Abstract Gospel
I have been planning for some time to see End of the Spear but have not yet had the opportunity. My wife recently purchased the DVD of the 2004 film, Beyond Gates of Splendor, which we also have not yet watched. Both films are about the martyrdom of Jim Elliot and Nate Saint at the hands of Waodani tribesmen they set out to minister to.
I looked for a comparative review of these two films and ran across this blogger's remarks:
http://doxoblogy.blogspot.com/2006/01/end-of-spear-my-perspective.html
First of all, the main difference between the films is that “Gates” is a documentary where “Spear” is a story.
Beyond that, the blogger, Jeremey Weaver, is very critical of "Spear," taking issue primarily with the absence of literal Gospel teaching in the film. Weaver claims that this makes the movie historically inaccurate. (He recommends “Gates” instead.) Weaver reveals, though, that he did not even see the film, by choice. One respondent, “Sally Apokedak,” challenged his complaints about the film, and her points set several thoughts in my mind. The gist of her comments are that ministering the Gospel does not always mean quoting the Gospel. You can’t go to a tribe of primitive people and throw Scripture at them, expecting the words to work their magic on souls immersed in barbarism. It occurred to me that this is a problem I have with Biblical fundamentalism: the belief that quoting Scripture is in itself evangelism. Charismatic fundamentalists believe that the Holy Spirit will speak through the words and, some argue, we can not and should not try to do more.
I believe in the power and authority of Scripture and its ability to bring conviction to unbelievers and hope and strength to believers. But the Bible is a vehicle built of words. The essence of the Gospel transcends words. Where language is the biggest barrier, the most effective language becomes deeds, in this case unrelenting compassion and forgiveness. When reaching out to a hostile audience (whether American moviegovers or Amazonian savages), the Gospel in deed pierces where words are blunt instruments. After reading Weaver's critique, I’m even more interested in seeing End of the Spear because it may be that the movie portrays this.
I look forward to seeing "Spear" as part of our Lenten observance this year.
I looked for a comparative review of these two films and ran across this blogger's remarks:
http://doxoblogy.blogspot.com/2006/01/end-of-spear-my-perspective.html
First of all, the main difference between the films is that “Gates” is a documentary where “Spear” is a story.
Beyond that, the blogger, Jeremey Weaver, is very critical of "Spear," taking issue primarily with the absence of literal Gospel teaching in the film. Weaver claims that this makes the movie historically inaccurate. (He recommends “Gates” instead.) Weaver reveals, though, that he did not even see the film, by choice. One respondent, “Sally Apokedak,” challenged his complaints about the film, and her points set several thoughts in my mind. The gist of her comments are that ministering the Gospel does not always mean quoting the Gospel. You can’t go to a tribe of primitive people and throw Scripture at them, expecting the words to work their magic on souls immersed in barbarism. It occurred to me that this is a problem I have with Biblical fundamentalism: the belief that quoting Scripture is in itself evangelism. Charismatic fundamentalists believe that the Holy Spirit will speak through the words and, some argue, we can not and should not try to do more.
I believe in the power and authority of Scripture and its ability to bring conviction to unbelievers and hope and strength to believers. But the Bible is a vehicle built of words. The essence of the Gospel transcends words. Where language is the biggest barrier, the most effective language becomes deeds, in this case unrelenting compassion and forgiveness. When reaching out to a hostile audience (whether American moviegovers or Amazonian savages), the Gospel in deed pierces where words are blunt instruments. After reading Weaver's critique, I’m even more interested in seeing End of the Spear because it may be that the movie portrays this.
I look forward to seeing "Spear" as part of our Lenten observance this year.
posted by StarBittrune | 12:34 PM
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