Friday, February 17, 2006

Controversy over End of the Spear

A controversy has arisen over the movie, End of the Spear, which is the story of the five missionaries speared to death by native tribesmen in Ecuador in 1956, and how the missionaries' families later went to live with the same tribe and shared the gospel with them.
Chad Allen, who plays one of the missionaries, is a homosexual. Some Christians have protested the movie because of this.
There is an excellent interview with the writer, Steve Saint, and movie producer, Mart Green, that gives their answers, which may surprise you. Basically, they did not know that Chad was gay when he was offered the role, and after they found out they decided to keep him not only to honor their contract but also to reach out to him in the same loving way that the five missionaries reached out to the tribesmen who killed them.
I must also confess that their reasons for their decision to keep him on board made sense to me. After all, isn't this a story about people who unconditionally loved sinful men and showed them a better way through Christ? And isn't that what the Steve Saint and Mart Green were trying to do by loving Chad Allen, despite his homosexuality?
I encourage you to read the interview before jumping to conclusions about this one. You may not agree with them, but I think you will respect their integrity and passion for sharing Christ in a loving manner.
By the way, I am currently reading Steve Saint's book, End of the Spear, upon which the movie is based. If you enjoyed the movie, read the book, and you will learn a lot more about the background of what happened and more about the Waodoni people and how they are living today.

3 comments:

Mark Weaver said...

I just read the interview concerning Chad Allen's appearance in "End of the Spear". It seems to me that anyone who knows God would see the work of God in this issue. Reminds me of Isaiah 55:8 where God says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord". I am so thankful for this verse! If I was smart and wise enough to figure out all the ways of God, I'd probably think my way was as good as His.

Anonymous said...

Dear Brother Bob,

I agree and applaud you and the decision of the others to keep Chad Allen on the film.

GOD does work in mysterious ways!

John 13:34 (HCSB)
"I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.

Romans 14:13 (HCSB)
[ The Law of Love ] Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another, but instead decide not to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother's way.


Luke 6:37 (KJV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Janice Fail

Jesse said...

I agree, Bro. Bob. I get excited when Christians maintain their stand on the truth while at the same time maintaining relationships with and demonstrating love for those who don't accept that truth. I get equally upset with those who do stuff like protest movies with such an awesome potential for impact merely because an actor was gay. Talk about straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel! I think some Christians are utterly frightened at the prospect of truly reaching people whom they consider "too far gone".