AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
Above, Actor Steve McQueen and film producer Greg Laurie (inset)
October 2017 – New film documents how God’s grace reaches the King of Cool
The Christian faith of one of the most popular and highly paid 1960s-70s actors is the fulcrum on which Steve McQueen: American Icon is balanced. Greg Laurie – pastor, author, and long-time McQueen fan – narrates the documentary with an engaging look at a man who spent most of his years by his own wayward rules.
McQueen lived large by the world’s standards. He is noted for his countless stand-out roles in television (e.g,. Wanted: Dead or Alive) and films (Bullitt, The Great Escape, Papillon, and many more).
“He grew disillusioned with Hollywood,” Laurie told AFA Journal, “and just walked away from it at the height of his fame.” Later, when cancer brought him to his knees, he was suddenly fertile soil for the gospel.
“Steve had always wanted to fly a plane,” Laurie said, “so he hired flight instructor Sammy Mason. After spending hours and hours with Mason, Steve asked him, ‘What makes you different?’”
“I’m a follower of Jesus Christ,” Mason replied. Steve began going to church with Mason and soon gave his life to Christ.
One of the film’s gripping stories tells of McQueen’s request to meet Billy Graham. The noted evangelist flew to meet McQueen at the airport when he was headed to Mexico for cancer surgery.
The generation that remembers McQueen will enjoy the film, and later generations will be gripped by how McQueen exemplifies a timeless truth: A life of wealth and fame crumbles when compared to life in Christ.
Steve McQueen: American Icon will be in theaters one day only, September 28. For theater locations, visit stevemcqueenmovie.com.
Randall Murphree
CAUTION
A Question of Faith
A Question of Faith is set to release in theaters September 29. The lives of three families collide when tragedy strikes, turning their worlds upside down. It’s a gripping story of God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Several Scripture verses and statements reflecting biblical faith are scattered throughout the film.
Unfortunately, however, A Question of Faith replaces the gospel with sentimentality and misses the mark by offering a feel-good alternative.
It is not suitable for young children and contains some intense scenes involving tragedy and loss.
Rebecca Davis
The Porn Myth
Matt Fradd takes on a dark and pervasive subject in his book, The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography. In his previously published book, Delivered, Fradd addresses the subject on a spiritual and personal level.
In this new release, he states the publication “is not a religious treatise on the evils of pornography.” Rather the goal is simply to expose the myth that pornography is a good thing. Well-written and easy to read, it addresses a myriad of myths: porn empowers women, women don’t struggle with porn addiction, it’s only fantasy and doesn’t affect real life, kids can’t really be protected, only religious people oppose porn, and more.
Concise scientific arguments are utilized as well as deeply moving personal stories. The Porn Myth is factual, informative, and hopeful. Recommended for anyone whose life is touched by pornography or who wants to be prepared to help those who are.
The book is available at online and retail bookstores.
Anne Reed
Before You Hit Send
Before You Hit Send: Preventing Headache and Heartache is the latest book by best-selling author Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. This small volume conveys a timely message of common sense and truth. It highlights the damage often caused when people do not think before venting emotions and strong opinions on social media.
The author suggests that people examine their cyber messages with four questions before hitting send: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it clear?
Eggerichs then expounds on each question by exploring related Scriptures and realistic examples of how each question could impact relationships.
The latter portion of the book addresses how to handle damage done after unwisely hitting the send button, explaining the necessity of ownership and repentance.
Joy Lucius
Photo at left, All Saints congregation.
Church as community shown in All Saints
All Saints is an inspiring film based on a true story. In 2006, All Saints Episcopal Church in Smyrna, Tennessee, dwindled to some 20 members after a former rector and most members left to found St. Patrick’s Anglican Church, affiliating with the more conservative Convocation of Anglicans in North America.
A couple of years later, the handful of faithful at All Saints could no longer pay the mortgage, and the denomination’s ruling body sent Michael Spurlock, a first-time pastor, to oversee closing the church and selling the property.
What the bishops hadn’t counted on was how Spurlock would respond to a group of local refugees from Burma. At first, the pastor tried to explain that All Saints could not help them. But they kept coming back until they won the pastor’s heart, and he persuaded his elders to give the church one more year.
All Saints is a heart-warming story dealing with big themes – following God’s call, tackling life’s challenges creatively, overcoming tensions in a ministry family, and having faith to plant seeds even when harvest appears impossible.
The film released in August. Learn more at allsaintsmovie.com.
Randall Murphree
