A Good Sum Up of Our Mission

A couple weeks back (our first class), I remember Prof. Leeper telling us about his dislike for the movie Fireproof.  At first, I didn't quite believe my ears.  I remember, before coming to Huntington, dreading the possibility that we, as filmmakers, animators (etc.), would have to model our work in the pattern of movies like Fireproof.  Now I don't want to start a war; I respect certain aspects of the movie, and I don't have anything against people who like it.  But,  even after seeing Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous play consecutively each year at my home church, I couldn't help but feel uneasy about them.  

But after today's class, I think I finally understand what the problem is with these films, and how we as Christians should impact the media in a different light.  Now, I believe they do a decent job of identifying with the Christian audience, but who else is going to want to watch them? There's nothing there for the rest of the world to relate to, and I find it difficult to believe that they can be converted through these films.  As Christians, our goal is to go out into the world and tell the lost about Jesus and the good news of the Gospel...these films do not do that.  The way I see it, these films' sole purpose is to throw up Christianity at our culture and slap Bibles over the heads of those who do not believe it.  That's not the way to defend the faith.  You have to come at the unbelievers from their own point of view.  Always be confident in what you believe, but also be open to the views of the world, and always ask questions.  Our main mission as filmmakers is to tell a good story first and foremost, as we learned in class today.  That's what will interest everybody, because everybody can relate to a good story.  From that point, as I understand it, we can subtly integrate our faith into many aspects of the movie.  As we saw in class today, It's a Wonderful Life does a fantastic job with that.  I never even considered its Catholic background.  Now just imagine what would happen if Christian filmmakers could create such a film! 

Now, I'm open to opposing viewpoints...I understand that these films can be life-changing for some people.  I just have a hard time seeing it.  

Fun Fact: It's a Wonderful Life is my family's Christmas Eve movie.