Call it what it is: Fireproof

Question: If you're going to see a neurologist, do you want a mediocre doctor who is a Christian or do you want an exceptional doctor who is a Hindu (an Hindu?)?

How about your mechanic? He's not so good, but he's a believer or the guy who gets it right every time but makes Christopher Hitchens look like an altar boy?

I was saddened to come across a review of "Fireproof" at WorldontheWeb.com (I'll link the review at the end of the post). To sum it up, the reviewer walked out of the film after twenty minutes. And he was a Christian.

Ouch.

Many will revile a film made by Christians because it was made by Christians or has Christian themes. "The Passion of the Christ" exemplifies such attitudes. But the quality of "The Passion" is outstanding, and because of that, it received wide acclaim and a wide and diverse viewing.

The reason contemporary Christian music, for the most part, has had so little airplay on stations not blatantly Christian is because as an art form, CCM stinks (broad-brush, general statement...yes, there are exceptions). The lyrics aren't lyrical, and the music goes down like lumpy, unseasoned mashed potatoes. Christian film, likewise, has had the subtlety and nuance of 10-grit sandpaper and the quality of a high school play.

Truth told, I read every "Left Behind" book. Was it the compelling story lines? No. Was it the flesh and blood characters Jerry Jenkins created? No. Was it his deft prose? No. He has written some good stuff ("Rookie" and "Hedges" for two, the latter a non-fiction work)but the Left Behind series was bubble-gum literature. What then put it on the best-seller list? It drafted a plausible scenario for the future as prophesied in Scripture. That was interesting. Had it been written well, those works might very well have been classics. Now, they are largely forgotten.

It's sibling, "Left Behind: The Movie," made the book look Pulitzer worthy.

Ouch.

Superb art, be it film, music, paint, prose, poetry, architecture or sculpture, honors God because the creative God imbued man with creativity. When man exercises that creativity with excellence, Christian or not, intending to honor God or not, he does honor God. The Christian of all people should recognize that and declare it before the those blind to God's glory.

Excellence in craftsmanship, excellence in vocation, excellence in family and society, all these point to and honor the God who has created us. Such excellence provides us an opportunity to introduce the lost to the One who aches to have them found. The majesty of God's temple reflected the beauty of His holiness in the beauty of its design, its materials and its craftsmanship. Today, we raise tin-sided warehouses and slap a cross on them.

And so another Christian movie has been made. Will we, as the review challenges (here), call a spade a spade in hopes that Christians will continue to hone their craft, polish their vocation, and strive as citizens, parishioners, and family members to the glory and honor of God?

Let's not settle for mediocrity in the name of Christ.