Last night I went to see “Courageous”. Here are some of my thoughts on the movie…
First, I thought it was very well done and my highest compliments go to the Kendrick Brothers. I would definitely say “Courageous” is their best work by far, even better than “Facing the Giants” or “Fireproof” which I also really liked.
Second, I really, really appreciated and enjoyed the overt and unapologetic Christian message. As the movie ended, Joshua 24:15 was displayed on the screen and I just had to sit back and wonder how long it had been since Holy Scripture had been displayed in a respectful and intentional way in a movie theater. It was extremely refreshing to hear the Christian message of Christ alone as the only way to life and courageous fatherhood. If nothing else, “Courageous” receives my high commendation for the way that they say to all the men in America, “God has a lot to say about fathers in His Word and, by the way, we are all failing. So let’s fall on our knees in repentance and return to the Scriptures and see what God would have us do.”
Third, I know some people who have brought up concerns that Courageous manipulates emotions in order to bring about change. These naysayers accuse the film of using tactics similar to the altar call method which seeks to stir the emotions of those listening through passionate appeals or testimonies, emotionally charged music and atmosphere, and a sense of urgency and haste. “How can we reject altar calls and yet support a film like Courageous?” they would say. My response is this: a well done film will have an impact on your emotions, just like a well done book, speech, sermon, or piece of music will stir your emotions. God created emotions and to reject anything which moves us emotionally as wicked is, in my opinion, wrong. We would then have to say that one of Bach’s organ compositions, which inspire us with awe and grandeur as we hear the majestic sounds the organ produces, is evil. We would have to require all preachers to deliver their messages in a flat monotone so as to avoid the “wicked” stirring of his congregation’s emotions. Here is my point. Some people without a doubt will watch Courageous and have an emotional response which leads to a shallow commitment that will die out soon. This is something that cannot be helped. In fact, we see from Scripture that this happens even with the preaching of the Gospel. In Matthew 13:20-21, Christ explains to His disciples that there will be men who hear the Gospel and receive it joyfully, but they fall away when troubles and persecutions arise because they “had no firm root”. If the very preaching of the Gospel will cause men to make decisions based off of emotion, how can we expect any less from something we create? The question is not, “Will this cause an emotional response in some men?” The question is, “Are the filmmakers intentionally banking on the emotionally charged nature of their film to convince their audience of their point or are they simply portraying real life?” I would argue that the Kendrick brothers are not counting on the power of emotions to bring about change. To the contrary, I would say that, from their heavy emphasis on Scripture and the need of Christ as Savior in your life, the Kendrick brothers understand that only the Word of God has any power or lasting impact on men. To level the accusation of manipulating emotions to change people at Courageous’ door is wrong.
So what are my hopes for the movie?
My hope is that Courageous brings glory to God and advances His Kingdom.
More specifically, it is my hope and prayer that Christian men everywhere watch this film and be convicted, on the one hand, with their failings as fathers, and on the other hand, that they return to the Scriptures as the only sure foundation. In some respects I view Courageous as a Gospel tract. It should highlight to men their condition of sin and abandonment of duty while at the same time directing those men to the solution. If someone were to only rely on the Gospel tract, they would be incomplete and the solution would only be half accomplished. Similarly, if someone watches Courageous and gets all fired up for biblical fatherhood, but then neglects the Scriptures, he has missed the mark and his resolve will not last for long or accomplish much. But if men, both young and old, watch Courageous and as a result return to the old paths, the solid rock of Christ and His Word, then I think Courageous will have sounded a much needed call to fathers. If the men of this country will not repent of their sins, fall before the cross, and walk on the paths of righteousness, there is little hope for the next generation of men and women. As I thought about the movie Courageous, the words of the great hymn, “Rise Up, O Men of God” came to my mind…
Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings
Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!
It is my hope that God uses the film Courageous to call out His men who will rise up, have done with lesser things, and instead turn their hearts back to their families and to the Church. It is my hope that young men, future fathers and husbands, watch this film and resolve to end the curse of fatherlessness in their family. It is my hope that the latest film by the Kendrick brothers directs men to the Scripture and impacts the men and boys to be courageous for Christ their captain.
