As part of NPR's ramping up to yesterday's Oscars, they aired a segment today on the movie Fireproof and Christian movies. As a Christian and movie buff, I payed close attention. (You can read the transcript here.) I applaud the creators of Fireproof for glorifying God through their gift. It is a step above the usual "christian" media.
To me "Christian" movies have always been on a level with Lifeway (a HUGE Baptist corporation that has it's conservative fingers in just about everything), overly trite "inspirational" music, and salvation tracts that turn people off more than they teach. They have their place and do many good things for many good people, but generally don't spread the love of Jesus to the already unreached or skeptical.
Yes, Fireproof was made to entertain, preach, and affirm Christians, but can you expect a movie to build up a relationship with your unreached neighbor? Christian movies can be reminisent of church-goers who only use christian phone companies, christian, plumbers, and only have Christian friends.
The entertainment industry can be a greedy, worldly, and selfish entity. Even out of the most evil things can produce beauty and knowledge. There are many movies, songs, and stories that are not "christian" but have spoken to my heart in a way only possible through a Higher Power. If I only watched Christian movies, I would miss such amazing films as: Slumdog Millionaire, Hotel Rwanda, The Green Mile, Stand By Me, Glory, Rent, Pride and Prejudice, to name a few. If I only listened to Christian music, I wouldn't hear God's voice through U2, Kanye West, or Billy Bragg.
Sure, we should guard ourselves and our minds, but as Christians, we should live in the world, but not be "of" the world. After all, Jesus hung out with prostitues and tax collectors.
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