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Christian film critic Peter T. Chattaway recently argued in a Canadian Christian newspaper that he would rather not encourage the cultivation of a Christian movie industry. He argues that recent films bearing the label Christian suffer from pedestrian writing and production, and they amount to "sermonizing punctuated by lame plot contrivances and the occasional sinner's prayer."

Chattaway's editorial provoked some heated responses from Film Forum readers. Many then accepted the invitation to contribute their thoughts to the discussion: Should Christians be cultivating a separate Christian movie industry, to provide viewers a nourishing alternative, much as they have with books and music? If so, what should 'Christian movies' look like? Does such a distinction create problems, or increase the Church's influence in popular culture?

"Christians are having little impact in Hollywood," says Barry Bowen, editor of Christian Film News/Christian Headlines. "Why not develop a strategy of competing with Hollywood by going the independent film production/distribution route?"

Bowen argues that Christian movies get good results. "More people respond to the gospel presentation after World Wide Pictures films airing on television than respond to Billy Graham's preaching. Films can teach Christians about important people and events in our history. For example there are films about Wycliffe and Huss—people that Christians rarely study in public schools. Christian filmmakers can address important issues like sexual purity, abortion, and religious persecution. Films about sexual purity include Going the Distance and Pamela's Prayer. Deadly Choice and One Day in May address the abortion issue. Bamboo in Winter and The Printing draw attention to religious persecution."

But he adds a caution: "The Christian movie industry shouldn't copy Hollywood's habit of creating movie stars. This is at odds with Christ's call for us to die to self. We are not to seek after publicity for the sake of fame and fortune."

In response to Chattaway's editorial, Bowen claims the critic is "ignorant of the history of Christian films and should question his desire to be a movie critic." He argues that Christian critics should focus instead on reviewing Christian movies, instead of being "sidetracked with Hollywood entertainment." "Christian movie critics," he argues, "routinely watch pornographic films and sometimes endorse movies that take God's name in vain."

Similarly, producer and director Dave Christiano thinks Christians should tend to their own movies. "Why should only the devil's movies be shown in the mainstream theaters? Satan has reached the world and the church through movies and television very nicely. Most Christians are deceived by what Hollywood puts forth. Many Christians attend films that have nudity in them and curse the name of their Lord. This is not right and must change."

Should Christians then abandon mainstream films and invest in their own competing product?

He sees evangelical movies as a good answer: "Films are a powerful way to present the message of Jesus. There are so few Christian movies that actually have a real message for Jesus. Some filmmakers produce a film [and] call it Christian, but it does not have the person, presence, or even the name of Christ. How do you have anything Christian without Jesus? Can't be done."

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May (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47