I think we need a movie about the life of John Brown. His Christian upbringing and faith that lead him to be an abolitionist even as white Christian nationalism overwhelmingly supported slavery and oppression. His intersection with Frederick Douglas and how Douglas, as a Christian, brought scathing indictments against the white church. Brown’s plan to free slaves culminating in with what happened at Harper’s Ferry and the speech Brown gave just before his execution. Then pointing to how this led to the Civil War. If done correctly, it would be epic.
Imagine how today’s white Christian nationalist movement would try to spin this as woke propaganda and antithetical to the narrative of American exceptionalism. MAGA would lose their minds.
There is an old movie made about John Brown that I saw years ago. I remember being disappointed in it. He is a complex character. There's a good book written by Tony Horowitz called Midnight Rising that I read a few years ago. I wonder if that could be the basis for the screen play?
Yes! Same for our church retreat last month. Like you, I finally figured it out: this over-emphasis on personal piety that is never ending and distracts from reality. But this is what we white evangelicals have been steeped in. I started thinking about this a few years ago, taking a class from Dr. Emmet Price III. I asked him about Black people like Candace Owen, Larry Elder. He gave an arcane answer about valuing community. Little by little I've come to understand what Dr. P meant by that answer and it has opened up a whole new world for me. There is such power when folks connect, tell their stories, and draw courage from one another. Like a body with different parts working together - duh! Systems! Circulatory, skeletal ... This is how narcissists get away with murder, by keeping people divided who would start to see the truth if they snapped their two individual pieces of the puzzle into place. Grateful for you, Dr. Jemar Tisby!
I wholeheartedly agree! Thank you for pointing this out. I will be praying that God would raise up people in the film industry that would make this kind of film. Would you consider "Just Mercy" to be an example of this kind of film?
I am in total agreement. We also need to have studies in “our”churches and schools about that teach this. God is calling for all of us to wake up. Thank you for this article.
A also agree. I never noticed this individualistic theme before, but if a new film comes out with a more societal view, I hope all of us go to see and support its message.
Wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, the individualism spoon fed to us in this country is hard to overcome even in the church. As Paul reminds the Philippians Church, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Movies with this theme would be transformational for churches, communities, and our world.
I think we need a movie about the life of John Brown. His Christian upbringing and faith that lead him to be an abolitionist even as white Christian nationalism overwhelmingly supported slavery and oppression. His intersection with Frederick Douglas and how Douglas, as a Christian, brought scathing indictments against the white church. Brown’s plan to free slaves culminating in with what happened at Harper’s Ferry and the speech Brown gave just before his execution. Then pointing to how this led to the Civil War. If done correctly, it would be epic.
Imagine how today’s white Christian nationalist movement would try to spin this as woke propaganda and antithetical to the narrative of American exceptionalism. MAGA would lose their minds.
There is an old movie made about John Brown that I saw years ago. I remember being disappointed in it. He is a complex character. There's a good book written by Tony Horowitz called Midnight Rising that I read a few years ago. I wonder if that could be the basis for the screen play?
I agree! The challenge will be making these films marketable. Self-help genres sell, helping others not so much.
Yes! Same for our church retreat last month. Like you, I finally figured it out: this over-emphasis on personal piety that is never ending and distracts from reality. But this is what we white evangelicals have been steeped in. I started thinking about this a few years ago, taking a class from Dr. Emmet Price III. I asked him about Black people like Candace Owen, Larry Elder. He gave an arcane answer about valuing community. Little by little I've come to understand what Dr. P meant by that answer and it has opened up a whole new world for me. There is such power when folks connect, tell their stories, and draw courage from one another. Like a body with different parts working together - duh! Systems! Circulatory, skeletal ... This is how narcissists get away with murder, by keeping people divided who would start to see the truth if they snapped their two individual pieces of the puzzle into place. Grateful for you, Dr. Jemar Tisby!
I wholeheartedly agree! Thank you for pointing this out. I will be praying that God would raise up people in the film industry that would make this kind of film. Would you consider "Just Mercy" to be an example of this kind of film?
It’s why I don’t go to christian movies.
I totally agree. I shy away from Christian films because of the shallow humanity and lack of individuality of folk in the margins.
I am in total agreement. We also need to have studies in “our”churches and schools about that teach this. God is calling for all of us to wake up. Thank you for this article.
I like your ideas. Maybe develop a script writing course based on these ideas?
I would love to see more themes like you’re suggesting.
A also agree. I never noticed this individualistic theme before, but if a new film comes out with a more societal view, I hope all of us go to see and support its message.
I agree. As art and life co-narrative our realities, the silence of the Christian voices today in this milieu of blatant racism is deafening.
Wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, the individualism spoon fed to us in this country is hard to overcome even in the church. As Paul reminds the Philippians Church, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Movies with this theme would be transformational for churches, communities, and our world.
I agree, Jemar! I seldom watch "Christian" movies preferring the ones that deal with injustices, racism etc. When is your next movie coming out? !!!!
Yes!
Yes! Agree
Yes!