Chad Allen, the actor who plays Nathan Saint and the adult Steve Saint, lead characters in the film, has chosen to live a deviant lifestyle (ie. he considers himself to be "gay"). Nothing bad in the film itself.
Thank you I think I will going to this over the weekend and I am going to check out the documentary.....I did catch the interview on FOX with the son....powerful...he is such an exapmle of Christs love for us
If you had a gay co-worker, would you shun him, or love him? There is a clear message of Christian redemption in this movie. Maybe Chad Allen was affected by the people he worked with in this movie. Maybe a seed was planted. Hating him and shunning him because he is a sinner doesn't seem right. Isn't this the kind of person Jesus hung out with?
Please see it this weekend, if you want it to remain in theaters! This is the most important weekend for the film.
Here are some statements from gay activist Chad Allen which he made on Larry King Live this last week:
But I have to say, if they're going to speak about absolute transcendent truth, I need to tell you, I know absolute transcendent truth. I have a deep relationship with God and my understanding. It's very powerful, and it's taken its own shape and form. And I am very much at peace in the knowledge that in my heart God created this beautiful expression of my love.
You know, I made this movie with a group of conservative Christians who do not agree with my expression of sexuality. But we said to each other, I will walk with you accepting your differences and we can create together. I will give you your space to respect you fully. They don't need to take away from my freedom, I don't need to take away from theirs. And I am so proud to have done that. That's the kind of bridge-building I think we can get to.
These days I judge all of my actions by my relationship with God of my understanding. It is a deep-founded, faith-based belief in God based upon the work that I've done growing up as a Catholic boy and then reaching out to Buddhism philosophy, to Hindu philosophy, to Native American beliefs and finally as I got through my course with addiction and alcoholism and finding a higher power that worked for me.
You know, I had to sit down with that same God today and say, "Do you want me to go on this show? Do you want me to speak the things that are in my heart? And if not, I'm happy not to go. Do you want me to make this movie?" It's the same God that I go to for every decision.
I play a Christian, yes. And they're going to be saying, "This is the way you be Christian, there's only one way." Well you know what, there isn't. I'm a part of a wonderful community church here in Pasadena that has a very different interpretation of those same gospels that they are speaking of. There isn't just one way to do this, there are a lot of paths.
By attending this movie, it's not going to bring a single gay closer to Christian living. It's not being an Olive Branch to the gay community. Conversely, I don't advocate an organized boycott. Christians need to think and more importanly pray on how to approach these issues.
I can avoid this movie on my own terms without trumpeting the gay card if that's how I am lead.
More important than the fact they're christians is that the missionaries saved them from completely decimating their tribal nation because of the constant interfamily revenge killing. The movie is beautiful but, very emotionally draining.
Chad's gay....Big deal....he's an actor playing a part.
I saw the movie last night and he was very moving in the role. The whole theatre was sobbing, the movie is emotionally draining, and a beautiful story about self sacrifice and the power of love.
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