AFA Staff

AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources

Photo above – Ted McGinley plays Matthew, a local pastor who shares the message of the power of the cross with his congregation.

April 2015 – Brought to you from the creators of God’s Not Dead, Do You Believe? follows several lives moving in different directions but intersecting unexpectedly in ways that only God could orchestrate. When a local pastor is confronted by the unwavering faith of an old street preacher, he shares a message with his congregation that launches a faith-fueled journey for several of its members. When the moment of truth arrives, some are ready to believe in the power of the cross, and some are reluctant. 

While there is a clear presentation of the gospel of Christ, there are cautions to note. Due to the intense nature of a few scenes, this movie is not intended for small children. There is mild gun violence without gore involved, and there is a scene where a couple at dinner have a glass of wine. In the context of the movie, the scenes are not offensive, and the redeeming quality of the film takes precedence. The film opened  in select theaters March 20.  
Review by Angie May

The Drop Box
This heart-wrenching documentary from Focus on the Family, tells the story of a Seoul, South Korea, church which constructed a small door in the wall of their church where people can “deposit” unwanted babies. 

Ironically, there are detractors who insist that such a ministry encourages mothers to abandon their babies. In the interest of giving pros and cons, The Drop Box includes some expressions of disagreement with the ministry, but overall the focus is on the positive side of the church’s ministry and its stories of lives saved.
Review by Randall Murphree 

Undivided
This inspiring documentary should challenge churches all across the nation to take another look into how they can serve their communities. Undivided chronicles the outreach of South Lake Church in Portland, Oregon, as it launched a long-term initiative to rehabilitate an inner-city high school, and in the process brought the whole community together. 

It is an incredible picture of the body of Christ in action, and how real hands-on ministry can work in the secular world. In this case, the church even wound up with an office at this public high school. And because this partnership has been so successful, Portland schools have identified five more schools and asked for aid from the city’s churches.
Review by Randall Murphree

Welcome to Inspiration
Welcome to Inspiration is based on a novel titled The Street Sweeper. It’s most likely to have impact on Christians who are looking for a deeper walk. It is heavy on spiritual principles and relies on many uses of Scripture. It is solid in principle, but production is average at best. A city couple’s car breaks down in a southern town, and the film unfortunately does an over-the-top caricature of the small town and its people. It’s so exaggerated that it often detracts from the good story line. 

There are no objectionable elements. 
Review by Randall Murphree

AiG resources support design over evolution
Questioning Cosmos – A study guide published by Answers in Genesis, Questioning Cosmos introduces key topics in scientific theory, biology, astronomy, physics, geology, and other sciences. The book was created as a discussion guide for the secular, evolution-based TV series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, which has been incorporated into many school science curricula. Questioning Cosmos refutes evolutionary claims and establishes the creationist understanding.

Engaging graphics illustrate concepts; web links to additional content are plentiful; and experiments, quizzes, and research projects conclude many chapters. It is recommended for ages 12 and older.

Design in Astronomy – A one-hour film from Answers in Genesis, Design in Astronomy features a lecture by AiG astronomer Dr. Danny Faulkner, who describes evidences of design in astronomy. The universe is like a giant billboard advertising the handiwork of the Creator, he says, pointing out illustrations in comets, nebulae, the moon, earth, and solar systems.

The message is very clear – the universe reveals plenty of evidence for special creation. The film is recommended for teens and adults. 

Learn more and purchase both products at answersingenesis.org.
Review by Stacy Long

The Finish Line
Questioning Cosmos – A study guide published by Answers in Genesis, Questioning Cosmos introduces key topics in scientific theory, biology, astronomy, physics, geology, and other sciences. The book was created as a discussion guide for the secular, evolution-based TV series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, which has been incorporated into many school science curricula. Questioning Cosmos refutes evolutionary claims and establishes the creationist understanding.

Engaging graphics illustrate concepts; web links to additional content are plentiful; and experiments, quizzes, and research projects conclude many chapters. It is recommended for ages 12 and older.
Review by Stacy Long

Brother’s Keeper
An intriguing story line is the strong suit as Brother’s Keeper tells the story of identical twin brothers whose lives are destined for very different paths – one for seminary and the other for a lifestyle of questionable repute. But a murder shakes their little Georgia town as the twins are about to graduate high school in 1949, and the “good brother” winds up imprisoned for the crime. Christian faith is treated fairly in the context of characters’ lives.

As gripping as the story is, there are some cautions: one profanity, one scene of very immodest cleavage, several scenes featuring alcohol, and one scene in which the name of God is used in a mockery of prayer. As for production values, there is a rather startling contrast concerning the Southern drawl that is minimal and fairly accurate in most scenes, but which goes to extremes and becomes caricaturish and disconcerting in the courtroom scenes.
Review by Randall Murphree

Turn Around Jake
A positive theme and clear references to Jesus dying for our sins give Turn Around Jake a positive twist. The plot focuses on Jake, who left his small hometown after high school and became highly successful in business in the city.

But when his firm and his boss are caught in illegal activities, Jake loses his job and returns home for the first time in six years. Mending relationships with an old girl friend and with his father are his biggest challenges there. 

Unfortunately, frequent minor cleavage and numerous scenes with alcohol consumption make it questionable for family viewing.
Review by Randall Murphree

God Has a Plan
Pastor David Lange’s Bible study series, God Has a Plan, focuses on four God-given institutions: self-government, family government, church government, and civil government. Each of the four books is an extensive study of one of those four institutions. 

In the study, Lange teaches that God’s laws must be respected in each of these critical areas if a nation is to receive His blessing.

The God Has a Plan series is aimed at teen to adult Bible studies.

For more information: bibleistherock.com.
Review by Debbie Fischer