Controversies Cast Shadows Over 'End of the Spear'
“End of the Spear” opened in 1,200 theaters nationwide on Friday amid heated debates over whether the Gospel is explicit enough in the film and why the leading roles of the missionary, Nate Saint, and son, Steve Saint, went to Chad Allen, a practicing homosexual.
The latest Christian-made film, End of the Spear is a true story of five missionaries who were speared to death by the most violent known tribe on earth – the Waodani. The story, publicized at the time by Life Magazine, had a reverberating effect on the world and inspired countless Americans to become missionaries. However, controversies cast shadows over the opening of the story-turned-film.
Some Christians are appalled that the film's leading role went to a homosexual "activist" – someone who pours money and time into advocating that the homosexual lifestyle be accepted in society.
"Not only is Allen a gay movie actor who also produces gay films, he is an activist for gay causes. According to Out magazine’s January 2006 article, Chad tours the country with gay outreach programs," stated Jason Jantz on his blog, Sharper Iron. Jantz’s post received over 2,000 hits and his website garnered 100 pastors’ signatures on a letter protesting the casting. Jantz appeared on FOX last night to discuss the film.
"Put bluntly, I believe that the makers of this movie made a very reckless decision in casting Chad Allen as Nate and Steve Saint," stated Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., in a column published on Friday.
"Given the publicity of Chad Allen's activism and the intensity of his mission to normalize homosexuality – a mission clearly articulated on his website – it is hard, if not impossible, to suspend belief and see him as a missionary martyr for the Gospel."
Filmmaker Mart Green, however, contends that Allen was the best man for the part.
"I knew that if I had 200 people down there, they weren't always going to be Christian, so I gotta live my faith out," said Green.
Green explained, "Our challenge to the team was to hire the best people. We didn't ask what their religious preference was, their sexual preference, etc. [Chad Allen] raised the bar for us.”
Another issue, one which Mohler noted as being more important, is whether the Gospel message is clear.
Critics have pointed out that the film and the documentary do not state the name, "Jesus,” although one tribeswoman in the film did acknowledge that “Waengongi (the name by which the Waodani refer to God) had a Son who was speared so we could live well.”
"The average believer should be embarrassed at the dumbing down of the Gospel or anything Christian for that matter," stated Jantz.
One comment in the Jantz’s forum posted by a “Brian Nichols,” however, argued that “the secular audience doesn't want to be bashed over the head with the Gospel.”
"These films aren't made to preach to the choir," Nichols railed. “I am amazed you all failed to realize this."
“None of you are the audience that NEEDS to be reached, and none of you understand what it takes to reach them."
While many secular reviewers faulted the cinematography, some have stated the film's deep impact on them.
Robert W. Butler from the Kansas City Star said End of the Spear leaves one "wondering at the human heart's capacity for love, forgiveness and change."
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat from Spirituality and Health magazine dug into the heart of the film and found it to be "one of the best films ever made about the courage and compassion that is at the heart of the Christian path of nonviolence."
And despite the movie’s controversies, some Christian leaders have praised the film which they said was touching and compelling.
Among the many Christian leaders who raved about the film was FamilyLife President Dennis Rainey, who stated that his hope for the film is that it launches many more missionaries around the world.
According to Baptist Press, Rainey said that End of the Spear “isn’t just a good movie, but an EXCELLENT one! It’s my hope that tens of millions of young people around the world will see this riveting movie and that it will be used by God to launch a million missionaries who will perform even greater exploits for Jesus Christ.”
Ted Haggard, president of National Association of Evangelicals, said he had never been so touched by a movie before in his life.
"It took me an hour to recover from End of the Spear," he stated.
Every Tribe Entertainment, which produced the film, has as its stated mission “To create quality entertainment for a broad audience that inspires hope through truth."
The independent studio was founded “to bring to life stories of courage and strength of the human spirit.”
