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Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Why film Jesus?


For better or worse (and it's some of both), film (and TV drama) is the major art form of the modern era. (I guess pop music would come in second.) 

Although some legalistic Protestant sects forbid viewing movies and TV shows, that's pretty rare. In fairness to the legalistic Protestant sects, many films and TV shows are frivolous, ephemeral, and decadent. The legalists have a point, even if it's overstated. 

That said, many Christians watch films and TV dramas. Indeed, many Christians consume tons of film and TV fare. 

Most movies and TV dramas are about fictional characters. People who never existed, doing things that never happened.

A fraction of films (at least commercial films) are about historical figures. 

In terms of Christian priorities, it would be a pretty skewed allocation of resources to make an endless number of films about fictional characters, or famous people, but never make a single quality film about the one person who was (and is) far and away the most import person who ever lived (and lives!). I'm, of course, alluding to Jesus.

Seems to me that's a pretty obvious reason why we should film the Gospels. Why make so many movies about fictional characters or famous people from the past, but omit to make movies about the one and only indispensable person who ever was (and is)? Famous people are expendable. Why make an endless number of films about morally flawed real heroes, or inspiring make-believe heroes, but never make movies about the one person whom we can always count on to say and do the right thing? 

(This post isn't directed at Christians who think it's intrinsically wrong to make a movie about Jesus. I've been over that ground many times.) 

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