3 of 3

Like the Pharisees in the house of Simon the Leper, who no doubt disagreed with Jesus' handling of the sinful woman who anointed him with nard, God often moves in ways that confound his followers. Jesus not only received the offering of the sinful woman in Simon's house, but said to the Pharisees who witnessed it, "Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. "Jesus used a sinful woman to teach them—and us—about the nature of his love, so it does not seem totally out of the question that he would choose to use a sinful man to teach the world about that same love.

Wrong question: "Why would a Christian film company hire an outspoken gay activist to play the part of a famous, upright Christian missionary? How scandalous!" Right question: "Why would an outspoken gay activist agree to play the part of a famous, upright Christian missionary? Wouldn't it be great if the power of the gospel in this story and the love of Steve Saint would become so entrenched in Chad's life that he would fall on his knees before Jesus (like Paul in Damascus), repent from his sinful lifestyle, and become one of the most outspoken Christians of our time? How scandalous!"

Who knows how many gays will go to see this movie just because Chad Allen is in it? God has the power to change their hearts through this movie. Maybe this was God's plan all along.

First and foremost, isn't this Steve Saint's family story? So if he felt peace from God about the decision, shouldn't everyone else just back off?

I find it incredible that they couldn't have known about Chad Allen's homosexuality before they hired him. All they had to do is google "Chad Allen" to find that he came out as gay somewhere around 1996. Whether God wanted Chad Allen in this movie is another question altogether, but I am still going to question either the integrity or the competence of the producers who hired him.

If I were casting someone to play my father, I would at least google his name.

If the movie is a Christian movie, it is very important that the actors / actresses be committed Christians. This prevents the name of Jesus from being dragged through the mud. In the case of Chad Allen, I feel that Every Tribe should have replaced him with a Christian actor.

An outspoken homosexual activist representing a dedicated Christian missionary and martyr—bad move, and a terrible insult to Nate Saint and his son. From now on, do your homework, please.

I won't go see the movie because a militant homosexual is going to get part of the profits, and he's going to use his windfall to work against biblical morals and the Christian family. I don't give money to the enemy when I can avoid it.

This is a perfect example of unequally yoking good (story of Nate Saint) with evil (actor Chad Allen) as the Bible speaks of in 2 Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" If an openly gay person is the front man for Christianity, God help the people whose souls will be lost by the hypocrisy of that message.

Chad Allen is a militant homosexual. Satan himself masterminded this production, and thousands of professing Christians will give their hard-earned money to line the pockets of those who hate the Lord.

I can't imagine how an openly gay actor could have escaped a professional screening process.But I believe a second mistake was made when Steve Saint did not accept Chad Allen's offer to resign when they met. All the pain and confusion this has caused could have been simply avoided with both parties maintaining some integrity.

It sounds like the actor, to his credit, was willing to step aside from the film. Shame on the film producers for not doing what was necessary to fix their mistake.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

first page |  3 of 3

Related Elsewhere:

The Wrong End of the Spear	Printer view
Is Christian passion for purity blinding us to our missionary impulse?

---

'I Feel Betrayed'	Printer view
A son-in-law of one of the murdered missionaries says the casting was a mistake.

---

Christian Studio Explains Hiring of Gay Actor	Printer view
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.