Scared Straight
Kirk Cameron in LEFT BEHIND: THE MOVIE
I remember a number of years ago watching LEFT BEHIND: THE MOVIE with my in-laws. Afterward my mother in-law said how much she enjoyed it but that she found it quite frightening to think about that tribulation world. I said that hopefully people watching the film would realize that as well and be encouraged to accept Christ today and not wait until it was too late. She said that she thought that people couldn’t be frightened into faith.
Hmmm… I used to wonder about that but a few things now make me think that people CAN and DO find faith through fear.
One: the Bible clearly says that we should FEAR God. “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness.” Joshua 24:14. “For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” 1 Chronicles 16:25. “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:17 It’s a fear borne out of respect and love but it’s still a healthy fear.
Two: the Bible supports corporeal punishment in raising children. “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24. I know growing up with my brother that my mom’s stern words to behave often fell on deaf ears. The infamous statement of “wait till your father gets home” carried an infinite amount of weight. Because of fear and respect we then did as we were told.
Three: people are all different and because of that people come to faith in many different ways. Some are just brought up in the Christian faith and naturally accept Christ as Savior. Others must hit rock bottom before reaching out for salvation (like in SAVING GOD).
Others need intellectual arguments (like in STARTLING PROOFS or SHADOW GOVERNMENT or GENIUS CLUB).
A chilling scene from Cloud Ten's new suspense thriller, DANGEROUS CALLING
Others need emotional connections (like in THE RIVER WITHIN.) Others need to see someone else come to Christ (like in SMUGGLER’S RANSOM or TREASURE BLIND).
So it makes sense to me that scary movies like our DECEIVED and the brand new DANGEROUS CALLING could reach many as well.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
- Blog by Andre van Heerden, Writer/Director at Cloud Ten Pictures
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I think you can definetely be scared straight! I was!
- Terrika Clark (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
being scared into faith isnt a very good foundation. The Holy Spirit leads you to a realization to what Jesus did for you and who He is. A change in heart and mind and soul.
-Pamela Hogan (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
I really liked the books in the left behind series. in the movies i really liked the actors all of the main characters were how i imagined them to be. i think they went way to far away from the books particularly in film 3. i do think a better forum to show the books would be a tv series with a big budget and stay faithful to the books and allow the characters much more room to develop and for the public to get to know them.
-Ronnie Hartley (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)
Yes the movies are probably better for the people who have not read the books first. I was too distracted the first time I watched the movies because I was comparing them to the books, the second time was okay. I still like the movies, but I liked the books better (books are usually better though). Revelation has always scared me in the past so seeing it in book or movie form just reinforced it.
- Angela Vaughn (re-posted from facebook.com/cloudtenpictures)