Here we go again.

Nah, guys… I’m serious on this one… I really don’t know what I think.

Musicians who aren’t Christians on recorded projects.  OK.  Musicians who aren’t Christians leading worship I think gets a little blurrier in my mind (as a former worship leader).

I guess my question is why exactly would you want someone playing the role in a Christian film (especially about martyred missionaries) who doesn’t share the vision of the film?  The producer is pretty much saying that there were no Christian actors who were as good.  Maybe that’s true.  But I don’t know… having the same picture on the magazine and on my film’s promotional poster still makes me a little uneasy.

All political correctness aside, I’m still uneasy.

A picture, moving or otherwise, should be as close an approximation to the reality as posible.  Sometimes an actor’s private life overshadows the public image they are trying to portray.  This is one of those cases.  What’s next, Pee Wee Herman as Jesus in Passion of the Christ II? Madonna as Mary? I’m not saying all actors in Christian films should be Christians, but that it is common sense that an actor can’t have a public persona that distorts the story you are trying to tell.

The fact that we’re asking this question demonstrates how backwards we as the Church live our lives compared to Jesus Christ’s example. For centuries, the Western church has required people to 1) Behave first so they can be 2) Invited into the church/kingdom so that they might potentially 3) Belong and be 4) Loved – but only as long as they continued to behave.  But Jesus did just the opposite. First He 1) Loved those he met regardless of circumstance or behavior. He told them they 2) Belonged, and that they were worthwhile. He 3) Invited them to walk in a deeper relationship with Him, and more often than not they accepted because they felt loved and included. Because He loved them, included them, and invited them in, they 4) Behaved, because they loved Him and wanted to grow closer to Him. (ex, Luke 7:36-50) Who knows what impact working on this film and learning this story had on this actor? What kind of message would it send if an actor is excluded from doing a job that he does well just because he isn’t “behaving”? We are all called to give our utmost for His highest, to give every effort our best. If Chad Allen was the best person for the role and played it true, if the message of Jesus Christ’s redemption is clearly presented, if this was a rare opportunity for Chad to come face-to-face with The Truth while practicing his profession, then God is clearly honored. What gives us the right to be “offended” when we too are offenders against God’s plan? The only group of people who are described as “offended” in the NT are the Pharisees – not the group I care to be associated with! Anyway, I doubt many of those who would be offended have seen The Advocate or have any idea who Chad is.

i don’t have a problem, as long as the film is good. if it’s a poorly done movie, than i’m blaming him

I agree with Cindi.  I also hope that this young man’s involvment in the film will hopefully give him a glimpse of this faith we have and a view of a loving a merciful God that has forgiven the many of tribesmen that murdered the missionaries.  A God who can forgive any sin and take us for who we are and love us anyway.  I’ll see the movie and praise God for including this man in the film and pray that there will be a change in his life as a result of being a part of it.

Hmmm....undecided. 

If it is pure fiction, it would be a little easier to understand the choice - simply an actor playing a ficticious role.  Especially produced by the secular media. 

If it is based upon a true story, I think it is rather disrespectful for an individual to be portrayed by an actor publically touted (cover of mag) to be engaged in activities contrary to their beliefs.  Especially from a Christain media source.

At the very least it seems a compromising situation.  While not one of us should cast that first stone, could this decision be begging the unbelieving world to stone the Christian media in the name of hypocricy?

I think it would be refreshing to see more Christian movies that were up to the standards of the best movies in the industry. It grieves me to say it, but many Christian films are—from an artistic point of view—pure crap. If it takes a gay actor to help accomplish some improvement, so be it.

If Christianity is as much “caught” as “taught,” Chad (like the non-Christian musicians mentioned above) may learn about (or even catch) salvation through the experience of being around people who are devoted to Jesus, and who derive meaning from the work and sacrifice of those five missionaries and the lives they touched.

Instead of questioning casting decisions, maybe we should be praying for Chad and everyone who sees this movie to join the family of God. If a sinless actor could be found on the planet to play this role, I’m sure Chad would be glad to step aside. BTW, I have two musician friends who are Christians because someone invited them to play at church even though they didn’t know the Lord.

What do we value more, saving souls or following our rules and traditions?

Our opinions are subjected and tainted by our personal desires, therefore in such cases seek the truth.
The apostle Paul plainly stated in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15;17: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with belial or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”
Verse 17: “Therefore come out from their midst and be separate says the Lord.”
We are to be a witness with the unbeliever not to entangle ourselves with them for the sake of business - however good the business might be, or however good the unbeliever might be in the business. God just plainly directs us to be sepearated from them. A lesson we should well learn from the children of God who apostatised themselves over and over and received God’s judgement over and over.
The gay and lesbian lifestyle has God’s stamp of judgement all over it, ie. Sodom and Gemmorrah, and in Romans 1:24-32. Read it. It some of the strongest language in the Bible against homosexuality.
I will not buy the film because the producer compromised God’s standards for his life in these areas, and I will not knowingly support a gay man’s lifestyle by purchasing a Christian film, so called.

I am sorry I don’t like this.  If I am understanding things right this is a Christian project produced by Christians right?  To me this is not right.  I will be honest with you I would be just upset if Bill Clinton was playing the part. 
I just think He should not play the part.  He will be looked up to, and to me we are saying this life style is ok.  I know we don’t want to get into the homosexual debate.  But it is wrong and it is a sin.  When did we Pastors become afraid to stand up and share God’s truth?
Us ministers have lost our boldness in my opinion.  To quote a poster in my wife’s first grade class room “What is popular is not always what is right.  And what is right is not always what is popular.”

Is this movie about five marytres the story of Jim Elliot?  If it is it would be a tradgedy to have a openly gay actor starring in this film.  Read Jim Eliott’s bio and then tell me he would approve of this.

People, this isn’t a debate about whether or not homosexuality is wrong.  We’re not putting the guy in a position of “leadership” as many have suggested.  He’s playing a role in a film and he’s a great actor.  How many of you chose not to go see The Passion because the actress who played Mary was Jewish?

Some have suggested that this could be a great chance for this actor to be exposed to Christians and make a difference in his life.  As I see the way many of us respond, I think my bigger concern about him being in this film is that he will be exposed to Christians.

I realize it isnt about homosexuality but about comformity. I believe we have allowed anything to be acceptable to Chrsitians! What seperates Christians from any other group of people who unite under one belief?
It should be clearer.

About Jewish vs Homosexuality? That just shows the ignorance; Jewish is not a choice but homosexualtiy is! Lets call red, Red and not skirt the issue and hide behind political correctness!
I personally would not treat this man with disgust but i sure would let him know clearly and in “Love”,as we are called to do by God, that his choice of lifestyle was and is offensive, not to me but to God!