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Real Answers™
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Copyright: © ©2006 William E. Cripe, Sr.
660 words

“END OF THE SPEAR” MAKES ITS POINT

By: William E. Cripe, Sr.

Christians may be in danger of shooting—or better-- “spearing” themselves in the foot if their reaction to the new movie “End Of The Spear” escalates. I received one of those mass mailing e-mails from a woman expressing her initial excitement about the film’s subject matter. Her excitement waned once she viewed the film. “The average [person of faith] should be embarrassed at the dumbing-down of the Gospel or anything Christian for that matter,” she wrote.

The story is based on the martyrdom of five missionaries who were trying to break into the culture of the Auca Indians in South America. Their reward was execution-by-spearing at the hands of the very people they were trying to reach with the love of Christ.

While I have not yet seen the film, two seasoned Wycliffe missionaries have and shared their perspective on the movie.

They write, “I can see how some would say that the Gospel is not clear in that nobody lays out the Romans Road or the 4 Spiritual Laws during the movie; however there is a clear depiction of what happened in the hearts of the Indians in the way that they generally communicate, using very vivid verbal pictures and a simple sharing of how their hearts have changed.”

Christians need to believe that God is much bigger than to depend on tightly wound formulas like the methodical tract called “Steps to Peace with God” or a well orchestrated altar call performed by-the-numbers in bringing someone to Himself. You don’t always have to unload the “Gospel dump truck” on anyone nearby.

Having listened to many faith stories over the years, I thank God for His magnanimity in not making the promise of heaven contingent on an inerrant grasp of His love. Remember, the Apostle Paul wrote, “It is by grace you have been saved through faith,..” not by one’s ability to articulate a perfect theology—thank heavens.

The e-mail missive went on to express the author’s further displeasure with the movie due to the casting of characters which included gay actor, Chad Allen, as martyred missionary, Nate Saint.

While I understand the author’s consternation, it is curious that Allen’s sexual orientation became public information. What if we were privy to all the other sins of actors and actresses we enjoy? Would we have the same heartburn if we found out, for instance, that the lead actor in our favorite movie pommels his wife when he’s drunk, or is in and out of jail for drug abuse?

I don’t remember any flap at all when Ian Charleson wonderfully portrayed Christian Olympian and missionary Eric Liddel in the Oscar winning movie, “Chariots of Fire.” Or maybe you didn’t know; Charleson, who was gay, died at age 40 from HIV.

Christians are told in the Bible that we’re to be in the world, not of the world! We must not be separated from the culture in which we live, otherwise how will we ever impact it for good? Using gay actors in pointedly Christian roles could be used by God to bring them into a love relationship with Himself.

In preparation for his role as the fleet footed Olympian, Charleson read the Bible cover to cover. Surely reading the entire Bible while studying the life of an admirable Christian like Eric Liddel must have an impact.

Maybe we need to get down off a couple of our hypocritical high horses and, rather than boycotting what sounds to be a very good movie, hope and pray that Chad Allen is so moved by his portrayal of a Christian martyr that he would submit his will to Jesus’ view of life.

Imagine; evangelism through the tool of cinematography—“in” the world, but not “of” it… Are we fearful that if we are not railing against sin, we are condoning it? There is a time for speaking out and there is a time to quietly pray! Guess what time I think it is?

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com

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