Faith Like Potatoes, or Biblical Faith?
Once again, the ambiguity: a “message of hope”. A truly Christian movie would not simply bring a “message of hope”. It would uncompromisingly bring the message of hope in Christ! This is how Paul preached, over and over: he preached of “the hope of Israel”, Christ Himself (Acts 28:20); of “hope toward God” (Acts 24:15); and he wrote, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:13); and, “be not moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Col. 1:23); and, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27); and, the “Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1).
As the lead actor said, it was to be a “real movie, not a ‘religious’ one”; in other words, a movie that would appeal to the people of the world as simply “a message of hope”, without being too “preachy”, without coming down too hard on sinners, a movie that (as the reviewer said) neglects the very heart of the Gospel!
When the movie premiered in South Africa, it was reported that it did so to a “star-studded line-up”, the “who’s who of South African actors, movie-makers, entertainers, sports people, Christian leaders, and musicians.” Just one question arises here: Why? Why was this important to the movie’s producers? Why was it relevant at all? This is merely following the ways of the world, playing to the gallery, glorying in the world of showbiz. Where is humility, and more importantly, where is the Gospel? After all, if this film really did present the true, biblical Gospel, would the “who’s who” of the entertainment world have been there? Of course not! The world does not love the truth! Clearly there was little or nothing, really, in this movie to make them feel uncomfortable: no clear message of sin, of total depravity, or of redemption through Christ Jesus alone.
No, Faith Like Potatoes is not a truly Christian movie. It is a movie about a fiery Charismatic “faith healer”, a likeable, personable and compassionate man who doubtless believes that the message he is preaching is the true Gospel of Christ. But for it to be a Christian movie, it must present biblical Christianity, not the deceptions of Pentecostal/Charismatic error. As a “Christian” movie, then, it completely fails the test.
November 2006
Revised edition
Shaun Willcock is a minister of the Gospel, and lives in South Africa. He runs Bible Based Ministries. For other articles (which may be downloaded and printed), as well as details about his book, tapes, pamphlets, etc., please visit the Bible Based Ministries website, or write to the address below. If you would like to be on Bible Based Ministries’ electronic mailing list, to receive all future articles, please send your details.
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