Here’s an interview with Alex Kendrick, the Co-pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church. Sherwood Baptist Church is the Southern Baptist church in Albany, GA that has produced four films. Their latest movie Courageous made $34,000,000. Kendrick directed each film.
I’m excited about this church’s exposure in pop culture, but I fear that Kendrick missed a golden opportunity here. Are these movies really about pragmatism (whatever works best) or are they about Jesus Christ? Should people walk away from these movies saying, “I want to be a better father; therefore, I need to take these biblical principles and apply them to my life?” Or, should they walk away saying, “I want to be a better father, but I’m a sinner who needs what Jesus accomplished in my stead; therefore, I must trust in Him alone, His finished work, while seeking to be a better father as I plead His blood alone the rest of days.” Is the message of these movies really about being a better person, or, are they about The Person who took our sins, died for them, and conquered death through His resurrection to reconcile sinners to God the Father?
I’ve seen 2 of the 4 films produced by Sherwood, and I appreciate their ministry, which makes me wonder if I’m taking crazy pills here? I didn’t know that these films were merely about what Kendrick said they were about (Granted, CNN may have cut out the part of the interview where Kendrick emphasized the gospel: Jesus’ finished work in reconciling sinners to God). I thought these films were about Jesus, not about the pragmatic, temporal benefits of Christianity? Am I naive? Did I misunderstand what these movies are about? Or, did Kendrick not really explain to CNN what these movies are about?
I can’t say too much, having not yet seen the film, but I have been very critical of the pragmatism in Sherwood’s previous productions. That said, I also agree with Andy Crouch that “it’s better to create something worth criticizing than to criticize and create nothing”.
My curiosity was also piqued by a conversation with Trevin Wax when he spoke in Cookeville several months ago. He said he had seen a screening of the movie (at the time it had not yet been released in theaters) and felt it was a vast improvement artistically and theologically over their previous projects. I’ve since heard several people say the same thing, but I’ve been waiting for the DVD release to check it out. I hope to do so soon and may weigh in again after that!
John, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this movie after you watch it. I’m sure it’s a great movie that’s excellently done, but I wonder if the gospel is explicit in it? I’m actually fine if it’s not present, but I fear that many churches will simply show the film without adding the gospel to it. If the purpose of the movie isn’t ultimately what Jesus accomplished, but our holiness in response to His work, and His redemptive work is merely implied, then undiscerning churches may simply show this film without any gospel message whatsoever. This will leave undiscerning watchers believing that they can be a better father if they just apply the pragmatic principles found in Scripture.
There is a book that accompanies the movie which probably includes the gospel message. I hope that if churches don’t use the book that they’ll at least add the gospel to the movie if they choose to show it in their churches.
I think the fact that you are giving time and attention to this public ally, that enough people have seen it to make $34m, thus thinking about Jesus, fatherhood, integrity, church, friendship, accountability and a plethora of other topics raised in the movie means a certain level of success was reached. The main examples of being a Christian father set by the two strongest men was clearly articulated as the result of a relationship with Christ. There were also many non-verbal and verbal highlights of the depravity of man and need of a savior. Context put the men inside a relationship with Christ, setting put them into a church family…all theatrical methods of communication more powerful than most Sunday sermons that lack passion, revelation or conviction….. with that being said, it was way less pragmatic than one might think after first glance. Few of us are even qualified to give movie reviews, if measuring their true impact and intentions…..the only, non technical criticism I would have would be the cheesy baptist setting, which represents and relates to a much smaller population than we might think….
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I haven’t seen the films, but with all the filth that Hollywood spews out, I wouldn’t be too hard on this guy.
I can’t say too much, having not yet seen the film, but I have been very critical of the pragmatism in Sherwood’s previous productions. That said, I also agree with Andy Crouch that “it’s better to create something worth criticizing than to criticize and create nothing”.
My curiosity was also piqued by a conversation with Trevin Wax when he spoke in Cookeville several months ago. He said he had seen a screening of the movie (at the time it had not yet been released in theaters) and felt it was a vast improvement artistically and theologically over their previous projects. I’ve since heard several people say the same thing, but I’ve been waiting for the DVD release to check it out. I hope to do so soon and may weigh in again after that!
John, I’d like to hear your thoughts on this movie after you watch it. I’m sure it’s a great movie that’s excellently done, but I wonder if the gospel is explicit in it? I’m actually fine if it’s not present, but I fear that many churches will simply show the film without adding the gospel to it. If the purpose of the movie isn’t ultimately what Jesus accomplished, but our holiness in response to His work, and His redemptive work is merely implied, then undiscerning churches may simply show this film without any gospel message whatsoever. This will leave undiscerning watchers believing that they can be a better father if they just apply the pragmatic principles found in Scripture.
There is a book that accompanies the movie which probably includes the gospel message. I hope that if churches don’t use the book that they’ll at least add the gospel to the movie if they choose to show it in their churches.
I think the fact that you are giving time and attention to this public ally, that enough people have seen it to make $34m, thus thinking about Jesus, fatherhood, integrity, church, friendship, accountability and a plethora of other topics raised in the movie means a certain level of success was reached. The main examples of being a Christian father set by the two strongest men was clearly articulated as the result of a relationship with Christ. There were also many non-verbal and verbal highlights of the depravity of man and need of a savior. Context put the men inside a relationship with Christ, setting put them into a church family…all theatrical methods of communication more powerful than most Sunday sermons that lack passion, revelation or conviction….. with that being said, it was way less pragmatic than one might think after first glance. Few of us are even qualified to give movie reviews, if measuring their true impact and intentions…..the only, non technical criticism I would have would be the cheesy baptist setting, which represents and relates to a much smaller population than we might think….