Truth Matters

TRUTH MATTERS EVEN IN MOVIES PART 1

Spiritually blind, easily deceived, unwilling to expose false claims, listening to what their ears want to hear, and refusing to test what they hear. These and many more, wise words from scripture are being totally ignored because of people’s (especially Christians’) feelings.

In this day and age it is suggested that because of all the false narratives, misquotes, and downright lies being spread by many in the social and print media it is advisable to believe nothing you read until you check it out (test to see if it is true) and only believe half of what you see. I adopted this way of thinking especially when writing articles about Christian topics. 

Why feel this way? Because of the experience I have gained when writing articles on touchy subjects, like exposing false teachers, identifying popular pastors that have fallen away and such. I have been criticized, condemned, and rejected by some of the readers of my blogs because of my words. And sadly, they condemned without discussion, checking what I posted to see if it was true, in other words, readers reacted out of emotions and not truth. 

We, as Christians, need to simply follow the wisdom of scripture with regards to what we read, see, hear, and how to react. We are told:  

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. 

James 1:16: Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

2 Timothy 3:13 While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

2 Corinthians 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

With this in mind I will say personally I am saddened and bewildered at how some Christians can read articles, watch movies, and listen to others and, then, take what they see, read and hear as “gospel” because it is supposed to be Christian (i.e. has the name Christian, God or Jesus in it and fits the narrative they want to believe is true.) They do not bother to check to see if what they are watching or reading is true and accurate or to see if it is trustworthy or just a scam. And there are people, when advised of false narratives, lies, distortions, and scams will lash out in disbelief and condemn the messenger without ever checking out the message! I speak from experience and I would just once like to hear someone say, “I haven’t heard that, I will check it out to see if it’s true” when I bring up something that is controversial and that they do not believe. 

The subject that brought up the idea of this article is the past two “Christian” movies I have seen lately, Jesus Revolution and Sound of Freedom. Even before people watched these movies many were talking about how great they were (because they heard that from others) as did my friends from church. So a bunch of us went out to dinner and then to see Jesus Revolution at the theater. Before the movie, and then after seeing it, the talk was how great it is to have Christian movies to see for a change and that they are accurate, show morals, and are an inspiration. I, on the other hand, am more reserved when it comes to commenting on something I have not seen or tested (as told to in scripture) and withheld my comments. After the movie, on the way out, people raved about how great the movie was, however I was quiet and just listened. 

First off, if I am going to see a movie about Christianity, God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit I think they should be 100% accurate according to scripture especially when they are billed as based on a true story. It’s just me. I don’t think it is appropriate to try and entertain me using God and only using partial truths concerning God and what scripture states. 

With that said I found the movie Jesus Revolution very superficial and am concerned that it could give the unbelieving people a false sense of what Christianity really is. After seeing the movie, I researched the people, places, and what actually took place then and in the future. What I found was a far cry and totally different from what the movie portrayed. I was disappointed, but not shocked, by what I discovered. The movie was not accurate and was made for people to see and feel good and excited about Jesus and the movement. You don’t have to believe me; research for yourself because the truth is out there if you look.    

Here are a few problems I have with the film. The gospel message was not totally presented, and it showed the fun, all-you-need-is-love mantra and not the reality of responsibility, change, and fruit that is supposed to show in the lives of converted Christians. If you see the movie, you will find shallow beliefs, no repentance of sin, and conversion without fruit and hypocrisy. There are a host of dark things (about both Christians and hippies), if shown, would have given people the true story of the Jesus Revolution. But if so, maybe it would not have made as much money as it did.  

Scripture tells us there are false teachers out there (Timothy 4:3-4) and even the elect will fall away from the truth (Matthew 24:24). This movie reveals both in the present and in the future.

After the movie the people that knew me knew my silence was a disapproval of the film and there was no discussion.

Others with feedback: 

(REVIEW) “Jesus Revolution” is well intentioned, but its storytelling is too weak and its message too dishonest to inspire a true vision on how to start or maintain a Christian revival in the modern world. https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/2/21/jesus-revolution-gives-an-unhelpful-vision-for-revival?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMKmBhCJARIsAHuEAPSksgGre5-uP7-eSevPq8wqYLAodz9nYvEgEwtTXaNgNd1-HV29cn4aAlXAEALw_wcB

While likely to inspire Christians in need of encouragement, the film sanitizes the complex reality of the movement, shying away from theology and human fallibility to make the overall message more palatable. 

I don’t like to watch movies about God or Jesus because they rarely follow His truth completely. I guess it is because they think it would not sell tickets.