"The End of the Spear"

[Bible-boy]

Originally posted by standingfirminChrist:
Shannon,

I have never seen a missionary bring footage of topless women, into a church to show their work with those people.

You have to remember that the missionaries did not bring the footage back. It was found in a camera in the river. I am sure that many missionaries who work among cultures were topless women are the norm have shot similar footage of everyday life in their host cultures. They just don't bring it into the churches when they return home.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Is this film for "church" consumption? I would be careful of ANY pix in my church. But in documentary footage in a movie, it would be less-than-honest to portray the natives any other way.

Tasteful shots (backs, over the shoulder, etc) are often used in National Geographic films that are for family/tv consumption. But even then, how do you present a tribal culture wthout some allusion to their dress as well as customs?

 

[EdSutton]

Does anyone in this thread know who Sam Padilla is?

Ed

 

[LadyEagle]

no.

 

[EdSutton]

Thanks, Lady Eagle. The question is germane to the topic, I assure you. Or at least the subject on which the topic started.
Ed

 

[Marcia]

Posted by Martin:
Would you continue attending your current church if it hired a activist homosexual to play the piano? There is no difference.

Having a homosexual activist play the piano in my church would not be the same as seeing a movie with a homosexual actor because in my church, it would mean that the church allowed homosexuals to be members. Seeing this movie is not agreeing that this man should be a member of my church. This is an illogical analogy.

As for me drawing a line for others...I am just giving my views. If "others" disagree then they disagree. That's fine with me.

Sorry, but you were not just giving your views. You were saying that those who see this movie are "compromising" and "blinded."

 

[Linda64]

Here is a copy of an email I received today from a good friend in Grand Junction, CO--it is a letter from her pastor, concerning the movie "End of the Spear".

Beloved of God at Calvary,

I just finished research on the new "Christian" film coming out of Hollywood called "End of the Spear," the story of Nate Saint, the martyred Ecuadorian missionary in the early 1950's. I was excited to see such a story put on film, but I was skeptical because Hollywood was involved. Well, my spiritual antenna was up, and now I know it was, rightly so.

Sadly, Hollywood's attempt in the film is not to promote Christianity in any biblical way; rather, two things (1) dumb down the gospel of Christ, and (2) to bridge the gap between the homosexual community and the church.

It appears Nate Saint is played by a homosexual activist, Chad Allen, who makes no bones about criticizing the Bible and traditional Christianity. He works laboriously to discredit it in his personal life and activist lifestyle, mocking God's Law for life.

The point here is -- How can a Christian support this film with such a disreputable character portrayal with someone's lifestyle that God say is an abomination? My advice to the congregation is don't bless the film with your viewing, and tell others about the travesty committed by Hollywood in putting a homosexual activist to play Nate Saint, not to mention those pastor's who previewed the film who say, the gospel of Christ is dumbed down so much, it has no ture Christian value at all, biblically speaking.

I thought I'd pass this on, as I'm not going to become a film critic, nor make a radio broadcast of it as I did with the TV nonsense called "THE BOOK OF DANIEL." Hope this insight helps you in your decisions to be a responsible Christian, and to be careful of what is advertised as "Christian" for the Church to embrace. Needless to say, I'll not be viewing it, nor advocating its showing at Calvary.

God bless, see you Sunday,

Pastor Dennis

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Calvary Bible Church is the name of the church.

 

[EdSutton]

I wrote previously and got this single response from the Moderator:
"Does anyone in this thread know who Sam Padilla is?" - "no.
I followed up with:
"Thanks, Lady Eagle. The question is germane to the topic, I assure you. Or at least the subject on which the topic started."
I now have a second question, also germane to the discussion:
"Does anyone in the thread know who 'Star' is?"

 

[Martin]

Marcia:
Posted by Martin:
Would you continue attending your current church if it hired a activist homosexual to play the piano? There is no difference.


You said:

Having a homosexual activist play the piano in my church would not be the same as seeing a movie with a homosexual actor because in my church, it would mean that the church allowed homosexuals to be members. Seeing this movie is not agreeing that this man should be a member of my church. This is an illogical analogy.

==My point was that your church, or a christian bookstore, are christian organizations. This production company also claims to be a christian organization. How can it maintain that claim while hiring active, activist homosexuals? How can we support them in that activity?

______________________________________

You said:

Sorry, but you were not just giving your views. You were saying that those who see this movie are "compromising" and "blinded."

==And that is my view.

In Christ,
Martin.

 

[Martin]

More Compromise And Attention

I was unable to post yesterday but there were several developments.

First Chad Allen was on Larry King opposite Albert Mohler (of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary). I was unable to see the interview but I will be getting the transcript off CNNs website when I get a chance. I heard a clip of the interview today where Allen gives his view of God (etc). It was very sad.

Second tomorrow on the Albert Mohler show, Dr Mohler will be discussing Mr Allen's role in the movie "End of the Spear". So I encourage everyone to listen. You can hear Dr Mohler on "Family Talk" on XM Radio, or online by clicking here. I am not sure of Mohler's view on this issue however. Either way it will be an interesting show. The show airs M-F at 5pm (EST). He does archive them on his site however.

Thirdly the SharperIron blog is very active with information on this very important (and I would argue defining for the evangelical community) issue.

Finally I want to review the email replies I have recieved from various ministries (in addition to the update I gave on Tuesday, see above).

Sadly Janet Parshall has endorsed the film "End of the Spear".

I have recieved several emails.

Joyce Meyer Ministries said that, "to the best of our knowledge, neither Joyce Meyer nor Joyce Meyer Ministries has given an endorsement of the film “End of the Spear.” ". This is contrary to the information I recieved however I am very, very happy to hear this good news.

I recieved a personal reply from Ted Haggard (President of the National Association of Evangelicals). In this email Mr Haggard defends his decision to endorse the film "End of the Spear". Haggard states that he endorses "the story of the movie, the message of the movie, and the intent of the movie". While the story maybe fine, I can't agree that it's message or intent is fine.

The production company knowingly hired a active, activist homosexual to star in their film. Their defense of this choice is that Mr Allen is a good actor. So much for having a good intent. Also what message does it send for a christian production company to hire, as a star, an active, activist homosexual? I can't see it as a good one.

I cannot endorse this movie nor any ministry that endorses it. Any support for this movie is, in effect, a support for the production company's choice of Mr Allen for a staring role. A choice they made, with The Advocate Magazine in hand, knowing full well the views and lifestyle of Mr Allen.

Also let me be clear. I am not writing about Chad Allen, he is not the issue here. The issue here is the christian production company that hired him. Mr Allen made sure his views (etc) were well known to them before they hired him. This is about the production company and the ministries that have endorsed this film.

In Christ,
Martin.

 

[Martin]

Baptist Press

On their website Baptistpress has an article about the controversy over the casting of Chad Allen in "End of the Spear". What struck me was the following statement:

"The producers have said they were not aware of Chad Allen’s homosexuality when they gave him the role of Steve Saint in the film but decided to stick with him once they were told of his sexual practices."

That statement seems to be contrary to the information I have read from various sources. Even Mr Allen's an article found on Mr Allen's website states:

"Allen went into his first meeting with the film's producers and director with real trepidation that they and the Saint family-for whom, he stresses, he had great respect would not want a gay man representing their legacy. After he aired his concern, however, the filmmakers produced, of all things, the November 25, 2003, issue of The Advocate with Allen on the cover, in which the actor spoke of his faith and the importance of doing good works for the holidays."

Jason Janz states:

"So, Allen even had sensitivities about portraying an evangelical missionary. He did not want to offend or cause problems because of his homosexuality. However, he was assured by Every Tribe Entertainment that his lifestyle would have no impact on starring in a film portraying one of America’s most loved missionaries."

All of this occured at Mr Allen's "first meeting with the film's producers and director". I am honestly at a loss to understand how the above statement (in the BP article) can be consistant with the other statements here. Am I wrong in thinking that BP made a mistake? Or are the above "sources" wrong? It is not adding up.

This is not "anti-Baptist Press". I love that news outlet and I am a Southern Baptist (since '97). I am just wondering if I have missed something here.

Ps...you can find a very interesting response from Focus On The Family on this issue by clickinghere.

Martin.

 

[mcdirector]

That was an interesting and surprising response from FOTF. I'm . . . Well, I don't know what to say about it. Questionable past roles by actresses in The Passion isn't quite the same thing as a gay activist's portrayal of Nate Saint IMHO.

 

[Marcia]

Posted by Martin:
My point was that your church, or a christian bookstore, are christian organizations. This production company also claims to be a christian organization. How can it maintain that claim while hiring active, activist homosexuals? How can we support them in that activity?

How do Christian bookstores maintain they sell Christian material when lots of them sell New Age books, heretical books (like Word of Faith), and other non-biblical material? Maybe you should not shop in any Christian bookstore until you check it out. I don't think seeing the film is "supporting" their decision to hire this man. But as I said, I respect those who do not wish to see this, unlike you, who does not respect the decisions of other believers here who plan to see the movie.

You said:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, but you were not just giving your views. You were saying that those who see this movie are "compromising" and "blinded."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

==And that is my view.

Okay, just wanted to be clear that you meant this.
So glad you are not the one I face on Judgement Day!

 

[mcdirector]

I've also been thinking about the young people that I work with. What I see are kids who literally can't tell the difference between right and wrong. They have serious issues discerning a social gospel from the gospel of Christ and I teach in a Christian school. They do not understand the difference between hating the sin and loving the sinner. They cannot see past themselves and their own wants and desires.

Quite frankly -- my largest concern over the portrayal of Nate Saint by Mr. Allen is the continued mixed message that the media sends to our kids. I expect better from a Christain operation. I expect that they find the best actors with the highest integrity as not to bring this kind of rebuke from the concerned and added confusion to those who really don't know the differences mentioned above.

Adults who see the movie may not know Chad Allen and what he advocates, but if the kids like him and don't know, they'll find out. I imagine most already know however. This only continues to muddy the waters.

 

[bgoc bryan]

If you are going to boycott every tribe you can add Hobby Lobby,Mardels and the other stores the Green family owns to your list.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by mcdirector:
This only continues to muddy the waters.

Everything in the world mussies the waters. That's why we're required to use proper discernment. If one's ability to discern permits one to see the film and not be affected by any of the extracinematic hooplah, then one is permitted to do so. If one's ability to discern still leaves one with reservations about endorsing sin, then by all means stay away. But please, folks, permit your Christian brother to discern to his/her ability without duress from anyone else.

 

[mcdirector]

I was speaking about muddying the waters specifically for youth who are still developing that discernment. My concern is with them.

Adults, please make your own decision. I was in now way trying to add to any hoopla or tell anyone what to do. I was merely expressing my concerns from the view of a teacher working with some strong and some confused Christian youth.

 

[Bunyon]

The Ironic thing is this is not a christian film in the classic sense. It is a movie about Steve Saint written by Steve saint. I am reading the book. The story of the five missionaries, as told in "Through Gates of Splendor", I only back ground for this story. This story is how Steve leaves modern society and goes to live with the Accoua Indians to help them learn to cope with the encroachment of modern society. This is more a story about multiculturalism than it is about the five missionaries or the Gospel.

I wish they would make "Through Gates of Splinder" into a movie.

 

[Bunyon]

The Ironic thing is this is not a christian film in the classic sense. It is a movie about Steve Saint written by Steve saint. I am reading the book. The story of the five missionaries, as told in "Through Gates of Splendor", I only back ground for this story. This story is how Steve leaves modern society and goes to live with the Accoua Indians to help them learn to cope with the encroachment of modern society. This is more a story about multiculturalism than it is about the five missionaries or the Gospel.

I wish they would make "Through Gates of Splinder" into a movie.

 

[Marcia]

Originally posted by Bunyon:
<snip>...This story is how Steve leaves modern society and goes to live with the Accoua Indians to help them learn to cope with the encroachment of modern society. This is more a story about multiculturalism than it is about the five missionaries or the Gospel.

I wish they would make "Through Gates of Splinder" into a movie.

I went to the website about the movie and that is sort of the impression I got from it. I am supposed to see it tomorrow night with some friends (including a former missionary) but may not make it for a couple of reasons. Anyone who sees it, please post your views about it here.

This is the link I looked at (on my son's computer because it's newer and he has cable. It would have taken forever for my computer to download this!):
http://www.endofthespear.com/index.html?deeplink=story