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The Waodoni tribesmen murdered those original missionaries with simple spears. The missionaries, who had guns, did not shoot back. They were ready to meet the Lord while they knew the Waodoni were not. After the killings, family members of the murdered missionaries went back to the Waodoni to bring them the Good News, offering their own forgiveness along with God's. The result? Many tribesmen were saved, and yes, their murderous behavior did change, but as a result of the Gospel, not as a pre-condition to receiving it. My New Tribes friends have told me that paradigm has not changed in the fifty years since the original story unfolded.

Meanwhile, in our current culture war we skewer homosexuals and drive them away from the Lord, all in the name of protecting ourselves and society. We insist that they agree with us, and change their behavior before we are willing to discuss Christ. How odd that Christians are able to forgive the murderers of their own brothers and sisters, dedicating themselves to save the souls of the killers, yet at the same time, those guilty of the supposedly greater sin of homosexuality are shunned by believers and left unevangelized.

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Christianity Today's full coverage of End of the Spear includes:

Readers Affirm Decision to Hire Gay Actor | Most Christianity Today Movies readers say End of the Spear's filmmakers were right to honor their commitment once they had offered the lead role to Chad Allen, a homosexual. (Feb. 1, 2006)

Christian Studio Explains Hiring of Gay Actor | The makers of End of the Spear didn't find out about co-star Chad Allen's homosexuality until after they offered him the job, and then they felt obliged to honor the contract. (Jan. 26, 2006)

Reviews: End of the Spear The story has been told in Christian circles for 50 years. In 1956, five missionaries were brutally murdered in the Ecuadorian jungle by members of the Waodani tribe they went to serve. And then something amazing happened; the killers became Christians. (Jan. 20, 2006)

Death Worked Backwards | End of the Spear, a new film about the 1956 missionary martyrs in Ecuador, is similar to the Narnia story in some ways, says Steve Saint, son of one of the murdered men. (Jan. 18, 2006)

The Rest of the Story | Half a century after killing five missionaries, the 'Auca' find themselves on the cutting edge of modern missions. (Jan. 18, 2006)

End of the Spear Big Winner at Heartland | Film about 1956 missionary martyrs in Ecuador wins Film Festival's $50,000 Grand Prize; others also lauded at Crystal Heart Awards Ceremony. (Oct. 17, 2005)

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February (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50