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If, as a Christian, one finds herself drawn to filmmaking as an occupation or hobby but has no belief that those films will be used by the Holy Spirit to touch audiences, then it makes no difference if she is overt or covert with the Christian message. Her film can go out into the field as one voice among many, and her goals will have been accomplished. That is not what I call a "Christian" film. A writer, director or producer's Christian faith does not make his or her product inherently "Christian" any more than a Christian pastry chef makes "Christian" desserts. In my mind, a film is "Christian" when it is sent out into the public dialogue with the express intent to promote a positive Christian worldview and/or is evangelistic in nature.

As believers, we're obligated to share the Good News through whatever channels we can, and one of the most powerful and compelling channels at our disposal is the motion picture. If we use our imaginations and the Holy Spirit's inspiration, we can create movies subtly charged with the gospel. Then, after the credits have rolled, viewers can discuss how something in that movie touched their hearts or answered a burning question. The Holy Spirit can help each of them draw their own conclusions. And when they embrace the gospel, the experience will be deeply personal.It won't be because a filmmaker grabbed them by the hand and led them there.

Rik Swartzwelder responds:

I'm going to try and address the specifics of your most recent e-mail within the context of what I perceive to be two broader differences that are informing our dialogue.

First, you seem to be saying that, for you, the primary purpose of film is to evangelize or "promote a positive Christian worldview," and yet, any "Christian" content should always and only be minimal, or subtle. On the other hand, I believe that the primary purpose of film is to simply tell a good story; and yet, I'm arguing in favor of more freedom to include direct "Christian" content, not less. I believe this disparity stems from a more significant issue—that we are approaching these matters with conflicting theological assumptions, most notably the division of sacred and secular and what does or does not make something "Christian." I'll touch on this second point, in particular, near the end of this installment.

Keeping those differences in mind …

Your definition of what constitutes "Christian themes" in film sounds more like a public relations campaign, if not outright propaganda. In life, outside the movies, are all Christians "particularly likable and intelligent"? Christians, like everyone else, have good days and bad.

Clearly, there does seem to be a fixation on "bad" Christian characters in mainstream film; however, there are many who believe that the portrayals in 21 Grams, Man on Fire, and The Apostle are captivating, realistic glimpses of characters struggling with faith. Other notable Christian characters can be found in Dead Man Walking, Signs, Chariots of Fire, You Can Count on Me, and The Mission. In my opinion, the solution is to show both the good and bad—not just the good.

I do agree with your next idea—to a point—that "Christian-ese" should be used sparingly. Even so, pop culture continues to embrace themes of salvation and forgiveness, repentance and redemption, heaven and hell. The God-talk in Bruce Almighty didn't keep it from making big bucks at the box office. Likewise, check out the recent songs and grosses of U2 or Kanye West. The Matrix franchise might as well be officially listed as a new religion! Pop culture is dripping with spirituality of all flavors. This stuff is universal, as much as food or sex. When you discount "talking about and wrestling with the existence of God" as not being "inherently Christian" and just "part of the human experience," I say, "Exactly!" I couldn't agree more. This is precisely the common ground where all humanity connects and, therefore, filmmakers of faith should not shrink from building and expanding from that common ground in their films—not to evangelize necessarily, but because it's naturally a part of who they are and how they see the world, as it is and as it could be. Christianity does have some unique answers to those universal questions, so just toss 'em out there and see what happens. And, sometimes, to get people talking, it's best just to say it plain and let 'em have at it.

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Related Elsewhere:

Should Films Be Faith-Explicit?	Printer view
That's the question we posed to two Christian filmmakers on both sides of the issue. We initiated an e-mail debate between them, and while there were no easy answers, the lively exchange is instructive. Part 1 of 4.

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Should Films Be Faith-Explicit?	Printer view
That's the question we posed to two Christian filmmakers who were coming from two sides of the issue. We initiated an e-mail debate between them, and while there were no easy answers, the lively exchange is instructive. Part 3 of 4.

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Should Films Be Faith-Explicit?	Printer view
That's the question we posed to two Christian filmmakers who were coming from two sides of the issue. We initiated an e-mail debate between them, and while there were no easy answers, the lively exchange is instructive. Part 4 of 4.