Monday, January 16, 2006

End of the Spear

[I decided to delete my original post on this topic, since the film is mostly out of circulation now. I stand by my original post, but I don't think it needs a permanent place on my blog. I would refer my readers to Doug Phillips' blog and his excellent analysis. I agree with almost every aspect of his article on the subject.]

4 comments:

pennyjean said...

Thank you very much for this post. I've seen some previews for the movie and have been intrigued, but I had no idea who Chad Allen was. Again, thank you.

KW said...

Hi John
Welcome to Blogland! How unfortunate about this actor...thanks for sharing this....I agree with the quote by the blogger. Sad but true. Please say hello to your family!

TripleNine said...

Thanks for the heads up. I hadn't heard about this movie before, but now if anyone asks me I can let them know what I know about it.

John L said...

Shamgar,
I appreciate your comment, and I'm sure you are not alone in your take on this issue. I think, however, that there are particulars in this case that make it problematic. Let me say that I applaud Every Tribe Entertainment for their worthy aims, but I think they made a big mistake in this instance, and it has created a huge distraction and watering down of what could otherwise have been a very powerful film.
Doug Phillips of Vision Forum has posted a lengthy essay on this issue on his blog. I will quote it here in part:
"In my view, we should reject all Buddhist priests and practicing pedophiles who hope to become featured soloists and perform “Amazing Grace” before thousands at the next evangelism crusade. Of course, an argument can be made that the abhorrence of the performer for the Gospel (as evidenced by his public declarations, his pedophile lifestyle, and his Buddhist philosophy) will in no way undermine his ability as a gifted “neutral” performer to bring the crowd to tears through a stirring Gospel performance. But is this really the point?

Nor should we imagine that it is acceptable for Christian filmmakers to cast, as lead actors, those who are notorious for their hostility to the Gospel, their public advocacy of universalism, their unrepentant and ongoing practice (and proselytization) of moral perversion, and their militant advocacy of homosexual rights. The Bible forbids such yoking. These are the facts in the End of the Spear/Chad Allen fiasco."