Christians in Hollywood? Get Used to it!
May 22, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Film, TV, Ministry Today, Music
Nothing screams success like ROI. For years, it seemed that Hollywood frowned on movies with Christian themes; but that changed bigtime when Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ†posted box office returns in excess of $300 million plus.
On a smaller scale, but no less important, has been the recent success of “Jumping the Broom.†The movie, produced by Sony Pictures in conjunction with Bishop T. D. Jakes, spent a reported production budget of $6.6 million, and has now grossed more than $31 million (May 22).
Now, it seems that Bishop TD Jakes has been bitten with the television sitcom bug. He’s been working on One LOVE, a television series set to premiere Fall 2011, produced in conjunction with Code Black Entertainment. An entertainment conglomerate founded and run by African American entrepreneur, Jeff Clanagan.
In a recent Gospel Today cover story, Bishop Jakes stated, “The New York Times ran an article that suggested that there are two types of Faith films. There are movies by Christians that are made for Christian audiences, “Fireproof” is one of those. The other category is movies that are done by Christians but done for the world. “Jumping the Broom” fits into that category. We have to have a conversation that goes into all the world!”
What do you think? Blog about it…..
It is a two headed sword…People are already feeling that some Pastors are faking, begging, whoremongering etc. now they are acting? Promoting movies. The only thing I want my pastor to be bit by is the Holy Spirit. I am a mature christian, I just believe GOD calls us to the world to preach/minister; not get involved with the world. I’m of this world, not in this world. Where is the line of demarcation drawn?
While this is not a place ALL christians should function, the Gospel message has to be take to the marketplace. Those of us not called to do this need to pray FOR those who are, lifting them up before the Lord that they are bathed in prayer; hearing from the Holy Spirit and knowing when to say NO. We are called to live holy in the world, in the middle of sinful people. We are not called to ignore the sinner, just not engage in sin. There is a difference. We are living epistles, the only Bible many will read until they come to Christ. Jesus went where the sinners were. If we are not careful, we will become as Pharisees, not allowing those ‘UNHOLY’ to even touch our garments when we ourselves are so full of hypocrisy. I’m glad there are many ways to PREACH the gospel and Jesus’ life was not spent only teaching on the mountainside. He also taught at Zacchaeus’ house, around the dinner table, sitting in the midst of sinners.
(Mark 8:36) Really, of what benefit is it for a man to gain the whole world and to forfeit his soul?
(Luke 16:15) Consequently he said to them: “YOU are those who declare yourselves righteous before men, but God knows YOUR hearts; because what is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God’s sight.
(2 Corinthians 4:4) among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.
(1 Corinthians 7:31) and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full; for the scene of this world is changing.
(1 John 2:17) Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.
2Co 4:4-NLT Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.
Even Satan in the beginning was an anointed cherub and worshiped Jehovah God our Creator until sin was found in him and Satan wanted to be worshiped in place of God. He was the worship leader in heaven until he was kicked out by Jesus. I think some “Bishops, Evangelists, Preachers” begin the same way as worship leaders, then success hits them, money and power, the congregation sees them more than they see God and Christ, then congregation starts worshiping the man and not God, what is the end result? the end result is a T.D.Jakes, the people made him into there messiah.
See friends, when you invest into a business you expect a commission or a share in the company profits and investments. You become a share-holder. Now, how does a mega-ministry become a mega-ministry? by donations, right? the ministry head gets all the money, becomes rich on your donations/investments into the ministry. the trickery starts here, it’s called “blessings”. Take T.D. Jakes Ministry and Business, who built it and with who’s funds? yours. Now everyone who invested into the Potter’s House all these years how many are receiving a commission on everything t.d. jakes produces? are the 10k plus Christians gaining a financial reward from this ministry and everything he does including his books? if not then why do you keep supporting his ministry? what is the definition of a religious pimp?
I doubt very seriously if King Jesus needs a “drag queen” to promote God’s Kingdom and Christianity. Satan is a lie and the father of lies. Christians stop supporting Satan’s World, Jesus is Not Approving these ventures.
Yes, it fine for Pastors to produce Movies and be in that arena if it was a good clean Movie like Jumping the Broom that has a good message in it. What a better way to get a good message out to a dying World & to reach the loss. Pastors should not be paupers & broke People as the World thinks with no Fiances. It takes a lot of Money to fulfill the Gospel and Pastors need some to give and live in a way they will be a good witness if they do it the Godly, Biblical way.
@AskDuane. If a pastor has legitimate and successful business dealings that are from a FOR Profit entity, than God Bless! Just as Dr. Brown so eloquently articulated, Pastors are not called to be paupers. That is a lie from the pit of hell! Furthermore, these pastors are “investing” in their congregations just as the congregations are investing in them. If the congregations were not seeing returns on their “investment” of time and resources, they would go to another church. It bugs be that pastors are most peoples ONLY living life coaches but some “religious” folks want them to do it for the least amount of return. C’mon family, lets stop having a broke mentality. I would much rather see more of TD Jakes’ films than the other stuff out her influencing our lifestyles in entertainment.
“We have to have a ‘conversation’ that goes into all the world” Jesus said “Proclaim the GOSPEL (His death, burial & resurrection) to all the world! A halfhearted, middle of the road, lukewarm message will not bring anyone to Christ! I truly understand why the Lord asked: “When the son of man comes, will he really find FAITH on the earth? Lk 18:8 Paul said ” We are not as many that peddle the word of God…2Cor 2:17 “We do not preach OURSELVES but Christ Jesus the Lord” 2Cor 4:5 the message of the ‘Passion’ came with conviction it made a impact on hollywood and right after that the ‘Da Vinci code’ was released to counter the message of the Cross
theres more than money at stake here I hope I’m not the only one that noticed
Hollywood movies have always had Christian themes. Most movies and tv shows created from the 40s to the early 70s were Christian based. It wasnt until the 80s that extreme sex, violence and drugs took over to keep up with the realism in our society. Family values dont make money anymore because the value of family has diminished. Sad, so sad ……
Its about making money, there is nothing wrong with that. We need more interesting christian movies to debut. Most of the ones in the past have not been tasteful to watch. Christian entertainment must go to the next level.