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Gay Actor Starring in Christian Film

Orginally published on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 11:27 AM
by Todd Rhoades

In the October 17, 2006 issue of Christian Retailing, one article caught my eye.  The headline:  Film Producer Defends Gay Actor Choice.  Here’s part of the article.  I’d love to hear your reaction. 

A Christian bookstore chain owner turned-producer said he does not believe the homosexual actor in his upcoming film about five missionary martyrs will present a problem for Christian viewers.

Mart Green, president of Every Tribe Entertainment and founder of the Mardel Christian and Educational Supply chain, called Chad Allen, the star of End of the Spear, "the best actor available to tell our story of faith and forgiveness in the best way possible."

"Our position is we're making quality films that tell faith-based stories, so we hire the best," according to Green.

"Chad was so exceptional that he was the only actor we hired who we didn't hire a backup for."

"After someone told me that Chad appeared on the cover of the gay and lesbian magazine The Advocate, we just felt, 'Hey, he's still the best actor.'  If anything, he was more concerned when he found that we found out -- not that he has been hiding his sexuality.  He said, 'If this movie does well, will you bash gays?'  We said, 'Chad, we don't endorse your lifestyle, but we love who you are'."

FOR DISCUSSION:  Without getting into a 'gay debate'... does this cross the line of what should be acceptable or not?  Would you show this movie at your church; or disqualify it totally on the basis of one gay actor?


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 TRACKBACKS: (4) There are 94 Comments:

  • Posted by David Russell

    Here we go again.

  • From time to time I have hired people from the community to fill in orchestra spots when a show needed it.  Most of these were not Christian--but very good musicians.  I saw doing this, and other things similar, as a way to build bridges to lost people who were fellow musicians.

    It is a commonly known fact that many of the producers and studio musicians on Christian albums are not Christians.  Of, course, most record companies are either owned or have some interest in Christian labels.  So, why would other mediums be different.  What next--does your plumber have to share your values!?

  • Posted by Todd Rhoades

    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.

  • Posted by

    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.

  • Posted by

    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.

  • Posted by Tally

    How many of us even knew this guys name before this article? 

    How many of us knew his sexuality?

    How many actors in this film are: gluttons, adulterers, liars or any other type of person who is in a life of sin?

    Any takers on the fact that there are other people in this film who live private lives we wouldn’t want to show as models to our congregations?  Any film for that matter? 

    If your local church was a cast in a film would you want to “show” your cast to each other as a representative of Christ? 

    We all do this every week.  Every church accepts various forms of sin and calls the people who live these lifestyles “Christ-followers”.  That to me is something much more offensive to the gospel than going to a movie and watching someone depect something they never claim to be.  A movie is make-believe… the local church isn’t.  I don’t agree with the lifestyle but we’re charged with correcting those inside of the church, not those outside it.

  • Posted by

    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.

  • Thanks Cindi

    Bottom line:  if he was married with two kids, we would not be having this discussion.

  • Posted by rick

    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 smile

  • Posted by

    Why are we so fixated on homosexuality when so many of the stars live an open, “in your face,” lifestyle of fornication and adultery, as well as other perversions?  We still run to see their movies.

    I’m adamently opposed to homosexuality but I think it’s pretty hypocritical to accept everything else BUT homosexuality from celebrities.

    WWJW? (What Would Jesus Watch?)

  • Posted by Sid Emory

    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.

  • Posted by Chris

    There’s a distinct difference between loving someone as a potential “Christ-follower” and putting a person in a film intended to represent a Christian worldview. Someone who is living in open rebellion to God has no business serving in a capacity that could thrust them into a role-model role for other Christians, whether it be homosexuality, adultery, or any other sin.

    I’m all for loving homosexuals. I’m not for elevating them to leadership roles in the church since they choose to live their lives in open rebellion to God.

  • Posted by

    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?

  • Posted by Al

    Well, we can be sure about one thing, his clothes will be coordinated and his hair will look perfect!

  • Posted by

    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?

  • Posted by

    I believe that this is very serious.
    Portraying a gay person as a christian martyr is like deminishing what Jesus did on the cross. His love is for all men, thats why he came, but the American church wants to be seeker friendly and give the people what they want.My question is why can’t we be the people that God wants us to be instead of compromising Him. It is like saying put a homosexual in the pulpit as a leader when we know the requirements for leadership.Please read your bible so the truth will set you free.No I will not go to see a movie where a homosexual is a martyr for Christ.
    As a true christian I feel it is an insult to them.Call me a phariasee if you like.

  • Posted by

    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.

  • Posted by

    This reminds me of a movie called “Shadow Lands” where Anthony Hopkins plays C. S. Lewis. I wonder what C.S. would have thought about Mr. Lewis being portrayed by a “good actor” in the eyes of the world? Anthony Hopkins is a good actor and the movie was also very good. Yes I own it and have recommended the movie to many. This blog has made me think about what is entailed here. Not sure if the producers were Christian oriented because the movie came out in theaters all over the country, but one can say from other movies that Hopkins has made that he has played some foul mouthed and “sick” parts.
    What about Christians who work in the movie industry that are trying to display their faith. Should they play in a movie that is clearly not “Christian?” What should Mel Gibson, Denzell(sp?) Washington and others do that profess Christ? I would have a problem playing any roll that I had to cuss in! This whole issue may be bigger than some would think.

  • Posted by

    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.”

  • Posted by

    As i read all the comments i was reminded why the body of christ suffers today. We have been fooled by the devil to argue in grey areas that simply don’t exsist in the Bible. The word of God is clear about Homosexuality and other such issues. God came like a “two-edged sword” not three or four edges. I believe the word is clear in Corinthians and Bob quoted it. We are called to live in this world and not of it.  We shouldnt allow each other to think its ok when it isnt. Remember if we are “lukewarm” he will spew us out of his mouth.
    Again i am all for loving people but next thing you know it will be ok for us to allow a drug dealer to run the church finances because he is the best for the job.

    Cmon brothers and sisters we must be more mature than that.

    Frank

  • Posted by

    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.

  • Posted by

    I am old enough to remember the true story of Jim Elliott and his fellow missionaries who were murdered.  I find it extremely disrespectful, particularly in view of the fact that at least some of these missionaries’ wives and children remain alive, to have anyone of any kind of disrepute portray any one of the five men.  Moreover, I find it very hypocritical on the part of the actor to participate in portraying a true story that he cannot possibly discern the importance of.  It is obvious that he only sees it as a job for earning money, and while he may have a heart that seeks God, God is not wishy-washy about His position on the homosexual lifestyle or any other consistent misrepresentation of the life of a Christian.  For the producer and/or director of this film to compromise what those five men stood for to me calls into question whether or not the film will be an accurate portrayal of the lives of these men and boldly declare what they gave their lives for - which is that God is real, He is Sovereign, He does not change, and He hates sin, period.  Psalm 1:1 clearly states that we should separate ourselves and stand clearly on God’s side of all issues to the best of our understanding.  That doesn’t mean we will always do right, but when we deliberate ignore His principles we set ourselves up for ridicule and basically conform to the world’s standards of relativity as to right and wrong.  I would think that including this gay actor in the cast would be offensive to the very moving going public who would be interested to see the film.

  • Posted by bobby

    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.

  • Posted by

    I’ve heard the cliche about “It’s only bad press if they misspell your name.” Maybe in the secular world but what kind of witness is that?

    Unequally yoked where do we draw that line? I was pondering this even more last night.  I atypically allowed a PC mentatlity to taint my initial comments.  I am in total disagreement with the use of a gay actor in a Christian film. 

    This is not adopting Chad into the flock, it’s hosting a forum for him to masquerade as a sheep.  I pray it will lead him to our Shepherd rather than leading others astray.  While it is beyond our control, it is not beyond God’s. 

    I also agree that most Christian films do not achieve the “quality” of the secular industry.  And that society wrongly reveres celebrities inspite of (or perhaps because of?) the faults revealed in the harsh spotlight of fame. 

    I’d like to see Christians (and their art) be a stronger influence in the industry but not at the cost of compromising their values in the name of success. 

    Everyone faces the challenge of balancing our actions against our principles.  It is just is more public in the arts, entertainment and media arena.

  • Posted by

    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!

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