New Movie called "To Save a Life" What do you think?

I've been hearing hype on my local Christian radio stations about this movie that has just came to theaters. So far, it's not in my area, but I've been to the website and seen the trailer. You'll have to see it, but from what I see and read about it, it portrays teen drinking, teen suicide and strong sexual content. Everyone is raving about this movie, but from just watching the trailer, I wonder what the real message is.

One of the local christian radio DJ's said this was better than most Christian Movies calling them "cheesy." From the trailer, I don't see anything that would classify this as a "Christian" movie. Of course I haven't seen the full movie. When I look at the past Christian movies like Fireproof and Facing the Giants, I don't think those were cheesy at all. Of course the acting could have been better, but that's what happens when you don't have high dollar actors in your movie, but that didn't at all take away from what the main message was.

I think that this new movie might be taking things too for for it to be a "christian" movie. For example, in Fireproof, we didn't need to see the wife and young doctor making out half naked to get the point they were having an adulterious affair. We didn't need to see strong sexual content on the computer of the Husband to get the point of him endulging in porn. But just in the trialer of this new movie you see things that I wouldn't want my daughter to see.

Is it reality, sure. Do I need to take my daughter to see a teen commite suicide, teen drinking doing stupid things or strong sexual content for her to understand it's out there, no. That's what her Father, Mother and Church is for.

For those who've seen the movie...is there an underlined message of repentance and turning from sin in this movie? Does the popular guy who decides to reach out to the outcast find his answer to life through God? I guess I either need to see this movie or talk to someone who has. I don't mean to bash the movie, but I question it's message based on what I've read and seen.

I wonder if any of this makes sense? Maybe I'm just getting carried away with this. But I'd love to hear what my other Brothers and Sisters who've seen it to help clear up my thoughts. Maybe I'm totally off base. Thanks for your time and if you've got some input, please say so. God Bless.

The movie poses the question "How far would you go
to save a life ??" and focus on what we can do to
try to prevent suicide. There's not a Godly, true
perspective on the importance and meaning of life;
so I question its effect and its value. Most
who would choose to end their life feel like their
life doesn't matter and has no meaning !!

So you've seen it? If there's not a Godly, true perspective on what it means to save a life, meaning others as well as your own, than I question so many churches using it to influence their youth groups.

I'm all about suicide prevention, no question there. But if this movie was made by a Christian church without any perspective on God's ultimate impact in saving a life, than what was the overall intent? I don't know...but thanks for your thoughts.

People, churches, confuse humanism, with doing what is right.
We will watch any kind of filth as long as it serves the greater good or purpose, not considering what God thinks or feels.
Were so far removed from God that we don't blush at the sight of things that grieve the HolySpirit...
I say we, because I do the same kind of things and realize that I excuse what I allow my eyes to watch, exclaiming well yea it has a good message though, or, but it helps people...We put a christian label on a movie, or book,or music way way, to easily, when Christ had nothing to do with what is shown, said, or conveyed.

The movie is about a young man questioning his behavior and HAD HE stayed his friend and behaved differently toward his childhood best friend, Roger, would he have commited suicide? So he determines within himself to speak to every student in his high school and get to know them.

The suicide rates are horrible;
these are from 2001...
___________________________Rate Per___% of
___________________Number__100,000___Total
Firearms......................16,869.....5.9............55.1
All Other Methods.........13,753......4.8............49.9
Hanging or Suffocation...6,198.......2.2............20.2

I admit I've not seen it, but from what I've read, it sounds a whole lot like what God wants us to do: stop focusing on ourselves and start helping others.

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't care if it's secular or not, if it keeps one teenager or anyone else alive until they are sent someone by God, then I'm all for it. (Edit for future readers:: I guess I should reworded the "I don't care" comment ( :) ) because first and foremost my trust is in the Lord and I should NOT have worded it as if there was no hope except in this movie. For that I am truly sorry.)

There are many kids out there withouts parents (in body or in mind) that might need to see this movie. Personally, I plan on taking my 17 yr old son with me to see this (he's been through a bout of depression already. If it gets his eyes off of himself and on to other people troubles, then praise God!

I hope nothing I wrote sounds mad... b/c I'm not! I very rarely get mad at other people, usually myself! Nothing was written in aggravation or anger!

God bless you!!

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't care if it's secular or not

This is what really confuses me the most. Shouldn't we care if it is worldly? I wonder would Jesus care if it was worldly??

Richard365 makes the following 2 statements,

"Maybe I'm just getting carried away with this."

And, "Maybe I'm totally off base."

Richard365, verily you're not getting carried away far enough from this.

God commands His people,

"Do not come into close association with unbelievers, like oxen yoked with asses. For what is there in common between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what partnership has light with darkness? Where can harmony between Christ and Belial be found? Or what participation has a believer with an unbeliever? And what compact has the Temple of God with idols? For *we* are the Temple of the ever-living God; as God has said, "I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM, AND WALK ABOUT AMONG THEM; AND WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND IT IS THEY WHO SHALL BE MY PEOPLE." Therefore, "'COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND SEPARATE YOURSELVES,' SAYS THE LORD, 'AND TOUCH NOTHING IMPURE; AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU, AND WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS,' SAYS THE LORD THE RULER OF ALL." 2 Cor. 6:14-18

Richard365, you're neither on home base or safe at that base you're on. Run as fast as you can from the playing field which is a mere prop of satan the deceiver. And join the soldiers of the cross on the battlefield for souls.
"And from the days of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matt. 11:12

Richard365 also states,

"Everyone is raving about this movie..."

Question: Who is the 'Everyone'...raving about this movie?

Verily it is not those who love the Holy One of Israel.
Verily it is not those who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Verily it is not those who sing Holy Holy Holy is the LORD God Almighty.

The answer to my question lies in your words preceeding your perturbation that everyone is raving about this movie.

"This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." James 3:15
"These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." Jude 1:19

Verily it is those who love not our LORD Jesus Christ in incorruption. But rather love the portrayal of 'teen drinking, teen suicide and strong sexual content'.
"But he who sins against me does violence to his own soul; all who hate me love death." Prov. 8:36

God commands His people,

Eph. 5:11,12 "Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them; for the things which are done by these people in secret it is disgraceful even to speak of."
And, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thess. 5:22

Richard365 states,

"You'll have to see it..."

NO! I WON'T! May God's people pray fervently.

"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes; I have hated the work of those who turn aside; it shall not fasten upon me.A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know evil." Psalm 101:3,4
"Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!" Psalm 141:4
"I made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I look intently on a virgin?" Job 31:1

OH! That God's people would heed God's commands.

OH! That God's people would say, "...If it is the Lord's will, we shall live and do this or that." James 4:15

"But now you boast in your presumptions. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to anyone knowing to do good, and not doing it, it is sin to him." James 4:16,17

Richard365 states,

"Thanks for your time and if you've got some input, please say so."

If you've got more time I've got more input. Please say so.

"See then that you walk carefully, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:15-17

by rainydaygirl on 2010/1/23 18:17:46

Maybe I'm wrong but I don't care if it's secular or not

This is what really confuses me the most. Shouldn't we care if it is worldly? I wonder would Jesus care if it was worldly??

Back to what you wrote I have a question, "If I went out to dinner with some sinners and had a glass of wine or a beer or two, would you consider that as "worldly" or more worldly?

I also realize that "I" am focusing on the word "worldly" and you might have been focusing more on my attitude. I'm not sure, we can never know when we post our responses! If I focused wrong, please forgive me.

God bless you!

If the trailer was that defiling, why would you ever choose to see the movie?

Hi Lysa

You spoke of your attitude in your post. I just wanted to let you know it was fine, I did not since any anger or rudeness personally. I hope my post to will come across with only the love of Christ.

Back to what you wrote I have a question, "If I went out to dinner with some sinners and had a glass of wine or a beer or two, would you consider that as "worldly" or more worldly?

Just to be sure we are both on the same page when I answer your question I am going to make an assumption and if it is incorrect then feel free to let me know.
First when you asked about going out to dinner with some sinners I am assuming that you were talking about unsaved/non christian friends(because we are all sinners:) If that is what you meant then I would answer you this way, concerning drinking a beer or two or having wine. I would ask you why are you drinking a beer or wine with your unsaved friends? What is the motivation of your heart in having these drinks? We both know that the Lord looks at the heart of why we do what we do so I think that is a very important question to ask ourselves?

I brought into question your comment that you did not care if it was secular(worldly) as long as it worked. I am wondering why wouldn't you care if it was a secular thing or not? Jesus cares about such things don't you think? Shouldn't we care about those things He cares about?

I do agree that it is a terrible tragedy to have a young person take their own life, but we have to be careful not to get caught up in our emotions.(I know just how hard this can be) We must remember that Jesus did not chase after anyone who rejected Him, and no where in the Bible are we instructed to copy the things of the world or to compromise in order to reach those who are lost.

"from what I've read, it sounds a whole lot like what God wants us to do: stop focusing on ourselves and start helping others."?

I can tell from your posts you have a great deal of love for young people and for the lost and that is a wonderful gift from God. God does want us to stop focusing on ourselves and He does want us to care for others, but He wants us to do so in Him. All that we do must be centered in Him or its useless. I see that there are many dangers when we as the body of Christ chase after the lost in a worldly way, when we behave as the world and copy their methods to reach the lost we end up effectively taking God out of the entire situation.

I just wanted to say thank you Lysa for sharing here with me. I look forward to hearing what the Lord shows us both as we seek to know His heart on this matter.

love in Him
rdg

Hey,

I guess I should have reworded the "I don't care" comment ( :) ) because first and foremost my trust is in the Lord and I should NOT have worded it as if there was no hope except in this movie. For that I am truly sorry.

God does want us to stop focusing on ourselves and He does want us to care for others, but He wants us to do so in Him.

I'm only human and I don't know that God DOES want anything to do with this movie but for the other-side-of-the-coins-sake, how do you or any others know that He DOES NOT want anything to do with this movie?

I only ask that because God has used two movies in my life so far (Dragonfly & The Perfect Storm) to drastically make a point and speak to me. That seems logical that God would use what speaks to a person or this generation. Again, I will admit that I could be wrong.

In a long conclusion!! From our possible different church backgrounds (not just you and I but each on us on SI), and also from our different experiences in life, [b]could it be that we define worldly differently?[/b] One would think that the meaning of the term "worldly" was static but after this conversation, I'm thinking that it is fluid!

And I asked about the dinner and wine thing b/c of Jesus. He ate with "unbelievers," drank wine but do we consider Him worldly? I would never call Jesus worldly! By the way, I do not drink. So what one person considers worldly may not actually be "worldly" per se. That's all I'm trying to say but I may not be saying it very well. So I apologize if it's not clear. ** I am not trying to change your view of worldiness either! You have yours, as I have mine but if you feel I'm terribly off the mark, please pray for me!

God bless you rdg!!

I appreciate everyones comments about what was on my mind about this movie. After reading everyones thoughts, what comes to mind is something that someone said once. Everyone has different light on what God's word says. It's like school, some of us are in the 1st grade, others maybe in 6th. What matters is our willingness to be humble and possibly incorrect about something we previously thought. Maybe that person has more light in an area than myself, praise God for that. I just pray I can learn and grow from that in some way. I pray that I never reach a place and think I know it all and everyone else is wrong. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. I never want to be in a place where even God resists me.

God bless each of those who seek His face. Here's a great quote from a Brother of mine... Let Love fill your gas tank, but keep wisdom in the drivers seat.

Hi Lysa

"I don't care" comment ( :) ) because first and foremost my trust is in the Lord and I should NOT have worded it as if there was no hope except in this movie. For that I am truly sorry.

Thank you for clarify this for me. I have many times chosen words with out thinking fully and have found later that I need to clarify because it did not convey what was on my heart. I think we all have done this at one time:)

It is completely possible that we do have two differing views of what is worldly. I will explain mine further:)
To me worldly would be using things like fornication, underage drinking, foul language, self mutilation, and rock music to appeal to young people to get them to come hear a message(that may or not be watered down.) While Jesus did eat with sinners, He did not compromise Himself. He did hang out with sinners that is true but when He was around these sinners stopped what they were doing and followed Him. It was not the other way around. Jesus did not start sinning or taking part in sin to get them to follow Him? He never lowered the standard or watered down the message to attract anyone to Himself, see what I mean?

As for drinking alcohol being worldly or sinful I did not say that. I asked what the motives of ones heart would be for doing it? I personally do not drink(I hate the smell so I think I would hate the taste) but I am not saying that drinking is a sin, just asking what would be the motive of ones heart in the situation to drink? Of course I understand that your question was hypothetical concerning yourself since you do not drink either. I do think it is still a valid question for us to be asking ourselves when we are in any given situation. I think it is important to check the motives of our heart.

I actually have had the Lord use many edited movies to speak to me also. I am not saying that He does not use movies, books, videos or other things to speak to us. I think He does, let those who have eyes to see See! I am saying that I believe we need to be very careful in what we put before our eyes. We also need to be very careful in how we share truth with others that we do not come across as using gimmicks, tricks or compromise to reach this generation or any for that matter. The earliest believers did not use anything but the truth of Christ crucified and many came to repent and know the Lord. Why would it be any different today?

Lysa please do not feel as if you are not conveying your thoughts well. I think you are doing wonderful and I very much appreciate your heart on this. As I said it is very clear to me that you have a real love for the lost, it comes through in what you write. Please do not feel as if I am trying to change your mind, only Jesus can change any of us. I am merely sharing what the Lord has shown me in these things and listening to what He has for you as well. I trust that He will show us each what He has for us. In this as in all things there is always room for each of us to grow, I know I still have much to learn in Him:)

love in Him and thank you for sharing with me on this
rdg