Christian filmmakers have made progress in gaining resources and viewership over the last decade. However, weak storylines have held Christian films back from broader success and impact. In particular, stories often focus on emotional appeals over rational messaging and limit the power of God. Writers also tend to hide the true message by focusing on celebrities rather than the story's meaning. For Christian films to reach their potential, filmmakers must prioritize communicating their biblical message through well-crafted stories that inspire both believers and non-believers.
2. Mainstream is Manageable
Thesis: Christian filmmakers need to prioritize the message over the medium despite the visual
medium.
I. Many people define Christian films differently
II. They have mastered their resources
III. It’s story is the weak link prohibiting cinematic growth
Revised thesis: Prioritizing the message will effectively communicate the message.
3. Mainstream is Manageable
Christian cinema is the most powerful medium in which to communicate because it
incorporates all art forms. Not only that, it’s communicated through a biblical world view.
Though its popularity is on the rise, it has had its fair share of short comings. There’ve been faint
glimmers of hope amidst many failings to entertain and communicate their message. But with a
new century comes better talent and better resources. Fans and critics alike hope so and wait for
its mainstream entrance. It could be the proof critics need to label Christian cinema as the
reformative change it wants to be known for. Sony’s distribution chief Rory Bruer told TheWrap
that Christians know what they want to see and are not deterred by critics reviews because they
know the films will continue to improve, or so they hope¹⁵. But that’s the question—can
Christian cinema redeem itself? Christians have been trying for years to harness mainstream
power to convey their message. What message? Is it a message of Biblical principles or merely
of keeping moral behavior? Who or what defines “Christian” cinema anyway? And most
importantly, what’s the key to successful Christian cinema? Does the key lie in its strengths or in
its weaknesses? I believe cinematic technology is the key to sparking reformative change among
its primarily Christian fan base. Though its focus has been on technology it is the script which is
the key. Visually films can mean different things for different people. But it’s the words, the
script has only one interpretation and is therefore the filmmaker’s key. We touched on that in
class earlier, about the power of words verses the power of a picture and the old saying about ‘a
picture being worth a thousand words’ and if that was really true. This is the same concept.
Viewers, both the believing and the unbelieving, will begin to listen when Christian filmmakers
use their resources to better communicate their message.
4. Many people define Christian films differently. Christian film is a broad term defined in
many ways. But there is one guideline that transcends all others. The guideline is you need to
have propositional truth to have a Christian film. However, it alone is not the sum qualifier of
what makes a Christian film. It’s understandable that when making a Christian movie “It doesn’t
necessarily have to present a salvation message each time, but it should be based on Biblical
principles and refer to them as such”¹⁴. As taken straight from the all knowledgeable source
Wikipedia, here is how it defines a Christian film:
“The Christian film industry is an umbrella term for films containing a
Christian themed message or moral, produced by Christian filmmakers to a
Christian audience, or even some films that are just marketed to Christians. They
are often interdenominational films, but can also be films targeting a specific
denomination of Christianity”⁵.
I will make one adjustment to the definition. I would call religious films produced by
Hollywood, who are secular filmmakers, to still be Christian films. Who it’s made by isn’t
always definitive of the movie’s viewpoint. The purpose of the screenwriter is to write what’s
necessary to communicate the message of the film. There’s no point in producing films if the
audience fails to see the message. Technology has made it possible to make effective impact and
to make minimal impact. It all depends on the person wielding the tool. Wielding a biblical tool
should give us access to real stories that offer real hope amidst earthly struggles.
Christian filmmakers have mastered their resources. It is impressive how quickly Christian
cinema has gained traction in the media with some decent films within the last decade.
According to Christian Cinema, those who’ve viewed Christian films within the last year has
risen by 41%⁴. So far this growth has been aided by Hollywood’s successful religious block
5. busters. It hasn’t been a stable growth, but it’s definitely here to stay. Christian filmmakers have
all the resources they need to make mainstream media. Within the last few years many of the
tools of the trade have dropped in price and increased in accessibility, such as equipment and soft
wares. Also, online marketing through websites and social media avenues is successful and
relatively inexpensive. Filmmakers have used these tools to keep moving forward. Star power is
another tool that has been a great help in bringing attention to these films and given them
tremendous financial backing to make more. Since his appearance in Fire Proof Kirk Cameron
has paved the way for Hollywood stars of like faith to get involved in this growing niche
industry. His film Unstoppable grossed $2 million dollars opening night in box offices¹º.
Everyone’s jumping on the band wagon to contribute and benefit from this money making niche
market, from Newsboys, to Duck Dynasty, and even politicians. Rick Santorum, former senator
of Pennsylvania, just became CEO for EchoLight Studio in Tennessee. Also, former Fox News
host Glenn Beck put his foot down on some dusty soil in Texas where he’s building a 72,000
square foot sound stage saying, ’“I’m much more into culture than I am into politics and that’s
where I intend on making my stand”’³. With the pressure of external forces, Christians are slowly
beginning to see cinematic technology has potential for redemptive change and are rising to the
responsibility of making their own entertainment. And they are starting to frequent theaters,
especially the younger generation, in efforts to support Christian filmmakers. Retrak’s top media
analyst, Paul Dergarabedian agrees that “This year, in a sense, is a test of the genre. This year is
going to decide, determine, the fate of the faith-based movie. I think it’s the last untapped genre
to go mainstream.”¹² Christians have created their cinema platform; they just need to keep it
growing.
6. However, its story is the weak link prohibiting cinematic growth. Yet, the key to successful
Christian cinema is the story. Isn’t it ironic how its weakest link is also its strongest asset? There
are two issues I want to discuss in regard to the weaknesses of Christian cinema. The habit of
writers to limit the power of the message and to hide who the story’s about. First, writers should
remember not to limit the power of the message. Remember how I said before that the Bible is
full of stories testifying to hope amidst earthly struggles? Yet our cookie cutter Christian films
reveal nothing of that. Instead they are filled with happy endings and a problem free existence
after salvation that limit the viewers’ perception of the omnipotence of God. God is more
resourceful than to be limited the way we limit Him. Yet, in limiting Him we limit ourselves.
Case in point—Christians are struggling to grow a stable platform, why? because the foundation
of their stories are weak. It’s not that they don’t have a strong message. Rather, it’s that the
scripts are heavy on emotional appeal and the rational gets lost in the jumble. There is no reason
why Christian cinema, and God, have to be limited to a niche market. That’s not Hollywood’s
approach and they’re not even believers! For years they’ve made religious films like The Ten
Commandments, Noah, and Exodus, God’s and Kings block busters of the year! Along the same
lines of this paradox, I found an article entitled, God’s Not Dead, but Christian Screen Writing
Is. I was delighted to find several Christian writers and artists themselves who wrote honestly but
constructively on this subject. Let me quote from one writer who I thought did a thorough job of
shedding light on this subject. A. M. Potter, wrote on her blog, What’s the Problem with
Christian Cinemas, “a weak story line, unfortunately, is what ruins almost every Christian
movie--the story may be interesting, but it doesn't feel like it really matters”⁸. She touches on
two key points that if corrected would revolutionize Christian filmmaking. She said the script
was weak and it didn’t feel like it mattered. A Christian story that doesn’t matter?!! The gospel
7. is the most important story; why is it that we can’t get that across? She goes on to clarify. Let me
explain as she explained it:
“Facing the Giants, Flywheel, Fireproof, and Courageous all have a
similar focus: God will fix your team/life/marriage/family if you just follow the
principles He lays down in the Bible. To an extent that's true; God honours those
who honour him and following his commands will bring you success. But what is
true success? It's not just "things working out for you" or why would movies with
this as a goal feel so shallow and empty of true purpose”⁸.
Typical storylines present a not so subtle gospel presentation, a conversion, and happily ever
after. How unrealistic! No wonder it’s uninspiring and un-motivating to the saved, let alone the
unsaved!! To mention a specific writing tactic error, tragedy leads to salvation. Think of God’s
Not Dead, the atheistic professor receives God after his mom dies and he’s hit by a car.
Predictable, barely any script development there, not that they’re not capable of better material.
Christian script writers feel pressure to get in the old standbys of Christian scripts for fear that
their Christian audience won’t approve of their approach to secular topics, much like they
disapprove of Hollywood’s take on biblical accounts. Look, Christians can’t even watch a
cinematic Hollywood production of Noah without complaining. What do Christian audiences
want? They want to see their favorite singers and movie stars – in a movie that supports their
faith . . . So then who becomes the focus of the film? No wonder writers feel like their between
two bad opposites. To bring in attention and financial support they can either throw in a celebrity
or throw in a conversion, or three, like they did in God’s Not Dead. If tragedy is what prompts
salvation, “the best thing Christians could do is to find a way to seed our gospel tracts with
carcinogens”9.
8. And secondly, writers shouldn’t hide who the story’s about. I find it kinda out of place
when a celebrity is the center of a Christian movie. When writing a story it is essential to
remember that celebrities don’t make good story tellers and that content is king. Celebrities are
not good story tellers. There’s a difference between having a celebrity in the show verses a show
about the celebrity. Newsboys sold God’s Not Dead, while Kirk Cameron powerfully embraced
of his character and saved marriages. He’s actually paved the way for believers and celebrities to
support Christian filmmakers¹ᵒ. But celebrities shouldn’t be used as marketing gimmicks. Yet,
these celebrities get thrown into these poorly constructed scripts and the end result are box office
fails. Why? Because when the emotional high wears off there’s barely any rational content to
actually say what the movie was about. The audience might realize that despite seeing their
favorite band, they actually didn’t like the film!! If a Christian screen play were broken down
piece by piece it’d be clear how often it builds on emotional appeal over rational appeal. I give
you God’s Not Dad and War Room. A lot of Christians are happy with these emotionally charged
punch-in-the-arm flicks—and they are encouraging and uplifting films. But not all Christians are
satisfied with ‘Christian flicks’. And should we be? Is it healthy? Shouldn’t we want something
more substantial? In general, Christian cinema stories have weak logic and they try to fill in the
gaps with emotional appeal. Likewise, you can’t build a house with a weak foundation and
expect to make up for it with solid walls. Because if the walls have nothing to stand on the house
will fall down. The movie falls apart, failing to provide the concrete solution to the movie and to
the need in viewers’ lives. The lack of communication often leaves Christian cinema an effort to
be mocked.
All in all, Christian cinema can have reformative change because their message is
solidified in the life changing Biblical truth. Christian filmmakers have the tools and people to
9. get the job done. It just needs to use its full potential to communicate. The best scripts are where
the entertainment doesn’t get in the way of the message. For years we’ve let Hollywood tell our
story, and yes they’ve done a better job, but we’re getting there, one movie and one critic at a
time. It’ll be a while before Christian filmmakers do a film as powerful and deep as the complex
story of Noah. But Christian cinema will get there should it prioritize its message to effectively
communicate and impact others. Thereby entering mainstream media, where it wants to be and
needs to be if it’s going to use technology to make a reformative change within Christian circles
and hopefully without as well.
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