January 20, 2006 | 05:15 AM
Homosexual agenda pushing for approval in the church
The homosexual agenda is quickly advancing and pushing for approval inside the walls of the modern-day church. The most recent example comes from Every Tribe Entertainment (ETE), a company made-up of professing Christians, which has created a film about five martyred missionaries (Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Jim Elliot, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian) with the starring role played by a proud, blasphemous homosexual.
The $20 million film produced by ETE called "End of the Spear" was released in theaters nationwide today, which tells the story from the angle of Nate Saint, one of the missionaries murdered by the Waodani tribe in the Ecuadorian jungles of the Amazon, and his son Steve Saint.
The film's production was funded by Mart Green, who is the Founder and CEO of ETE, and who also owns a growing chain of 21 Christian-based bookstores called "Mardel Christian and Educational Supply." Green served as the executive producer of the film.
Green's company cast the father-son starring role of both Steve and Nate Saint to outspoken homosexual activist Chad Allen, who is now using the film to encourage "bridge-building" between Christians and those who proudly engage in the sexually deviant behavior. During an interview with Larry King several days ago, Allen stated:
"You know, I made this movie with a group of conservative Christians who do not agree with my expression of sexuality. But we said to each other, I will walk with you accepting your differences and we can create together. I will give you your space to respect you fully. They don't need to take away from my freedom, I don't need to take away from theirs. And I am so proud to have done that. That's the kind of bridge-building I think we can get to."
The "End of the Spear" website initially cited one of Allen's credentials as producing the blasphemous play "Corpus Christie." It had cited:
"Inspired by the tremendous critical and audience response, Allen rode the momentum, pressing numerous productions, and struck gold with the first ever Los Angeles staging of Terence McNally's 'Corpus Christie.'"
"Corpus Christie" (Latin for Body of Christ) is a play that depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual who engages in sex with his disciples. The information was promptly removed after I wrote ETE to inquire about Allen's involvement in the film and why such credentials would be hailed on the film's website. I wrote in part:
"I am deeply grieved by your company's willful failure to screen the background of the actors taking part in your films. Chad Allen's involvement in sodomy has already destroyed the film's credibility.
It also seems that you are not ashamed of Allen's participation in 'Corpus Christi.' This play, which depicts Jesus Christ as a homosexual who engages in sex with his disciples, is proudly displayed on the 'End of the Spear' website as one of Allen's credentials."
Here is ETE's official position on why they cast Allen in the film:
"Thank you for contacting us and expressing your concern that Chad Allen was cast in End of the Spear. Movie making is a day to day industry involving a great diversity of people. We don't require the people working with us to conform to our understanding of scripture. We have chosen to tell true stories, and a common denominator of all of these stories is that they raise the question of what it can mean to live what the Bible says is true. When you are involved in a production with this foundation you will encounter and work through these questions on a day to day basis. We do not feel anyone should be excluded from this process and professional environment because they don't believe the way we do. Chad's performance in End of the Spear is noteworthy. End of the Spear is not about the film makers, rather it is about an incredible story. The story is what will be judged and debated by a world wide audience, and it is the only thing we are promoting. The story is greater than the storytellers and it would be an enormous disservice if great stories of faith like this one were reduced to the human shortcomings of the film makers. We invite you to experience End of the Spear and then judge for yourself the message you are left with." (emphasis added)
The bottom line of these professing Christian film makers is that we should shelf the Scriptures for "diversity" and "inclusion."
Aside from Allen's involvement in the film, some initial reviews should also raise concerns over the film's objective. According to comments by Christian singer/songwriter Steve Camp, "the film nowhere presents the gospel; barely- if at all - mentions the name of the Lord; and turns the true life story of five brave men burdened to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to lost people who had never heard of Him (Rom. 15:20), into a secularized, humanitarian, politically correct, wishy-washy B-rated movie."
This report is not a surprise since there is not one single reference to Jesus Christ or the Gospel on the production company's official website, nor is there on the movie's official website.
Christians should not pay to go and see this movie. Money should not be channeled into a Christian-identifying company that has spent $20 million dollars on a film that does not include a clear presentation of the Gospel message, specially in the case of telling the story of martyred missionaries.
Additionally, money should not be directed to a company that freely spends millions, and then claims to have been ignorant of its starring actor's "shortcoming" of being a proud, practicing homosexual when he was selected for the role. What causes even more concern is that after this information was discovered in the film project's early stages, company executives still decided to use the actor. The results of these actions are disastrous with Allen now using the film to encourage "bridge-building" between Christians and those who partake in a lifestyle that leads to death. I wonder how much Allen will be making in movie royalties to help him with this goal.
Nate Saint's story must be told, but it does not need the help of a homosexual activist or ETE. These martyred missionaries are a testimony to the world for their devotion in taking the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth, but the peversion of Hollywood has attempted to destroy it. Therefore, let us make sure this never happens again by spending our money on missionaries who give their lives to reach the lost, instead of on movie tickets to pay the wages of wicked men.
As for learning more about these five martyred missionaries, I urge you to read Through Gates of Splendor, which was authored by the wife of slain missionary Jim Elliot.
Please now pray for Chad Allen and for all those who are trapped in bondage to the sin of homosexuality, as well as for those who have bought into its lies. Please also pray that ETE repents and refrains from shelving the Scriptures in its decision-making and in its future film productions.
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5)
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COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS:
I agree with your statements regarding "End of the Spear." It is an outrage that a supposedly Christian company would cast an outspoken, homosexual activist to play the part of Nate Saint to say the very least. This is no more acceptable than if Madonna was cast to play the virgin Mary. Sadly, many Christians will be duped into the empty rhetoric of ETE's defense of their sinful decision to cast Chad Allen for the part. Even worse is the reported approval of Steve Saint being in agreement with this decision and even going so far as to attribute this decision to the sovreignty of God. Where in the world has discernment gone within the body of Christ?
Posted by: Rev. Sam Greene | January 21, 2006 07:38 PM
Thank you for bringing this information to light. This is another example of the homosexual agenda trying to sneak into the mainstream under the guise of Christianity. I will certainly tell everybody I know to not see this film.
Posted by: Ty Shillito | January 22, 2006 11:25 AM
Peace be to you all in Christ Jesus Name. I agree with what your saying Michael. The story of the five brave men who died for the Gospel's sake deserve to be shown in a better way, not by having a openly homesexual man push his agenda. This is just another way for the homosexual community to push their agenda on Christians. Christians need to have some discernment and not go see this film. For the Church and the Homosexual groups to be partners is another sign of the Apostate Church that was prophesized to come in the Last Days.
Posted by: David Niles Jr | January 22, 2006 04:57 PM
Michael, you are right on the money! The Church in America is under attack from without and within. No one is attacked who is strong. The Church in America is weak! We have not put on the Whole Armor of God. We have left off the Breast Plate of Righteousness. For we no longer teach our flocks to walk a Holy Walk, they are Once Saved Always Saved, and have no concept of Holy Living, I have a bus ticket to heaven, which by the way "No Unrighteous Shall Inherit" 1 Cor. 6:9. We have left our hearts open to Satan's attacks, with no Breast Plate, then we are Unarmed! The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, most professing Christians do not know! They cannot use the weapon God gave us because they are unfamiliar, leaving them unable to defend themselves. Keep up your good work and pray for a real Holy Ghost Revival in our nation of not only salvation, but Holy Living. Thank You.
Posted by: Rev. Thomas Miller | February 10, 2006 07:56 PM