AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
June 2013 – Pastor Dave Stone has just released the third book in his Faithful Families series, How to Raise Selfless Kids in a Self-Centered World. As with his first two books, Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord and Building Family Ties with Faith, Love and Laughter, Stone shares stories from personal family experiences, the lives of others and Scripture to illustrate practical ways of building key principles into a family.
The main goal of How to Raise Selfless Kids in a Self-Centered World is to inspire parents by giving them practical tools to aim for in raising children who are others-oriented, prayerful, open and generous, who look beyond themselves, encourage and honor others, and display the value of people over things. Stone gives a chapter for each goal, illustrating them with humor and poignant insight.
The key principle that runs through all of Stone’s books is that parents must first do those things they are seeking to teach their children. His call is not only for family transformation but also for active impact on a hurting and needy world.
The Faithful Family Series, including How to Raise Selfless Kids in a Self-Centered World is available online or in bookstores.
Review by Debbie Fischer
Outstanding text for homeschool families or Christian Schools
Little needs to be said about the importance of origins in the formation of a child’s worldview. So an honest debate of the merits of creation versus evolution must focus on the evidence – the facts, the details, the minutiae of the science.
Many such resources may exist for Christian families, but few could be more valuable than A Question of Origins: Created or Evolved? by Shelby MacFarlane, a retired educator.
The textbook is a convincing treatment of the issue that thoroughly and unapologetically makes a scientific case for biblical creation. Of particular interest to Christian families, the last chapter, “What Difference Does It Make Anyhow?” discusses the political, social and ethical effects of a widespread belief in evolution.
A Question of Origins is aimed at high school level students, and carries the endorsement of Ken Ham, president of Answers in Genesis.
The book is available here at 45% off the list price of $35. In addition, there is an accompanying CD with all the curriculum necessary to teach a semester’s course on the subject. This CD is available for $10 by contacting the author at [email protected].
Review by Rusty Benson
Mark 2: Redemption CAUTION
This Pure Flix end-times thriller, a sequel to The Mark, begins just after the Rapture when global confusion reigns as countless numbers of people have disappeared from earth. While Mark 2: Redemption has an interesting enough story line and a lot of fast-paced action, it also includes a lot of violence, some quite graphic. Furthermore, it includes one use of God’s name in vain and a couple other offensive word choices. The open-ended climax will not be satisfying for viewers who like a story to have a real conclusion; this one is clearly crafted with another sequel in mind. (PureFlix or Christian Book Distributors at 800-247-4784)
Review by Randall Murphree
This is My Body CAUTION
A college student faces the tough decision: give birth or abort the baby who is the result of a rape. Along the way, her mother takes her to a clinic, apparently for an abortion. At the clinic, they are confronted by pro-lifer demonstrators. There is one scene in which it appears that she had attempted suicide.
This is My Body is a unique short film – 22 minutes – creatively produced in black and white, silent format, though it is a contemporary story. The pro-life message is strong, but AFA offers some cautions. Moderate cleavage and a college party scene with alcohol use will turn some families away. Viewers would probably also like to be aware that the story is told in a strong Catholic context. (Available here.)
Review by Randall Murphree
Deep in the Heart EXPREME CAUTION
This engaging movie is being marketed as the true story of Texas philanthropist Dick Wallrath who finds lost faith and redemption. But unfortunately, there is no reference to Jesus Christ as the source of redemption. As a young man, Wallrath was an alcoholic who abused his wife and young children, then found sobriety, faith and business success.
Deep in the Heart should have been a family friendly movie. However, it is not – largely because of more than 30 profanities and crude expressions that continue even after the man says he has found faith and begins praying to God. While Wallrath’s lifestyle does reflect a positive change in behavior, the faith angle is left vague, so while the film may be called faith-based, it cannot legitimately be labeled “Christian.”
There are a number of bar scenes including Wallrath kissing a barmaid, and occasional violence features the drunken Wallrath (behind a truck) beating up a man and kicking him until others intervene to save the man’s life.
Finally, after coming to faith, Wallrath openly flirts with a married woman, and it is implied that their relationship begins before her divorce and second marriage to Wallrath.
Review by Randall Murphree
Book of Esther
Book of Esther from Pure Flix Entertainment does not entirely depart from the biblical book it is named after, but it expands on it extensively. As a creative adaptation of the story, the film spends more time concentrating on fictionalized events and conversations than on those described in the original story.
In many ways, neglect of historical details and original content of the biblical narrative detract from the power of the story, but the retelling may make the story more palatable for some viewers. At the beginning of the movie, it is noted that certain material has been added or deleted for dramatic purposes, and readers are encouraged to read the original story in the Bible. (PureFlix or Christian Book Distributors at 800-247-4784)
Review by Stacy Long
