This week I'm scratching the surface of how our culture has been influenced by the Hollywood elitists. That isn't to say those film makers in New York are innocent, just that the "left coast" seems to have a bigger, more noticeable impact.

So, what do the films "End Of The Spear", "Syriana" and "Facing The Giants" all have in common? They demonstrate the liberal do-gooder's efforts to demonize Christianity and conservative thinking. How?

"Facing The Giants" is an action-packed drama about a Christian, high school football coach, Grant Taylor, who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure. When Taylor receives a message from an unexpected visitor, he searches for a stronger purpose for his football team. He dares to challenge his players to believe God for the impossible on and off the field. The movie is due in theaters on September 26.
http://www.facingthegiants.com/

This film caught my attention because the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) gave the film a rating of "PG".

"The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance," reads the MPAA's online explanation its rating system. "There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. ... The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children."

But "Facing The Giants" doesn't fit into that description so why the PG rating? According to the MPAA the film's strong Christian content may offend people of other religions. Said Kris Fuhr, vice president for marketing at Provident Films, which is owned by Sony Pictures: "It is kind of interesting that faith has joined that list of deadly sins that the MPAA board wants to warn parents to worry about."

Next film, "End Of The Spear", is the retelling of the true story of missionary Nate Saint and four others who were killed by a violent Equadorian tribe they were trying to witnessing to. As the film unfolds Nate's son Steve, who was nine when his father was killed, follows his fathers footsteps to the same tribe that killed him and discovers the impact those murders had on two tribes in the region. [post-publishing note: Steve Saint and Mincayani, the tribesman who killed his father, are now brothers in Christ and visited my church last year as part of the MASA trip to Oshkosh during EAA. It was something else to hear them speak and then watch the account of how it came to be - praise God!]

"End Of The Spear" is now available on DVD. It had a minimal viewing in the theaters - because of its Christian content. I know of one theater in Toma, WI that wouldn't show "that kind of film" because of the very clear message of the Gospel presented in the movie. After having seen the movie I wonder if the theater management ever even screened it - they don't mention the name of Christ once and the Gospel is presented to the tribe in their native tongue.

"End Of The Spear" is rated PG-13 for some violent scenes but is a very worth while rental, if not a must have purchase. Nate Saint was killed by the end of a spear, but his death, and that of his missionary companions, brought a true "end" of the spear for the Waodani tribe.

Lastly the film "Syriana" caught my attention. This film is not in any way, shape or form of a Christian nature but I heard something interesting this morning. One of my co-workers rented the DVD and was watching the "making of" clip. He was surprised that the producers hired a Republican consultant so the film would be "more bi-partisan".

Between the three producers, the three executive producers, the various editors and the director they still had to bring in a Republican (presumably conservative) to give the film a more bi-partisan touch. Wasn't that thoughtful?! Since they didn't need to bring in a Democrat I guess that sort of reaffirms where those Hollywood types are coming from, doesn't it!

You know, last week I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today. I said a brief prayer and God planted the idea of "Hollywood" in my head. I didn't know what I was going to write about Hollywood but over the past week all of the above has been made known to me. God at work, no doubt.

I guess I'm as guilty as anyone for supporting the rot and filth that comes out of Hollywood studios. While I don't go the the theater much my family does spend around $20 per month renting movies and I own upwards of seventy action or sci-fi films on DVD (much to my wife's chagrin).

There's just so many other things that God is working on in my life right now, conforming me to the likeness of His Son (Rom.8:29), that we haven't gotten around to the entertainment I enjoy - yet. If there's one thing I know for sure, from personal experience, it's that God will have His way in the life of a born-again believer, whether we like it or not!

How wonderful to have a loving Father in Heaven who takes such great interest in every detail of our lives. As a father of four I have my rules of the house and my children know what they are, as well as the consequences for breaking a rule. God, too, has set His rules upon our hearts and He calls to task those who call Him "Father", but I digress...

It seems the majority of the film makers today are so far to the left they can't see beyond the center. What I mean is, there is no longer any attempt to hide the liberal bent of directors and producers, even to the point they have to hire conservative consultants to help balance a film! These "God haters" are so interested in forwarding their own agenda they could care less that the majority of the public disagrees with them. Of course, since the majority of the public continues to go to the movies what's the incentive for producers to make more conservative films?

What to do about Hollywood? Boycotts don't work and it seems many Christians are much like me in that they (we) don't include God in the decision making process at the video rental counter. Money talks louder than anything when it comes to getting the attention of film makers. Unfortunately, I can't spend the $50 (6 tickets plus snacks or 2 tickets, snacks and a sitter) it would take for my family to go to the theater in support of a film like "Facing The Giants". And the ratio of decent, family friendly films available to rent would have me not renting anything eleven months out of the year.

Even as I type this I hear the answer rattling around in my head...

God give me the strength to leave the small screen off and use that time to study Your Word, conforming me into the likeness of Your Son.

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