Recently, a Facebook friend of mine who is a filmmaker, posted something that was a great topic of controversial discussion regarding our latest film DANGEROUS CALLING.
Why was it so controversial? Because DANGEROUS CALLING is a Christian Horror film.
QUESTION: Is the Christian Horror / Thriller / Suspense genre a good genre for Christian filmmakers to be involved in? Can it be used for the Kingdom of Christ? Or is it a tool of the enemy?
Below are two opposing positions on the topic. One is my friends, and the other is mine. I’d ask that you read them both in their entirety and then provide your own input and thoughts by leaving a comment on this blog post. Let us hear your voice!
To protect my friend’s identity, and respect his position, I won’t name him, but are some excerpts of his original comment that conveys his thoughts:
What I am about to say will be shocking particularly because it is coming from me, a Christian who also happens to be a filmmaker. I had been hearing a lot of “promo” stuff about a new independent Christian film that to my surprise was picked up by Cloud Ten Pictures, and well, I did take a quick look at it.
Looking at the DVD cover for the film caught my attention right away. Two words entered my mind and they were “fear” and “evil.”
It’s being marketed as a Christian thriller. This in itself is very disturbing. Occult films are on the rise and thrillers as a genre are far too close to horror. Prior to my life as a Christian, I struggled far too much in this area. I had a regular diet of horror. The sex, nudity, drugs, profanity, lack of hope in Jesus was enough and all the enemy needed to get a firm hold on me.
A frightening still from a scene in DANGEROUS CALLING
I’m not saying this film is occult per se but it is far too close to occult, and we should be very very careful. Movies like this need to be approached with caution.
The problem I’m having is not the film itself, but the dangerous territory we move into when we think it is okay to dabble in thrillers. Once people, and even the Christian community, get comfortable with it, then it’s horror. Once this happens Satan has won, he has successfully found a way into our hearts once again.
It’s important that people understand clearly what I’m saying. I’m not saying that this film will corrupt everyone’s mind. It most certainly will not. For me personally, it would encourage evil. It would make me believe that it is okay to do horror films.
The point I want to illustrate is one thing leads to another and then another and it snowballs into something big. Before we know it, Christian Horrors will be on our doorstep. We don’t need this kind of programming in our brains and hearts. Again it is important to emphasize that the problem I’m having with DANGEROUS CALLING is the potential of what it could encourage. It is too close to the occult.
A film like this would encourage negative thought patterns, paranoia and fear. These are the tools of Satan to rob us of our God given joy.
When it comes down to it, we all must make our own decisions and choices about what we watch. What affects one person doesn’t necessarily affect another. I know how a film like this would affect me.
The youth culture will undoubtedly praise this film. I cannot. I just hope God breathes wisdom in our heart before it is too late.
Respectfully and in Christ’s love, (Name omitted to protect privacy)
Now I responded to my friend by saying this:
While I respect your position, I must agree to disagree with you agreeably.
The question that is raised is, “Can this genre of film be used to the advantage of the filmmaker who seeks to glorify Christ through film?
This is a question that various camps disagree on. Some of the more far right, arch conservative groups say NO! Absolutely not! While others are more like the Apostle Paul who when faced with multiple graven idolatrous images of false gods on Mars Hill, used the “Unknown god” to his advantage, to share the Christ with an audience who otherwise might not have listened.
A painting depicting the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill using the “unknown god” to reach the lost for Christ through something they understood
Although I’m pretty far “right” myself, I am personally in the latter camp. I believe that, as believers, we should be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” Matthew 10:16.
I believe that like Paul, we should use everything in the world around us to bring about the knowledge regarding Christ and His marvelous gospel of grace to a world that so desperately needs to hear it.
Another Christian Horror / Thriller / Suspense film DVD cover, this one for THE FAMILIAR by filmmaker Miles Hanon
Some folks who would never watch a typical Christian movie, will watch a film like DANGEROUS CALLING or THE FAMILIAR. I personally believe that we need to stop preaching to the choir with our films and use the “unknown god” of filmmaking to our advantage to reach the lost world for Christ.
So there you have it folks. Some opposing views on a very controversial subject.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. So please chime in and let your voices be heard!
Please share your honest thoughts. It is ok for us to disagree on this topic.. but let’s discuss it.
God bless! Your friend and blogger… Eric
Recently, a Facebook friend of mine who is a filmmaker, posted something that was a great topic of controversial discussion regarding our latest film DANGEROUS CALLING.
I'll tell you what my friend Mr. #97… you are correct.. it works both ways. Why don't you be the catalyst that challenges the readers of my blog to do just that.
I invite you.. implore you.. encourage you to be the first to comment on my latest post as this thread is really about Christian horror films and the new post that went up today is about the existence of God.
Thank you for the congrats.. but please.. spark the fire and in the words of that famous boxing ref.. "let's get it on!"
Eric
For the last year, my associates and I have been filming a movie based on a novel I wrote, The Death of Kevin Frye. Since beginning this project last year, I have been praying about this very question. On this last weekend, our last weekend of shooting, one of the principle actors sent this blog to me. I've been pondering how to answer ever since then.
First I want to say that I do not like horror films and can only take very mild suspense. Given that, it would be easy for me to say that I don't think Christians should create horror, but I don't feel released to say that.
I feel that the Lord wants to reach all people to rescue them from the enemy who is out to get humanity. God is Almighty and He knows there are some who will only be reached through this medium; and the fact is that satan, demons and hell all exist and will be so much worse than what anyone can imagine. I feel that as long as sin is not glorified, horror film can reach people for the Lord; however, I do have to agree with those who oppose creating "Christian Horror". We have to be very careful what we're doing. With every project, whether it's horror or not, we must ask ourselves if we're using this film to glorify God or glorify ourselves. As we earnestly pray and ask God's direction, He will show us what we should or should not do.
Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Part of commiting whatever we do to the Lord is to be willing to discard whatever He tells us to. To be in perfect obedience to Him is to find freedom. If we commit our films to Him, be they horror or not, we will find that what we do will have lasting, eternal value.
Now, I have to add an absolute concerning a subject from another writer on this subject: Pornagraphy cannot be a tool the Lord will use. At it's very root, pornagraphy is a glorification of evil. The Lord will not use that medium for His kingdom.
Thank you for the opportunity to post our opinions.
How about a different perspective?
If Marshall McLuhan is correct and the "medium is the message," then we should NOT make Christian horror films. It was his perception that part of the medium embeds itself into the message and influences how the message is perceived. If of course he is wrong, then it doesn’t matter what medium or techniques are used to tell the story.
To test his theory to some degree, I’ll ask an extreme question. Can you reach those steeped in pornography with the gospel by making a pornographic film with a message of repentance and hope in it? I believe that it is obvious to all that you can’t make a pornographic Christian film and that genre will never be a part of wholesome and moral filmmaking because the medium or genre itself is hypocritical to the message.
Now, lets go back to a gray area that isn’t so extreme. Can a Christian horror film demonstrate God’s grace in a loving way that can be received by the audience? I chose the words "grace" and "love" because of the great commission and how Jesus tells us we are to share that grace. So, is it possible to do it using the genre of horror?
Well, if you properly demonstrate the story of Revelations with the lake of fire, I’m confident many will see it as a horror film and clearly understand the message. But, if you show a guy running around wearing an ice mask and carrying a chainsaw, it would most likely be hypocritical to the message.
This highly controversial question posted by Eric is so subjective, that only the filmmaker can know if his film honors God or not, that is until its released and we can all see it for what it truly is. As for me, I’m not going to judge it for being right or wrong, for fear that my films might be judged in the same manner. Instead, I’m going to make the films God asks me to make and do it to his glory, whether controversial or not.
Well I haven't seen the movie (and won't) but watched the trailers! Haven't read all the posts but all I could before my eyes got tired (but will try to finish later).
As an alcoholic I can never drink alcohol no matter how watered down it is. As an addict I cannot do drugs even for pain without extreme supervision. As an ex-wife beater I cannot slap my wife even a little. As someone who caused someones death I cannot watch this stuff.
My wife and I have prayed for more good christian movies that we can watch that will edify our minds and spirits. There is a shortage.
Horror or intense supense releases chemicals in the brain and body that are not healthy and conditions us to those chemicals and feelings so that we don't notice. It is much like a drug and needs more intensity to affect us the same next time. As we get conditioned the people needing to sell increase the intensity so we get the wanted feeling and so on and so on. I see many comments from film people and writers but few from the people in jail or divorced for violence or without their children because of abuse. Is it all caused by films? No but a lot did start with "Frankly Scarlet! I don't give a D-mn!" and "I won't hit you! The H-ll I won't!" and the increasingly low neckline and the bikini beach movies. Now I have a hard time finding a decent movie and can't watch most TV including the news because of the language.
I spent four years going into the county jail once a week ministering to men that could not get over their violent behavior. They needed to be shown another way not pump up the same chemicals and emotions they felt in life. Once Christian films go this way it will progress just as it has in the world. I am afraid the enemy is already laughing. Matthew 24:24
"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible." I wonder if perform may have more than one meaning? If teachers and preachers will be judged by a harsher standard, what about film makers and writers that may even reach more people? I pray for the salvation of all that may be lost or deceived and hope that the film industry will give them good entertainment to watch so that they will not be tempted to re-enter the world. I watch and rewatch many Cloud 10 pictures and await more of even better quality and story lines but not what I saw in the trailers.
Love in Christ.
The Bible tells us to set our minds on what is lovely and of good repute. I stay away from movies such as these in the world because they sadden my soul. This is not what I choose to set my mind on.
I personally feel that I would be opening the door to fear to come into my mind and heart. I don't think my soul would benefit or be blessed by watching this type of film. I believe that there is a spiritual warfare taking place and I think it would be inviting evil spirits to come into my mind, home & life if I watched this type of movie. So I would rather steer far away from it.
I am absolutely angry that we would go to this genre. I believe with all my heart that we have to steer clear from all sin. If I had my way, I would shop only at a Christian grocery store, at a Christian barber shop, and a Christian auto dealer. We need to come out of the world! God called us to separate! Israel was told not to intermarry. We are not to intermarry with anything of the world. We need to separate ourselves from the taverns, the pool halls, the porn shops, the drug houses! We cannot associate with harlots and the homosexuals. We need to stay pure and that means we never venture into any of this culture! I think that Jesus would have us to separate ourselves unto a holy and pure lifestyle unstained by this awful world.
We are the chosen…we should separate from anything Hollywood. Most of these people are so doomed to hell anyway. Lest we get trapped like they are…we need to stay away. Satan lives in Hollywood and all his demons. Let's stay with fellow believers and we will grow stronger and purer. I don't want to go to movie house and invite the demons on me especially not to a horror movie. Separate…isolate…cast out the impure from our churches! Where is my Christian Yellow Pages…
I understand now why we are losing the world! I believe some Christians would be happy if they never saw another sinner! This is stupid! Weren't there people saying the same things when Jesus went into the tavern…when he talked with the harlots…when he went to Matthew's party after he followed Jesus…Matthew was the vilest man in all of Carpernaum! Only the vilest were on the guest list..check out Matthew 9! Jesus had to go there to reach him into his world! God would not send an alcoholic into the tavern…so if you have problems with horror movies, don't go but someone has got to reach this group!
Please…see the movie, 'Dangerous Calling'…it is not what you think…it is more Alfred Hitchcock suspense!
I was recently talking with an elder at our church and he said something that made total sense: The word Christian is not an adjective, it's a noun.
Sometimes I think the "Christian" community needs to take a step back and really look at what it means to be a Christian. Just because someone listens to secular music (country, rock, pop) or watches a secular movie on tv or goes to see a secular movie, doesn't mean they're not a Christian.
If anyone on this post can claim that these things don't play a part in their life daily, I think they're fooling themselves.
Being a follower of Jesus doesn't mean standing on a pedestal, looking down on all the "sinners" and telling them what they can or cannot do.
Jesus called us to love each other, regardless of our personal opinions.
No one says you have to like Christian Horror, but you shouldn't condemn it either.
It is our jobs as Christians to reach out to the world and show others there's another path. That may mean crossing into genres we're not comfortable with.
I for one believe that God has called me to follow the Christian Horror path. When I decide to take this leap of faith imagine the impact it could have on the world and the people it could reach that may never have given Christianity the time of day.
I believe God calls us to follow a path. Just because it's labeled Christian Horror doesn't mean it's automatically rejected by God.
It may be rejected by other Christians, and that's fine. In fact, I could care less if any Christians bought my book/s – because I'm not trying to reach Christians, I'm trying to spread the word to those who don't believe. That's the whole premise of Christianity – sharing the message of God with others.
I am very much intrigued by this genre and look forward to working in it one day.
God bless and have a great day!
Steve Blum
nesixmarketing@yahoo.com