Facing the Giants: Movie Review
Angie and I watched a movie last night called Facing the Giants . For those of you not familar with it, it is a movie created, produced, and acted in by members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA. It was produced on a budget of only $100,000.
First I want to say, I applaude the church for taking on such a huge project. It took a large number of volunteers and time to make this movie. I appreciate their desire to produce a movie that is "Christian" and does not include the violence, profanity, etc. seen in most movies today. However....
Keep your expectations low if you are to find any pleasure in this movie (other than poking fun at it). I hate to be so negative about this film, but it is certainly mediocre at best. It has been touted by some Christians as an incredible movie. I am not sure what they are seeing. Is it just that we are so desparate for a "Christian" film that we are willing to except very poor attempts as excellent. Certainly there is more talent among Christians than this.
It wasn't just a lack of talent in this movie, it seemed to have a lack of correct Biblical theology. Maybe it wasn't meant this way, but they certainly seemed to be advocates of the "Prosperity Gospel" or "Name it and claim it" theology. According to the movie, if you pray and believe with enough faith and you to can keep your job and get a raise even though you were about to be canned, become a championship football team instead of sitting in the cellar, receive a brand new extended cab pickup truck as a gift, see your entire school come to revival, and concieve a child against all odds (twice). I am all about happy endings, but come on!
Well that's my opinion, what's yours?
5 comments:
What? You mean I can't pray hard enough and have enough faith and a job will appear on my front doorstep?
I want my money back!
Note to all:
Please add a healthy dose of sarcasm into the above comment....just for those who don't know me! : )
I will let you know my opinion after tonight. I am anxiously awaiting watching this critically acclaimed masterpiece.
Note sarcasm in my comment as well.
Just finished watching it. Here are my thoughts.
I did appreciate the movies attempt at humor. I have to admit to laughing out loud a few times. I too applaud the church for trying to make a Christian movie.
But come on. A raise, new truck, state championship, 51 yard field goal in HS football, two babies.
I hope that this movie was not an attempt to reach unbelievers. How devastated they will be when they realize that life's not always pop tarts and roses. I feel that is one of the problems with the church today. "Get saved, get right with God, and everything will go your way." HA. Tell that to Paul when he was in prison. Tell that to the hundreds of Christians being persecuted.
And by the way, what exactly does it mean to "Get right with God"? That phrase was used in the movie.
ok, so I know I've already left three comments on this post, but I just found a great article from Piper.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/1993_Prosperity_Preaching_Deceitful_and_Deadly/
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